Cu Lao Gieng - a fairytale land in the middle of the Tien River

Nestled amidst the tranquil Tien River in An Giang province, Cu Lao Gieng possesses the serene beauty of the old Mekong Delta with its ancient architectural structures, lush green gardens, and a rare sense of peaceful living.

Amidst the increasingly vibrant development of the Mekong Delta, Cu Lao Gieng still retains its peaceful appearance, like a place of old memories.

The tree-lined narrow streets, the church bells ringing in the afternoon, and the quiet ferry crossings make this place a nostalgic destination in the Southwestern region of Vietnam.

Discover Cu Lao Gieng Island

Cu Lao Gieng is located in the middle of the Tien River, in Cu Lao Gieng commune, An Giang province. It is known as a "green island" due to its characteristic garden landscape and unique cultural and religious relics that have been preserved relatively intact.

From the center of Long Xuyen, visitors can travel about 30km to reach Cu Lao Gieng. The journey via small ferries, navigating through the alluvial waters, is a unique experience that many people enjoy when exploring this area.

What makes Cu Lao Gieng unique is the rare cultural fusion on a small island in the middle of the Tien River. It is home to many religious structures with architecture that blends Western influences with Southern Vietnamese culture.

Most notable is the Cu Lao Gieng Church – one of the famous ancient churches in the Southwestern region of Vietnam. According to documents displayed at the church, construction began in 1875 during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc and was completed in 1887 during the reign of Emperor Dong Khanh. Most of the building materials were imported from France to Vietnam.

The church boasts European Gothic architecture with high vaulted ceilings, long corridors, and a spacious courtyard shaded by ancient trees. Amidst the peaceful setting of the island, the structure creates a beauty that is both ancient and distinct from many other rural areas in the Mekong Delta.

Not far from the church are the Convent of Divine Providence and the Franciscan Convent – ​​ancient religious structures associated with the history of missionary work in Southern Vietnam. Interspersed among the Western-style architecture are ancient temples such as Thanh Hoa Pagoda and Phuoc Thanh Pagoda, creating a diverse cultural space on this small island in the middle of the river.

Franciscan Monastery, a religious building with ancient beauty, located in Cu Lao Gieng commune. (Photo: Thanh Sang/VNA)

What makes many tourists love Cu Lao Gieng Island is not only its ancient architecture but also the slow pace of life characteristic of the Mekong Delta. Village roads shaded by bamboo groves, rows of betel nut trees, mango orchards, and longan orchards create a rare and peaceful scene.

Mornings on Cu Lao Gieng begin with the sound of motorboats on the river, people calling out to each other at the docks, and the aroma of traditional cakes wafting through the small markets. In the afternoon, the golden sunlight bathes the ancient rooftops and trees along the roadside, making the entire island seem to slow down in a tranquil atmosphere.

Experience the feeling of "old-fashioned Mekong Delta".

Besides spiritual tourism and exploring ancient architecture, Cu Lao Gieng also develops community-based ecotourism models. Several garden tourism destinations, homestays, and rural life experiences have been established to serve tourists. The locality is orienting its development towards ecotourism linked with culture, beliefs, and traditional crafts.

Tourists visit an orchard on Cu Lao Gieng island. (Photo: Thanh Sang/VNA)

In recent years, many young tourists have flocked to Cu Lao Gieng to experience the remnants of "old Mekong Delta" amidst modern life. Not overly crowded or commercialized, it still retains its rustic charm with ferry crossings, small riverside roads, and the simple lifestyle of the local people.

The cuisine on Cu Lao Gieng island also reflects the flavors of the Southwestern region of Vietnam, with rustic dishes such as linh fish, fermented fish hotpot, banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), grilled sticky rice with banana, and seasonal fruits from the orchards. Many tourists choose to sit in small riverside restaurants to experience the peaceful atmosphere characteristic of this land.

According to local authorities, Cu Lao Gieng currently has great potential for developing community-based and cultural tourism thanks to its system of ancient architectural structures, ecological landscapes, and diverse cultural life.

The recognition of Cu Lao Gieng as an island commune by An Giang province is a significant milestone, marking a strong transformation for this island region in the middle of the Tien River; opening the door for Cu Lao Gieng to access preferential mechanisms and policies on infrastructure investment, socio-economic development, and improving the lives of its people.

Perhaps after leaving Cu Lao Gieng, visitors will forever remember the feeling of sitting by the breezy riverbank, listening to the church bells ringing in the late afternoon, and watching the green trees casting their reflections on the Tien River.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/cu-lao-gieng-mien-co-tich-giua-dong-song-tien-post1109022.vnp