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Tien Giang
Area: 2,484.2 sq. km
Population: 1,717.4 thousand habitants (2006)
Capital: Mytho City.
Administrative divisions:
Town: Go Cong.
Districts: Cai Be, Cai Lay, Chau Thanh, Cho Gao, Go Cong Tay, Go Cong Dong, Tan Phuoc.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Tay.
Introduction: Geography, Tourism, Transportation.
Attraction:
- Historical & Cultural Vestiges: Vinh Trang Pagoda.
- Scenic Landscapes: Thoi Son Island.
- Cultural Travel: Cai Be Floating Market, Nghinh Ong Festival, Tu Kiet Festival.
- Ecological Travel: Dong Tam Snake-Breeding Farm.
Geography
 Located to the North of the Mekong Delta, along the North of Tien River, Long An Province shares border with Long An Province on the north, Dong Thap Province on the west, East Sea on the east, and Ben Tre Province on the south.
Tien and Vam Co Tay rivers with Soi Rap, Tieu, Dai river mouths make good condition to develop aquaculture. The terrain is divided into distinct three regions: fruit gardens along the bank of Tien River, plain and seaside.
Climate: The dry season lasts from December to April next year. The rainy season is between May and November. Annual average temperature is 27ºC.
Tourism and Economy
Tien Giang has rich aquatic supply including freshwater fish, brackish fish, and saltwater fish. Some of special fruits are  Trung Luong plum, Vinh Kim star-apple, Cai Be guava, sweet mango, rambutan, and thick-skinned orange. Many fruits, vegetable, and other products are anchored on lively Cai Be Floating Market and Tan Phong Island, along Tien Giang River. Visitors also like to picking fruit, enjoy them and experience the life of Mekong River Delta community in orchards of Thoi Son Island.
Located 120km from Mytho City, Dong Tam Snake Farm is an interesting place to see snake, bird and mutant turtles. Vinh Trang Pagoda owns many precious wood statues and beautiful tree in large garden.
Transportation
Mytho City is 70km from Vinh Long, 70km from Ho Chi Minh City, 103km from Can Tho City, 179km from Chau Doc, 182km from Rach Gia.
Road: There are bus connections with Vinh Long, Chau Doc, Ca Mau, and other destinations in the Mekong Delta.
Water: A high-speed boat leaves from Ho Chi Minh City daily to Mytho and Can Tho. There is also boat tours around Mytho.
Attraction
1) Historical & Cultural Vestiges
Location: Vinh Trang Pagoda is located in a large garden in My Phong Commune, Mytho City, Tien Giang Province.
Characteristics: The architecture of the pagoda is a harmonious combination of Asian and European types of architecture, creating the splendid, but simple features of this Buddhist pagoda.
Vinh Trang Pagoda is the greatest pagoda of Tien Giang Province, in an area of 2,000m2 with many beautiful trees.
The pagoda was built by Mr. and Mrs. Bui Cong Dat in the early 19th century. From 1849, the pagoda was managed by Buddhist Priest Hue Dang from Giac Lam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. He led people to refine the pagoda and named it Vinh Trang Pagoda. The pagoda consists of 5 buildings, 2 ornamental yards, and 178 pillars.
Graves of Buddhist priests who took care of the pagoda are scattered around. These graves are decorated with carefully engraved flagstones.
2) Scenic Landscapes
Location: Thoi Son Island, accessible by a 45-minute boat ride on the Mekong River from Mytho City, is located in Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang Province.
Characteristics: The path through the island is bordered with fruit trees bearing plums, mangoes, and longans.
 Since 1990, Thoi Son has become a tourist resort welcoming hundreds of visitors. The tiled-roof houses surrounded by many generations of fruit-bearing trees, the cozy little restaurants in bonsai tree gardens make of Thoi Son Island the ideal location for a short rest.
The path through the island is bordered with fruit trees bearing plums, mangoes, and longans. Visitors will also enjoy Con Phung Island, and coconut sweets and jams.
Tien Giang Tourism Company has invested in a hotel complex that will accommodate from 300 to 500 visitors.
3) Cultural Travel
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Cai Be Floating Market 
Location: 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.
Characteristics: 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.
Time: 9th to the 10th day of the third lunar month.
Place: Ong Nam Hai Tomb (Tomb of Whale), Vam Lang Commune, Go Cong Dong District, Tien Giang Province.
Objects of worship: Ca Ong (Whale).
Characteristics: Welcoming ong by decorated boat with lighting and flower, putting a feast tray on it, then taking the procession from Vam Lang trench to Xoai Rap River. The procession has musical playing, singing.
Time: 15th to the 16th day of the eighth lunar month.
Place: Thanh Hoa Commune, Cai Lay District, Tien Giang Province.
Objects of worship: Four men: Duoc, Long, Rong, Than who become the heroes during the struggle against French colonialism.
Characteristics: Incense offering ceremony.
4) Ecological Travel
Location: Dong Tam Snake-Breeding Farm is 12km from Mytho City, Tien Giang Province.
Characteristics: The snake farm is a center for breeding snakes producing venom for exportation.
Dong Tam is medicinal plant cultivation and the study and treatment of snake-bite. There is a snake-breeding zone with dozens of species to feed or even to play with. There are also crocodiles and other species of birds and animals on hand.
(Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) |
