My Tho was founded in the 17th Century and has been the capital for the trade with Cambodia for a long time. Between My Tho and Ben Tre, the Mekong River expands to a width of 2km! Around My Tho are numerous river islands, which can be visited by boat. The four largest islands are Con Tan Long - Dragon Island (the most densely populated and the closest), Con Lan - Unicorn Island (the largest, with a tropical garden), Con Qui - Turtle Island (the smallest) and Con Phung - Phoenix Island (Temple of the coconut monk). These are 4 symbolic animals of Buddhism.
Don’t miss a visit to a coconut candy factory on one of the islands if you have the time for a boat trip!
To visit the very weird and Disney-like Cao Dai Pagoda is worth a stop, too. Additional waypoint: N 10°21.379 e 106°21.488
Now we drive to Bến Tre.
Cross the bridge at N 10°20.512 e 106°20.567 (Additional Waypoint), it is very impressive!
Rạch Miễu Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Mekong River between My Tho and Ben Tre. Total length is 8,331 m, including approach ramps, the main bridge is 2,868 m !
Scroll here to Bến Tre
Now you have arrived in Bến Tre center N 10°14.195 e 106°22.588 (Additional Waypoint).
You may want to walk a pleasant 15-20 minutes from here along the riverside. Or you are too tired, then you proceed to Stage 1 by taxi etc. There are small but crowded parks, picnic areas and at night, lovers meet at the promenade.
After crossing a small bridge you reach
Stage 1, a statue that represents the victory of the partisans during the Vietnam war. It is very mmmh … patriotic ;-).
Stage 1
N 10°14.011 E 106°22.131
As the written description is only in Vietnamnese, you will easily notice the only expression on the monument that you do understand.
The total number of letters is C.
The Cache is located at
Final N 10°1(C-2).0(C-3)2 E 106°2(C-4).19(C+1)
The location is near the river (distance ca. 6 meters), with a handy “bench” to sit down to log.
Congratulations to finding the cache!
So … I hope you liked your trip to the Mekong Delta.