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Opinion On The 5-day Itinerary In Tien Giang Vietnam By Ms Karine

Hello, my name is Karine. If you dream of an authentic immersion in the heart of the Mekong Delta Vietnam, let me share with you my 5-day trip to Tien Giang, a province that reveals a Vietnam that is at once surprising, authentic and charming. To make this experience unforgettable, I contacted Autour Asia, a travel agency in Vietnam who designed a personalized itinerary for me. From Saigon to the peaceful banks of Tien Giang, my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang took me to vibrant floating markets, passing through lush orchards, and exploring villages steeped in tradition. I also experienced moments of authentic and enriching exchanges with residents whose generosity moved me deeply.

I. What to do in the Mekong Delta Vietnam? 5 Days in Tien Giang, Vietnam

Day 1: What to do in Tien Giang? Vinh Trang Pagoda, Thoi Son Islet

The first day of my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang began with the discovery of the Vinh Trang Pagoda, an architectural gem mixing Asian and European influences. From a distance, it evokes a European building with its elegant columns and ornate arches, but inside, the wooden carvings and calligraphy inscriptions reflect the Vietnamese soul. Surrounded by peaceful gardens and a fragrant lotus pond, the pagoda exudes a mesmerizing serenity. In the center, an imposing statue of Buddha dominates the place. In front of her, I felt tiny, impressed by her grandeur and the spirituality that permeates this sacred space.

During my 5 days in Tien Giang, I had the pleasure of tasting a delicious bowl of hu tieu My Tho in a small local restaurant. This emblematic dish of the Mekong Delta Vietnam is distinguished by its clear and fragrant broth. The owner, smiling, told me the story of this recipe passed down through the generations. Surrounded by locals, I savored every bite, seduced by this explosion of flavors.

In the afternoon, I had an unforgettable experience in Thoi Son Islet, a green island in the heart of the Mekong Delta Vietnam. To visit Tien Giang in 5 days, I boarded a traditional rowboat for about 13 USD per person, gliding through winding canals lined with water palm trees, where local life unfolds peacefully. My first stop was a lush orchard, where I enjoyed freshly picked fruit: juicy rambutans, sweet grapefruit and intensely fragrant durian. In the shade of a mango tree, a farmer told me passionately about the local agricultural traditions and his connection to this fertile land. To top off this day full of discoveries, I enjoyed a fried, crispy and golden elephant ear fish, accompanied by fresh herbs and a sweet and sour sauce. An explosion of flavors that sublimated this authentic immersion in the culture of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Day 2: Rach Gam Xoai Mut - Memorial to the Battle of Ap Bac

On the second day of my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang, I discovered sites full of history. In Rach Gam - Xoai Mut, the locals told me that a great battle was fought here in 1785, where the Tay Son troops, led by Nguyen Hue, triumphed over the Siamese army by skillfully using the tide and currents. Navigating the now-peaceful Tien River, it was hard to imagine the tumult of the fighting of the past. The monumental statues and bas-reliefs present on the site testified to this historic victory.

Later, at the Battle of Ap Bac Memorial, I was told that this place honored a 1963 clash, where Vietnamese forces stood up to American troops. As I walked through the commemorative markers and the reconstructed trenches under a burning sun, I came across an old lady selling cold drinks. She told me that her family had hidden in the tunnels during the war, reminding me that history was not only in the books, but also in the memories of those who had lived through it.

Despite these harrowing stories, the locals I met were warmly hospitable. This contrast between the brutality of the past and the sweetness of today's exchanges made a deep impression on me, as if the resilience of the Vietnamese people could be read through every smile and every benevolent gesture. A moving stop on my journey to visit Tien Giang in 5 days, where each place explored bore the traces of a vibrant past of history and humanity.

