Following are a few of the famous rivers that were in the past and still remain today as part of Vietnam’s panorama.
1. Mekong River
With a length of 2703 miles, the Mekong River is the largest one in Southeast Asia, running through the Tibetan plateau in China, going to Myanmar and then Laos to Thailand and later Vietnam, and finally into the South China Sea. Due to its association with many places, the Mekong River Commission was formed in 1995 to administer the resources of the river. The Mekong River was mainly used as a navigation route for trade transport between China and Southeast Asian countries. In Vietnam, it is named as Nine Dragons River or Cuu Long for its nine meeting points at the land. This has further provided favorable conditions for growing rice in the areas nearby to the meeting points of the Mekong.
2. Red River
Also called as Song Hong, the Red River commences from Yunnan province, stretching up to 1200 km long. It is named Red River due to the reddish-brown silt present in the water, which has resulted in a favorable delta region. The Red River Delta contributes to 3000 square kilometers, and though smaller than the Mekong Delta, it is actually densely populated and developed in comparison. Song Lo, or Clear River, and Song Da, or the Black River both are its two main tributaries. The river was once a trade route to China, especially for French explorers, but the frequency lessened after the construction of the Kunming Haiphong Railway in 1910. Farming, fishing, and aquaculture are the major activities carried out here.
3. Dong Nai River
Originating in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, which falls in the southern portion of the country, Dong Nai has a length of nearly 586 km. Formerly known as Phuoc Long, the river has many waterfalls on its course, like Lien Khang, Gua Ga, and Pong Gua. Giving its name to the Dong Nai Province, the river flows through 11 different provinces of Vietnam, making it appealing to tourists. Dong Nai flows southwest for about 480 km to join the Saigon River in the Bien Hoa region.
4. Saigon River
One of the popular tourist attractions of Vietnam tourism, Saigon has skyscrapers, villages, underground passways, and ancient houses on its riverbanks. This river starts from Phum Daung in southern Cambodia, flowing southeast of Vietnam to embrace Ho Chi Minh City. At 29 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon River joins the Dong Nai and further north to the Ben Cat River.
To experience various sites like tunnels, canals, and ancient villages on the riverbanks, tourists should take a boat ride on the Saigon River. Thu Thiem Tunnel and Binh Quoi Tourist Village are a few of the attractions in Ho Chi Minh City worth a visit.
5. Perfume River
Mostly belonging to the Hue City and the Citadel, Perfume River is also known as Imperial River. The Imperial city is enclosed in the Citadel, a World Heritage Site now, and was also once the capital of Vietnam. Though only 80 km long, the Perfume River is the reason for the largest lagoon in Vietnam. Named 100 years ago due to the scent of flowers that dropped and carried away through the river, thereby making it a Perfume River. Though it does not smell floral like it did in earlier times, with many changes like the modernization of areas around the river, it is still the most visited landmark in Hue.
Also, due to deforestation, floods in nearby areas sometimes damage the heritage buildings as well. Measures have already been planned and implemented over the years and are still ongoing to control the damage caused by flooding.
6. Black River
Being the main territory of the Red River, the Black River has its origin in China and is called the Lixian River there. In Vietnam, the Black River passes through deep canyons surrounded by taller peaks in the Northern area of the country. The Hoa Binh Dam situated on the Black River, is the largest hydroelectric dam in the country. The power of 1920 megawatts generated by this dam largely contributes to Vietnam’s electricity requirement. Later, it is united with the Red River at around 55 km northwest of Hanoi. Hoa Binh City is also located on one of the banks of the Black River.
7. Hoai River
Popular for offering scenic landscapes and pleasant water streams, the Hoai River of Remembrance, as it is called, is a complete beauty by itself. Running its course through the old town of Hoi An, it’s at night when you can witness both serenity and a lively atmosphere here. A tributary of the Thu Bon River and a representation of an old village, it is also the livelihood of the locals living next to the river.
The lights on the streets of the colored lanterns hung up on the streets adjacent to the river create a pleasant environment altogether. Along with the calmness of the river water, simply sitting on the riverboat is a unique feeling experienced by the tourists. There are many attractive sites, from the Hoai River to Cua Dai Beach, which can be witnessed by cruise or boat rides. Many tourists prefer taking a bicycle to ride through the whole area so as to get a glimpse of everything beautiful on the way to the Cua Dai beach. The ancient town of Hoi An, with colorful paints on it, certainly adds more charm to the Hoai River. Be it the early morning or sun setting; the river never fails to surprise you with its exceptional beauty.
8. Han River
Majorly contributed to the tourism sector, the Han River flows through the Da Nang area, a beautiful place that turns into a city of light at night, with skyscrapers, restaurants, bars, and bridges radiating on and along the Han River to bring a city vibe altogether. Four major highlights are the bridges and the recent addition of the large Sun Wheel, which gives the tourists breathtaking views of both the city and the Han River.
9. Son River
A pristine river that leads the entrance to Phong Nha caves is actually a branch of the Gianh River. With serene landscapes, the river flows underground in the limestone mountain range of Quang Binh region. Son’s course embraces beautiful landscapes, cornfields, and banana gardens along the way.
10. Srepok River
It is a major tributary of the Mekong River, originating from the Central Highlands of Vietnam and moving into northeastern Cambodia. Fishing, Rice cultivation, and collection of non-timber forest products are the occupations of 11000 people living along the Srepok River. A few of the scenic waterfalls at its course are Dray Nu Waterfall, Gia Long Waterfall, Virgin Waterfall etc.