Gieng Island & Hong Ngu & Tan Chau Vietnam - Mekong Delta River Cruise – Day 4

March 24

After breakfast, we boarded the sampan that took us onto Gieng Island. We took a short walk around the local sampan village, where sampans are produced daily by local families.

Mekong Princess from the sampan

boats waiting to be repaired 

on the island

arrival at the sampan building demonstration

Nam explaining the process

Next up was a canal ride where we saw the mango gardens along the riverbanks. We boarded an “xe loi” (motor trishaw) around the island and visited a Phanxico Monastery.

fish farms

back on land

cute chicken

on our trishaws

 the kids around the village were so cute & they all waved or wanted a fist bump or high five 

pulling into the Monastery

inside the church

the priest & doctor spoke to us and blessed us

Greg 

cemetery

some of the headstones had lovely photos of the deceased

boat in a nearly dry river-bed

the bus was too tall to go under the powerlines

they were on top of the bus trying to gather the lines so the bus could pass

they made it!

leaving the island

After lunch we visited the island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional, Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, we saw the weaving process at one of the homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in their homes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered a few western visitors prior to the arrival of the Mekong Princess, and they were very friendly and welcoming. 

from the sampan

the man demonstrating the old weaving machine to make scarves

the rest of the factory

items for sale 

Many bought scarves that came in small medium and large sizes. I thought I had a place to display a small one, so I bought a small scarf for $2.00. The most expensive scarves were $4.00. 

Before doing the walking tour of the town the weaving people handed out fans since it was too hot for many on the tour. They were to be a loan and we were to return them after the tour. They expressed concern to Nam that we wouldn't come back. After chatting they said to please keep them as a gift. The Mekong Princess donates money to the island for their hospitality and showing us their villages. 

We also visited the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao. The families bury their dead in the front yard.

granite coffins

Nam explaining that the dogs guard the house

temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao.

park

back in the sampan back to the boat

Today, while the immigration officers did our exit procedure from Vietnam and entry into Cambodia, we had a chef demonstration on how to make Coconut Fish Curry Parcels and Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad. Some people tried their hand at making them. We got to taste them, and they both were quite tasty.

Dinner tables were decorated beautifully for our farewell to Vietnam and welcome to Cambodia. Napkins were folded into lotus flowers and Vietnamese dolls and the dining room had lots of lanterns and traditional Vietnamese hats. Today was our last tour with Nam as he flew home tonight and tomorrow, we pick up a Cambodian guide for the rest of our trip upriver.

After dinner the ship sailed and anchored in Tan Chau overnight.

For larger photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/m72GjJwF142iabN96