Long Xuyen - An Giang province
Long Xuyen is the second largest city in the Mekong delta, the capital of An Giang province and at the same time the center for politics, economy and culture. There are many lively markets, which are quite interesting for visitors. In the evening lighted streets invite for an extensive walk. From the spacious promenade you will have a nice view at the colorful, numerous floating villages, under which fish is cultivated. There is also a large, very interesting floating market with the impressive market hall of Long Xuyen in the background. In Long Xuyen you can also find the largest Catholic church in the delta, which was built during the war (1965 - 1973). Other (few) sights are the Chinese community hall My Phuoc, the new An Giang-museum, a Cao Dai temple and a crocodile farm.
Until 1939 Long Xuyen has been the headquarter of the 1939 founded Hoa Hao sect, which had its own army. After the assassination of the founder in 1947 the sect was soon disbanded.
On the other side of the town is the Tiger Island Ho Oc, which is the home to Ton Duc Thang, successor of the former President Ho Chi Minh. There are several other interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Long Xuyen, such as handicraft villages for the production of noodles, rice mats and mushrooms.
Close to the town you can find the archaeological site of Oc Eo, which was probably an important port town in the Kingdom of Funan. Funan dominated the Mekong delta between the first and seventh centuries. Most of the excavations, however, were brought to the museums in Can Tho and Saigon. But you can find some pieces as well in the local museum in Long Xuyen.