Day 3: Cai Be Floating Market - Ong Kiet Old House - Dong Hoa Hiep Village

The next day, I continued my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang. I got up very early, at 6am, to visit the Cai Be floating market. The lively atmosphere of the boats loaded with colorful fruits and vegetables immediately captivated me. A saleswoman proudly explained to me that the traders hung their products on a bamboo pole to indicate what they were selling. Sitting on a boat, enjoying a black coffee, I fully felt the authentic soul of the Mekong Delta. Despite the hustle and bustle of the market, the exchanges remained marked by an astonishing serenity, as if each seller, accustomed to the rhythm of the river, found his balance in this floating ballet.

Then, I visited the old house Mr Kiet, one of the most beautiful mansions in the ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep, classified as a cultural heritage by UNESCO. This house in the aristocratic style of the South, with its carved columns and precious wood, has survived the centuries despite wars and floods. The owner's grandson showed me old photos of his family, telling with emotion the history of the house. In this setting full of memories, I took part in a cooking class where I prepared Southwestern Vietnamese specialties myself, before walking through the lush orchard that surrounds the house. This experience immersed me in the heart of local traditions, a valuable step for anyone who wants to visit Tien Giang in 5 days in this trip to Vietnam.

In the afternoon, I got on a bike to explore the quiet streets of the village. The landscape paraded between century-old houses, lush gardens and scenes of life typical of the Mekong Delta Vietnam. At the bend of a path, I came across an old craftsman weaving rushes mats, who confided to me with sadness that his profession was gradually being lost. His studio smelled of rattan and beeswax, a smell that seemed to capture the very essence of this living heritage. This moment of tranquility was in stark contrast to the morning’s effervescence, gently closing this beautiful day of cultural immersion, where past and present blended harmoniously.

Day 4: Tan Phong Islet

In my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang, this green island in the Mekong offered a real haven of peace for nature lovers. After renting a bike, I took paths lined with coconut and mango trees, enjoying the freshness of the vegetation. As I walked through an orchard, a family warmly invited me to taste freshly picked rambutans, laughingly explaining that the abundance of fruit was a generous gift from the river. Then I went to visit a fruit garden to enjoy a variety of exotic fruits in a peaceful setting. Coming to an islet without tasting its fruit would be a great omission! Sitting under the benevolent shade of the trees, I enjoyed the sweet and juicy taste of the local specialties while sipping a cup of fragrant tea, listening to the owner tell anecdotes about life along the river with his warm and close southern accent.

In the afternoon, I sailed through a narrow arroyo under the guidance of a teenager from the village, who proudly explained to me that net fishing was a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Before I left, he handed me a lotus flower, saying that it would bring me good luck for the rest of my trip to Vietnam. In the evening, in a house on stilts, my hosts served me a lau ca linh (fish pot), specifying that this dish represented the authentic flavors of the delta. During this 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang, all of them had offered me a good insight into their way of life.

Day 5: Free Day in Tien Giang

The last day of my 5-day itinerary in Tien Giang started with a peaceful morning in the heart of the Mekong Delta Vietnam. After enjoying a hearty breakfast of fresh bread, coffee, and local specialties, I took my time to stroll around the area, savoring the calm atmosphere of this unique place. Before leaving the region that had captured my heart, I indulged in a final lunch, savoring the freshness of the day’s produce and local spices. Then came the moment of farewell. My heart felt heavy as I left this land where the simplicity and warmth of the people had made me feel at home, even thousands of miles away.

II. Conclusion

This 5-day trip to Tien Giang was not just a simple tourist getaway. It represented a real human adventure, an immersion in the heart of an authentic and welcoming Vietnam. Every encounter, every smile and every moment shared with the people of the Mekong Delta Vietnam reminded me that the true richness of a trip lies in the people you meet. Even thousands of miles away from home, these moments of sincere connection turn into lasting memories that accompany the traveler throughout her life.

If you dream of discovering a Vietnam far from the beaten track, let yourself be tempted by the Tien Giang experience. Not only will you find awe-inspiring scenery and a fascinating history, but more importantly, people whose hospitality and generosity will touch your heart and make you feel at home, even on the other side of the world. For authentic immersion and tailored advice, trust a local travel agency in Vietnam, which will guide you through the wonders of the Mekong Delta and beyond.

Have a good trip and see you soon on the banks of the Mekong!