International tourists navigate through canals and waterways to experience the Tet (Lunar New Year) festivities in the Mekong Delta.

Hiring small boats to follow locals through the canals and waterways, many international tourists are delighted by the rhythm of life and the festive atmosphere of Tet in the Mekong Delta.

Tet in the Mekong Delta is warm and intimate.

Besides pre-designed tours , many international tourists also choose to explore independently by renting small boats from locals, navigating the canals connecting to Cai Rang floating market to better experience the Tet atmosphere in the Mekong Delta.

International tourists enjoy capturing images of the daily life of people in the Mekong Delta during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Leaving the Cai Rang floating market, the boat slowly turned into the Rau Ram canal (An Binh ward, Can Tho city), shaded by coconut trees. On both banks were neatly cleaned houses, their front yards adorned with red lanterns, potted apricot blossoms, and kumquat trees. The aroma of cooking banh tet (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) and the faint scent of incense from the ancestral altar, combined with the lively laughter and chatter, created a warm and intimate Tet atmosphere.

On this journey, international tourists not only admire the scenery but also witness firsthand the daily life of the people in the riverine region. Some are cleaning their boats in preparation for transporting goods in the early days of the year, some families are busy wrapping cakes, and children eagerly help adults clean the yard. Many tourists enjoy taking photos of these everyday moments, while others readily wave and receive friendly smiles from the locals.

Local boat owners both steer their vessels and introduce traditional Tet customs to international tourists.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

What impresses tourists is not only the scenery, but also the genuine hospitality of the local people. The waving hands and friendly greetings, despite language differences, create a close connection. These authentic experiences help tourists better understand the local culture and contribute to spreading the image of the Mekong Delta to international friends.

Michael Thompson, a tourist from England, said that the boat trip through the small canals was the most special experience of his trip to Vietnam. "I was very impressed to see the locals preparing for the traditional Lunar New Year. Some families were wrapping bánh chưng (traditional rice cakes), some houses were hanging lanterns and displaying apricot blossoms in front of their doors. The atmosphere was very warm and peaceful. This was the first time I experienced the Lunar New Year in such an intimate way," he shared.

Tourists experience the feeling of sitting in a small boat, weaving through tree-lined canals.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Meanwhile, Anna, a tourist from Germany, found the experience of cruising through coconut-lined canals on a boat to be completely different. "Everything felt so natural, quiet, and uncrowded. The locals always smiled and waved at us. I felt like I wasn't just a tourist, but like I was being welcomed into their real life during Tet," she said.

Canal tourism provides a livelihood for the local people.

The festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is also clearly evident on the river, with boats laden with flowers, fruits, sweets, and agricultural products. The vibrant yellow of apricot blossoms, the red of watermelons, and the green of vegetables blend with the sparkling water in the early morning sun, creating a lively scene that is distinctly characteristic of the Mekong Delta. Many tourists take the opportunity to capture images, preserving these rare moments of spring in the South.

The journey exploring the canals offers international tourists an authentic experience of the Lunar New Year in Can Tho's countryside.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Mr. Nguyen Van Viet (50 years old), the owner of a tourist boat, feels that trips through the canals always leave a deep impression on international visitors. "Not only do tourists want to see Cai Rang floating market, but they also want to understand the real life of people in the Mekong Delta. When they go into the small canals and see the houses decorated and people preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year), they are very interested. Many people also ask about the meaning of the yellow apricot blossom tree, banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cake), and the custom of worshipping ancestors during Tet," Mr. Viet said.

According to Mr. Viet, in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), transporting tourists on boat tours along the canals brings him an income of 300,000 to 400,000 VND per day, depending on the distance traveled and the number of passengers. On each boat route of about 7 km, dozens of local households make a living by transporting tourists, contributing to improving their lives during the peak season for international visitors.

International tourists walk along rural roads to experience the Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere in the Mekong Delta.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The increase in foreign visitors during Tet (Lunar New Year) not only brings a stable income to the locals but also affirms the appeal of Cai Rang floating market and the culture of the Mekong Delta. Amidst the modern pace of life, the boats filled with laughter, weaving through the small canals during the spring, have become a bridge bringing tourists closer to the soul of the simple, warm, and richly cultural Mekong Delta.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-khach-quoc-te-len-loi-kenh-rach-trai-nghiem-tet-miet-vuon-mien-tay-185260216084553294.htm