Sa Dec Information:
• Located in Dong Thap Province
• Area: 61 Sq.Km
• Population: 152 000
• Distance from Saigon: 165 KM
• Time transfer by bus: 4 hours

Sa Dec Description:
Sa Dec is a city in Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam. It is a river port and agricultural and industrial trading center. During the Vietnam War, it was the site of an American Swift Boat base. Before the nineteenth century, it was the capital of Dong Khau Dao, and it was known as one of the largest cities in the Mekong Delta.
The former capital of Dong Thap province, Sa Dec is a peaceful town of tree-lined streets, fading colonial villas and orchards and flower markets outside of town. It has a small degree of fame as the setting for The Lover, a film based on the novel by Marguerite Duras. Two of the classic French villas used in the film can be seen across the river from the market area.
The French writer Marguerite Duras lived in Sa Dec during a three to four year period between 1928 and 1932. Her mother ran a school on the corner of Hùng Vương and Hồ Xuân Hương, where a school still exists today. Duras met Huynh Thuy Le, the son of a wealthy Chinese family, and the two became involved in a love affair that became the basis for Duras' 1984 Prix Goncourt-winning novel, The Lover. The house of Huynh Thuy Le, at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, for many years an office for a government agency, is now (2009) open to the public.

Kampong Cham General Information:
 • Founded    968
 • Became Capital    1865
 • Area: Total - 878.46 km2 Elevation - 11.89 m (39.01 ft)
 • Population in 2014: Total - 2,501,725
 • Weather: tropical wet and dry climate
 • River: Mekong River

Kampong Cham Top attractions:
 • Chhouy chek
 • Haong Waterfall
 • King's residence
 • Sisowath Quay aka Riverside
 • Man-made Resort of Teuk Chha
 • Nokor Bachey Temple
 • Independence and Liberation memorials
 • Local Village
 • Phnom Srey and Phnom Pros monestery

Kampong Cham Description:
Kampong Cham is the capital of the Cambodian province of Kampong Cham. It is the third largest city in Cambodia. Kampong means "the side of a river or any other water body" with Cham meaning Cham ethnicity of Champa. A similar Malay word "Kampung" means "village."
Kompong Cham is a gateway to the real Cambodia, a land of picturesque villages, pretty wats and fishing communities. More a quiet town than a bustling city, it is a peaceful provincial capital spread along the banks of the Mekong. It was an important trading post during the French period, the legacy evident as you wander through the streets of chastened yet classic buildings.
Long considered Cambodia’s third city after Phnom Penh and Battambang, lately Kompong Cham has been somewhat left in the dust by the fast-growing tourist towns of Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Kompong Cham remains an important travel hub and acts as the gateway to eastern and northeastern Cambodia. This role has grown thanks to the first bridge to span the Mekong’s width in Cambodia, dramatically cutting journey times to popular destinations like Kratie and Mondulkiri.
The town itself is quaint and charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets beside the river. Kampong Cham is a mix of the old and the new, with a new temple being built in and around old ruins and the big ferry boats taking people and goods to the other side of the Mekong, right next to the construction of the first bridge ever built here.

Siem Reap General Information:
 • Settled  802
 • Official  1907
 • Population in 2008: Total - 174,265
 • Weather: tropical wet and dry climate.
 • Air Port: Siem Reap International Airport
 • River: Tonel Sap river

Siem Reap Top attraction:
 • Angkor Wat
 • Cambodian Cultural Village
 • Angkor National Museum
 • Angkor Thom
 • Old Market
 • Tonlé Sap
 • Apasara Dance

Siem Reap Description:
Siem Reap is located in northwest Cambodia. It is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the world famous temples of Angkor (the Angkor temple complex is north of the city). The provincial capital is also called Siem Reap and is located in the South of the province on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century.

At the turn of the millennium Siem Reap was a Cambodian provincial town with few facilities, minor surfaced roads and little in the way of nightlife. Tourism industry catered largely to hardy backpackers willing to brave the tortuous road from the Thai border on the tailgate of a local pick-up truck. There were a couple of large hotels and a handful of budget guesthouses. Tuk-tuks and taxis were non-existent and the trusty motodup was the chosen means of touring the temples of Angkor.

