TRAVEL GUIDE TO BAC LIEU: EXPLORE TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS

Bac Lieu is a charming province rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. It is nestled in the southern region of Vietnam. I will introduce you to travel guide to Bac Lieu as well as the top 10 attractions in this city.

1. Where is Bac Lieu?

Bac Lieu is located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, bordered by Soc Trang, Hau Giang, and Ca Mau provinces. Known for its lush green fields and traditional southern Vietnamese charm, Bac Lieu offers a delightful blend of historical landmarks, cultural richness, and natural wonders.

It is also famously associated with the legendary “Bac Lieu Dandy” (Công tử Bạc Liêu), a symbol of wealth and flamboyance in Vietnamese folklore.

Bac Lieu

2. How to get there?

You can visit Bac Lieu by various transportation:

– By Air: The nearest airport is Can Tho Airport, about 70 kilometers away. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Bac Lieu. The price of flight ticket ranges from 1.500.000 – 2.700.000 VND (60 to 108 USD). Then, you should take a bus to Bac Lieu via companies such as Phuong Trang, Tuan Hung, Vu Linh, ticket price 100.000 – 150.000 VND (4 to 6 USD). Total travel time is about 2 hours.

– By Bus: Bac Lieu is well-connected by long-distance buses from major cities like Ho Chi Minh City (about 280 kilometers away). The journey typically takes 6-7 hours. You can choose reputable bus companies operating this route such as: Phuong Trang, Hoang Yen, Kim Yen, ticket prices range from 180.000 to 250.000 VND (7.2 – 10 USD).

– By Car: For a more flexible and scenic route, you can rent a car and enjoy the drive through the picturesque Mekong Delta.

3. The ideal time to visit Bac Lieu

Visitors can explore Bac Lieu year-round. For those interested in learning about local customs and beliefs, the ideal time to visit is during festival seasons, typically from February to April on the lunar calendar.

The most exciting event is the Ok Om Bok Festival, held on the full moon of the 10th lunar month, one of the three largest annual celebrations of the Khmer people.

4. Top attractions in Bac Lieu

4.1. Bac Lieu Wind Farm

From the center of Bac Lieu City, take Cao Van Lau Street toward the sea to reach Bien Dong A Hamlet in Vinh Trach Dong Commune, about 20 kilometers away. This area is home to what is considered the largest wind farm in the country.

You must check in Bac Lieu Wind Farm to capture the memories.

From the city square or the Three Conical Hats Theater, visitors can already spot the massive turbine towers with their giant blades silhouetted against the sky. The best times to visit the wind farm are early morning or late afternoon, allowing you to enjoy the sunrise or sunset.

Address: Vinh Trach Dong Ward, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 M daily.

Entrance Fee: 20.000 VND (0.8 USD)

4.2. Bac Lieu Prince’s House

Bac Lieu Prince’s House was built in 1919 in French architectural style, with all materials imported from France. It consists of a ground floor and an upper floor, featuring four rooms and four grand halls. The spacious hallways ensure the house remains cool and well-ventilated year-round.

Experience at Bac Lieu Prince’s House

Today, it operates as the Bac Lieu Prince’s House Restaurant and Hotel. Visitors can tour the house and hear fascinating stories about the life of the wealthiest man in southern Vietnam during his time.

Address: No. 31, Dien Bien Phu Street, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily.

Entrance Fee: 30.000 VND (1.6 USD).

4.3. Cao Van Lau Theater

Cao Van Lau Theater is located in Ward 2 of the city, serving as the final resting place of the renowned composer of the famous southern folk song Da Co Hoai Lang. Here, visitors can learn about his life, career, and the development of the art form stemming from his masterpiece.

Cao Van Lau Theater

Visitors can also enjoy free admission to the exhibition rooms, which display images of traditional costumes, musical instruments, and wax models related to don ca tai tu (southern folk music). In 1997, the memorial site was recognized as a provincial historical relic.

Thai Duong Sundial: This stone sundial, over 100 years old, tells time by measuring sunlight angles. Despite more than a century of operation, it remains remarkably accurate, with a margin of error of no more than 2 minutes compared to modern digital watches.

Address: Hung Vuong Square, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM daily.

Entrance Fee: 10.000 VND/person (0.8 USD).

4.4. Phuoc Duc Ancient Temple

Phuoc Duc Ancient Temple, also known as Bang Temple, is the oldest temple of the Chinese community in Bac Lieu, with a history of 210 years. The temple was originally built simply with bamboo and thatch to worship deities according to Chinese beliefs, such as Ong Bon (Bon Dau Gong), Quan De, and Shen Nong. You will be immediately captivated by the distinctive architecture of the ancient Chinese style as you step inside.

