Between Vinh Long and Can Tho, along a wide branch of the Mekong River is Sa Dec, major rural centre and busy port.
The small city is renowned for the abundant production of flowers and ornamental plants. In the quaint and placid atmosphere of the area you can find a few remnants of the past, in the shape of old houses and temples.
Sa Dec is a destination of great interest to those who want to escape the usual hasty 1-2 day tours. The life in Mekong Delta region here still seems to flow slowly and peacefully.
Two days in Sa Dec: suggested programme
A half-day is enough to see the main sightseeing places of Sa Dec. Those who come here will definitely enjoy exploring the countryside surrounding the city. Sa Dec is an ideal starting point for short itineraries between Vinh Long, Can Tho and Ben Tre.
Day 1 - Sa Dec city centre
The city is most famous for its floral market. Located in the northern periphery of the city, the market covers a large residential areas. Narrow canals separate the ubiquitous fields. Most of them are guarded by the homes of their owners as cultivation here is mainly a family activity.
We assume that you reach the city around noon, which is often the case if you move from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Ben Tre or Chau Doc.
Sa Dec Flower Village
The flower village, full of greenhouses, fields, picturesque houses and cafes is worth a visit at any time of the year but it is particularly busy and colourful 2 to 3 weeks earlier than Tet, the Vietnamese lunisolar New Year.
Apart from the spectacle of colours and fragrances, visitors can appreciate the local mode of living. Houses, small ancestral altars and tombs amid fields near the river. The key elements of the spiritual and material universe of the individuals are visible in full harmony.
House of Huynh Thuy Le
Dating back to the XIX century, the small ornate house belonged to a wealthy Chinese family. The house was used as set for the movie “The Lover” by Annaud.
The building is an original mixture of local and western architecture.
Kien An Cung
Near the Huynh Thuy Le House is Kien An Cung, a beautiful Chinese temple endowed with rich decorations.
Other sightseeing places
In the city centre are quite a few temples and pagodas. Some of them are relatively old and worth a visit. They can all be reached on foot.
Along the river, not far from the House of Huynh Thuy Le is the food market, bustling and colourful as are most markets in Vietnam.
Day 2 - Surroundings
Sa Dec is at the centre of a beautiful rural area where you can enjoy the serenity of the Mekong Delta region.
Not far from Sa Dec, at a distance of less than 30-50 km are a few places that are well worth a visit.
Dong Thap province 1-day itinerary:
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1) Tram Chim National Park or Go Thap archaeological site and Xeo Quyt Forest;
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2) Visit to An Binh Island and Vinh Long.
Dong Thap province
Dong Thap province lies in the heart of the Mekong Delta region. As long as you avoid the main highways and roads, the whole area offers plenty of opportunities for pleasant tours by motorbike.
We suggest that you visit the locality of Go Thap. Here you can see large lotus ponds. Over them are family-run inns and restaurants that offer glimpses of the local lifestyle. In the area is an archaeological site with few vestiges of the mysterious Kingdom of Funan.
If you want to get an idea of what it meant to be a Viet-Cong, do not miss out on a visit to Xeo Quyt Forest. Amid the impressive deep jungle are a few bunkers and installations used by combatants during the last conflict.
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