The Mekong -- or Cuu Long in Vietnamese -- consists of nine branches (the Nine Dragons) of the mighty Mekong River, which begins its long journey to the South China Sea in the mountains of Tibet. The delta is the life-blood of southern Vietnam, nourishing the region's ric e paddies, vegetable plots and fruit orchards.

 The Mekong Delta provides an excellent opportunity to observe and experience traditional Vietnamese rural life. A boat trip thorugh the myriad canals offers travellers a real insight to life in the countryside: peasant hard at work in the ir paddy fields, water buffaloes, tangled fruit orchards, simple, thatched-roof dwellings, twmples, fishermen and excited children everywhere.

What follows is an exploration of the Delta in a clockwise direction, beginning south of Ho Chi Minh City at Mytho, visiting areas both very popular with travelers, and those which are virtually unknown. Cruising up river on the roof of a boat laden with all manner of fish produce, as the sun sets over the distant coconut tress, is a truly remarkable experience

 In the delta's towns -- the major ones being Chao Doc and Can Tho -- the river remains the central focus of daily lfe. Ferries ply its waters transporting people and goods to market or home after a long day's work, while providing a valuable link with the rest of the country and region.

 Travellers exploring the Mekong Delta will be well rewarded. Experience the traditional floating markets in Can Tho, effectively unchanged for hundreds of years and not yet spoiled by tourism as in Thailand, explore the many beautiful islands that surround My Tho, just a short distance from Saigon, or wonder at the hillside pagodas of Chau Doc.

 Accommodation facilities in the Mekong Delta are relatively basic at present, although a number of decent mid-range mini hotels and cheaper, budget operations have sprung up to cater to tourists. At the top end, there is really onlya choice of two hotels right now - both of them operted by the Victoria hotel group. For dining and nightlife, choice os severely limited but, again, the market is evolving and new venues are opening every couple of months. In fact the Mekong Delta unfolds at its own slow, steady pace. This is Vietnam's heartland, a place where time is still dictated by the river and the rice harvests.