IDD code: ( + 84 ) 67 / pop 108,000
The former capital of Dong Thap province, Sa Dec is a peaceful town of tree-lined streets, fading colonial villas and orchards and flower markets outside of town. It has a small degree of fame as the setting for The Lover, a film based on the novel by Marguerite Duras. Two of the classic French villas used in the film can be seen across the river from the market area.
Groups doing a whirlwind tour of the Mekong Delta often make a lunch stop here and drop in on the nurseries.
Information
An internet cafe (Tell: 862 010; Đ Hung Vuong) stands next door to the post office (cnr Đ Hung Vuong & Quoc lo 80). There's a Vietcombank ATM (251A Đ Nguyen Sinh Sac) at the Bong Hong Hotel. Hwy 80 is known as Đ Nguyen Sinh Sac as it passes through town.
Sights
HUONG TU PAGODA
Of classic Chinese design is the Huong Tu Pagoda (Chua Co Huong Tu). where a bright white statue of Quan The Am Bo Tat standing on a pedestal adorns the grounds. Don't confuse this place with the adjacent Buu Quang Pagoda, which is somewhat less clamorous.
NURSERIES
The nurseries (vuon hoa; 8-11am & 1-5pm) operate year-round, though they are practically stripped bare of their flowers just before let. Note that domestic tourists from HCMC arrive in droves on Sundays - and the nurseries area major sightseeing attraction around the Tet festival holiday.
There are many small operators here, each with a different speciality. The most famous garden is called the Tu Ton Rose Garden (Vuon Hong Tu Ton; 8-11am & 1-5pm), which has over 500 different kinds of rose in 50 different shades and colours.
Sleeping
Not many foreigners overnight in Sa Dec, but it's a pleasant, if not very exciting, place to spend an evening.
Hotel Phuong Nam (Tell: 867 867; 384A Đ Nguyen Sinh Sac; r 80,000- 180,000d; Featuring tidy rooms with wood floors, Phuong Nam is nicely maintained and is a good choice in town.
Sa Dec Hotel (Tell: 861430; fax 862 828; 108/5A Đ Hung Vuong; r with fan/air-con from US$7/10; The main tourist accommodation in town, this hotel has comfortable rooms with balconies, and bathtubs with hot water. Breakfast included.
Hong Thuy Hotel (Tell: 868 963; 58 Đ Le Thanh Ton; r US$7-10; Overlooking the market. Hong Thuy has trim, mint-coloured rooms with tiled walls and polished wood furniture; some rooms have balconies.
Bong Hong Hotel (Tell: 868 288; fax 868 289; 251 A Đ Nguyen Sinh Sac; r with fan/air-con from US$8714, ste US$20; This nicely outfitted hotel has decent rooms, the best of which have decorative balconies (with fine views from 3rd- and 4th-floor rooms). Breakfast is included, and there are tennis courts next door and a good thatch-roof restaurant in the back.
Eating
Chanh Ky (Tell: 864 065; 192 Đ Nguyen Sinh Sac; mains 15,000d; breakfast, lunch & dinner) Rice dishes, chao and tasty noodle soups like mi quang are served here.
Com Thuy (Tell: 861 644; 439 Đ Hung Vuong; mains 15,000d; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This is a local eatery worth trying. The food is good, but the-bizarre expressions on the fish in the big tank are even better!
Quan Com Cay Sung (Tell: 861749; 437 Đ Hung Vuong; mains 15,000d; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This is next door to Thuy and also serves respectable Vietnamese fare.
A bit further south on Đ Hung Vuong are a few good noodle soup shops (soups around 5000d).
Getting There & Away
Sa Dec is midway between Vinh Long and Long Xuyen and accessible by bus. minibus and car.