OVERVIEW
Kien Giang is on the Mekong Delta. It is bounded by An Giang, Hau Giang provinces, Can Tho City in the east and the south - east, Ca Mau Province in the south, and Cambodia in the north.
Kien Giang has 200km of coastline with large fishing grounds, consisting of 105 big and small islands, of which 43 islands have residents. This creates favorable conditions and good environment for raising many sorts of aquaculture.
CLIMATE
Kien Giang locates on humid monsoon tropical area. The weather is always warm with few natural calamities and abundant of sunshine. The average temperature is 27ºC. It is highest in April (29ºC) and lowest in January (25.6ºC). There are two separated seasons: the rainy season is from April to November, the dry season is from December to April.
From April to September: This is the summer break for students also this is summer holiday for Vietnamese tourist. So you can make a family trip to Kien Giang. In April to September, Kien Giang tourism will be in high season and the number of tourists coming also very high.
From October to February: Although the number of tourists at this time has decreased. However, if you like a comfortable tour. There is not “touristy”. This is the right time to travel to Kien Giang.
TOURISM
Kien Giang has plains, fertile rice fields, forests of cajuput and mangrove. Kien Giang coastal area has been determined as a key fishing ground. The sea here is rich of good fishes such as mackerel, shark, blue fish, carp, shrimp. Phu Quoc's high quality fish sauce is well-known in Vietnam and abroad. This fish sauce smells particularly good since it is made from a small fish, ca com, with a high level of protein.
Kien Giang is proud of historic sites in U Minh Forest, Hon Dat, Ha Tien, Phu Quoc. The province is favored by nature with landscapes like Ha Tien, and Phu Quoc, in which Ha Tien is plentiful attractive sites of caves, pagodas, tombs, islets along the coast and offshore.
Other famous sites include the Temple and Tomb of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc in Rach Gia, Tam Bao Pagoda, the Bird Sanctuary, Tan Hoi Pagoda, and Mac Cuu Tomb.
TRANSPORT
By Road: Rach Gia is 92km from Ha Tien, 116km from Cantho, 182km from My Tho, and 250km from Ho Chi Minh City.
By Air: The province owns 3 airports: Rach Gia, Phu Quoc, and Ha Tien. From Ho Chi Minh City, there are daily flights connecting to Rach Gia, and 28 flights a week linking to Phu Quoc.
Hydrofoil boats daily connects Rach Gia and Phu Quoc and vice versa.
BEST PLACES IN KIEN GIANG
1. PHU QUOC ISLAND
Phu Quoc Island is known as the most attractive tourist destination in Kien Giang that is most visited by domestic and foreign tourists when they travel to Kien Giang.
There are also famous places in Phú Quốc you should visit
1.1 Phú Quốc national Park
Location: 26 kilometres north of Duong Dong, Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc National Park comprises more than half of Phu Quoc Island’s northern region, where adventurous travellers can enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits throughout their tropical vacation. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, this massive natural attraction spans over 314, 000 square metres of unique flora and fauna, evergreen forest, and dense mountain ranges.
While the majority of Phu Quoc National Park is strictly protected by the Vietnamese government for research purposes, visitors can make their way to the Khu Rung Nguyen Sinh Forest Reserve via Ganh Dau Village as it’s accessible for camping, hiking, bird-watching, and photography. Nature lovers can also spot rare wildlife such as long-tailed macaques, silver langurs, slow lories, otters, and hornbills.
1.2. Dinh Cau Rock
Location: Bach Dang Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc Island
Dinh Cau Rock, also known as Cau Temple, is an odd-shaped natural formation in Phu Quoc Island, which local fishermen pray to before embarking on fishing excursions. Located just next to the Duong Dong Fishing Harbour, it features a brightly-coloured lighthouse and Buddhist shrine, making it a popular photography spot among travellers.
Dinh Cau Rock was constructed in 1937 to commemorate Thien Hau (the goddess of the sea), whom locals believe provides protection for fishermen heading out to the open sea. There are 29 winding stone steps to reach Cau Temple’s rooftop terrace, where you will be greeted with spectacular sunset views of Dinh Cau Beach, traditional fishing boats, Duong Dong Town, and neighbouring islets.
1.3: Suoi Tranh Waterfall:
Location: 7 kilometres west of Duong Dong
Suoi Tranh Waterfall is a four-metre-tall waterfall within the Ham Ninh Mountains that’s surrounded by lush greenery, natural caves, and rock pools. A 10-minute drive from Duong Dong, this natural attraction is ideal for those looking to escape the bustling town centre.
Nature-lovers can enjoy recreational activities such as picnicking, camping and bird-watching, with small walking paths available for those who prefer a leisurely hike through the jungle. Various flora and fauna such as shrimps, birds, orchids, ginseng and mushrooms can be found here.
1.4 Duong Dong Phu Quoc
Location: Tran Phu Street, Duong Dong, Phu Quoc Island
Duong Dong Market is Phu Quoc Island’s busiest and largest outdoor market, where travellers can experience the local lifestyle and purchase a wide range of fresh produce during their holiday. Set along Tran Phu Street, Duong Dong Market features a wet zone that’s set close to Duong Dong Port, where you can see throngs of fishing boats drop off freshly-caught seafood such as eel, squid, mackerel, barracuda, and shellfish, to be sold by local vendors.
Phu Quoc Island is also renowned for its fish sauce, mushrooms, peppers and cashew nuts. We highly recommend making your way to the dry section to pick up a few as souvenirs for loved ones back home. Thanks to its growing popularity among tourists, there’s also a few stalls selling handicrafts and t-shirts, though most carry the same stock.
