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Provinces
of Mekong Delta Region |
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Dong Thap Province
+84-(0)-67 |
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Capital city: |
Cao Lanh |
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Area (sq km): |
3,238 |
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Population: |
1,592,600 |
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Average temp: |
26.6°C |
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Ethnic data: |
Viet/Kinh, Cham, Hoa, Khmer. |
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Districts/wards: |
Cao Lanh, Chau Thanh, Hong Ngu, Lap
Vo, Lai Vung, Sa Dec town,
Tam Nong, Tan Hong, Thanh Binh, Thap Muoi. |
Description:
Dong Thap Province is located in
the extreme south of VietNam bordered by Long An and Tien Giang on the
northeast; Vinh Long on the southeast; Can Tho and An Giang on the southwest; a
52 kilometre border with Cambodia on the northwest.
Economy:
Agriculture - rice, fishery, trade.
Natural beauty sights:
Vast areas of lotus and nenuphar blooms at dawn and sunset.
Tam Nong Bird Park (1) located in Tam Nong district, covers 8,000 hectures and
53 kilometres in paths.
Red-headed cranes, one of 15 endangered species of cranes in the world, can be
seen at close range. Cranes have played an important role throughout Vietnamese
history. Thousands of years ago images of cranes were used in interior
decoration in European aristocratic families.
In the Orient, cranes were and are still worshipped as examples of faithfulness
and national longevity. Different from any other species of birds in the area,
cranes find their food only on land; they must therefore migrate to avoid the
rainy season in Dong Thap Muoi.
Cranes stay in Tam Nong Park from December to June.
Tan Qui Dong Flower Gardens (4) approximately 3 kilometres from Sa Dec, is well
known throughout Vietnam for its flower gardens, particularly rose gardens.
Roses are transported daily to shops in Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon and other
provinces. Some nurseries cultivating medicinal herbs are also located in this
area.
Ecological travel:
Xeo Quit Guerrilla Base, animals such as cranes, herons, and pelicans. The crane
has been classified as an endangered species.
A revolutionary base during the anti-French and US resistance wars, the 20
hectares cajeput forest of present-day Xeo Quyt has been reclaimed and
become an attractive historical and ecological tourist site in the southern
delta.
To visit the boundless watery cajeput forest in the Plain of Reeds during the
wet season by boat is really an interesting excursion. Boating in the cajeput
forest of Xeo Quyt requires a lot of skill. To move forward, the boat glides
between
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Cajeput Tree
Character: Evergreen; oval form; moderate canopy.
Size: Medium (Height: 25-35'; Spread: 20').
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Blue-green, narrow oval leaves, 2-4" long.
Flower/fruit/bark: Yellow-white flowers in clusters 1-4" long, bloom
June-August. Hard, brown seed capsules, 1/2" across, persist on tree. Shredding,
cream to brown bark.
Monthly water needs: 1st year: 4; 2nd year: 3; 3rd year: 2.
Care: Low. Requires light annual pruning.
Tolerances: Drought; poor drainage; any soil; gusty, steady, or cold winds;
smog; fog; containers.
Special considerations: Prefers sun. Less sensitive than other melaleucas, but
still requires care when planting. Do not disturb rootball or allow rootball to
dry out during establishment period or tree may go into transplant shock. Needs
extra water in hot or windy conditions.
Notable traits: Disease
and pest resistant. Attracts birds. |
cajeput trees, whose roots are rough and covered with a brown and thin
multi-layer skin. The air is cool and humid and has the fragrance of the cajeput
flowers and latex. Now and then, a bird singing or fish splashing breaks the
silence.
The tourist guide, dressed in a loose black blouse and trousers and a soft
canvas hat, the uniform worn during the resistance wars by the southern woman
guerillas, rows the boat skillfully. In deep water, she rows with paddles; but
in shallow water she uses a long bamboo pole to move the boat forward. The small
boat is built with three plates, hence it is called by the locals the
'three-plate boat', and can carry 2 - 3 persons depending weight. (Or one WomPom!)
