Local Life Of Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang (2,3 Days)

Why Choose Soc Trang for Your Mekong Delta Tour?

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path trip, Mekong tours discover Soc Trang is a great chance to become immersed in actual Mekong Delta life. Unlike most of its commercialized counterparts, Soc Trang is a lesser-known but untouched region, offering visitors a rich mix of unspoiled nature, centuries-old Khmer heritage, and a vibrant community life. Let’s explore why Soc Trang province is a must-stop in your Mekong Tours trip!

Unspoiled Nature & Authentic Culture

Soc Trang is one of the least commercialized provinces in the Mekong Delta, and hence an ideal place for visitors who seek real cultural experiences. With its emerald-green paddy fields, winding rivers, and traditional wood-frame houses, Soc Trang provides a glimpse into a centuries-old life that hasn’t changed a lot. Mekong tours discover Soc Trang allowing one to mix with farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen and have a firsthand glimpse of life in these communities.

Nga Nam Floating Market – A Hidden Gem of the Mekong Delta

Unlike the touristic floating markets in Can Tho, Nga Nam Floating Market keeps its raw, vibrant, and real character. It’s a five-river confluence marketplace with a flurry of boat trading in fruits, sea fruits, and household goods. With a tour of such a fabulous watercourse with Mekong Tours, you’ll witness the vibrant chaos of native sellers, the din of happy bargaining, and indulge in the exotic fruits of a boat. It’s an un-missable attraction for any Soc Trang visitor!

A Rich Buddhist Heritage with Stunning Khmer Pagodas

For those with a strong desire for history and culture, Mekong tours discover Soc Trang opens its rich Khmer Buddhist heritage in a deep and meaningful manner. Some of Vietnam’s most exciting temples can be visited in the province, and these present a fascinating deep spiritual heritage of the Khmer community fascinatingly. Look in awe at Chua Doi (Bat Pagoda’s) imposing buildings, in whose branches a thousand fruit bats roost in centuries-old trees. Look in awe at Chua Chen Kieu’s (Sa Lon Pagoda’s) beautifully ornamented walls, with a thousand ceramic plates having been used in its construction. Don’t miss Chua Som Rong, famous for its colossal reclining statue of a Buddha, a wonder that will leave one speechless.

Eco-Tourism Adventures in Cu Lao Dung & Tan Long Stork Garden

If you’re an enthusiast for both adventure and nature, Mekong Tours will acquaint you with stunning Cu Lao Dung – a serene island with a cover of lush forests and fruit tree orchards. There, traditional fishing, harvesting coconuts, and even hunting for crabs with village farmers can be experienced. For a wildlife enthusiast, Vuon Co Tan Long (Tan Long Stork Garden) will have an unforgettable experience, with an opportunity to view a thousand of them and endangered species of birds flying over emerald wetlands at sunset.

A Culinary Journey Through Soc Trang’s Unique Flavors

A trip with Mekong tours discover Soc Trang isn’t complete without a try at the province’s culinary fusion. With its mix of Khmer, Vietnamese, and Chinese culinary heritage, Soc Trang is a culinary haven for any foodie! Savor the renowned Bun nuoc leo, a rich and savory Khmer-inspired noodle soup with a dash of fermented fish soup. Enjoy Banh Pia, a soft and delicate durian cake enjoyed countrywide in Vietnam. Don’t miss a bite of Lap Xuong Soc Trang, a sweet and smoky sausage with a distinctly Khmer origin, a perfect keepsake to remember your trip with. With Mekong Tours, each meal is a culinary journey in and of itself!

Bat Pagoda’s (Sours: https://www.tripadvisor)

Sample Itinerary for Local Life of Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang (2-3 Days)

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Soc Trang – Nga Nam Floating Market

Morning:

• Your adventure begins when we depart Ho Chi Minh City and head towards Soc Trang in a five-hour scenic drive. On our drive, we stop at My Tho for a lovely breakfast with hu tieu My Tho, a must-eat dish in the Mekong Delta region.
• Arriving at Nga Nam Floating Market, one of Vietnam’s most real and least touristic floating markets. Nga Nam Floating Market occupies a position at the intersection of five rivers, and therefore, it is a thriving marketplace and focal point for local life.
• Hop on a traditional boat and glide through congested waterways, witness fishermen sell and buy freshly harvested fruits, sea fruits, and household goods. Savor freshly harvested fruits and a refreshing cup of coffee at a traditional coffee shop and indulge in the energetic atmosphere of a marketplace.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy a flavorful Mekong lunch, featuring grilled snakehead fish, lau mam (fermented fish hot pot), and Bun nuoc leo (Khmer noodle soup), a Soc Trang dish.
• Visit Chua Doi (Bat Pagoda), a striking Khmer Buddhist pagoda renowned for its over a thousand fruit bats that roost in its sacred lands. Learn about the religious and architectural significance of centuries-old Chua Doi.
• Continue your journey to Chua Chen Kieu (Sa Lon Pagoda), a magnificent pagoda with walls decorated with a thousand smashed ceramic plates. With such a unique architectural feature, it is one of Soc Trang’s most striking holy sites.
• Check-in at a homestay in a nearby village, and friendly locals will receive and introduce you to their life and customs.

Evening:

• Enjoy a rich meal with Soc Trang’s Bun nuoc leo, a fragrant and flavorful soup with a bold character, a traditional Khmer dish.
• Explore Soc Trang night market, where one can buy traditional handicrafts, indulge in street foods, and have a lively evening atmosphere.
• If you’re lucky, you can even attend a traditional Khmer dancing performance, a mystical end to your day.
• Rest for tonight in your cozy homestay accommodation or ecotourism retreat, prepared for yet another exciting day of activity.