The proximity of the Angkorian ruins turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade. Huge, expensive hotels have sprung up everywhere and budget hotels have mushroomed. Property values have soared to European levels and tourism has become a vast, lucrative industry. The Siem Reap of today is barely recognizable from the Siem Reap of the year 2000.

Though some of the town's previous ramshackle charm may have been lost the developments of the last few years have brought livelihoods, if not significant wealth, to a good number of its citizens. This has been at a cost to the underprivileged people living within and beyond the town's limits that now pay inflated prices at the central markets and continue to survive on poorly paid subsistence farming and fishing. If Cambodia is a country of contrasts Siem Reap is the embodiment of those contrasts. Despite the massive shift in its economic fortunes, Siem Reap remains a safe, friendly and pleasant town. There is an endless choice of places to stay or dine and a host of possible activities awaiting the visitor.

Kampong Chhnang General Information:
 • Founded    1468
 • Area: Total - 978.46 km2 Elevation - 11.89 m (39.01 ft)
 • Population in 2014: Total - 3,501,725
 • Weather: tropical wet and dry climate
 • River: Mekong River

Kampong Chhnang Top attractions:
 • Banteay Prey Nokor
 • Preah Theat Teuk Chha
 • Koh Pen Beach
 • Prey Nor Kor Knong-Krao Temple

Kampong Cham Description:
Kampong Chhnang province is located close to the geographical middle of Cambodia and it borders Kampong Thom along with the lake Tonle Sap on the north, Kampong Speu to the south, Kampong Cham along with Kandal on the east and Pursat on the west. There are hardly any forests except in the southwest. This province is rich in alluvial soil and has lots of fisheries and rice plantations. The borderline on the southwest is on the hillside of one of the highest mountains of Cambodia, Phnom Aoral, which has an altitude of 1813m.
Kampong Chhnang has a warm climate and one can find sunny weather throughout the year. The average temperature of this province is about 27º Celsius. The summer season is from March to May, monsoon from May to October and winter from November to March. The economy of Kampong Chhnang consists basically of rice, fishery and fruit cropping along with several garment factories. Its rural households depend on agriculture and related sub-sectors.
Due to its location next to the Tonle Sap Lake Kampong Chhnang's population is predominantly in fishery and rice plantation involved. Especially the provincial capital Kampong Chhnang, which is an easygoing river port town that is worth a visit, focuses on fishery and therefore features a big fishery port. It is, easy to get to from Phnom Penh via national road number 5, passing by the former capital of Udong.  Kampong Chhnang also gives you the option to take an air-con bus to get there (as it wasn't possible in near past). There are also some nice sights to check out and the town has a fair selection of places to spend the night and a couple of decent spots to have a feed.
The bullet boats to and from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are taking you through a breathtaking countryside along the Tonle Sap to the provincial town. The new river walkway is the place for a stroll and is where the locals head to for the early evening social hour. It's the evening and weekend spot to be seen.

Phnom Penh General Information:
 • Founded    1372
 • Became Capital    1865
 • Area: Total - 678.46 km2 (261.95 sq mi), Elevation - 11.89 m (39.01 ft)
 • Population in 2012: Total - 1,501,725
 • Weather: tropical wet and dry climate
 • River: Mekong River

Phnom Penh Top attractions:
 • The Royal Palace
 • The National Museum of Cambodia
 • Wat Phnom
 • Sisowath Quay aka Riverside
 • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison)
 • The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
 • Independence and Liberation memorials
 • Central Market
 • Russian Market

Phnom Penh Description:
Phnom Penh is also a gateway to Cambodia...the temples of Angkor near Siem Reap City in the west, the beaches of Sihanoukville and coastal towns on along the southern coast (Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong,) the minority peoples, jungles and wildlife of the northeast provinces and a wide-open, unspoiled countryside of rice paddies, little villages and lost temples across the country.
A mixture of Cambodian hospitality, Asian exotica and Indochinese charm await the visitor to Phnom Penh. Situated at the confluence of three great rivers - known as the 'Chaktomuk' (four faces) or 'Quatre Bras' (four arms) of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers - Phnom Penh is a city of more than 2 million people, the capital of Cambodia and the country's commercial, economic and political hub.
Once the ‘Pearl of Asia’, Phnom Penh’s shine was tarnished by the impact of war and revolution. But that’s history, and Phnom Penh has risen from the ashes to take its place among the cool capitals of the region. Delve into the ancient past at the National Museum or struggle to make sense of the recent trauma at Tuol Sleng Museum. Browse the city’s markets for a bargain or linger in the beautiful boutiques that are putting Phnom Penh on the style map. Street-surf through the local stalls for a snack or enjoy the refined surrounds of a designer restaurant. Whatever your flavour, no matter your taste, it’s all here in Phnom Penh. Learn more about Mekong River Trip.

