Tourists try new flood-season experiences in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

In Thuong Phuoc Commune, Dong Thap Province, households in Giong Bang Hamlet have collaborated to offer flood-season tourism, attracting 54 tour groups and creating additional seasonal jobs for local residents.

Tran Van Binh, head of Giong Bang, stated that over the past three months, the initiative has welcomed around 800 visitors, generating approximately VND200 million (US$7,589) in revenue.

In the delta, floods are often seen as a livelihoods as locals have been used to 'living with them' that bring alluvium and other aquatic resources every year from the upstream areas like Cambodia.

Most of the income came from local meals and boat rides that allowed tourists to experience traditional flood-season activities such as harvesting dien dien flowers and observing fishing techniques.

“Next year, we plan to encourage more households to join the flood-season tourism program, plant more dien dien flowers as photo spots, and use them in local dishes,” Binh added.

In Thuong Phuoc Commune (formerly part of Hong Ngu District), tourists can visit the Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate and take photos at the border markers. 

During the flood season, visitors join locals in traditional fishing activities, stroll along the inland paths, and even bathe in the flooded fields.

At the Mekong Delta's upper reaches in An Giang Province, flood-season tourism is also drawing large crowds. 

This year, with higher water levels, Nui Noi Pagoda in Tan Chau Commune attracts thousands of visitors daily, while local farmers offer boat rides, earning additional income.

Nguyen Van Khiem, owner of a vo lai boat, a small, narrow motorized canoe common in the Mekong Delta, said he fishes during the flood season every year. 

This year, however, he has earned additional income by ferrying tourists across the flooded fields near Nui Noi Pagoda.

Khiem charges VND20,000 per passenger for a boat ride, taking visitors on a tour of the flooded fields, filming and photographing the scenery, and interacting with locals as they set nets and traps for fish.

“This year, with higher floodwaters, thousands of locals and tourists visit Nui Noi Pagoda to enjoy food, leisure, and bathing in the flooded fields," Khiem said.

"Some visitors enjoy taking a boat ride to experience the rustic countryside.

“Besides fishing, I earn VND300,000-500,000 [$11.4-19] a day by ferrying tourists," he said.

"The work is easy, but I enjoy it, as it reflects the culture of the Mekong Delta."

Similarly, Nguyen Van Loc, from Tan Chau Commune, said using his canoe to ferry visitors across the fields brings joy to the community and allows people to relive childhood memories while bathing in the flooded waters.

“The water has mostly receded now, but when the floods return next year, I will take visitors on boat rides again,” Loc added.