19 Best Sights in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Ang Pagoda was built on the ruins of Wat Angkor Raig Borei, a temple that possibly dates back to the 10th century Angkor Era. Set amongst old trees and next to Ba Om pond, an Angkorian baray, the pagoda features beautiful Khmer architecture. Ang Pagoda is 5 km (3 miles) from the center of Tra Vinh.

This temple, located up the foot of Sam Mountain, is dedicated to Ba Chua Xu, the prosperity goddess of the Vietnamese folk religion Thanism. It was built in the early 1800s after, legend has it, villagers discovered in the forest a female statue dating to the 6th century. The temple is constructed in what is commonly thought of as Chinese style, with four levels, the tiled roofs green with age. Within is the statue of Ba Chua Xu, busy with visitors coming to ask for protection and prosperity; weekends can be very crowded. A festival in her honor is held the 23rd--27th of the fourth lunar month, with pilgrims performing dances and rites. Surrounding the temple are pleasant gardens and some small caves, and from up here there's a sweeping view of the countryside; on a clear day you can see neighboring Cambodia.

Established in 1926 in the southern Vietnamese city of Tay Ninh, Caodaism is a monotheistic syncretic religion, in which Cao Dai is believed to be the creator of the universe. The temple in My Tho is a smaller offshoot of the main temple in Tay Ninh (also called the Holy See Temple). The colorful structure, which is done up in every shade of the rainbow and then some, has impressive wooden carvings of deities, immaculately painted iron grillwork, and handsome tiles.

Typical of all Cao Dai Temples, the temple is a riot of colors, a bright yellow building with sky blue, red, and green accents, and inside the floor tiles change color from one to the next. At the front of the temple, on a carved wooden table with drawers, sit thick gilded candlesticks and offerings while ceramic egrets stand on either side. Established in 1926 in the southern Vietnamese city of Tay Ninh, Caodaoism is a monotheistic religion, and this temple is similar to the one in My Tho; both are branches of the main Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh, also called the Holy See. Adherents worship Cao Dai, whom they believe is the creator of the universe. From the temples towers, take in the view of the river and surrounding countryside.

Twelve kilometers (7½ miles) outside Soc Trang, in the village of Dai Tam, this is the largest Khmer temple and religious school for novice monks in the area. The original pagoda, built in 1815, was destroyed during the Vietnam War and was rebuilt in 1969, the facade completely adorned with mosaic of ceramic bowls and plates—hence the name (chen means bowl). The garden has several thatched huts in which pilgrims can meditate, and a lively market operates in front of the gates. It's well worth visiting during Khmer New Year, April 13--16, if you happen to be in the area.

This eye-poppingly vibrant Vietnamese temple was built more than 200 years ago by a Chinese family called Ngo. A descendant, Ngo Kim Tong, who died in 1970, spent 42 years fashioning the pagoda's brightly colored statues, dragons, and gargoyles. Inside are candles about 40 feet high—each  so big and so broad that two people extending their arms around it can barely reach each other—that have been burning continuously for more than 40 years.

Part lighthouse, part religious building, Dinh Cau Temple is worth visiting while exploring Duong Dong town, its marina, and the night market. Occupying a rocky outcrop, the temple was constructed in the 1930's to honor the goddess of the sea, who could protect sailors and fishermen.

This Khmer temple was built in 1637, and its 5-acre grounds are home to tall trees, a small school, and hundreds of storks, explaining one of its nicknames, Stork Pagoda. Called Kompom Chray (banyan tree wharf) in Khmer, it's also known as Cave Pagoda because of its cave-like entrance. It was once called Bat Pagoda but bombing in 1968 scared the bats away and they never returned. The monks here are famous for their woodworking skills and the intricate bonsai garden they tend while not studying, praying, and chanting.

Hang Pagoda is a best visited in the late afternoon when the birds come home to roost, but avoid standing under the trees because the bird droppings come down like rain.

Built in 1838, the brightly painted Chinese-style pagoda features elaborate wrought iron gates, as well as inlaid scenes and animal figures made by intricate mosaics of ceramic and porcelain pottery below and along the roof. If you're lucky, a monk will invite you to sit for tea and persimmons.

