The Muddy Mekong Delta

From Ho Chi Minh City we took a three-day trip to the Mekong Delta with a fantastic new tour company. Their enthusiastic young staff won a contest for the most innovative new business idea (company philosophy: experience the country, don't just look at it). We highly recommend our guide, Phat, and the small-group tours (max. 5 persons)-- www.innoviet.com

Our adventure began at 5:30 am when Phat took us on a transportation oddessy. We took a local bus to the long-distance bus station where we waited for our 7 AM bus to fill up and depart. We were on our way by 8:35! Already we'd had one bona fide cultural experience. Once we got into the delta, we began to cross bridge after bridge (at least 15) over the small rivers, streams, and canals before arriving near the town of Vinh Long where a couple members of our host family were waiting to take us by boat to their home.

Luckily for us, we were staying with an extended version of the host family. Many relatives had travelled to observe the death anniversary of the patriarch the day after our arrival. We started by learning to make a traditional pastry called Bahn It which is a scoop of gluntinous rice filled with sweet coconut meat or bean paste wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. Quite tasty but difficult to make.

Here's a picture of the professionals teaching us


In the photo, the women are sitting on a large wooden platform in the middle of the home's main room which served as the hub. On this table all the family gathered, sitting cross-legged to prepare and eat meals, play cards, chat and relax.

Later in the day, we had another lesson - this time in mud fishing. We walked on a small trail back through the family's property to a small "river" that looked more like an irrigation ditch. The family climbed right into the water, mud sucking up past the knees. First a small dam is made by piling up grasses and branches. Using bowls, water is scooped behind the dam to create a stronger downstream current towards the dam. Then a branch is stuck in the mud with a woven wooden basket against it to catch the small fish now flowing towards the dam. This same process was repeated a half dozen times until a small bucket of fish, snails, and prawns were collected.


Jen's own attempt


Some members of our host family- on the far right is Joey. She's one of the daughters and a real hoot. She had 2 sons with an American pilot and moved to NY after her husband died. She now lives on the big island in Hawaii but was back for a 2-month visit for the death anniversary and Tet holiday.


We will update this post with more stories and photos from our Mekong tour soon...