History of Dong Thap
The parallel histories of old Dong Thap and old Tien Giang — converging into the new Dong Thap province in 2025.
Dong Thap (old)
Land of Pink Lotus
Tien Giang (old)
Fruit Kingdom
Dong Thap (new)
Pink Lotus Land — Mekong Waters
Óc Eo Culture — Go Thap
The brilliant Óc Eo civilization thrived for 600 years in Dong Thap. Go Thap was a major religious center of the Funan kingdom, with Vishnu temples, deity statues, and sophisticated stone architecture.
Nguyen Lords — Settling Dong Thap Muoi
The Nguyen Lords promoted development of Dong Thap Muoi. Migrants from the North and Central regions established villages, dug canals, and transformed vast swamplands into fertile farmland.
Óc Eo Culture — Go Thanh Site
The Go Thanh site (Cho Gao) dates from 1st–6th century, proving the brilliant Funan civilization once thrived in Tien Giang. Excavations revealed Vishnu and Ganesa statues, gold, bronze, and ceramic artifacts of immense archaeological value.
Ming Chinese Settlers Found My Tho
In 1679, a group of Ming Chinese led by Duong Ngan Dich settled in My Tho. The town quickly became one of the two largest commercial centers in southern Vietnam.
Battle of Rach Gam — Xoai Mut
Hero Nguyen Hue annihilated 50,000 Siamese troops at Rach Gam - Xoai Mut (My Tho). In a single night, the entire Siamese naval force was destroyed, preserving Vietnam's territorial integrity.
Dong Thap — United Province
Bordering the East Sea, HCMC, and Cambodia — a vast, diverse economic region.
Area
Population
Merged
History