Chau Doc Information:
• Located in An Giang Province
• Area: 40 Sq.Km
• Population: 157 000
• Distance from Saigon: 365 KM
• Time transfer by bus: 5 hours

Chau Doc Description:
Perched on the banks of the Bassac River, Chau Doc is a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizable Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities. Its cultural diversity – apparent in the mosques, temples, churches and nearby pilgrimage sites – makes it a fascinating place to explore even if you aren’t headed to Cambodia. Taking a boat trip to the Cham communities across the river is another highlight, though its addictive market and peaceful waterfront make fine backdrops to a few days of relaxing before heading out.
One of the very beautiful place of the Mekong Delta - Chau doc, as close as you can get to Cambodia without being in it. The Bassac River flows through the town and is a border crossing for river borne traffic, and the small Sam Mountain has an excellent view of the flat plain on the other side. It’s an attractive, busy place with a good hotel and several interesting attractions.
It became part of Vietnam in the middle of the 18th century as a gift, a reward for helping the Cambodian monarch to put down an insurrection. Unsurprisingly, it has a high proportion of ethnic Kh’mer people among the population here, easily identifiable by their darker skins and a chequered scarf instead of Vietnam’s ubiquitous conical hat. There’s also a fair number of ethic Cham and Chinese people, and enough Christians to fill a local cathedral, making up a rare pot-pourri of cultures and religions.
Further along the riverfront there are several traditional stilt houses.
A short boat trip across the Bassac takes you to several floating fish farms and villages. They’re modified house-boats - a trap-door in the floor provides access to nets under the boat where the fish are grown. A little further takes you to the other bank and a Cham community. Once you’ve tip-toed across the stepping stones to avoid the mud, you walk through the stilt house village to the mosque.
Although sharing the same linguistic and historical tradition, the Cham are divided into two quite distinct religious communities, the Hindu Chams and the Cham Bani, or Muslims. The latter live mainly in the Chau Doc region and are easily distinguished by the men's preferred headgear - a crimson fez with a long golden tassel, or white Muslim prayer cap.

Cai Be Floating Market Information:
•  Located in Tien Giang Province
•  Area: 41 Sq.Km
•  Population: 280 000
•  Distance from Saigon: 150 KM
•  Time transfer by bus: 3 hours

Cai Be Top Attraction:
• Cai Be Floating Market
• Dong Hiep Hoa House
• Fish farm
• Floating Market
• Cannels Tour
• Life on water
• Coconut factory

Cai Be Top Description:
Cai Be Floating Market is one of the many well known floating markets in the western region of southern Vietnam was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. The Cai Be Floating Market is always busy, bearing all the characteristics of the locals' life in the western region...

Cai Be Floating Market is one of the many well known floating markets in the western region of southern Vietnam was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. The Cai Be Floating Market is always busy, bearing all the characteristics of the locals' life in the western region. All the goods are transported to the market by rafts and boats. Rafts and boats are anchored along the two sides of the river for kilometres. From the floating market, goods are shifted for selling at inland markets or small boats take them for delivery along canals in the Plain of Reeds. On each boat, goods are hung on poles that are called dialectically "cay beo".  The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a pole in front of the boat to attract customers. Hundreds of such poles point towards the sky. Boats also operate like "taxis", very convenient for tourists around the region.
Cai Be Floating Market is held where the Tien Giang River forms the border between the provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre. It takes about one hour to reach the market from the town of Vinh Long Province. Approximately 400 to 500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables, and other products are anchored along the banks of the river, from 5 am to 5 pm every day.
The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a pole in front of the boat to attract customers.
From three 3 am in the early morning, rafts and boats are crowded because Cai Be is one of the biggest wholesale markets in the region. Traders live on the river and some link their lives with boats like their mobile house for generations. Cai Be seems to be an inseparable part of their daily lives.
Along the criss crossing canals, people in the Plain of Reeds take not only goods of each countryside to the Cai Be Floating Market but also their unique cultural characteristics, creating such a beautiful river painting.

