Thoi Son – A Peaceful Waterland in the Heart of Tien Giang
1. Introduction
Thoi Son Islet (also known as Con Lan) is located on the Tien River, within My Tho City, Tien Giang Province. Covering an area of about 1,200 hectares, it is famous for its picturesque river scenery, lush fruit gardens, and unique cultural experiences typical of the Mekong Delta region.
2. Best Time to Visit
Thoi Son is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is during the fruit season (June to August) or around Tet (Lunar New Year), when the festive atmosphere is lively and nature is full of vitality.
3. Must-Do Experiences
- Boat rides on small canals: Visitors can sit on traditional flat-bottomed boats (called “xuồng ba lá”) and drift along canals shaded by water coconut palms – a hallmark image of the Mekong Delta.
- Enjoy fresh fruit and traditional folk music: At local gardens, you can taste fresh seasonal fruits and listen to “Đờn ca tài tử” – a traditional southern Vietnamese music recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Visit traditional craft villages: Witness the making of coconut candy, honey, banana wine, and even try your hand at traditional cake making.
- Stroll or ride horse-drawn carriages around the islet: Along the way, you’ll see rustic countryside houses, rows of betel nut trees, and gourd trellises, creating a peaceful rural atmosphere.
4. How to Get There
From Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a bus to My Tho (about 1.5 to 2 hours). From the My Tho tourist pier, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes by motorboat to reach Thoi Son Islet.
