Joanna James
Mekong Delta is a maze of rivers, islands and swamps. The rivers supplement a living for many locals and is a tourist attraction too. If you are planning a tour, here are five things you should know.
There are two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season is between November and April while the rainy seasons runs from May through October. The beginning of the rainy season is the best time to visit as it delivers a bearable climate: during April, May and June, there's a mild, comfortable climate which is agreeable.
Mekong Delta is a dank swamp with clammy weather. This makes a great habitat for bugs including mosquitoes – mosquito bites can take all the fun away from the trip and make you terribly sick with some tropical disease – so, to keep trouble at bay, bring enough bug spray. Furthermore, if you are there during the dry season, the sun could be searing hot, and you cannot possibly fight off the sun rays without sunscreen with good SPF. Also, you need to pack yourself some light breathable clothes and a raincoat – there could be sudden attacks of rain.
Trips to Mekong Delta are prone to change. You won't necessarily be able to see all the spots you want to see. All the trips depend on the tide – if there are low water levels, you won't be able to land at certain spots, and it could also result in minor flooding. The Luang Prabang cruise planned by your tour agency will give an idea as to what the itinerary might be. But these tours are highly unpredictable. In any case, there are places like Mekong Kingdoms that offer tourists a variety of tours; you could consult one of them if you must absolutely be sure of the itinerary.
You don't need to carry gallons of water with you, there are shops flanking the river where you can buy bottles of water. But in case something unexpected happens, you need to be sure you won't go dehydrated in the hot weather. For example, there are stories of boats getting stuck in the canal and people being ferried to the bank and having to walk to the next stop.
Tours to the Mekong are similar in nature, and the packages offered by the agencies are almost the same. However, they are sold at different prices. Don't jump at the first package you come across; you should shop around a little if you are to find the best price. Also, you should know what you are getting into – all these tours include long bus rides and long walks; you'll be spending half your day watching locals make rice paper and the other half sitting in a boat.
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