The Mekong

The Mekong brings life to the Vietnamese. As a geography student, I had learnt that this river is the main source of hope for the country. As the main source of transportation, it prospered trade and related activities. The silt  that flows out from the river to its banks allows rich soil to emerge and promises good padi harvests annually. The cereal is reaped about 3 times a year and feed the millions of people around the valley. It is also a main export.

People plough along the river each day to catch fish for protein and abodes are established for the fishermen. At times, the wooden boats becomes a little shop selling local cuisines, drinks and even home appliances.

Truly, Vietnam is indebted to the Mekong which flows down from the mountains of Tibet.

As such, tourists are invited to take a closer look at the Mekong and a day trip along it will surely be part of the itinerary.

So, with the typical Viet hats on, we must have looked like one of the locals.

At the end of the ride, we were told to pay. So, if you do not want to do that, do not take the offer of the hat. But, helping the locals in their livelihood is only a gesture of grace. So give.

 Along the short ride on a small tributary, we saw the nipah and its fruits.

They say the nipah fruit tastes like coconut; not too sure but dad says its often added to the ABC drink (ice kacang)

The sampan ride along the Mekong was a rocky one with rain water splashing everywhere. But the veteran manning it was not disturbed a bit. So we reckon we must be in safe hands.

On one of the islands off the Mekong we saw fruit orchards like the ones back home. It was fruits everywhere and city children should have a feel of them.

That's the pomelo family which grow freely and wildly on the rich silty soil.

I always see the longan fruit in the local market but this was the first time I saw the the fruit hanging from a tree.

The dragon fruit was abundantly found here. Red and crimson, this fruit has a good source of fibre and vitamin C. Papayas and pineapples are common too.

They use the silt and clay to make pots for sale.

The islanders are friends to bees too. The queen bee is well looked after to produce the honey that was served to us in drinks. The bees are harmless, so we were told but no one attempted to touch them.

This singer has a sharp tone and her melancholic voice added to the classic old looking band. She entertained us well so we tipped them again. Life here is slow and for rest but only for a while after which you would long for the normal routine again. 

 Coconut trees sway here and there. Their fruits provide many uses; appliances, brooms, sticks, toys, oil, ointment, and of course candies too.

The cottage industry of candy making is to enrich the livelihood of the locals and the tourists bought much to bring home. We were given a chance to pack them too. It was mere fun for the day.

 A side tour brought us to the egg shell industry.

Form egg shells, beautiful portraits are created and sold; not cheaply though.

The handiwork was made by the handicap and professional creations were seen.

These are two of the many that were created and sold. We bought a piece. 

Guess which one did dad pick? It cost us RM340.00. 

With the Mekong ride, we also ended the short trip here.

Simple, free and easy.