Vietnam Travel Information

i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides.

Traditional Handicraft Villages in Mekong Delta

handicraft-village-mekong

The Mekong Delta is famously dubbed as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam or a “biological treasure trove” for its diverse ecosystem. However, little does one know, the area is also the birthplace of many traditional handicraft villages. Despite the rapid advance of industrialization, these traditional handicraft villages in Mekong Delta have persistently kept Vietnam’s traditions alive. Here are some of our most celebrated villages that you must visit at least once!

Conical Hats – Can Tho and Tien Giang

Besides ao dai, the conical hat (non la) has found its way to fame as Vietnam’s most distinctive symbol. The hat is crafted from dried palm leaves and bamboo strings in the shape of a cone, thus the name "conical hat." The production requires not only considerable skills but also great dedication and immense patience, so watching how the artist works is forever fascinating.

Many traditional handicraft villages in the Mekong Delta specialize in conical hats, including one in Thoi Tan A Hamlet, Thoi Lai Province, Can Tho City and three in Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang Province: Than Cuu Nghia, Tan Ly Dong, and Tan Ly Tay. The hats made here are both sturdy and eye-catching, which is why they’re a favorite of tourists and locals alike.

handicraft village mekong 1
Artisans crafting conical hats in Tien Giang

Weaving – Kien Giang

Phu My weaving village in Kien Giang is well-known for its handicraft products made entirely from lepironia (grey sedge). The variety of high-quality products here is surprising considering they're all handmade, from handbags, baskets, purses to stationaries, gift boxes, and hats. All are intricately made with care, which will be perfect as presents for your significant ones.

handicraft village mekong 2
Collecting lepironia by boats in Kien Giang

At first, weaving was a way poor Khmer women moonlighted when the agricultural season was over. But thanks to the local government efforts, weaving has slowly become the local’s primary income. Nowadays, thousands of them do this for a living: they process lepironias, they design and craft. Visiting the village and buying some of these beautiful products are what you can do to both enjoy a meaningful trip and support the local community!

handicraft village mekong 3 1

Mat made from lepironia

Coconut Products – Ben Tre

Arguably the most distinguished celebrity amongst traditional handicraft villages in Mekong Delta, Ben Tre has always been in top cities to visit in Vietnam thanks to its picturesque landscape and popular products from coconut.

It is said that you cannot walk around Ben Tre without spotting verdant ranges of coconut trees, so naturally, the locals have to make full use of the resources. From statuettes, decors to housewares, the artisans waste no parts of the coconut tree, and use the skills that were passed down from their ancestors to create magic.

 handicraft village mekong 4
Products from coconut are environmentally friendly, cheap and minimalistic

Apart from that, coconut candy is a must to try as well. This sweet, aromatic soft candy is made from a mixture of malt and coconut milk. The blend is then chilled and shaped into little squares of goodness. Traditional handicraft villages in Con Phung - Chau Thanh District (Ben Tre Province), Hung Phong - Giong Trom District (Ben Tre Province) offer classes where visitors can try making this candy. Schedule your next trip here to witness fascinating craftsmanship, get yourselves cheap, eco-friendly products, and learn to make tasty treats for your next gathering!

 handicraft village mekong 5
Visitors learn how to make coconut candy on Mekong Delta tour

Fermented Pork – Dong Thap

Lai Vung District (Dong Thap) takes pride in the Lai Vung fermented pork (Nem Lai Vung), which is a specialty of Southern Vietnam. The village has been established for around 60 years, and over 300,000 fermented pork cubes are produced daily.

As for fermented pork, it is often eaten as a side dish or on major celebrations like the Lunar New Year. Although the ingredients are fairly simple: pork’s skin, pork, pepper, chili…, it takes elaborate craftsmanship to make one batch. A well-made fermented pork cube will have a slightly tangy flavor, a harmonious blend of sweet – spicy, and a satisfying crunch under the soft texture. Comparing to other fermented dishes, this may be the easiest on your taste buds.

 handicraft village mekong 6
Fermented pork is shaped into little cubes and eaten with chili

Rice Flour – Sa Dec

For years, Sa Dec has been popular for its flower production. However, this time, we are talking about rice flour village.

Sa Dec lies between Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen quadrangle – two biggest rice granaries of Vietnam, so for over 100 years, the rice flour village has had every opportunity to grow steadily. There are now about 2,000 workers, who supply approximately 30,000 tons of rice flour each year. The rice flour will then be made into pho, noodles, vermicelli… and owing to Sa Dec workers’ skills, Sa Dec flour tastes especially soft and appetizing. If you love pho, a visit here after Sa Dec flower village is absolutely worthy.

 handicraft village mekong 7
Workers use sunlight to dry rice flour

Sedge Mat – Tien Giang

Sedge mat weaving village – among traditional handicraft villages in Mekong Delta, is situated at Long Dinh Commune, Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang Province. Established for over 50 years, the village now provides thousands of eye-catching and long-lasting mats per year for the domestic market as well as for export to America, Korea, Japan…

Visitors love this village for the “Instagrammable” view of colorful dyed sedge and classes where they can test their weaving skills. The mat weaving season runs from January to April, so remember to schedule your visit during these months.

 handicraft village mekong 8

A weaving factory in Tien Giang 

Check prices and reviews of top hotels in the Mekong Delta:

 

Summary On Traditional Handicraft Villages In Mekong Delta

The Western area is well-known for its savory food and scenic landscape, nevertheless, your trip would be a complete loss if you don’t spend time here in traditional handicraft villages in Mekong Delta. Plan your vacation here with us or simple choose our all-encompassing tour of Mekong Delta’s culture!

Sign up with our Private Mekong Delta Tour to explore more of this rural land in Vietnam. Fun and insightful experience guaranteed!

Copyright

© Written by Ngan Mai for itourvn.com

6
×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Sunday, 01 October 2023

Captcha Image

About itourvn.com

This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. More about us or visit home page

Vietnam Travel Information

Check out the necessary information for traveling to Vietnam

First Time in Vietnam

To Pack List for Vietnam

Major Cities in Vietnam

Family & Elderly Travel

LGBT Travel

Vietnam Festivals and Holidays

Best Vietnamese Dishes

UNESCO World Heritage in Vietnam

Vietnamese Culture

Religions in Vietnam

Ethnicities in Vietnam

Tipping in Vietnam

Best Dishes to Try in Vietnam

20 Must-try Vietnamese Dishes

Unusual Foods to Try in Vietnam

Street Food in Vietnam

Vietnamese Grilled Dishes

Rice Dishes in Vietnam

Pho Dishes in Vietnam

Traveling to and within Vietnam

Airport Arrival Tips at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh)

Airport Arrival Tips at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)

Major Airports in Vietnam

Taking Trains in Vietnam

Bringing Your Own Vehicles to Vietnam

Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam

How to Take Motorbike Taxis

Taking a Ferry in Vietnam

Renting a Car in Vietnam

Vietnam Visa, SIM Cards, and WiFi

Visa Info & Where to Buy Sim Cards

Traveling with Wifi in Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Safety Tips

Travel Insurance

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water?

How to Avoid Mosquitoes

Food Safety in Vietnam

Getting Vaccinations

Wearing Face Masks in Vietnam

Can Tourists Drive in Vietnam?

How to Avoid Scams

Travel Safety Tips

Find the best hotels to stay in Vietnam:

 
Powered by 12Go Asia system