湄公河之旅

Before I travelled to Vietnam, I have read the semi-autobiographical novel “The Lover” (“L’Amant”) written by Marguerite Duras. The protagonist, a young French girl, meets her Chinese lover on a ferry crossing the Mekong River. It marks the beginning of their intense love story. The river is frequently mentioned throughout the novel. It reflects the transient nature of their relationship and the passage from adolescence to adulthood. The Mekong River symbolizes the fluidity and impermanence of life and relationships. It mirrors the inner turmoil and emotional currents of the characters, especially the young girl’s complex feelings towards her lover and her family. This novel has left me some light impressions of the Mekong River.

游览越南之前，我读拜过玛格丽特·杜拉斯的半自传体小说《情人》。小说中主人公是一位年轻的法国女孩，在湄公河的渡船上邂逅了她的华裔情人，从此开始了他们热血沸腾的爱情故事。小说中多次提到的湄公河是他们短暂的激情关系以及她从青春期到成年过渡的见证。奔腾的湄公河象征着生命和人际关系的流动性和无常性，反映了人物内心的动荡和女孩对情人和家人的复杂感情的变化。这部小说给我留下对湄公河的些许印象。

In 2018 December, I had chance to visit the Can Tho city in the south of Vietnam and viewed this river with my eyes. Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta region. The Mekong Delta is known for its intricate network of rivers, canals, and streams. Its extensive waterways are essential for irrigation, fisheries, and daily transportation. The river cross through Can Tho and flew into the South Sea. This area of water reminds me of the Fontaine in the game Genshin Impact which is surrounded by numerous rivers as well.

2018 年12月，我有幸参观了越南南部的芹苴市并亲眼目睹了这条河流。芹苴是湄公河三角洲地区最大的城市。湄公河三角洲以其错综复杂的河流、运河网络而闻名。其广泛的水道对于灌溉、渔业和日常交通起到至关重要的作用。这条河穿过芹苴，一直流入南海。这片水域不由地让我想起了游戏《原神》中的枫丹，它的周围也遍布众多河流。

Life in Can Tho is deeply intertwined with the river. Many local residents live in stilt houses along the banks, and daily activities such as commuting and socializing often take place on the water. The Mekong River contributes to the region’s rich culinary traditions. Can Tho’s cuisine include fresh fish, shrimp, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables grown in the delta. One day’s trip could make me experience the local life fully.

芹苴的生活与河流密不可分。许多当地居民就住在河岸边的棚屋里，一些如通勤和社交等日常活动也经常在水上进行。湄公河也影响了该地区丰富的烹饪传统。芹苴的美食包括新鲜的鱼虾以及湄公河三角洲种植的水果和蔬菜。一天的短途旅行可以让我充分体验当地人的生活。

This is one outdoor restaurant on the way of my trip. The delta’s rich soil and extensive waterways create an ideal environment for a wide variety of plants. Lotus and water lily is widely grown in ponds. Its flowers, seeds, and roots are used in cuisine and traditional medicine. In the Mekong Delta, traditional huts are built in many areas. Roofs are typically made from thatch, using leaves from nipa palm or coconut palm. These huts are often built on stilts to protect against flooding.

这是我旅途中偶遇的一家户外餐厅。湄公河三角洲的土壤肥沃，水道宽阔，为各种植物创造了理想的生长环境。荷花和水百合在池塘中广泛生长。它们的花、种子和根可用于烹饪和传统医药。在这片三角洲，许多地区都建有传统小草屋。屋顶通常使用棕榈树或椰子树的叶子以及茅草制成。这些小屋通常建在高架柱子上以防洪水。

Coconut trees are cultivated extensively along the coastal areas. Coconut water is a popular drink in Vietnam. Street vendors and farmers often sell whole coconuts with a straw inserted. Young green coconuts have sweet and nutritious water. Coconuts in this region are big and have really good quality.

三角洲沿海地区广泛种植椰子树。椰子水是越南的流行饮料。街头小贩和农民经常出售插着吸管的整颗椰子。图中这种嫩绿的椰子水甜美而营养丰富。这片地区的椰子普遍个头大品质非常好。

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. Originating in Northern Vietnam in the early 20th century, it has become a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. Pho is made with flat rice noodles. The broth made from beef bones or chicken is the heart of pho. Sliced or shredded chicken or beef are added together with special aromatics include ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Bean sprouts and sliced white onions are used as garnish. Lime wedges are served on the side for squeezing into the soup. Pho is a very popular food in Vietnam, and it is commonly found at street food stalls and small restaurants.

粉是一道传统的越南面汤。它起源于20世纪初的越南北部，现已成为越南的主食。河粉由扁米粉制成。用牛骨或鸡肉熬制的汤是制作粉的核心所在。将切片或切丝的鸡肉或牛肉与生姜、八角、肉桂、丁香和小豆蔻等特殊香料一起加入，另外用豆芽和切片白洋葱点缀。旁边配有青柠，食客可挤入汤中。粉是越南非常受欢迎的食物，在街头小吃摊和小餐馆里随处可见。

My boat trips last a few hours focusing on specific attractions of nearby villages and the small islands in the center of Mekong river. The best time to visit this river is during the dry season, from November to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. Such a trip is a unique and enriching experience that offers a glimpse into the natural beauty of the Mekong Delta.

