The Mekong Delta has been the talk of the trip since we first discussed our itinerary. We have been researching the river delta’s culture, development, geopolitical background, relation to climate change, and more since our first class. I have read multiple articles, heard many stories, and seen various photos from the delta from past trips, but the day was still full of wonderful surprises.

My first surprise was the horse-drawn carriage ride, which was truly unexpected. I did not realize that horse-drawn carriages were used on the islands of the Mekong, so this was a pleasant surprise. The carriage ride also reminded me of the similar rides you can hail in Central Park back home, which was a nice memory. One thing that surprised me most about the Mekong was how large the islands were and how many small roads there were for walking and motorbikes. I originally expected more boat rides, but enjoyed the chance to explore on land too.

The most fun part of the day for me was the ride on the smaller boat through the two kilometer canal offshoot. The ride was absolutely stunning, as all of the greenery shaded the path down below and revealed growing water coconut patches. The woman who sat at the front of the boat I was in was incredibly kind and excited to show us around the canals of the delta.

The Mekong is also a large economic hub for Vietnam, hosting twenty million citizens and acting as the major source of rice exports across the nation. Being able to experience this region and its local culture, sights, and foods was incredibly interesting. This was definitely one of the most beautiful days in Vietnam, and I am glad I was able to contextualize the location we have been learning about since our first day of classes.