Culture
The Mekong Delta is a land of sincere, rustic, and simple people. Perhaps it is the open-minded and harmonious nature of the local people that has brought a richly diverse and well-balanced culinary identity to this region. Exploring Mekong Delta cuisine has always been an appealing topic that attracts great interest from many people.
Five Distinctive Characteristics of the Cham People in An Giang along the Hau River
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Along the gentle stretch of the Hau River lie nameless small hamlets, where the Cham people of An Giang have quietly lived their lives for generations. Without noise or promotion, they preserve their traditions through what may seem like ordinary things: a stilt house, a prayer session in the mosque, a neatly wrapped Matra scarf...
Khmer identity in the heart of An Giang: A living heritage in modern times.
In An Giang, the Khmer people are a familiar presence in daily life. Khmer culture manifests in everything from the vibrant pagoda roofs within the phum soc (hamlets) and the rhythmic festival drums to daily habits like dining, living, and rituals. Amidst a rapidly urbanizing Mekong Delta, that identity is consistently preserved. It is this...
How to make lye water rice dumplings
Ash lye rice dumplings are a traditional dish for the Dragon Boat Festival in Southern Vietnam. Nowadays, ash lye rice dumplings also appear at festivals, holidays, and ancestral commemoration ceremonies.
Charming bamboo bridges in the countryside, along the riverbanks.
The bamboo bridge in the orchards of the Mekong Delta remains deeply etched in the memories of the people of the Southwestern region of Vietnam as a cultural feature of the riverine landscape. This bamboo bridge, or "monkey bridge," spanning the intricate network of rivers, canals, and ditches, is a unique and beautiful aspect of the scenery and daily life of the people in the Mekong Delta.
Boat racing – a tradition of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam.
The Oc Om Boc festival, or traditional Khmer boat race, is one of the major festivals with profound humanistic significance, demonstrating the community bonds of the Southern Khmer people and the spirit of solidarity and loyalty of the three brotherly ethnic groups Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa in the Mekong Delta region.
Dragon Boat Festival – the 5th day of the 5th lunar month
“Tháng tư đong đậu nấu chè Ăn Tết Đoan ngọ trở về tháng năm” (ca dao). Though not as boisterous and bustling as the traditional Lunar New Year, the Đoan Ngọ Festival is still preserved and holds a certain place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Đoan Ngọ Festival – The Pest-Killing Festival This...
The conical hat, a celebration of the beauty of Vietnamese women.
The conical hat is a symbol of gentleness and simplicity, representing Vietnamese women and the land and people of Vietnam. Across the S-shaped land of Vietnam, the image of the conical hat can be found everywhere. Depending on each region, there are different methods of making conical hats to suit local conditions, yet all creativity...
The traditional Vietnamese blouse (áo bà ba), a symbol of Southern beauty.
Through many eras, the áo bà ba remains widely worn by everyone, especially those of middle age and older. It is a thousand-year cultural beauty that leaves an unforgettable impression on the Vietnamese people—a nation with a tradition of creativity and innovation, adapting through time and space to endure… Going back in history, returning to...
Three-leaf boats, a part of riverine culture.
For many generations, the primary means of transportation and livelihood for the people of the Mekong Delta has been boats, with the “xuồng ba lá” (three-plank canoe) standing out as a unique cultural icon. Living in this riverine region, even the poorest household owns at least one. This is considered a symbol of riverine civilization...
The tradition of becoming a monk to achieve enlightenment among the Khmer people of Southern Vietnam.
The custom of entering monkhood in order to become a proper person is still common among the Khmer people in the Southwestern region of Vietnam. According to their belief, becoming a monk is not to become a Buddha but to become a better human being, preparing for a good life in the future. It is...
The custom of worshipping Thong Thien
The worship of Thông Thiên (Heaven-Communicating) is a widespread folk belief in venerating Heaven in the South of our country. According to folk beliefs, Heaven ranks above Buddha among the objects of worship, in the order “Heaven – Buddha – Saints – Gods.” Therefore, worshipping Heaven is the very first act of devotion for every...
Western Vietnamese cuisine
Due to its geographical features and economic activities, Western Vietnamese (Mekong Delta) cuisine has been shaped by a riverine civilization, where the main food sources are rice, fish, and vegetables. The West is a land of honest, rustic, and simple people. Perhaps it is the open and harmonious nature of the locals that has brought...
The bull racing festival in the Bay Nui region, An Giang.
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For a long time, the Seven Mountains area (That Son) in An Giang has attracted many visitors not only for its local specialties and beautiful landscapes, but also for a unique traditional festival—the Ox Racing Festival. This festival is held annually during the Dolta (Don-ta) Festival, a ceremony to worship grandparents and commemorate ancestors of...
Ooc Om Bok Festival of Southern Vietnam
The Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as Phochia Praschanh som paes khee, is the Moon Worship Festival. This celebration takes place in almost every province where Khmer communities live in the Mekong Delta, but it is grandest and most well-known in Sóc Trăng City (Sóc Trăng Province). In recent years, the festival has also...
The festival honoring the Goddess of Sam Mountain.
Every year on the 24th day of the 4th lunar month, pilgrims from all over flock to Sam Mountain to attend the Ba Chua Xu Festival, creating a bustling and festive atmosphere. Notably, in 2010, the 10th anniversary of the festival was marked by its elevation to a National Level Festival. Sam Mountain is located...