My Tho General Information:
•  Located in Tien Giang Province
•  Area: 80 Sq.Km
•  Population: 220 000
•  Distance from Saigon: 70 KM
•  Time transfer by bus: 70 minutes

My Tho Top attractions:
• Cao Dai Temple
• Dong Tam Snake Farm
• Fish farm
• Floating Market
• Local village
• Life on water
• Coconut factory
My Tho Top Description:
My Tho, the quiet capital city of Tien Giang province, is the traditional gateway to the delta, owing to its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors on a whirlwind Vietnam tour often take a day trip here to catch a glimpse of the famous river. In order to visit floating markets, however, you’ll need to continue on to Can Tho. The town itself is an important market town, and its quaint but busy waterfront is easily explored on foot.
My Tho was founded in the 1680s by Chinese refugees fleeing Taiwan for political reasons. The Chinese have virtually all gone now, having been driven out in the late 1970s when their property was seized by the government. The economy is based on tourism, fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.
My Tho has long been the most popular point for travellers to the Mekong Delta on account of its proximity to Saigon. Those planning to spend a few days in the Delta should across the river to Ben Tre, or further again to Cai Be and Vinh Long where things get less crowded with tourists and more interesting with real local life.

Ho Chi Minh General Information:
 • Founded In 1698
 • Renamed In 1976 from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City
 • Area: Total - 2,095 km2 (809.23 sq mi),  Elevation - 19 m (63 ft)
 • Population in 2014: Total - 8,190,775, Density - 3,909/km2 (10,120/sq mi)
 • GDP (nominal)    2013 estimate - 36 billion USD, Per capita    4,513 USD,  Growth - Increase 9.5%

Ho Chi Minh Top attractions:
• Reunification Palace
• War Remnants Museum
• City Hall
• Museum of Vietnamese History
• Ho-Chi-Minh Museum
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Thien Hau Pagoda
• Quan Am Pagoda
• Ben Thanh Market

Ho Chi Minh Description:
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, situated in the southern part of Vietnam, is still called Saigon by most of the natives. This modern city used to be considered as the Pearl of the Orient by the French. The wide Saigon River, which takes a huge turn from the east of Saigon, links the city with the sea. Saigon is the city with its essential French colonial character has enough to draw your attention. The city's colonial villas, wide avenues and a lively cafe society remind you the days of French dominance.
Saigon is the second largest city in Vietnam and its economic center. Swarms--literally--of bicycles, motorbikes, Pedi-cabs (called ‘cyclos’ in Vietnam) and other vehicles move in vast waves as if in a prearranged ballet of motion, constant animation and seeming chaos. Originally founded by the French in 1863, its now well worn French colonial veneer hints at times past while throbbing to rhythms and beats of the modern era. If only for a day, Saigon is a must see city for any visit to Vietnam.
Originally established as a Khmer trading post, more than 300 years ago, Ho Chi Minh City was destined for greater things. By the 18th century, the city, then named Saigon, had become the provincial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. However, in the second half of the 19th century, control over the city passed to the French, and Saigon became the capital of French Cochinchina. This was a period of much infrastructural and architectural development, during which Saigon earned the epithet, “Paris of the Orient.” Many buildings of this era are in good condition even today. In 1954, the city was proclaimed the capital of South Vietnam. The ensuing war with the US lasted until 1975, when North Vietnam took over Saigon and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City.
Today,  the city is rapidly becoming the hub of manufacturing, entertainment, and cuisine in Vietnam. Upscale restaurants and cafe  offering a range of international delicacies are opening every day, while bars, clubs, and discos are at the center of a thriving nightlife. Attracting many tourists, the area is home to historical buildings and museums, sophisticated shops, and roadside cafes, as well as people of all ages zipping around noisily on motorbikes that often cause gridlock on the streets.
The most prominent area in the city is around Dong Khoi Street in District 1, boasting fashionable shops, museums, and fine dining. It also features examples of French-colonial structures, such as the Municipal Theater, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the General Post Office. To the north are sprawling residential areas and the historic Jade Emperor Pagoda, known for its exquisite architecture and ornate carvings. To the west lies Cho Lon or China Town, home to the ethnic Chinese or Hoa this is the best place to find herbs, traditional Chinese medicines, and the other goods, as well as some of the city's most ancient pagodas.