My Tho
Ben Tre
My Thuan
Long Hoa
Vinh Chau
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Can Tho
Long My
Chau Doc |
The Lower
Mekong River Basin (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam) is home to
approximately 60 million people. There are over 100 different ethnic
groups living within the basin's boundaries, making it one of the most
culturally diverse regions of the world. Most basin inhabitants are
rural farmer/fishers and while they may be resource rich, they are money
poor. One third of the population live on less than a few dollars per
day. Often lacking access to basic government services, people in the
basin are, on average, less well off than their fellow citizens outside
the basin. What makes life tolerable for these people are the aquatic
resources provided by the basin's rivers and wetlands.
90% of Vietnam's agricultural
produce comes from 10% of it's area, and the Mekong Delta defines where
that is to be found.
A tapestry landscape at the end
of the great Mekong river (which carries Himalayan snow across South
East Asia to merge with the South China Sea on the south eastern shores
of Vietnam).
The puffed rice is a popular
treat from the area, very like western toffee popcorn
and dormitory room of a stilt house out in the sticks would be our home
for the night.
The Bonsai garden outside was an
absolute treat to walk round.
There were also many beautiful orchids to be found growing out in the
grounds.
A refueling stop on the river
brought a smile to my face.
In one of the villages we dropped into a school for a while, as they did
not seem to mind.
Then come the markets and boats
in this larger town.
Back on the river again although
our time here is running out fast.
The port of call is Cai Be, a
real market town.
Back on dry land we see the ever
popular rice pancakes being prepared.Once cooked (as shown on the left)
they are laid out in racks to dry in the sun.
A very beautiful Caodal temple in
Mekong Delta.
The Caiodal religion is unique to this region and is a melting pot of
ideas and beliefs from other religions and sects.
The Mekong & and Valuable
Recourses
The land & Its resources
People Live
Hood & Water
Water at Work
Special Places
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