Mekong Delta - Economy and Transportation System - Essay Example

A single road connects the Mekong delta with two major cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Ho. It is divided into nine provinces.

History
The Mekong delta was part of Khmer territory and an important center of trade and commerce. In the early 17th century, Vietnamese settlers came to Delta in large numbers, and in 1698, formal Vietnamese administration was established in the region. In 1802, it became part of the French colony and became part of Vietnam when it gained independence from France (Brocheux, 1995).
People and language
The main inhabitants of the Mekong delta are the Vietnamese and Khmer populations. Chinese and Cambodians also form a minority population. The main languages are Viet and Khmer.
Geography and climate
The Mekong delta is 39000 km in area. It was initially a forest area and marshland having a diverse landscape with mountains, highlands, and plain regions. The marshland makes it very fertile land. It has a moderate climate. Due to its low-lying area, it is susceptible to flash floods.

More than 1000 new species have been discovered in its delta and as a result, it has been declared a ‘biological treasure trove (Fantz,2008)
Culture and religion
A lunar new year andmid-autumnn festival are major cultural events. During the festival, children float lighted candles on skiffs on the river. The multicultural society comprises Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, Cambodian,s and Chamtribese. The main religions are Buddhism, Catholicism, Cao Dai, Hoa Ha,o and Islam (vietscape.com, 2004).

Economy and transportation system
Agriculture is a major source of income for the people. Rice is a major agricultural crop followed by fruits and vegetables. It is the second-largest producer and exporter of rice in the world. Aquaculture is another industry that facilitates the export of fish like shrimp, catfish, etc. In recent times, tourism has also emerged as an important industry.
Boats and ferries are major transport systems across the provinces and cities. Bus, light, and heavy vehicles are used on the roadways along with motorbikes, and bicycles. Recently acable-stayedd bridge was constructed that connects Long province with Can Tho city. The bridge is expected to reduce the reliance on ferries for commutation. Some of the provinces of Mekong are also connected by air flight.

Cai Rang and Phong Dien have bamboo houses and cultivate fisheries under them. Goods are bought by local traders who sell them in the big cities at great profit. It also has floating restaurants. Snake farm initially started as a research site, has emerged as a key industry in My Tho township. It has more than 20 varieties of venomous snakes. It is renowned for its snake delicacies (vietscape.com, 2004). (words: 516)