Nga Nam Floating Market (Sours: vietnamtravel)

Day 2: Cu Lao Dung Island – Tan Long Stork Garden – Local Experiences

Morning:

• Wake up in the morning with a refreshing morning wind in the Mekong Delta and enjoy a homemade breakfast with your family.
• Board a boat for Cu Lao Dung, a serene island famous for its rich rural life and verdant foliage.
• Get hands-on with hands-on experiences including fruit-picking, learning about extracting juice out of a coconut, and witnessing traditional Khmer agricultural practices in use.
• Participate in hands-on sessions in which you can try your hand at traditional fishing, net-fishing, and Khmer cooking, and gain a new level of appreciation for life in Cambodia.

Afternoon:

• Relish a rural lunch with grilled freshwater fish, shrimp salad (goi tep trau), and fruits in season direct from the island’s fruit trees.
• Journey to Tan Long Stork Garden, a breathtaking ecotourism site with a nesting site for over a thousand storks and many other threatened species of birds. Stroll through this oasis and marvel at seeing in wonder at sunset when the magnificent birds fly in to roost.
• Continue your journey at Thien Vien Truc Lam Soc Trang, a peaceful Buddhist monastery surrounded by verdant gardens. Unwind, practice your yoga and meditation, and indulge in the tranquility of the Mekong Delta at its finest in this peaceful haven.

Evening:

• Spend some free time relaxing at your homestay or explore more Soc Trang at your leisure.
• Optional: Join a culinary lesson with a native chef, who will introduce you to techniques for preparing traditional Cambo dishes.
• Enjoy another peaceful evening in Soc Trang, taking in the peace and beauty of rural life.

Cu Lao Dung Island (Sours: thamhiemmekong)

Day 3 (Optional): Mo O Beach – My Phuoc Islet – Return to Ho Chi Minh City

Morning:

• Begin your morning with a trip to Mo O Beach, one of the least visited coastal areas in the Mekong Delta. It is a peaceful retreat with a soft sandy beach and a glorious morning sunlight view.
• Head to My Phuoc Islet, a fertile agricultural district renowned for its lush fruit gardens in full fruit, with its expansive orchards filled with mangoes, longan, and durian trees and freshly harvested fruits directly off trees.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy one last traditional meal in a traditional Mekong dish, locally prepared at a family-owned establishment
• Say goodbye to Soc Trang and depart towards Ho Chi Minh City for our homeward journey.
• Arrive in Ho Chi Minh in the evening, putting an end to memorable  Mekong tours discover Soc Trang.

My Phuoc Islet (Sours: https://www.booking)

Travel Tips for Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang

Best Time to Visit for Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang

The ideal tour period for Mekong tours discover Soc Trang is between November and April, when the weather is simply lovely and perfect for boat tours, pagoda visiting, and outdoor activities. To gain an insight into Soc Trang’s rich heritage, try visiting during one of Soc Trang’s numerous Khmer celebrations, such as Ok Om Bok (Festival of Moon Worship) or the thrill of Ghe Ngo boat races, during which one can see firsthand Soc Trang’s rich heritage of its Khmer community.

Currency & Payment Methods in Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang

While some larger hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards, most payments in Soc Trang will have to be in VND (Vietnamese Dong). For purchasing at floating markets, street restaurants, and rural tours, best to have cash with you. There will be ATMs in Soc Trang City but fewer in outlying islands and rural villages.

Packing Essentials for Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang

For a leisureful and enjoyable trip with Mekong Tours, don’t miss to include:

• Light, breathable clothes for hot weather. Cotton and linen apparel best serve to keep a person cool.
• Sun protection: Sun hats, shades, and sunscreen must feature in protecting yourself against strong Mekong Delta sunlight.
• Mosquito repellent: Necessary for visiting Cu Lao Dung and Tan Long Stork Garden, with its rich foliage that brings insects in tow.
• Comfortable shoes: There will be a lot of walking over rough temple grounds, hopping aboard boats, and visiting village communities, so a lightweight sneaker or a pair of sandals is best.
• A light rain poncho: In rainy season (May to October, in case one experiences intermittent showers

Soc Trang (Sours: canthomekongtour)

Photography & Cultural Etiquette in Mekong Tours Discover Soc Trang

Capturing the beauty of Mekong tours discover Soc Trang with a camera is a pleasure in reality, but don’t forget to use discretion:

• Ask for permission beforehand when taking photos of locals, especially in floating markets and rural Khmer villages. Smile and a warm gesture can go a long, long distance in creating a positive first impression.
• Temple Etiquette: For a Chua Doi, Chua Chen Kieu, or Chua Som Rong trip, don your shoulder and knees-covered clothes. Remove your shoes at all times when in holy areas.
• Respect local customs: There are powerful customs in the Buddhist community in Cambodia, and thus, pay care at holy locations. Do not indulge in loud conversation and don’t ever point your feet towards idols of Buddha.

Conclusion

Join Mekong tours discover Soc Trang for an actual life journey to the heart of the Mekong Delta. With its thriving Nga Nam Floating Market, idyllic beauty of pagodas, and ecotourism marvels, every single one of your experiences with Mekong Tours will have cultural experiences, breathtaking beauty, and unforgettable encounters with the friendly locals.

Don’t wait—book your trip today and let us introduce you to a one-time-only journey through Soc Trang!

Hanoi Head Office

• 125 Hoang Ngan, Hanoi
• Tel: (+84) 912 379 189
• Email: hanoi@impresstravel.com

Saigon Office

• 155 Ben Van Don, Rivergate, 4 District, HCM
• Tel: (+84)961675566
• Email: saigon@impresstravel.com