Venturing into the Mekong Delta region is to glimpse a whole other side of Vietnam. This area is known the country’s rice bowl, producing a third of the agricultural output from its rich soil. In this respect it is both incredibly green and lush and intensively farmed, with orchards, paddy fields and sugar-cane groves interspersed with numerous palm tree lined waterways. The region is a whole floating world, with houses, restaurants and markets all on water – taking a little boat through the canals is the best way to explore, waving at farmers and water buffalos as you go.