Phuoc Duc Ancient Temple

All the columns, beams, trusses, altars made of stone and precious wood are intricately carved with detailed, delicate patterns. The horizontal plaques and couplets are painted in red and gilded with gold. The architecture features themes of the Four Dragons (dragon, unicorn, tortoise, and phoenix), plants, flowers, figurines, and mythical beasts. In addition to admiring the architecture and scenery, you can also ask for a fortune or make a prayer for good luck here.

Address: No. 74, Dien Bien Phu Street, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.

4.5. Xiem Can Pagoda

Xiem Can Pagoda is a quintessential Khmer temple in Bac Lieu, built in the 19th century on a vast area of 50,000 square meters. As visitors pass through the shaded tree-lined path from the highway, they are greeted by the pagoda’s intricate decorations, featuring unique carvings and sculptures that leave a lasting impression.

Xiem Can Pagoda

Xiem Can Pagoda

As one of Bac Lieu’s most renowned spiritual tourist destinations, Xiem Can Pagoda draws large crowds during major festivals such as Chol Chnam Thmay (Khmer New Year), Sene Dolta (Ancestor Worship), and Ok Om Bok (Moon Worship). These celebrations make the pagoda especially vibrant and full of life.

Address: Vinh Thanh Dong Ward, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

4.6. Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary

From the city center, follow the road named after the late musician Cao Van Lau for about 8 kilometers, and you’ll reach the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary.

Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary

Originally a remnant of a large mangrove forest, the bird sanctuary spans an area of 385 hectares and currently preserves over 40,000 individuals from 78 species. Among these, the most notable are the painted stork, the spot-billed pelican, and the cinnamon bittern.

This is the only bird sanctuary located within an urban area in the Mekong Delta and has been recognized by the government as a species and habitat conservation area. It is also one of the few urban bird sanctuaries in the country.

Address: Nha Mat Ward, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

4.7. Ganh Hao Village

To shake off the fatigue from your journey, you can head to the majestic and poetic scenery of the Ganh Hao estuary in Dong Hai District. Immerse yourself in the life of local fishermen and visit the traditional craft villages that produce fish sauce, shrimp paste, and other specialties.

Ganh Hao Village

Address: Dong Hai District, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours.

4.8. Hung Vuong Square

Hung Vuong Square, built in 2014 features a unique architecture and a vast, open space. The highlight of the square is the đàn kìm (traditional Vietnamese musical instrument) placed on a five-petal lotus pedestal at the center, recognized as the largest đàn kìm model in the country.

 Not only is it known as a distinctive destination for tourists, but Hung Vuong Square is also a popular place for locals to relax, enjoy the breeze, and exercise.

Hung Vuong Square

Address: Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM daily.

4.9. Bac Lieu Salt Fields

Bac Lieu is considered the capital of the country’s salt fields, with the largest salt production area in Vietnam. The two famous salt-producing regions are Hoa Binh and Dong Hai.

The salt-making industry here has been developed for over 100 years, with locals possessing unique and specialized skills passed down through generations. Bac Lieu salt is known for its pinkish-white color, grayish hue, no odor, a rich salty taste without bitterness, and clean, dry salt crystals with no impurities.


Bac Lieu Salt Fields

You can wake up early to admire the beautiful salt fields at sunrise, when the first rays of the sun reflect on the fields like a giant, dazzling mirror. Or, during sunset, the colorful sky adds an enchanting aura to the fields.

Address: Bach Dang Street, Nha Mat Ward, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

4.10. Vinh Hung Ancient Tower

Vinh Hung Ancient Tower was built in 2011 and restored and enhanced, including the exhibition house, stele house, guard house, fence, and other items, to preserve and promote the value of the tower.

Vinh Hung Ancient Tower

From the main entrance, visitors can see the restored Linga – Yoni set, symbolizing the harmony of Yin and Yang. The original Linga – Yoni set is currently preserved at the provincial museum.

If you ever see this tower in person, you will undoubtedly wonder what has allowed this centuries-old structure to stand firmly until today.

According to many studies, scientists believe that the ancient Khmer people used a type of plant resin to bind the bricks together. This resin helped create a durable structure without the need for modern building materials like cement or lime mortar.

Address: Vinh Hung A Street, Bac Lieu.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

Entrance Fee: Free