The Lower Mekong River Basin (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam) is home to approximately 60 million people. There are over 100 different ethnic groups living within the basin’s boundaries, making it one of the most culturally diverse regions of the world. Most basin inhabitants are rural farmer/fishers and while they may be resource rich, they are money poor. One third of the population live on less than a few dollars per day. Often lacking access to basic government services, people in the basin are, on average, less well off than their fellow citizens outside the basin. What makes life tolerable for these people are the aquatic resources provided by the basin’s rivers and wetlands.
Mekong Delta: People Live Hood & Water
Agricultural produce
90% of Vietnam’s agricultural produce comes from 10% of it’s area, and the Mekong Delta defines where that is to be found.
Tapestry landscape
A tapestry landscape at the end of the great Mekong river (which carries Himalayan snow across South East Asia to merge with the South China Sea on the south eastern shores of Vietnam).
Puffed rice
The puffed rice is a popular treat from the area, very like western toffee popcorn and dormitory room of a stilt house out in the sticks would be our home for the night.
Garden outside
The Bonsai garden outside was an absolute treat to walk round.
There were also many beautiful orchids to be found growing out in the grounds.
Peaceful
A refueling stop on the river brought a smile to my face.
In one of the villages we dropped into a school for a while, as they did not seem to mind.
Markets and boats
Then came the markets and boats in this large town.
Back on the river again although our time here is running out fast.
The port of call is Cai Be, a real market town.
Back on dry land we see the ever popular rice pancakes being prepared.Once cooked (as shown on the left) they are laid out in racks to dry in the sun.
Production de bonbons de coconut
Caodai temple
A very beautiful Caodai temple in Mekong Delta.
The Caodai religion is unique to this region and is a melting pot of ideas and beliefs from other religions and sects.
