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MEKONG DELTA
Can ThoOng Pagoda
It is located in the center of the city. Ong pagoda has a special architectural style and has been preserved intact. The pagoda was built from 1894 to 1896 on 532 square meter area, on Hai Ba Trung road, near Ninh Kieu Wharf. The pagoda is roofed with double tiles, and the roof’s edges are covered with lines of dark green glazed pipe shaped tiles, while on the roof top, there are a number of multi color porcelain figured such as two dragons flanking the moon and carp changing into dragon phoenix. On either end of the roof top, there are paired statues of people holding the Sun and the Moon. Inside the pagoda, Quan Cong- a General of the three kingdom period in ancient China and an exemplar of loyalty to his Kong - is worshipped m as are Nam Hai Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, Thai Bach Tinh Quan, the Genie of the Earth, and Dong Vinh.
Ong pagoda is a place for the cultural and religious activities of the Chinese living in Can Tho. The pagoda was recognized as the national artistic architectural vestige in 1993 by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Binh Thuy Communal House (LongTuyen Ancient Temple)
Binh Thuy Communal House is located in Binh Thuy ward and was known as Long Tuyen Communal House in the past. The House the House is located 5 km from the center of Can Tho city. Follow Nguyen Trai road, passing Cach Mang Thang Tam road and Le Hong Phong road to reach the Communal House. Built in 19th century, the Communal House was name “Bon Canh Thanh Hoang" on November 9th 1893 by King Tu Duc. Later other people, who were the spirit of the land, are dedicated in the Communal House as Dinh Cong Trang, Nguyen Trung Truc, Bui Huu Nghia, Vo Huy Tap, etc. Binh Thuy Communal House was completely renovated in 1910. It architecture is different from communal houses in the north. The front and the back buildings are square, and its side has 6 rows of columns, and all the columns' bases are extra-wide, making these buildings more stable. The roofs of the two front buildings of the communal house were built overlapping each other. The main temple at the rear has three roofs and its architecture is based on the " Thuong lau ha hien" style. The top of the roof is covered with statues of people, lion and fish on their way to becoming dragons. In the front of the building, there are cement column. Inside ancestor-worshipping house, there are altars, which are dedicated to Nghi Ha and Nghi Trung. In the square house, there are altars dedicated to Huong Chuc, Tien Giac and further inside, there is an altar dedicated to Hau Thien. The middle is dedicated to Hau Than is very close to the rear partition, and on its either sides, there are "Huu Ban" and “Ta Ban" altars.
Binh Thuy Communal House is a valuable monument of art and architectural style in the newly-expanded south western area. Although it was built at the beginning of the 20th century, its architecture has many traditional characteristics with carved and engraved wooden boards.
Every year, the local people organize “Thuong Dien" (land breaking) ceremony and "Ha Dien" (farm work initiation) ceremony in honour of the God of Agriculture, with a lot of folk games such as "Letting the ducks out", "Tug of war" and cooking contests.
Ninh Kieu WharfNinh Kieu Wharf is located on the bank of Hau River, a tributary of the Mekong River, close to the center of the city. The Wharf is the city's main trading center where hundreds of boats ply the river, bringing products from the rest of the Delta region. Close to Ninh Kieu Wharf is Can Tho habour, which was built according to a modern design and can accommodate ships of up to 5,000 tons. Can Tho market, which is near Ninh Kieu Wharf, is one of the major markets in the western region of South Viet Nam. The market is attractive with its floating restaurant located on Hau River. Connoisseurs can enjoy the province's specialties while watching hundreds of boats passing by.
Phung Hiep Floating Market
From Ninh Kieu river port in the center of Can Tho, 160 km from Ho Chi Minh City, boats bring visitors to Cai Khe Island, Con Au, Phu An Park and Con Son. Beneath the trees bearing durians, areca and oranges, one can enjoy delicious meals or lie in a hammock while listening to birds singing. Tourist guides bring all visitors to Phung Hiep floating market. The immense surface of the river is divided into seven branches. Phung Hiep snake market, located close to the floating market, is known worldwide. Visitors from all over the world go there to taste the snake liquor and see the dangerous snake dance.
