Sa Đéc, Vietnam
Region: Đồng Tháp
Geographic Coordinates: 10.300000, 105.767000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with rainy season from May to November and dry season from December to April.
Population: 213610
Language: Vietnamese
Sa Đéc is a charming city located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, On the banks of the Tien River. The city has a rich history dating back to the 17th century when it was founded by Nguyen Huu Canh, A Vietnamese general. One of Sa Đéc’s most notable features is its beautiful flower gardens, Earning it the nickname The City of Flowers. Visitors can stroll through rows of orchids, Roses, Lilies and other flowers while admiring their beauty at the famous flower market.
The city also boasts numerous historic buildings and temples such as Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House – made famous by Marguerite Duras’ novel The Lover. It showcases traditional Vietnamese architecture with intricate carvings and decorations. Other notable sites include Kien An Cung Pagoda built in 1924 with unique architectural style mixing Chinese culture with Vietnamese one; Xuyen Trung Temple – an ancient temple dating back over two hundred years ago dedicated to worshipping Buddha; or Phuoc Hue Pagoda – an iconic religious site for local people built during French colonial period.
Sa Đéc offers visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as boating on the Tien River or cycling through nearby villages where they can experience rural life firsthand. There are also many delicious local dishes that visitors can try such as banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), Hu tieu (noodle soup) or com tam (broken rice). Overall, Sa Đéc offers a unique blend of history, Culture and natural beauty that makes it an ideal destination for travelers looking to explore Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.
With its picturesque flower gardens, Ancient temples and pagodas, And delicious local cuisine, Sa Đéc is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Vietnam.
Important Landmarks
- Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
- Kien An Cung Pagoda
- Sa Dec Flower Village
- Sa Dec Market
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- Phuoc Hue Temple
- Tan Quy Dong Flower Village
- Tram Chim National Park
- Ba Chua Xu Temple – Chau Doc City (nearby)
Primary Industries
- Agriculture (especially flower cultivation)
- Fish farming
- Tourism
- Small-scale manufacturing
The city is renowned for:
- Extensive flower nurseries
- Production of ornamental plants like roses, chrysanthemums, and orchids
Fish farming is also a significant industry due to the Mekong Delta’s abundant water resources.
Tourist attractions in Sa Đéc:
- Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
- Kien An Cung Pagoda
- Tan Quy Dong Flower Village
Small-scale manufacturing encompasses:
- Textiles
- Garments
- Shoes
- Furniture making
- Food processing
- French colonial period: Sa Đéc was an important trading center during the French colonial period in Vietnam. It was also a hub for rice cultivation and production.
- Marguerite Duras: The famous French writer Marguerite Duras spent her childhood in Sa Đéc, which inspired her novel The Lover.
- Nguyen Khuyen: A prominent Vietnamese poet and scholar who lived in Sa Đéc during the 19th century.
- The Mekong Delta region played a significant role during the Vietnam War as it was a major supply route for North Vietnamese forces.
- Huynh Thuy Le’s House: This is a famous attraction in Sa Đéc that is associated with Marguerite Duras’ novel The Lover. It is a well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture from the early 20th century.
- The Trung Sisters: These two sisters are considered national heroines in Vietnam for leading an uprising against Chinese rule in AD 40-43.
- The Cao Dai religion originated in Tây Ninh Province near Sa Đéc, which has become one of its main centers of worship today.
- The Dong Thap Museum displays artifacts from prehistoric times to modern-day life on display including Cham culture, Oc Eo civilization, Funan kingdom…
- Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is a well-preserved traditional house that was once the residence of the real-life lover of French writer Marguerite Duras. Their affair was depicted in her novel The Lover.
- Kien An Cung Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple with stunning architectural designs and intricate carvings.
- Sa Dec Flower Village is renowned as the flower capital of Vietnam, where visitors can enjoy vibrant flowers and ornamental plants.
- Tram Chim National Park is an extensive wetland area that houses many rare bird species, including the Sarus Crane.
- Nguyen Sinh Sac Memorial Site pays homage to the father of Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, showcasing his life and contributions to Vietnam’s struggle for independence.
- Sa Dec Market is a bustling local market where visitors can find fresh produce, handicrafts, and other goods.
- Cho Moi District War Martyrs Cemetery serves as a solemn memorial honoring those who lost their lives during Vietnam’s wars for independence.
- Dong Thap Museum provides informative exhibits showcasing the history and culture of Dong Thap province, which includes Sa Dec.
- Cao Dai Temple represents one among several temples dedicated to this unique Vietnamese religion that blends elements from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity and Islam.
