In January 2026, Columbus Travel, one of the Netherlands’ most established travel magazines, published an extensive print feature on the Mekong Delta following a journey through southern Vietnam planned in collaboration with Local Vietnam.
The eight-page article appears in the January issue of Columbus Travel’s printed magazine and focuses on the lesser-visited province of An Giang, a region often overlooked in favor of more touristic Mekong Delta destinations such as Can Tho, Ben Tre, or My Tho.
A deliberate choice for a less touristic Mekong Delta
Columbus Travel approached Local Vietnam with a clear editorial request: to experience a part of the Mekong Delta that remains grounded in daily life, cultural diversity, and spiritual landscapes — rather than staged attractions or mass-tourism circuits.
Based on that request, Local Vietnam proposed An Giang Province, a border region known for its mix of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Cham cultures, Theravada Buddhist traditions, and rural river life that continues largely outside the scope of day-tripper tourism.
Unlike floating markets that primarily cater to visitors, An Giang offers experiences shaped by religion, history, agriculture, and cross-border influences, making it particularly suited to Columbus Travel’s slow-travel and storytelling-driven editorial style.
Themes explored in the Columbus Travel feature
The article traces a journey through the spiritual and cultural landscape of An Giang, combining travel narrative with historical and social context. Key themes include:
- Sam Mountain and the Seven Mountains region, considered a spiritual heartland in southern Vietnam
- Theravada Buddhism among the Khmer population and its distinction from Mahayana traditions elsewhere in Vietnam
- The TrĂ SĆ° cajeput forest, presented as a restored wetland and example of ecotourism
- River life and floating villages along the Hau River
- Cham communities, mosques, and minority cultures in the Mekong Delta
- Border dynamics and cultural exchange near Cambodia
Throughout the feature, the emphasis remains on quiet observation, cultural complexity, and everyday life rather than headline attractions.
Local Vietnam’s role in the journey
The Mekong Delta itinerary was planned and coordinated by Local Vietnam, including route selection, local guiding, accommodation choices, and on-the-ground logistics. The focus was intentionally placed on regions and experiences that align with Columbus Travel’s editorial values: authenticity, cultural depth, and destinations away from mass tourism.
In the practical travel section of the magazine, Local Vietnam is credited as the travel specialist responsible for designing the journey, with reference to its broader work across Vietnam — from the Mekong Delta to the northern highlands — and its emphasis on tailor-made trips built through local networks.
Editorial recognition in print
The Columbus Travel feature is a fully independent editorial article published in print, rather than an online or sponsored listing. For Local Vietnam, the publication reflects growing international interest in travel experiences that prioritize context, place, and local reality over checklist tourism.
The January issue of Columbus Travel is available in print in the Netherlands and Belgium.
