THE LAND OF PALM TREES

Palm trees are cultivated in several provinces, including Long An, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, and particularly in An Giang. The Seven Mountains area in An Giang is considered the homeland of this species, with over 35,000 trees (as of 2023). Locals often refer to the Seven Mountains as “That Son”, a legendary range consisting of seven disjointed peaks stretching across the town of Tinh Bien and Tri Ton district. Thanks to its unique climate and soil, this region is ideal for growing palm trees, which add a simple and poetic charm to the landscape.

Indeed, it is not an overstatement to regard the Seven Mountains region as the “heart of palm trees” in the remote Southwest frontier. In the dry season, rows of lush palm trees stretch toward the sky, standing resilient against the sun and wind, symbolizing the endurance and perseverance of the Khmer people. Wandering along the roads in Tinh Bien, visitors are amazed by the beauty of the “twin palms” in the vast rice fields in Van Giao commune, or the sight of straight rows of tall Palmyra palms casting their shade in An Nong commune.

Tourists can easily witness scenes of cattle crossing the Palmyra palm fields in the dry season or the “dance” of locals skillfully climbing the palm trees to collect sweet sap from the flowers’ pistils. Particularly, during the flooding season, photographers flock to the Palmyra palms behind the Khmer temple named “Sà-Đách-Tót” in Vinh Trung commune (Tinh Bien).

Many beautiful photographs were born at this site, featuring scenes of fishermen casting nets on the lake, which reflects the legendary rows of palm trees.