Keeth Walter‘s epic roadtrip in South Vietnam. You can follow him on Facebook: Keeth Walter.
Appreciation to Keeth for sharing his travel notes and pics here.
“Raindrops & Roadsmiles: A Serendipitous Journey Through the Mekong Delta” 10 April
I set off on a journey that may have only covered 58 kilometers on the map, but felt like a soulful expedition across the heart of the Mekong Delta.
From Sóc Trăng to Bạc Liêu, my ride took me through lush landscapes, small, beautiful moments that stitched themselves into my memory. Left Sóc Trăng around 8:30 AM, the town still slowly waking up. The streets bustled gently with life—vendors setting up stalls, the smell of fresh bánh mì in the air, and the buzz of motorbikes carving through the morning calm.
Thick clouds rolled in quietly, rain began to fall in gentle sheets. Sheltered in cozy local coffee shop. Locals sipped cà phê sữa đá and chatted in hushed tones.
When the rain finally stopped, the world outside looked freshly painted. The rice fields shimmered under the returning sunlight, water droplets clinging to every blade. The rest of the ride to Bạc Liêu felt like a dream—soft winds, peaceful canals, and the endless green that makes the Mekong Delta feel like a living watercolour.
Every village I passed on way to Bạc Liêu seemed to hum with quiet life—children waving from doorsteps, old men lounging in hammocks, and women in conical hats tending to their fields. It’s these glimpses of real, rural Vietnam that make traveling here so enriching.
Discovering Nha Mat: A Coastal Gem in the Southern Mekong Delta
Tucked away in the southern reaches of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Nha Mat is a hidden coastal town that offers a unique blend of rustic charm, cultural richness, and seaside tranquility. Part of Bac Lieu Province, this small town lies near the shores of the East Sea (South China Sea), and though often overshadowed by more well-known destinations, Nha Mat is steadily becoming a place of interest for curious travelers seeking an authentic Delta experience.
One of Nha Mat’s most prominent features is its coastal location, which gives it a distinctive maritime character uncommon to many other parts of the Mekong Delta. The sea breeze, the smell of salt in the air, and the sight of fishing boats dotting the horizon create a serene atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the simpler pleasures of life.
From Sóc Trăng to Bạc Liêu. 9.2940° N, 105.7216° E
It’s not a long journey, about 50 kilometres south taking roughly two hours. I following the QL1A, a road that cuts clean through the patchwork of rice paddies, rivers, and swaying coconut palms.
The Delta is never dull. Life pulses along every canal and village lane. As I make my way down QL1A, I imagine the scene unfolding: vendors selling iced sugarcane juice on the roadside, the distant echo of a loudspeaker playing folk tunes, and the rhythmic flapping of laundry drying in the sun.
Everything here feels slow yet alive, like the Delta itself breathes in its own calm rhythm.
Bạc Liêu, is a modest town with a unique character. Known for its history, its music, and a fair bit of legend, it promises a different flavor from Sóc Trăng. And just about 10 kilometers further lies the coastal town of Quan Âm Phật Đài—a quiet spot hugging the sea, home to a large statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion gazing out across the waters.
Destination: Cà Mau Coordinates: 9.1768° N, 105.1524° E
Cà Mau, the southernmost city of Vietnam, nestled at the tip of the Mekong Delta. From just east of Bạc Liêu, about 67 kilometres—the road winds through lowland paddies, mangrove forests, and tiny canals. It’s a route that hums with the rhythm of life: vendors selling sugarcane juice on the roadside, children playing near water buffalo, and the scent of wet earth in the air.
Keeth’s South Vienam trip was on April 2025.
