A peaceful countryside

From Vam Xang, 2 boats, one after another, are heading to Gian Gua, Nhon Khanh Village, Nhon Nghia Commune. The white streaks of water push the group of hyacinth away, yet they soon rejoin as the boats go past. More than a dozen photographers quickly take pictures of gentle water coconut trees mixing each other, monkey bridges crossing the canal ... " What a strange and peaceful scenery. It is really a quiet countryside ... "- Mr. Phong, a photographer from Lam Dong Province, uttered excitedly.

The boats approach Gian Gua. There is a strange population of a 12-meter tree with many bodies, branches and roots intertwined in a pendant, zigzag way and tightly adhered on the land. It stretches for thousands of square meters. "This Gian Gua (Ficus microcarpa) has been over 160 years old. When I was young, ficus microcarpa had covered a large area. During the national resistance against the foreign invaders, our soldiers usually resided here. Despite the enemies’ bombarding continuously, ficus microcarp still reached out and full of life "- Mother Tam, 85, said.

Annually, on the divine worship of Lunar Febuary 28th , delta residents flock to Gian Gua.  Associated with many myths, Gian Gua has been recognized as " historical relic" of the city. In this area was the temple to Uncle Ho and to 12 ladies sacrificed their lives at Dong Loc T-junction. Gian Gua Vestige is the first in the Mekong Delta to be awarded “the certificate of recognizing Vietnam Heritage Tree” by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment Vietnam.

Mr. Do Khue is Director of Phu Sa Communications Company, which organizes this phototour for photographers from the Central and the Eastern Vietnam to visit the Delta and take pictures. He said, Phong Dien has many beautiful scenes. " Phong Dien has the floating market on the river / the market floating on the river is crowded with people both in the morning and in the afternoon." Phong Dien is located at the confluence of Can Tho River and Nhiem Bridge. Here, you can see a lot of fruit laden orchards, shaded village roads with ranges of bamboo trees and the national vestige of Poet Phan Van Tri’s grave yard....

Travel Spotlight

"Phong Dien’s all year round fruit has fascinated visitors" – Mr. Phan Van Thanh, Chief of Phong Dien Department of Propaganda and Training, said cheerfully.  Only the story of mulberry can be extremely fascinating. The most famous one is Ha Chau mulberry, which covers 150 ha and its exclusive trademark has already been registered. This selected variety has been bred since 1960. It has milky white -fleshed, sweet with a little sour. It has superior quality and is often exported to Cambodia. Bon Bon mulberry has thin peel, full segments, aromatic flavor, sweet and slightly sour taste. Green mulberry is still green when ripen. It has big segments, aromatic flavor and it is sweeter than Bon Bon one. Green mulberry has two types. The first one called Gia Bao green mulberry has round fruit, no bulge, dark blue color; the other called Sugar green mulberry has bulge, tapering round, and very sweet taste. Then many other fruits include oranges , tangerines , apples , rambutans , durians , longans ...

Phong Dien has emerged as a spotlight of Can Tho tourism. Just look at the farmers of 60-70 years old attending evening English classes and uttering “Yes-No”, you can identify the strong determination of the local people to change their live for the better. Ms. Truong Kim Khuyen, Vice Chairperson Phong Dien District People’s Committee, has revealed that the establishment of My Long Ecotourism Cooperative marked a shift in local people’s awareness and in their new ways to do business.  Only in a short time, households have income of 60-70 million VND/ month . Tourist sites and vestiges welcome about 33,845 visitors and 12,550 of whome are international ones each year. In the future, the district will become an ecological urban area, with its strength in trade, services and tourism. If invested properly, Phong Dien will become a  luxury tourist destination featured as the countryside of waterways.

The reputation of "My Khanh Tourist Village" has far reaching beyond the region, and has launched a tourism service model of "a traditional trade village, homestay". This tourist destination has been voted as one of 100 attractive destinations of the country ... Prof. Dr. Luu Thanh Duc Hai, School of Economics and Business Administration (Can Tho University), said, Phong Dien District was chosen as a site for implementing a tourism development project.

New Vitality

On that sunnyday, the delegate from the Ministry of Justice respectfully offer incense at the foot of the monument  in Ong Hao Victory Vestige (Truong Long Commune). Here (on June 8th 1965), Tay Do Battalion’s resounding battle foiled a large scale raid of the enemy’s infantry division and quickly destroyed its notorious "Black Tiger" Battalion. This historical vestige is located on the Vong Cung Road famous for "density of bullets and bombs”, which stands for the brutality and valiance of the locals in fighting against the American Army. Vong Cung Historical Vestige Project (My Khanh Commune), a multi-functional complex (historical, cultural, spiritual , ecological relic and ecotourism ) of about 370ha, with total expenditure of 449 billion VND has been deployed. Mr. Nam Lien, owner of Vam Xang Tourism said, "That was an extremely ferocious wartime. Many soldiers sacrificed their lives to the liberation of this place. A worthy monument to show our gratitude to them should be built here.”

Green has covered the past firing-line. Vong Cung Road has now become an eco-tourism route. My Khanh Commune has completed 19/20 criteria for constructing the new model of the countryside. All main lanes of the communes along Vong Cung Road has been asphalted. The local per capita income (2012) was higher than the district average of about 24 million VND / person / year.

From a small town whose "front" was one road, two old streets (2004), Phong Dien  has a busy commercial center. More streets have been being built. In the evening, the commune is full of electric lights, cafes and restaurants offering service until late. Nguyen Van Cu Extended Avenue Project connecting Phong Dien to Can Tho City Center is considered as a turning point in the local development. This project has just finished Phase 1 and put into use. Phase 2 (from My Khanh Commune to Phong Dien Town) has completed the clearance compensation. Other construction projects for the development of Phong Dien include  Project 923 for provincial highway (connecting Ninh Kieu District to Phong Dien Center ), the T2 - 926 Street (connected to Hau Giang),  Tan Thoi - Truong Thanh Street ( connected to Thoi Lai District), Tra Nien embankment, hospitals ... Phong Dien is now growing fast from its glorious traditions.