LookAtVietnam – Soc Trang Province of Mekong Delta is famous for its ancient pagodas, orchids and ethnic cultural festivals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay and Oc Om Boc festivals, and especially for its popular boat tours on canals and rivers.

A view of Nga Nam floating market.

Nga Nam is a new district in Soc Trang Province, having been separated from Thanh Tri District.

It is the intersection between Quan Lo-Phung Hiep, Xeo Chich, Xang Chim, Tra Ban and Phu Loc. From here tourists can head to Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Phung Hiep, or go to Phu Loc and downstream to My Thanh, Tran De Port and mangrove forests along Soc Trang Sea.

Despite being in the remote district of Soc Trang, Nga Nam is busy from sunrise to sunset and even into the night.

The bustling life is due to floating markets such as Long Tan, My Quoi, Tan Long, especially Nga Nam.

Set in 1975 as the venue linking five canals flowing to five regions, Nga Nam floating market is the meeting place for trading boats and traders. Early morning or at twilight the market sparkles in the glistening rays of oil lamps and mantles as stars twinkle in the sky and shimmer on the water.

On holidays, especially Tet holidays, Nga Nam floating market are radiant with the bright colors of apricot flowers, daisies, peach flowers and other typical flowers of the Mekong Delta, as well as the dark green of watermelon. Everything is sold from wooden boats.

As with other floating markets, products hang in front of the bow of the ship so that buyers can easily see and buy. The only one product not hanging, but always available, is petrol.

As well as fresh agricultural products and seacooking, Nga Nam also is a stop for rice traders. Tourists heading to the mangrove forests in Soc Trang often stop by Nga Nam to buy food stuffs before going on their boating adventure on the endless alluvium river to forests.

Nga Nam also lures tourists with its culinary culture and traditional fare. Tourists on boat trips around Nga Nam floating market can sense the typical flavors of the Mekong Delta from dishes made of bun (rice noodles) featuring the spices of Southern Khmer people and hu tieu (kind of noodle) cuisine of the Tieu Chau.

On arrival in Soc Trang, tourists may be inspired to explore the ancient architecture of well-known pagodas, stroll in orchid gardens, and experience nature in mangrove forest, as well as immersing themselves in the bustling atmosphere of life in floating markets.

VietNamNet/SGT