The charming city of Sa Dec, formerly known by its Khmer name Phsar Dek, believed to be named after a female deity, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored in the Mekong Delta. Though lesser-known compared to its bustling neighbors, Sa Dec offers a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences that make it a must-visit destination. From its enchanting flower village and historic flour-making traditions to the serene pagodas and delectable local cuisine, there are 5 topthings to explore in Sa Dec that will captivate any traveler. Join me as we uncover the wonders of this delightful city in the Mekong Delta.

Things to See in Sa Dec

Sa Dec Flower Village

Formed in the late 19th century and nestled picturesquely beside the Tien River, Sa Dec Flower Village is also known as Tan Quy Dong Flower Village. At that time, only a few households in the area grew flowers to decorate for the Tet holiday. Gradually, seeing that flowers thrived, the number of households growing flowers increased, and the annual activity eventually became the main occupation of the village.

Sa Dec Flower Village is home to about 2000 types of ornamental plants and flowers, on an area of over 500 hectares. Visiting the village, besides immersing yourself in the myriad of flowers above water, you can also check out Happy Land Hung Thy, where you can participate in fun activities such as cycling, rope crossing over the river, boat rowing, and walking on wobbly bridges.

Entrance fee: 20,000 VND per person for sightseeing and 100,000 VND per person for an all-inclusive package that includes games.

Sa Dec Market

Sa Dec market is the largest wholesale and retail market in the region. From here, goods, agricultural products, fishing equipment, fruits, etc., have been distributed throughout the six provinces of Southern Vietnam and even to neighboring countries in Indochina.

The central market building was erected in the late 19th century with a unique architectural style that blends Eastern architecture with Western influences. In the late 20th century, the market building was reconstructed but still emulated the old design, which had long been etched in the memories of many generations. Like any other market in Vietnam, this is a great place to get a glimpse of the vibrant local culture and find a fascinating selection of fruits, vegetables, seafood, poultry, or anything, to be honest.

Entrance: Free

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House

The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house in Sa Dec was built in 1895 by Huynh Cam Thuan, one of the prominent wealthy figures of Sa Dec at the time, bearing distinct Southern Vietnamese architecture, but it was renovated in 1917 by his son, Huynh Thuy Le, to incorporate a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French styles. Covering a total area of 258 square meters, the Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House features Roman and Renaissance-style decorations on its window frames, façade, and ceiling. However, the three-compartment structure characteristic of Southern Vietnam remains intact, along with the traditional curved red-tile roof. Additionally, the interior is adorned with the distinctive gold lacquer typical of Chinese architecture.

In 1929, French writer Marguerite Duras and Huynh Thuy Le met by chance and fell in love. However, this romance lasted only 18 months due to Huynh Cam Thuan's disapproval, and Marguerite Duras returned to France soon after. Subsequently, Huynh Thuy Le followed his family's arrangements and married a Chinese woman. In 1984, Marguerite Duras published the novel "L’Amant," which garnered worldwide acclaim and was even adapted into a film.

Entrance fee: 30,000 VND

Address: 255A Nguyen Hue, Ward 2, Sa Dec Town, Dong Thap Province

Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Lotus Leaf Pagoda

The Phuoc Kien Pagoda or Chùa Lá Sen (Lotus Leaf Pagoda), in Sa Dec has a history spanning over 200 years. Established before the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, this pagoda has witnessed numerous historical upheavals and even served as a revolutionary base. The monks at the pagoda converted bomb craters into lotus ponds, turning the scars of war into something beautiful.

The pagoda features simple architecture, including an entrance gate, a tower dedicated to the Quanyin, and a main hall. Nothing special. It’s actually the lotus pond that is worth checking out.

The lotus grown here is a rare species, only found in some parts of Southeast Asia. The lotus leaves are unique in that they can expand and contract according to the season. During the dry season, the leaves measure about 1 meter in diameter, but in the flood season, they can grow to 3 to 4 meters in diameter. The edges of the leaves rise about 3 to 5 cm above the water, resembling the hats worn by Quan Ho performers. In the flood season, these large lotus leaves can easily support a person weighing 70-80 kg. During the dry season, the leaves are only about 1 to 1.5 meters in size.

Address: Hoa Tan, Chau Thanh, Dong Thap

Entrance fee: Free (You need to pay 20,000 VND if you want to stand one of the leaves.)

Sa Dec Rice Flour Village

Not only is Sa Dec known for its beautiful flowers, but it is also known for its traditional rice flour-making village, which has been in existence for over 100 years. With an abundant supply of rice, the farmers of Sa Dec came up with their own type of rice flour during their idle agricultural periods. This flour was then used to make various cakes and noodles.

Visiting Sa Dec Rice Flour Village and the culinary area, you’ll get to enjoy a buffet of cakes and desserts made with Sa Dec rice flour. In addition to enjoying delicious dishes made from Sa Dec flour, you can also experience grinding flour and making cakes yourself. You can also buy straws made from rice flour to help support the village.

Entrance fee (for the buffet): 119,000 VND

How to Get To and Around in Sa Dec?

There are direct daily buses from Saigon, Vinh Long, and Can Tho to Sa Dec. It costs around 100,000 to 150,000 VND (4-6 USD) per trip. Tickets can be purchased directly at the bus station or booked online.

Once you’re in Sa Dec, you can rent motorbikes to get around the city. Here are a few shops that offer motorbike rentals in Sa Dec:

Minh Chánh Motorbike Rental

Address: 253 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Tan Quy Tay, Sa Dec, Dong Thap

Phone: 0793 979 789

Phuong Nam Hotel Motorbike Rental

Address: 384A Nguyen Sinh Dung Street, Sa Dec City

Phone: 0227 3867 867 or 0277 3707 070

=> Mekong Delta 3-Day Tour