It is a mystery to tell when lotus flowers became an inseparable part of life for the people of Dong Thap. Once you set your foot in the land, a forest of lotuses greets you dearly, a sense of beauty and tranquility rushing by like an adrenaline to your soul.

Dong Thap welcome visitors by a large sign reading: “The Land of Pink Lotus - Dong Thap warmly welcomes you”. Following the national highway toward Cao Lanh City, you’ll soon be enchanted by the sight of blooming lotus flowers filling every corner of this youthful, vibrant city. At the central roundabout, the smiling image of Bé Sen (Little Lotus Girl) stands ready to greet visitors, easing the fatigue of a long journey.

Many major streets in the heart of Cao Lanh are lined with the vivid pink of lotus flowers. Notably, the main road leading to the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee headquarters and the road to Cao Lanh Ferry have now become charmingly known as “Lotus Streets.”

Located in Ward 1 of Cao Lanh City, Van Mieu Park (also known as Van Thanh Temple - a Confucian temple) was built to inspire the local community to value lifelong learning and knowledge, while preserving the cultural heritage of Confucian education. Aside from its lush trees and green lawns, the park is home to Khổng Tử Lake - a tranquil 3-hectare water feature named after Confucius. The park also regularly hosts exhibitions and significant events dedicated to the lotus flower.

When visiting Dong Thap Muoi, don’t miss the chance to savour dishes made from lotus seeds. Though the seeds harvested from traditional lotus plants are not particularly large, they are naturally sweet, nutty, and highly nutritious. In fact, all parts of the lotus - from seeds, flowers, and leaves to roots - are considered organic, wholesome ingredients and are highly prized in local cuisine.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in the life of a local farmer - rowing through the lotus fields to harvest flowers and seeds, fishing, snapping photos amid endless lotus ponds, and engaging with the warm, hospitable people of the Mekong Delta.

One must-visit destination is the Thap Muoi Lotus Tourist Area, located in My Hoa Commune, Thap Muoi District. Here, visitors can fully soak in the pure, fresh atmosphere and the rich fragrance, beauty, and flavour of the boundless lotus fields.