Rạch Giá

Rạch Giá City, located in Kiên Giang province, recently inaugurated the Nguyen Cong Tru Tourist Information Center in Vinh Thanh Ward to serve both domestic and international tourists.

Approximately 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Rạch Giá is the first locality in Vietnam to establish a new urban area on land reclaimed from the sea.

The surrounding area covers a total of 420,000 hectares and features numerous coffee shops and restaurants where tourists can enjoy food and drink while taking in the coastal scenery. The population of Rạch Giá includes a significant number of ethnic Chinese and Khmer people.

With easy access to the sea and proximity to Cambodia and Thailand, fishing, agriculture, and smuggling are profitable industries in this province. The region was once renowned for supplying large feathers used for ceremonial fans in the royal court.

Rạch Giá City boasts several historical, cultural, and entertainment landmarks, including the Kiên Giang Museum, the 52-hectare An Hoa Cultural Park, and the temple dedicated to national hero Nguyễn Trung Trực (1837-1868), a leader in the anti-French resistance in southern Vietnam.

Before his passing, Nguyễn Trung Trực famously said, ‘Only when the grass of Vietnam is gone will there be no more Vietnamese resisting foreign invaders.’ Visitors can explore Tam Bao Pagoda, the largest cultural park in the delta region, and the Tam Quan Gate, an iconic symbol of the city.

For people in the southern region, the Ancestral Festival, abbreviated as the Nguyễn Trung Trực Festival, is a significant event held from the 26th to the 28th day of the lunar month.

Furthermore, this festival reflects the hospitality and community spirit of the southern people, as individuals from various backgrounds come together to organize festivities, share meals with local residents and visitors, and contribute to those in need.

In addition to the culinary delights, the festival also features traditional folk performances from the Southern region, such as Cải lương (a form of Vietnamese folk opera), đờn ca tài tử (a genre of traditional chamber music), and local specialties. The festival attracted over 800,000 people in 2012, and that number increased to over one million last year, according to the management board of Nguyễn Trung Trực Temple1. 

It’s a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the people and explore the region for unforgettable memories.