Dong Thap Province – the kingdom of lotus is one of the top destinations in Mekong Delta thanks to immense lotus fields, the historic Xeo Quyt Relic, Tram Chim National Park – a national park in the reed fields, Nguyen Sinh Sac Relic Site. Top things to buy in Dong Thap Province include specialties such as lotus seed core tea, dried lotus seeds, honey in cajuput jungle, Hong Ngu checkered scarf, hyacinth hats, Vietcong hat, Ao ba ba, etc.
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Lotus seed core tea
Lotus seed core contains asparagin, alkaloids such as nelumbin, nuciferin, liensinin. Nuciferin helps people to get more deep sleep as well as sleep better at night. The core helps to treat high blood pressure and stabilize heartbeat. It is an effective supplement to treat urinary retention, innitus, spermatorrhoea, nocturnal emission (wet dream). Lotus seed core tea is also a great detox and refreshing drink.
Dried lotus seeds
Dried lotus seeds are favorite things to buy in Dong Thap because they are buttery, a little sticky and sweet-smelling. Before drying the seeds, they do or do not remove the core. Customers can choose whole or broken, peeled or unpeeled lotus seeds.
Lotus seeds are low in fat, sodium and cholesterol, have a lot of benefits for not only healthy people but also those suffering from high blood pressure, obesity due to the low sodium and high magnesium, heart diseases.
Recommended dried lotus seed recipes include lotus seed stews, savory and sweet lotus seed soups, mixed steamed sticky rice in lotus leaf, fried rice with lotus seeds.
Fermented pork roll
Fermented pork roll is a favorite cold cut in Vietnam thanks to the special taste, unique smell from banana leaves and guava leaves (fig leaves or others), chewy and crunchy texture. Almost Vietnamese tourists love to buy and eat this specialty. The food is strange to foreigners, especially Western people. However, you should not miss trying a roll and you may fall in love with it.
Fruits
There is no need to explain about the fresh fruits in Mekong Delta. Similar to other provinces in the region, Dong Thap has countless species of fruits. Friendly vendors at local market and around tourist attractions sell seasonal fruits to tourists at good prices. Durian – the world’s smelliest fruit that challenges you to eat, star apple with sweet milk, coconut with refreshing water, healthy banana and papaya, smelling and sweet longan are worth tasting when you are in the province.
Stuffed lotus
Bé sen literally meaning Baby lotus or Lotus kid is one of the symbols of Dong Thap tourism. Bé sen with pink head in a lotus bud shape, two arms and two legs, a nice dress in green – the color of lotus stalks. Tourists can see Baby lotus images on banners, brochures, tourist maps in Dong Thap. Lovely Stuffed lotus kids are cool gifts to your family members or friends, especially young women and children. The stuffed toy is light and easily packed. There are different sizes for your choice.
Water hyacinth hats
Bags, sandals, tablecloths, hats, baskets turned out to be made with water hyacinth raw materials. Water hyacinth is a plant that lives on the water, often floating in the water. Water hyacinth plants are grown popularly in Dong Thap Province which has a huge and complex system of rivers, channels, ponds and swamps. Producing water hyacinth handicrafts plays an important part in the economy of the province. Hats skillfully made from hyacinth are favorite souvenirs of many tourists.
If a hyacinth hat is not your choice, conical hat – the Vietnamese traditional hats which were worn by Vietnamese women and men in the past, green fabric hats which were worn by Vietcong soldiers are great things to buy at souvenir shops in Dong Thap.
Checker scarf
Checker scarfs are sold at many souvenir shops in Vietnam. In Dong Thap, it is a good chance to buy the famous Hong Ngu checker scarfs which are made in the scarf making village of of several hundred years old. The village is located in Long Khanh A Commune, Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province. There are over 50 families and 120 looms in the village. Tourists can choose the simple black and white, blue and white ones or colorful ones.
Ao ba ba
Ao ba ba is the traditional Vietnamese outfit and sold in many souvenir shops in the country. In Dong Thap, customers should choose Ao ba ba with lotus patterns.
Handicraft
Handicrafts are always good souvenirs on any trip to other countries. Each country (or region, province) has its own characterized handicrafts. For example, tea sets made of coconut shells and coconut wood, kerosene lamps, wooden boats, teapot warmers made of whole coconut fruits are special things that tourists can buy to bring home.
Where to buy Top things to buy in Dong Thap Province?
Phuoc Kien Pagoda (Lotus Leaf Pagoda)