mr hotsia eats Vietnamese food in Vi Thanh, Hau Giang, Vietnam

mr.hotsia eats Vietnamese food in Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province

This time I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to travel to Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province, located in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam. I must say the experience here is unlike big cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi because Vi Thanh still retains a simple rural charm and a lifestyle closely connected to rivers and canals. I stayed here for 8 nights, exploring the morning market, taking boat rides to enjoy the riverside atmosphere, and most importantly, eating authentic Vietnamese food that is hard to find in big cities.

Vi Thanh city preserves the traditional lifestyle of southern Vietnamese people very well. Rivers and canals are the main arteries for transportation and trade. I saw locals traveling by boat to the market or work in the morning, which reminded me of my own hometown when boats were the main transport in our small village. It felt like going back 30 years in time.

Morning market and street food in Vi Thanh

Every morning the morning market in Vi Thanh is bustling. I strolled around to see a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and famous Vietnamese dishes such as mì (Vietnamese egg noodles) costing about 12 Thai baht per bowl. The taste was delicious and boldly local. I found a mì stall near my accommodation where I ate almost every day. It was tasty and very affordable, a light meal that gave me great energy.

Another thing that impressed me greatly was the giant Vietnamese pork sausage (giò lụa) that this city is famous for. I saw people making large pork sausages because locals in Vi Thanh love eating pork sausage with fermented pork (nem). The freshness and balanced flavor make the pork sausage here different from other places. I also bought some to snack on while walking around the market.

Riverside life and local traditions

During the Tết festival or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, I was lucky to witness locals coming by boat from distant villages filling the canal in front of the city. It was like a big event bringing together diverse people to meet and celebrate together. Boats docked along the canal and people walking around the city is a rare sight these days.

I also noticed that people in Vi Thanh like raising chickens, both bantams and fighting cocks, roaming the streets and in front of houses with many chicken coops. It is a lifestyle closely connected to nature and pets. I walked around to see the fighting cocks being raised with attentive owners, and there were also informal cockfighting events which were quite interesting.

Restaurants and unique local atmosphere

Behind my accommodation, there was a famous restaurant I often visited where I encountered something new that I had never seen in Thailand: a “motorcycle karaoke” with speakers installed on the bike. When parked in front of the restaurant, it would sing songs for customers like a mobile live performance. I was amazed by the lively and good singing voice. It was another charm of this city that impressed me greatly.

Travel and convenience in Vi Thanh

Getting to Vi Thanh city is not complicated. I chose to take a bus from a big city like Vinh Long, which has a bus station as a key transfer point in the Mekong Delta, suitable for those who want to travel deep into southern Vietnam’s countryside. You can find travel details atVinh Long bus stationwhich I have used before

There are no luxury hotels here, but there are guesthouses and affordable accommodations suitable for travelers who want to experience the real life of locals. I stayed in a simple but comfortable place within walking distance to the market and restaurants.

Connections to other provinces in southern Vietnam

If you are interested in traveling to other provinces in southern Vietnam, I recommend stopping byLang Son provincewhich I have shared about before, or if you want to see beautiful beaches, you can continue toNha Trang sea beachwhich is a popular relaxation spot for both foreign tourists and Vietnamese people.

Summary of the Vi Thanh experience

For me, mr.hotsia, Vi Thanh city, Hau Giang province, is a place that combines simplicity, local lifestyle, and delicious food at affordable prices. I recommend everyone interested in southern Vietnam to visit here at least once because it feels like stepping back in time to experience the true rural life of Vietnam and taste authentic local cuisine.

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