- Xeo Quyt Ecological Reserve offers nature enthusiasts an opportunity to explore rich mangrove forests with diverse flora/fauna species such as monkeys or birds etc., making it an ideal spot for nature lovers or bird-watchers alike!
- Sa Đéc, located in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, boasts several sports teams that participate in local and national competitions.
- The city’s popular sports include:
- Football
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Martial arts
- Công An Tỉnh Đồng Tháp FC (Dong Thap Police Football Club) is one of Sa Đéc’s most famous football clubs. Founded in 1976, the club has been playing professionally since 2000.
- Vĩnh Long Volleyball Club is another notable team established in 1993 that has won championships at both regional and national levels.
- Martial arts schools are also prevalent in Sa Đéc with disciplines such as Vovinam, Taekwondo, Karate and Muay Thai being taught to students.
- Sports play an integral role in Sa Đéc’s culture and community life with many young people participating to stay healthy while pursuing their passion for competition.
- Tết Nguyên Đán: This is the most important festival in Vietnam, celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year. It involves family gatherings, traditional food, and giving lucky money to children.
- Tết Trung Thu: Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this is a children’s festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually in September). It involves lantern parades, mooncakes, and storytelling.
- Tết Hàn Thực: This festival is celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month (usually in March) to mark the beginning of spring. It involves eating glutinous rice balls and flying kites.
- Tết Đoan Ngọ: This festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (usually in June) to ward off evil spirits and diseases. It involves eating sticky rice dumplings and racing dragon boats.
- Tết Trồng Cây: This festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month (usually in February) to pray for a good harvest. It involves planting trees and offering food to ancestors.
- Tết Thanh Minh: This festival is celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month (usually in April) to pay respects to ancestors. It involves cleaning graves and offering food and incense.
- Sa Đéc Food Festival: This festival is held annually in December to showcase the local cuisine of Sa Đéc. Visitors can sample traditional dishes such as bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancake), chả giò (spring rolls), and cơm tấm (broken rice).
- Chol Chnam Thmay: This festival is celebrated by the Khmer community in Sa Đéc to mark their New Year, usually on April 13-15 according to the solar calendar. It involves visiting pagodas, offering food to monks, and water splashing for good luck.
- Ok Om Bok Festival: This festival is held annually on the 14th day of the tenth lunar month (usually in November) by the Khmer people in Sa Đéc to thank Moon God for a bountiful harvest season. The festival features boat races, traditional music performances, and offerings made from rice and fruits.
- Cải Lương Festival: This event showcases Vietnam’s traditional folk opera called cải lương which originated from southern Vietnam. It takes place every year in October or November with performances by famous cải lương artists from around Vietnam.
- Hu tieu Sa Đéc: A soup dish made with pork bone broth, rice noodles, sliced pork meat or seafood.
- Banh xeo: A crispy pancake filled with shrimp or pork slices and bean sprouts.
- Nem nuong: Grilled pork sausage served with rice paper sheets and fresh vegetables.
- Com tam: Broken rice served with grilled meat or fish, pickled vegetables, fried egg.
- Lau mam: A hot pot dish made with fermented fish sauce broth and various meats/seafood/vegetables.
- Quan Anh Tuan restaurant – famous for its hu tieu Sa Dec
- Thanh Tam restaurant – well-known for its banh xeo
- Ba Hung nem nuong restaurant – famous for its grilled pork sausage
- Tam Giang com tam restaurant – popular for com tam
- Lau Mam Ngoc Hien – known as the best place to eat lau mam in town
- Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is a historical site and garden that showcases the traditional architecture of Sa Đéc.
- Tram Chim National Park is a wetland reserve that is home to over 200 species of birds, including several endangered species.
- Sa Dec Flower Village is a village famous for its flower gardens and nurseries, where visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the colorful fields.
- Cao Dai Temple is a unique temple that combines elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism into one religion.
- Mekong Delta River Cruise offers visitors an opportunity to take a boat ride along the Mekong River to explore the surrounding countryside and villages.
- Sa Dec Market is an open-air market where locals sell fresh produce, seafood, clothing, and souvenirs.
- Binh Thuy Ancient House is another historical house in Sa Đéc with beautiful gardens and architecture that dates back to the early 20th century.
- Phuoc Kien Pagoda features intricate carvings and statues dedicated to Buddhist deities such as Guan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy).
- Nguyen Sinh Sac Memorial House was once Ho Chi Minh’s father’s birthplace which has been turned into a museum showcasing his life story and family history in Vietnam.
- Vietnamese Cooking Classes are available for visitors who want to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes at local restaurants or cooking schools in Sa Đéc town.