The forest looks like a floating painting. Around it, climbing plants grow along
the cajeput trees and brighten under the sunlight. All bring about an atmosphere
of a nature full of vitality and wildness.
Xeo Quyt reminds visitors of the former vast cajeput forests in the Plains of
Reeds and U Minh areas. Although being heavily devastated during the war, in
1975 by the end of the war, more than 100,000 hectares of submerged forests remained,
covering parts of Long An, An Giang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces
and producing a wonderful ecological system of the alluvial land at the Mekong
River's estuary.
The cajeput forests work as a great water reservoir to fight
against salt water and acidity and regulate the humidity during the dry season.
During the war, they were ideal destinations for the liberation army men.
The
crisscrossing canals, built in the early 20th Century, became transportation
routes and enabled the local people to reclaim land, develop forestry and
prevent fire. At the time, the so-called 'socio-cultural and economic cajeput
forest development' was encouraged and it is linked with the national history of
land reclaiming and defence.
The cajeput forests, submerged in the red brown water, are an ideal habitation
for numerous kinds of birds, fish and wild animals, typical for the tropical
region. The cajeput timber, due to its flexibility and resistance to rotting,
are often used in house building and basement floors.
This makes cajeput timber
a valuable item and can cause wanton exploitation in the present market economy
if managed poorly.
Furthermore, in the dry season, cajeput trees are flammable,
usually causing big fires. For example, a fire in 1984 destroyed several
thousands of hectares of cajeput forests and badly affected the local
eco-system.
This requires a national strategy to protect the ecological
environment, in the context of the current socio-economic development.
Xeo Quyt, a small part in the vast cajeput forests, was a successful undertaking
to restore and preserve the cajeput forests to their original historical and
ecological background.
Further preservation will be considered and implemented.
More importantly, effort should be made by everyone to protect the unique
ecological system of the entire submerged area, whose history has developed
along with land reclaiming and defending of the fertile southern region.
Historic sights:
Go Thap (2) is located in the
Tan Kieu commune, Thap Muoi district, 11 kilometres north of Thap Muoi,
43 kilometres southwest of Cao Lanh.
Thap Muoi is reached by travelling west from My Tho on National Highway 1 at
point about 11 kilometres there is a minor road branching off north - following
this will lead to My Canh village. A second road branches off about 20
kilometres from My Tho - this also goes to My Canh village. At My Canh village
one road leads to Thap Muoi, some 18 kilometres west of My Canh.
Go Thap Archaeological Area is well known for 5 main artifacts: Binh Kieu Grave;
Co Tu Tower; Minh Su Temple; Queen Xu Temple; Thap Muoi Hill. These artifacts
are of great cultural and historical value to Vietnamese culture.
Co Tu Tower is 100 metres north of Thap Muoi Hill. It was built during the Thieu
Tri period (1841-1842) and was formerly known as the Temple of Chan Lap.
Behind this temple is the Dong Thap Muoi military base, which was under the
command of Doc Binh Kieu, one of the leaders of the resistance against French
troops.
More than 2000 years ago, Thap Muoi Hill was a residential area. Archaeologists
have discovered a number of antiques in this area, especially artifacts
belonging to the Oc-Eo civilisation.
During both National Resistance Movements against the French Troops and the US
Army, the military base supported liberation organizations and other resistance
activities.
President Ho Chi Minh's Fathers Tomb (3); some 2 kilometres from Cao Lanh along
National Highway 23 is the tomb of NGUYEN Sinh Sac (1862-1929), the father of
the late President HO Chi Minh. The tomb was built between 1975 August and 1977
February on an area of one hectare in memory of the man who raised a Vietnamese
national hero.
Festivals:
Go Thap Festival.
Transport:
Cao Lanh is 171 kilometres
southwest of Mien Tay Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon. Direct buses from Ho Chi Minh
City/SaiGon, My Tho, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Long Xuyen. There is only road
transport.
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