Surrounded by graceful palms, the beautiful Khmer Theravada Buddhist temple includes a main ceremonial hall, monk's quarters, stupas, and sala. Originally constructed in the 16th century, when the area was part of the Khmer empire, it was rebuilt in the French-Khmer style at the turn of the 20th century. The exterior of the main hall is adorned in the Khmer tradition with gilded wood carvings, while inside the columns are painted with Chinese motifs of dragons and flowers in black and gold.

Legend has it that about 400 years ago, Khmer monks constructed this pagoda 3 km (2 miles) from Soc Trang to honor the flying foxes (a type of bat) that live in the surrounding fruit trees. In Buddhism, bats are considered sacred and lucky. Unfortunately, the grounds are not maintained and litter is a problem. Also, now these are few bats compared to years past; the best time to see any is at dawn or dusk. Keep an eye out for the graves of five-hoofed pigs behind the temple; these creatures are believed to be bad luck so are given to the temple to be cared for until their death.

Located in the city center, the largest and oldest Khmer temple in Can Tho was originally built in 1948 out of bamboo, then renovated in the subsequent decades. The gate, added in 1954, is adorned with what resembles the three towers of Angkor Wat. Access to the interior is limited, but it's possible to admire the golden exterior embellishments and perhaps spy a few novice monks doing chores on the grounds. The pagoda is emblematic of the continuation of Khmer religion and culture in the Mekong Delta.

A Khmer temple has stood in this spot since 711 and the beautiful complex, also known as Bodhisalaraja, is now the center of Khmer spiritual life in Tra Vinh. A library with unique wooden features was added in 1916. The monks here are quite friendly and sometimes like to practice speaking English with male tourists.

A centuries-old Chinese pagoda that underwent renovations over the centuries, this active temple is an important cultural and spiritual meeting place for Tra Vinh's Chinese community. The main god of worship is Quan Cong (Guan Yu), a Chinese military general, a model of loyalty and justice. Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, this colorful pagoda hosts Tet Nguyen Tieu, the lantern festival, which marks the first full moon of the lunar new year.

Smokey incense coils hang from the rafters of this atmospheric temple inside the Guangzhou Assembly Hall, which was built by the Chinese at the end of the 19th century. Assembly halls were important centers of worship, community, and governance. Ong Temple is primarily dedicated to Chinese military leader and diety Kuang Kung (known as Quan Cong in Vietnam), who symbolizing justice, loyalty, and honor. Many of the temple's decorative features were imported from China in 1896.

Dating back to 1932, this small, colorful pagoda sits on top of a hill 4 km (2½ miles) east of Duong Dong Town. Access is via 40 stone steps, and it's more of a working temple than tourist destination.

On the road to the Cambodian border, 4 km (2.5 miles) northwest of Ha Tien, this cave pagoda is in an echoey cavern in a limestone karst, with various chambers holding funerary tablets. The cave is home to a colony of bats (so keep your mouth closed when you look up), and the views from some of the openings across to Cambodia are pretty. At the base of the mountain is a small monument shaped like a clenched fist that commemorates the murder of 130 local civilians by the Khmer Rouge in 1978.

About 2.3 km (1.4 miles) from Vinh Long Market, this Chinese Confucian temple built in the mid-19th century is decorated with multicolor dragons and statues of Confucius, which is odd because the monks here practice Buddhism. Added to the original structure is a different style of hall built in honor of Phan Thanh Gian, a Vietnamese fighter, government official, and diplomat, who committed suicide in Vinh Long in 1867 rather than submit to French rule. Locals often refer to the temple by his name rather than its official title. Although the temple has opening hours posted on the gate, it's often inexplicably closed; ask around and someone may have a key.

Dating to 1849, this pagoda, which was built in the shape of the Chinese character for nation, combines European and Asian design elements and is set within lovely ornamental gardens with bonsai, lotus ponds, and a gigantic laughing Buddha. Take time to soak up the tranquil atmosphere, plus admire the elaborate carved wood in the hushed interiors and the ornate ceramic mosaic of the arch out front.