In the 1990s, the Vietnam Institute ofArcheology sent a team to Nhon Thanh Villagein the Mekong Delta to learn more about the kingdomof Phu Nam and its people.

Their excavations yielded pots, bowls,stone statues and fashioned gold typical of the Oc Eo culture, and many oftheir finds are on display at Can Tho Museum.

This is thelocation of Da Noi-Cot Cau Swamp, where a group of Phu Nam people are known tohave lived 1,500 years ago, and it’s a pleasant place for modern people towhile away a few hours.

To get theretakes four hours from Ho Chi Minh Cityvia Can Tho. From downtown Can Tho City, take Vong Cung Road to Rach Sung Ferry andcross the Can Tho River to Nhon Nghia Commune. From there, it’s half an hour bymotorbike taxi along the track that follows Muong Khai Canal to Da Noi-Cot Cau.

The areareverted to wilderness after the Phu Nam people moved on, but recently it wasdeveloped into a tourist park with the usual amenities.

You canstill see big piles of wood and green stone blocks in the ponds, as haveexisted for ages, and these days there is a museum displaying porcelain, copperand gold objects together with the fossilized bones of large animals.

Overnightaccommodation is available and worth trying just to hear the symphony of soundfrom the massed frogs, crickets and other insects that let loose after dark.

Anyoneyearning for a break from city life and the traffic, noise and crowding willfind Da Noi-Cot Cau an ideal place to relax. You can stroll along the shadypath by the stream, walk under trees bursting with fruit, or simply gaze at thelotus blossoms, water lilies and cajuputs.

The park isoften used for musical events at festival time, and it’s also popular with filmmakersthanks to the scenery.

For now, DaNoi-Cot Cau Swamp can only be reached by motorbike, but plans are afoot tobuild a proper road.

Reported by Diem Thu,Thanhniennews