Experiencing a true southern lifestyle

Phu An is a remote village in Trung Nghia Commune, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta.

In the rustic and peaceful atmosphere of Phu An, Coco Riverside Lodge, an eco-resort in the village, is appealing to many guests.Staying at the resort is a combination of a tour to a Mekong Delta locality and a trip to experience the southern lifestyle.

Phu An is a remote village in Trung Nghia Commune, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta.
Phu An is a remote village in Trung Nghia Commune, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta.

Parting from National Highway 53 at Giong Ke Market, tourists will head for a village road.

This 10-kilometer road is a turning point for tourists to enter a countryside atmosphere as paddy fields, lines of coconut trees and a canal are what tourists would see.

On the way to the resort, tourists can stop by temples where local people worship their ancestors and a goddess.

If knowing how to row a canoe, tourists can cruise between lines of nipa palms along a canal. During this boat trip, tourists are allowed join locals to catch fish.

In the afternoon, tourists should visit a woman identified as Tu Chien, who cooks food for guests at Coco Riverside Lodge, to see how she prepares southern specialties for dinner.

After that, tourists should not miss an exotic view of the rural area when dusk falls and dyes paddy fields red.

And when it is dark, staff members will use a type of torch made of beautyleaf fruits to light up the night and lead visitors to their bungalows.

This torch is a product created by pioneers to the southern land.

To make it, they choose old beautyleaf fruits, peel them to get the part inside, and crush it before mixing it with kapok to create tinder for starting a fire.

In the dim light, don ca tai tu (southern folk music) artists will treat visitors with a genre of traditional music which has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Bungalows at Coco Riverside Lodge are a blend of traditional and modern features. Each 100-square-meter bungalow is built mostly of bamboo trees, leaves and wood.

It has a corridor, dining room, bedroom, rest room, kitchen, and balcony overlooking the river where tourists can relax, read a book and watch boats cruising down and up the river.

The modern touch of these bungalows is evident in the way they are equipped with air-conditioner, fridge and wifi, aside from tea, coffee, biscuit, and kettle which tourists usually expect to have at a hotel of three stars or above.

In the morning, tourists can make breakfast themselves with the help of local chefs and indulge in a typical southern atmosphere.

An interesting activity which tourists can join is to explore the life of southerners through the harvest of nipa palm trees. Tourists will be guided to cut the tree and get its leaves for roofing houses.

Saigon Times

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.