1.5 Ham Ninh Fishing village
Location: 15km northeast of Duong Dong
Ham Ninh Fishing Village is an ideal locale for foreign visitors looking to experience the daily life of local fishermen as well as authentic regional dishes at affordable prices. Widely known as one of the oldest villages on Phu Quoc Island, its residents’ main sources of income include diving for pearls and sea cucumbers, fishing and, in recent years, selling handmade souvenirs and seafood delicacies to tourists.
1.6: Phú Quốc Prison
Location: 350 Highway 46, Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Prison serves as a bleak reminder of Vietnam’s turbulent past, where thousands people were imprisoned and tortured during the Vietnam War. Also called Coconut Tree Prison, this war museum now houses authentic torture instruments, photographs of former detainees and exhibits of brutal punishments.
2. HA TIEN
Ha Tien tourist destination is famous for its beautiful landscapes, mountains and fresh nature, delicious specialities at the night market near Giang Thanh River. In Ha Tien, visitors can enjoy the tour at Mui Nai beach, Binh San mountain, …
3. PIRATE ISLAND ( HAI TAC ISLAND)
This is a mysterious island that makes anyone think of pirate movies when they hear the name. This tourist destination in Kien Giang is home to a wild and attractive landscape for tourists. Guests have an unforgettable experience once coming here.
There are 16 small islands about 40km away from Phu Quoc with many beautiful and romantic beaches. Also, visitors here can organize overnight camping or small parties.
4. NAM DU ISLAND
As one of the tourist destinations in Kien Giang with wild and natural beauty. Nam Du Island with beautiful scenes that have not been influenced by human hands, so it still retains its unique features. Besides, visitors also experience the rustic life of the people on the island.
5. RACH GIA
In the tourist destinations of Kien Giang, Rach Gia is the place chosen by many tourists as a destination that cannot be ignored. Here, you can move to mysterious and pristine islands or you can walk around the urban centre of the sea, Nguyen Trung Truc communal house, shopping at the commercial centre, … There is nothing special about playing places in Rach Gia, but ensuring Rach Gia cuisine will make you unforgettable. Some of the dishes you must try in Rach Gia are fish vermicelli, fish sauce hot pot, pancakes, crab ball soup, herring salad …
6. BA LUA ARCHIPELAGO
A certain place to visit to explore in Kien Giang is Ba Lua archipelago. Here, visitors can manually catch snails, oysters, … right at the beaches. Besides, you can also watch the sunrise and sunset and take beautiful photos to keep memories.
7. U MINH THUONG NATIONAL FOREST
It is the largest conservation of rare flora and fauna in Kien Giang with an area of over 3,000 hectares of melaleuca forests. U Minh Thuong forest tourism is an ecotourism type for those who love and want to immerse themselves in nature. You will be able to take a boat ride through the Melaleuca forests, watch unique trees and birds in the forest. After taking a boat walk around the national forest, remember to enjoy the specialities in this place such as fish hot pot and wild vegetables, grilled fish, fish salad…
8. HON TRE
Hon Tre is a small island located near Rach Gia suitable for those who want to go fishing, taking photos, eating seafood and having fun in a short time. Because Hon Tre is near Rach Gia, the train ticket to Hon Tre island is only about 60.000 – 70.000 / time. The seawater in Hon Tre is not as green and clear as in Phu Quoc Island, but in return, the strange and unspoiled landscape makes the people completely conquered.
According to Hon Tre tourism experience, bring tents and barbecue stoves, then buy seafood from local people and hold a seaside BBQ party is an extremely interesting activity. Note that if you buy seafood, buying seafood in the afternoon because people just caught it onshore is the cheapest and most delicious, avoid buying right near the pier because the price will be several times more expensive. This is the next place to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Kien Giang that origin travel wants you to explore.
9. HON PHU TU
Hon Phu Tu belongs to Hon Phu Tu tourist area in Binh An commune, Kien Luong district, Kien Giang province. 38km from Ha Tien city centre and about 70km from Rach Gia city. This is a beautiful and famous landscape, dubbed the “Ha Long Bay” of Kien Giang and was recognized as a national scenic spot in 1989.
Hon Phu Tu is a small rocky island located about 110m from the mainland, consisting of two adjoining rocks on a rocky platform 5m high above sea level. In which, the big rock (Hon Phu) is about 33.6m high, the small rock (Hon Tu) is about 30m high. Precisely from the terrain of two adjacent stone pillars, slightly inclined to the East in the middle of the sea. It is considered a symbol of father and son’s feelings. And there is also a legend full of human values about spiritual paternity.
Coming to Hon Phu Tu, you can also choose to visit two more beautiful landscapes: Bai Duong and Hang Pagoda.
10. DA DUNG MOUNTAIN
Da Dung Mountain is a new tourist destination that is urging more steps from all over. Because its beauty is like Phong Nha cave on alluvial land. This is also a special gift that nature gives to Ha Tien land with enchanting beauty
Da Dung Mountain has about 14 large and small caves connected to create mysterious “mazes” and has a beauty like a stone sculpture.
Standing inside the bed of Da Dung mountain looking out. Visitors can see the wonderful beauty of the landscape and natural land of Ha Tien. Surrounding the mountain are rice fields stretching to the eye, lots of swamps, bushes create a wild and interesting landscape.
Da Dung Mountain attracts visitors not only because of the beautiful scenery around the mountain but also the unique names of the caves there. Each cave has very strange names based on the legend, the stalactite shape or the feeling that the cave gives visitors when stepping inside.
Source: Internet.
