Nearly 70km is the distance between Saigon and Trung Luong intersection (entrance to My Tho city). Since having been departing at 5AM, after two hours driving, my first stop was Mekong rest top, the pretty famous location of the province for resting after a long trip on 1A Highway. The most interesting thing was the scene of such location was similar to a resorts’ and there were many types of special food of Tien Giang and South West areas. Besides, foreigners were particularly interested in souvenirs and handicrafts shops where they can find the best crafts. Nowadays, My Tho is famous for not only the best “Hu Tieu” (Chinese Soup) but also the place which furnishes a lot of types of fruits in Southern provinces. I also had a chance to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and Nam Tu – Cai Luong Theatre (also Tien Giang Theatre) which had a long history. It was really emotional when touching Tam Quan Gate carefully made by the most precious Chinese and Vietnamese ceramics on which there were images of spiritual animals – “Long, Lân, Quy, Phụng” and ancient poems or adages. However, what concerns me the most is My Tho Threatre is being degenerated, and it seems this theatre will be abolished and a new building is going to be constructed. Though the theatre is not available anymore, Cai Luong Spirit still exists in every single person’s hearts in this area.

Leaving My Tho to Cai Be where there is a famous song “Cai Be’s tangerine is so sweet that everybody who has it once will remember Western Areas forever”. Besides visiting places of growing variable fruits such as the famous 6 Ri Durian, Hoa Loc Mango, Dragon Fruits, Plum An Phuoc, Tangerine and Orange, Rambutan, Watermelon, Longan. Like famous Long Co Jackfruits and Grapefruits, Cai Be is also popular with Markets on the River which furnish all kinds of fruit in Mekong Delta Areas. Foreigners are also happy with visiting these kinds of markets. And surely, this is one of the favorite and important destinations of Tien Giang. The tourists will, in particular, enjoy watching very distinctive boats whose ceilings are made by “Mê bồ”. They also have a chance to visit Tan Phong, a traditional village where honey tea and coconut cake or hot rice cake are always available.

By boats, it took me 15 minutes to visit the popular ancient house which was built in 1938 with traditionally Asian and French design, three layers of roof and neatly arranged furniture at An Loi – Dong Hoa Hiep Provice. Asking Tran Tan Kiet, the 6th generation owner, I was surprised at 50-to-100-year-old furniture with beautiful designs including 3 big cabinets for praying ancestors. That was the reason why Vietnamese design and expertise were highly appreciated by Japanese Art Research members. This proved how aesthetic Vietnamese deceased artists are. And we should be proud of and appreciate them

Saying goodbye to Cai Be, what I brought with me after such a long trip was a big bag of fruits. The highway seemed wider since after being finished, it made people feel safe and serene when driving and visiting friendly Tien Giang more. The light street suddenly reminded me the song my mother often sang before I slept when I was so little. “Saigon’s lights street always shine compared to just a few of them do in Can Tho”. This song seemed so out-dated and not true anymore. Tien Giang nowadays is changing every single second and My Tho together with famous locations and fruit growing places is forever a good experience that every tourist comes here will never and ever forget…

Besides visiting places of growing variable fruits such as the famous 6 Ri Durian, Hoa Loc Mango, Dragon Fruits, Plum An Phuoc, Tangerine and Orange, Rambutan, Watermelon, Longan. Like famous Long Co Jackfruits and Grapefruits, Cai Be is also popular with Markets on the River which furnish all kinds of fruit in Mekong Delta Areas