我的游船之旅总共是几个小时，重点游览附近村庄和湄公河中心小岛等景点。游览这条河的最佳时间一般是11 月至 4 月的旱季，这段时间的天气更凉爽宜人。这种旅行是一种独特的体验，可以一睹湄公河三角洲的自然美景。

I took such a simple boat to the center island of Mekong Delta. On the east of the island is the South Sea. Although it was dry season, the water flow at the mouth of Mekong Delta was not reduced. There was a large distance between both sides of riverbanks and the wide river looked like a huge lake.

我乘着这样的简易渡船来到了湄公河三角洲的中心岛，岛的东面就是南海，虽然此时是旱季，但湄公河三角洲入口处的水流却没有减少，两岸间隔的距离很大，宽阔的河面看上去就像一个巨大的湖泊。

The island is surrounded by lush vegetation typical of the Mekong Delta, including mangroves, coconut palms, and various fruit trees. The island’s inhabitants are likely engaged in traditional livelihoods such as fishing, farming, and small-scale trade. Life here is closely tied to the rhythms of the river. There are many small canals on the island, and I rented a small boat to travel all through it.

河心岛周围长满了包括红树林、椰子树和各种果树等湄公河三角洲典型的茂密植被。岛上居民一般从事例如捕鱼、耕种和小规模贸易等传统生计。这里的生活与奔流的河水相辅相成。岛上有许多小运河，我租了一艘小船在运河中穿梭。

Small-scale farming, particularly of rice and fruit, is common on islands in the delta. The fertile soil and abundant water supply make it an ideal location for agriculture. Visitors could taste local foods, especially fresh seafood and tropical fruits here.

三角洲岛屿上普遍存在种植稻米和水果等小型农业。肥沃的土壤和充足的水源使这片土地成为农业开发理想之地。游客也可以在这里品尝新鲜的海鲜和热带水果等当地美食。

This kind of street restaurants, often referred to as “quán ăn” or “street food stalls,” are a quintessential part of Vietnam’s culinary scene. Simple plastic stools and low tables are the norm. The ambiance is casual and lively, with the sounds of sizzling food and lively chatter filling the air.

这种街边餐馆通常被称为“quán ăn”，是越南美食的代表。这种街边美食摊一般只有简单的塑料凳子和几张矮桌子。整体氛围轻松而热闹，空气中弥漫着食物的滋滋声和热闹的闲聊。

When I returned to Can Tho in the afternoon, the sunset over the Mekong River was a breathtaking, offering a picturesque view of the river’s vast expanse landscapes. As the day drew to a close, the sky transformed into a canvas of golden hues. The calm waters of the Mekong River glisten with the last rays of the sun, and boats and riverbanks are silhouetted against the colorful backdrop.

下午我回到芹苴市区，湄公河上的落日美轮美奂，河水辽阔，风景如画。一天的末尾时分，整个天空变成了一片金色的画布。平静的湄公河水面在夕阳的余晖中闪闪发光，船只和河岸在色彩斑斓的背景下映衬得熠熠生辉。

I stayed in Can Tho for two days. The water market particularly the Cai Rang Floating Market, is one of the most famous and vibrant attractions in the Mekong Delta. This market offers a unique glimpse into the traditional way of life in southern Vietnam, where waterways are the main thoroughfares for commerce and daily activities. The market is only accessed by boat. The market starts as early as 5:00 AM and is most active around 7:00 AM. so I had to get up before sun rise to visit it.

我在芹苴总计呆了两天。Cai Rang 水上市场是湄公河三角洲最著名、最热闹的景点。这个市场让游客可以领略越南南部的传统生活方式，水路是当地商业和日常活动的主要通道。游客只能乘船前往水上市场。市场早上5:00就开始营业，最繁忙的时候通常是早上7:00，所以我必须在日出前就起床去游览这个地方。

Sellers operate from boats, which are packed with a variety of goods. Each boat typically specializes in a specific type of product, such as fruits, vegetables, rice, or household items. Sellers display their goods on long poles (called “cây bẹo”) to attract buyers from a distance. Some boats serve as floating kitchens, offering traditional Vietnamese breakfast dishes such as pho.

商贩们通常在船上经营，船上装满了各种商品。每艘船一般专门销售例如水果、蔬菜、大米或家居用品等特定类型的产品。商贩用长杆上的标志（称为“cây bẹo”）展示他们的商品类型，吸引远处的买家。有些船则用作水上厨房提供例如粉等越南传统早餐。

For me, the meaning of travel includes always exploring the new things. I wish to eat and visit every corner of this world like the traveler and Paimon in the game Genshin Impact. This time, visiting the riverside villages and water markets provided a stark contrast to the busy cities. Here, life moved at a gentler pace. These experiences offered me insight into the daily lives of the people who call the Mekong Delta home, who used to exist in my imagination from the novel ‘The Lover’.

对我而言，旅行的意义在于不断探索新鲜事物。我希望像《原神》中的旅行者和派蒙一样，走遍吃遍这个世界的每个角落。这次我参观了湄公河边的村庄和水上市场，这里生活节奏更缓慢与繁忙的城市形成了鲜明的对比。这片土地和这里的人们曾经存在于我阅读小说《情人》后的想象中，而这次的经历则让我亲身深入了解了湄公河三角洲的日常生活。