Overview of the Mekong River

The Mekong is a major river in the South East Asia. With the length of 4000 kilometers (2,500 miles), The Mekong is the twelfth longest river in the world. It begins in the high plateau of Eastern Tibet and flows through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong River has potential resources for economic development such as irrigation, fisheries, power generation, transportation, industrial and domestic supply.

There are a lot of rapids in the upper course of the Mekong, but the river is navigable south of Louangphrabang in Laos. The Mekong forms most of the borders between Burma and Laos and Laos and Thailand and the mouth of the river lies in the South of Vietnam.

Wildlife

There is much wildlife along the Mekong River. According to some scientists, many of its plants and animals are found nowhere else in the World. Most of the Mekong river basin is unspoiled because there hasn't been much industrial development. The Mekong flows through rainforests.

The Mekong and flooding

The Mekong floods in the delta region every year during the monsoon season. The delta is submerged under water. The sediment from the flood makes the soil rich with nutrients. Rice is grown in the delta.

Mekong cruises

Tourism is important to the Mekong. There are many different two or three- day cruises along the Mekong. Some cruises visit the mountainous areas north of Laos, other cruises travel round the 4000 islands. The most popular cruise is to the Grand Palace and other magnificent landmarks along the Mekong.

The Mekong Delta - Vietnam

The Mekong Delta (Vietnamese: Dong Bang Song Cuu Long in English: “Nine Dragon river delta”) is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southeastern Vietnam of 39,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi). The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.

Major Cities

The most renowned places in the Mekong Delta are My Tho and Cai Be near Ho Chi Minh City, then, more to the heart of the region, Vinh Long, Sa Đec, and Can Tho, from where it is possible

to reach the remotest confines of the delta, South towards the mangroves and the South China Sea, North towards Chau Doc, or West towards the island of Phu Quoc.

An Attractive Destination for Tourists

For ages, Mekong delta discovery has been becoming many tourists’ interest in their trip to Vietnam in particular and to Indochina in general. Cruises along the Mekong Delta create the chance for travelers to explore mysterious beauty of landscapes along the sides of the river, enjoy the peaceful life of farmers, and enjoy specialties of the fishing villages. Cruises along the Mekong always leave travllers' feelings unforgettable experiences, rewarding cruises.