Trip to the Mekong Delta

The day began with our small band of students, American and Vietnamese alike, pack unceremoniously into a small van on our way to the Mekong Delta. After a relatively quiet bus ride, as nearly everyone slept the entire trip, stepping out into the humid and heavy air was an overwhelming sensation when it was paired with the spectacular view of the river. We were all buzzing with excitement to step on the boat and enter the jungle islands that loomed in the distance. The boat ride was positively jolly, with the tour guide animatedly describing what life Is like on the island and all of the sights we will see. What obviously caught our attention was all the tasty treats we would get to try. I remember the mood significantly elevating at the mention of the possibility of tasting freshly made, hot coconut candy.

After the boat ride, we found ourselves on a touristy, but entertaining horse-and-cart ride with Duong’s (one of the Vietnamese students) commentary on the rather precocious and “evil” horse that wouldn’t let her pet him. The horse ride took us through a dusty path, leading through what appeared to be a small village.

There were sweet-smelling fruits and flowers hanging over our heads as we passed down the path with small pastures surrounded by deep marshes on both sides. At our first stop, we found ourselves seated under a shady and cool veranda and we were promptly handed steaming cups with sweet and delicious Jasmine tea flavored with fresh kumquat and a local honey. I did not hesitate to claim a bottle of the amber liquid for myself. We found ourselves often holding out our cups asking for second and third refills. My day was made when I got to hold a real live boa! Its smooth and scaly skin did not phase me in the slightest, although I was not too keen on it slithering up my arm to lean in for a snake-y kiss.

The next stop was the long-awaited hot coconut candy. We watched as the tour guide, in the blink of an eye, husked the coconut and threw the white, sweet-smelling flesh into an ancient-looking machine. He showed us that the white, edible part of the coconut was crushed, then mixed with water and boiled so that the natural sugars would caramelize and thicken the candy texture. When it cooled just enough, we watched a woman mix in chocolate, peanuts, and other fruits into the coconut candy batter and roll them into bite-sized samples for the tour guide to hand out. Mind you, I have never been a fan of the flavor, smell or even the texture of coconut in the States, but I can say that this small piece of subtly sweet, creamy and aromatic candy has changed my mind about this humble fruit.

Delicious coconut candy being made

Our final food stop found us at a different veranda with short stone tables and an abundance of fresh and local fruits like jackfruit, dragonfruit, mangoes, pineapples, and pomelos. After that, we trekked along the beaten path to come across to the river tour of the Mekong Delta. From the steep stairs, we could see around half a dozen boats ready to take us down the muddy and dense jungle river. Though this leg of the journey had a touristy feel, it was a breathtaking experience nonetheless. The mercilessness of the monsoon rains and climate were evident on this short boat ride as the channel was surrounded by high river banks of mud, soil and fallen flora. It was chaos both in the jungle above and around us (as to our amusement, our own boat got stuck in the mud along with another causing a boat traffic jam).

Boat ride through the jungle river

The day ended with a feast fit for a king (or even an army of kings) as the banquet consisted of all sorts of mouth-watering delicacies like grilled elephant-fish, spring rolls, fried rice, steamed veggies, sweet and sour broth filled with prawns and mushrooms, and watermelon for dessert. We lounged and absorbed the river-side scenery, leisurely exploring the rest of the island on our own to walk off our enormous lunch before packing back on the boat to enjoy a fresh coconut water drink.

Hotpot served with lunch

The ride back to the campus was a quiet affair, as most of the group was passed out the moment they sat down, lulled to sleep by the rumbling of the moving bus. Although, it was quite a rowdy scene when we found out clandestine photos of us sleeping were being taken. These photos are sure to be quite a hilarious addition to our photo album.

I believe this journey has helped our group discover another side of the aspiration and tenacity that defines the Vietnamese culture. It is ironic that we discovered these themes and attributes on a more universal and tourist-y expedition. The people and places that I have seen so far in Vietnam have been defined by the motifs of a symbiotic relationship between the ruthless jungle and its modern and civilized counterpart. It was evident not only in the bustling city where we often go for dinner but also in the Mekong River Delta, it is clear that the thick and winding roots (figuratively and literally) run strong through both the concrete and tropical jungle, as well as the people that call it home. — Veronika