Mekong - The river of nine Dragons

The Mekong River is one of the world's great rivers and its delta is one of the world's largest. The Mekong originates high in the Tibetan plateau, flowing 4500km through China, between Myanmar and Laos, through Laos, along the Laos-Thailand border, and through Cambodia and Vietnam on its way to the South China Sea. At Phnom Penh (Cambodia), the Mekong River splits into two main branches: the Hau Giang (Lower River, also called the Bassac River), which flows via Chau Doc, Long Xuyen and Can Tho to the sea; and the Tien Giang (Upper River), which splits into several branches at Vinh Long and empties into the sea at five points. The numerous branches of the river explain the Vietnamese name for the Mekong: Song Cuu Long (River of Nine Dragons).

The Mekong's flow begins to rise around the end of May and reaches its highest point in September; it ranges from 1900 to 38,000 cubic metres per second depending on the season. A tributary of the river that empties into the Mekong at Phnom Penh drains Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake. When the Mekong is at flood stage, this tributary reverses its flow and drains into Tonle Sap, thereby somewhat reducing the danger of serious flooding in the Mekong Delta. Unfortunately, deforestation in Cambodia is disturbing this delicate balancing act, resulting in more flooding in Vietnam's portion of the Mekong River basin.

In recent years seasonal flooding has claimed the lives of hundreds and forced tens of thousands of the region's residents to evacuate from their homes. In some areas, inhabitants are not able to return to their homes until the waters fully recede several months later. Floods cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and have a catastrophic effect on regional rice and coffee crops.

Living on a flood plain presents some technical challenges. Lacking any high ground to escape flooding, many delta residents build their houses on bamboo stilts to avoid the rising waters. Many roads are submerqed or turn to muck during floods; all-weather roads have to be built on raised embankments, but this is expensive. The traditional solution has been to build canals and travel by boat. There are thousands of canals in the Mekong Delta - keeping them properly dredged and navigable is a constant but essential chore.

A further challenge is keeping the canals clean. The normal practice of dumping all garbage and sewage directly into the waterways behind the houses that line them is taking its toll. Many of the more populated areas in the Mekong Delta are showing signs of unpleasant waste build up. One can only hope the government will take stronger measures to curb this pollution.

Mekong adventure tours

Vietnam backroads adventure

Vietnam Backroads is a well established local firm, which organizes unique adventure trips by bike and motorcycle in Indochina and beyond. Join us as we travel around one of the world's great destinations; benefiting from spectacular scenery, fascinating ancient and modern history, an all year warm climate and extraordinarily friendly people.

Trips are individually tailored for small groups and allow you and your friends or family to take in some of the most stunning regions of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos such as the Mekong Delta, Halong Bay, Hoian, Dalat and Vietnam’s stunning beach resorts. The truly magical thing about a trip by bike is that you will be transported from the bustling cities into the traditional rural areas, where you will be welcomed (literally into the homes of) the wonderful local people

Bicycle trips will be on our modern Trek & Giant Mountain Bikes, which can be adapted for all on and off-road conditions. All have lightweight aluminium frames with strong shock absorbers to provide maximum comfort. We welcome all ages from 7 years upwards.

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Indochina & Mekong History

Archeology covering this period has revealed the existence of a seaport at Oc-Eo on the edge of the Mekong Delta that has links with China and Mediterranean world. Chinese records speak of Fu-Nam, a state established in the Mekong region. Modern scholarship judges Fu-Nam have been a collection of petty state rather than a simple polity. Chinese records no longer speak of Fu-Nam but of Chenla, a state in two parts, one around territory of modern Cambodia, the other possibly centre on Wat Phu in southern Laos. Period of great Cambodian empire based at Angkor. Three centuries later Marco Polo presumed to have crossed the Mekong in western Yunnan when traveling out of China on his way to Bengal. Chinese envoy Chou Ta-kuan visits Angkor and writes a detailed description of the city and its inhabitants. The Cambodian leaves Angkor henceforth the Cambodian capital is located near the side of Phnom Penh today. The Portuguese capture the Malacca and shortly afterward references to the Mekong appear in their records.

The firs recorded visit to Cambodia by a European, the Portuguese priest, Father Da Cruz. He leaves in 1557. The publication of first map showing the Mekong running through Cambodia, Portuguese and Spanish missionaries return to Cambodia led by Blas Ruiz and Diego Veloso. They play an active role in Cambodia’s royal politics. French begins it invasion of Vietnam in 1858, capturing Saigon in 1861. Henri Mouhot visits Angkor and dies near Luang Prabang in 1861. France established a protectorate over Cambodia in 1863. The French Mekong Expedition explores the river from Vietnam to Yunan, China. The French construct a railway across Khone Fall and launch gunboat on the Fall’s northern upper river.

France extends control over Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as French Indochina. Europeans power recognizes China’s sovereignty over Sip Song Panna (Xishuangbanna) region in the far south of Yunnan province. French left Indochina in 1954.

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