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Deep In The Land Of The Coconut

Photo of Entry:  Deep In The Land Of The Coconut

Quoi An in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre is a unique place as it has facilities that are made entirely of parts of the coconut tree


A 12-seat boat belonging to Ben Tre Tourism Joint Stock Company left the quayside at the Phong Phu tourism center and traveled in the Mieu Canal in the shade of trees and bushes. After about 100 meters, the Tien River appeared, a vast body of water with wind-blown waves and cruise boats traveling to and fro taking visitors to the coconut land.


As the boat moved toward the East Sea, the tourists could view the beauty of My Tho City on the left. The gusts of wild wind disappeared when the boat turned right, entering the Xep Canal. One after another, ban trees, a type of wild trees common in the Mekong Delta, appeared on the two sides of the canal, but the two lines of ban were broken at intervals with bushes of water-based coconut palms, whose bunches of round fruits were swaying in the wind. Ban trees spread their branches close to the water, so there was the rustle as the top of the boat hit while it was moving past. Their flowers, violet in part, were blown in the wind.

After a while, the boat docked at Quoi An Eco-Tourist Area in Chau Thanh District of Ben Tre Province. Tourists began a walk on a sealed road under a dense cover from longan trees, which have been planted in rows to line the road. After a look at the charming orchard, the visitors were welcomed at the pleasant houses at Quoi An.

Tran Thi Thu, aged 40, said she had had 20 years of working in the tourism sector. Two years ago, she had been delighted to be appointed as head of the management board of the 2,000-square-meter tourist area. Quoi An, a unique place as the houses are made entirely of parts of the coconut tree, is the pride of Ben Tre people. The roofs are weaved of branches of water-based coconut palms, the walls, rafters, doors and windows are made of coconut parts, and the hosupports are coconut trunks. Even the gutters look quaint as three planks of coconut wood are used. Coconut wood, in the hands of skilled carpenters, is turned into products of luxury with a shiny appearance.

A souvenir shop at Quoi An is built in an octagonal shape. Its unique look entices tourists to spend money on souvenirs with pleasure. To provide typical souvenirs featuring this land of the coconut, Quoi An has a 100-square-meter workshop, equipped with eight machines and employing six craftsmen who produce a wide range of handicrafts.

In the air mixed with coconut-wood chips and the sound of roaring sawing, Thu said: “In Ben Tre there is nowhere else with a workshop for coconut handicraft production,” Thu said. In the 300-square-meter showroom, tourists were surprised when they were introduced to “the world of the coconut,” including a description of coconut varieties. There are many strange names, so tourists felt eager to turn to tasting various types of sweet and pure juices from the coconuts.

In addition, tools used in picking and processing the fruit also interest visitors: cutting sickles, forks to thrust in the fruits’ shells if, for example, the coconuts fall into a ditch, bars for peeling the shell, knives for prying coconut flesh off the shells, devices for cutting the shells, grinding coconut flesh, squeezing coconut juice, and making yarns from the shells’ fiber.

There are more than 200 handicraft items made from coconut that grab tourists’ attention. All are on display in a hocalled nha bat dan. Built with 40 coconut trunks of 30 years old, the hois one of traditional types of the southern region. Surrounded with wide veranda, nha bat dan is often divided into three compartments. The middle compartment is for an altar and living room, and bedrooms are on the left and right or at the back of the altar.

Next to nha bat dan is a 120-square-meter showroom displaying embroidery products. This is built in a half-cross shape, comprising a main and a subordinate house. The main hois used for common living activities, including bedrooms separated by partitions. In the front, there is a porch with many columns made of coconut trunks. The hois made of at least 20 coconut trunks. Like nha bat dan, people used 30-year-old coconut trunks to build this hosince the trunks are straight and less scarred.

Two embroiderers worked in the showroom. While continuing with her needlework,Nguyen Thi Mai, aged 20, said she earned VND600,000 a month, a small income but enough for rural living. Embroidery products vary in types and prices: an embroidered net of 1.7m x 3m is VND1.5 million, an embroidered picture is VND300,000, pullovers embroidered with a dragon are VND90,000 each, napkins are between VND20,000 and VND45,000 each, a knitted bags are VND60,000 to VND250,000.

A big hoserving drinks attracted groups of Europeans, Japanese and Koreans. They ate fruits and enjoy honey tea. The tea can be served cold or hot with lime and coconut wine. Tourists seemed delighted.

In a longan orchard, bees are bred to yield honey. In this season, longan trees have not yet bloomed, so the bees are moved to Lach Market where orchards of a variety of fruit can feed them. Most tourists bought handicrafts, honey and embroidery.

Thu said: “During the low tourist season, Quoi An has about 100 visitors a day. At the peak time, so many visitors come here that existing facilities cannot handle the crowd. Therefore, we are building one more hoto serve drinks. Foreigners love this peaceful, tranquil place, so we will also build a guesthoand other facilities.”


Source: vietnamtourism.com.vn


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