Western Tourism: Diverse experiences between rivers and folk festivals

VTV.vn - The Southwest region is a peaceful land of rivers and streams, where the cultural colors of Kinh, Khmer, Chinese, Cham converge with the rich nature of U Minh forest and the sea and sky of Nam Du.

The Southwest region, a land of alluvium, rivers and gentle smiles, has long been a destination that attracts domestic and foreign tourists. This place not only possesses rich natural landscapes but is also a unique cultural space, a place where four ethnic groups converge and interact: Kinh, Khmer, Hoa and Cham.

Land of rivers and diverse culture

The Mekong Delta, the southernmost part of the country, is blessed by nature with a dense network of rivers, vast fields and lush green islands. The lives of people here are closely linked to the water, boats, floating markets, and a simple, rustic but affectionate lifestyle.

A trip to the West is a journey of diverse experiences: from fruit-laden garden tourism, warm community tourism, to spiritual tourism associated with ancient pagodas, or eco-tourism between mangrove forests and immense islands.

Kinh – Khmer – Chinese – Cham cultural picture

The Southwest is a land of cultural harmony, where each ethnic group contributes to creating a unique common identity.

Xiem Can Pagoda - the most beautiful Khmer pagoda in the South. Photo: TITC

Khmer culture is prominent with Southern Buddhism, which is the center of spiritual life and the foundation of the phum and soc communities. Khmer pagodas with high roofs, elaborate carvings and brilliant yellow colors such as Xiem Can pagoda (formerly Bac Lieu), Kompong Chray pagoda or Monivongsa Boparam pagoda (formerly Soc Trang ) are cultural and religious symbols of the Khmer people. Traditional festivals such as Chol Thnam Thmay, Ooc Om Bok moon worshiping ceremony, or Sen Dolta ceremony are not only occasions for entertainment but also spaces for people to express their gratitude to their ancestors and strengthen community solidarity. The sound of drums, graceful Ram Vong dances, and the high and low five-tone orchestra have become familiar echoes of this land.

Rach Soi Pagoda. Photo: TITC

The Chinese community in the West, especially in Can Tho, Tra Vinh (formerly), Soc Trang (formerly), has left a deep mark on cultural and economic life. They are famous for their industriousness and dynamism in commerce and traditional crafts. Assembly halls and temples such as Thien Hau Temple, Ong Bon Assembly Hall, or Quan Am Pagoda are not only places of worship but also cultural destinations, demonstrating the interweaving of Chinese beliefs and indigenous culture. On every festival occasion such as the Nghinh Ong Festival or Thien Hau Festival, the bustling atmosphere spreads throughout the streets, attracting a large number of tourists from all over.

Tourists enjoy the pentatonic performance. Photo: TITC

For the Cham people, life is closely linked to rivers and traditional crafts. The Cham community in An Giang lives mainly along the canals, fishing, small-scale trading, weaving brocade and preserving unique cultural values. Islam plays a central role in their spiritual life. Chau Phong Cham village tourism (An Giang) gives visitors the opportunity to learn about customs, visit the mosque, enjoy typical Halal cuisine and feel the peaceful beauty of the riverside craft village.

Green mangrove forests

Not only is it famous for its diverse cultural life, the Southwest region also attracts tourists by the immense green of its mangrove forests. U Minh Thuong and U Minh Ha forests, the two core areas of the world biosphere reserve, are home to a unique Melaleuca forest ecosystem, along with hundreds of rare species of birds, animals, reptiles and plants.

U Minh Ha Melaleuca Forest. Photo: TITC

Visitors can sit on a sampan and weave through the canals, listen to the birds calling their flocks, watch lotus flowers bloom, or experience the rustic life of the locals: spreading nets, bailing out ponds, picking wild vegetables, and setting up beehives to collect honey. In U Minh Thuong National Park (formerly Kien Giang), a journey to explore Hoa Mai Lake, Trang Chim or the wildlife rescue area will help visitors understand more about the efforts to preserve nature in the land at the end of the country.

Photo: TITC

A journey of cultural colors

From the golden Khmer pagodas, the bright red Chinese assembly halls, the green cajuput forests to the deep blue sea and sky, the Southwest region is a harmonious picture of nature and people. Every color, every sound, every festival reflects the optimistic, hospitable and life-loving spirit of the people here.

A journey to the West is not only a trip to explore beautiful landscapes but also a journey to find the spiritual and cultural values ​​of the land and people of the South: honest, generous, warm-hearted and compassionate.

The Southwest region, where rivers and waters meet and cultures are forever connected, is a "colorful journey" waiting for visitors from all over to come and feel, to love and to remember.

Source: https://vtv.vn/du-lich-mien-tay-trai-nghiem-da-dang-giua-song-nuoc-va-le-hoi-dan-gian-100251022112556231.htm