With its small canals and wide creeks, the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam is as multifaceted and contradictory as the country itself. Covering thirty nine thousand square kilometres it is the third largest delta in the world.

My Tho is one of the delta’s most charming cities and an area with a long and colourful history. It was the Chinese who first settled in this area in 1697 and who were responsible for the subsequent historical development of My Tho. Most of the smaller islands in the Mekong Delta contain fertile soil thus over the years the delta has developed into an agricultural area.

Today around twenty two million people live in Nam Bo of which the huge Mekong Delta is at the very heart. In the wider sections of the Mekong, that is also known as The Nine-Headed Dragon Of Cuu Long, ferries operate from bank to bank. Large ferries cross the Song Hau Giang, the most southern creek of the Mekong whose source is in Tibet, some four thousand kilometres distant.

Situated at the central junction of seven canals is the floating market of Phung Hiep, an intriguing experience. The colourful antics of the various market traders is particularly fascinating and it is not surprising that this market is one of the most photographed locations in South Vietnam. In search of hungry customers, tiny floating restaurants make their way between the various busy market traders.

The Mekong Delta – colourful, exotic, fascinating – and always a surprise!