TRAVEL GUIDE TO TRA VINH: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISIT

• Mekong Delta Tours, Travel Guide Tips

Tra Vinh, often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts like Ho Chi Minh City or the Mekong Delta, is a peaceful province in southern Vietnam that offers a unique blend of cultural history, lush landscapes. I will introduce you to the travel guide to Tra Vinh, as well as the top attractions in this city.

1. Where is Tra Vinh?

Tra Vinh is located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. It lies approximately 230 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City and is bordered by the provinces of Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Soc Trang.

The province is situated along the Co Chien River, one of the main waterways in the Mekong Delta, and is known for its picturesque landscapes, including a mix of rivers, canals, and lush greenery.

Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh is also recognized for its large Khmer population, which influences the region’s architecture, culture, and festivals. Its proximity to the major cities in the Mekong Delta makes it a charming destination to explore the countryside of Vietnam.

2. How to get there?

-By Bus or Car: Traveling by bus is a convenient and affordable option. There are several bus services that connect Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh, and the journey typically takes around 4-5 hours, depending on traffic. Buses and minibuses depart from major bus stations like the Mien Tay Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh City. The price tickets range from 180.000 – 250.000 VND per person (7.2 – 10 USD).

Alternatively, if you prefer more flexibility, you can hire a private car or rent a vehicle to drive to Tra Vinh, which offers the chance to explore the rural scenery along the way.

–By Train: Though Vietnam’s railway system doesn’t directly connect to Tra Vinh, you can take a train from Ho Chi Minh City to nearby stations like My Tho or Can Tho, and then continue your journey by road to Tra Vinh. This option is less common, but it does offer a scenic and relaxed way to travel.

3. The ideal time to visit Tra Vinh

The best time to visit Tra Vinh is between December and April. This period marks the dry season in southern Vietnam, with pleasant weather, clear skies, and lower humidity. Temperatures typically range from 25°C to 30°C, making it an ideal time for outdoor exploration, river tours, and cultural visits.

Festivals and Events:

Tra Vinh, with its strong Khmer influences, celebrates traditional festivals like the Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) in April and the Dolta Festival (celebrating ancestors and honoring spirits) in September. If you’re interested in experiencing the region’s cultural richness, visiting during these times can be a rewarding experience.

Avoiding the Rainy Season:

The rainy season in Tra Vinh runs from May to November. While this period brings lush greenery and vibrant landscapes, heavy rains can make travel more challenging. If you’re planning outdoor activities or exploring the countryside, the dry season is more conducive to these plans.

4. Top attractions in Tra Vinh

4.1. Dat Cu Lao Farmstay

Dat Cu Lao Farmstay offers a peaceful and spacious riverside setting with many interesting experiences by the coast, making it especially suitable for relaxing weekend getaways with family and friends.

Dat Cu Lao Farmstay

After arriving at this tourist destination in Tra Vinh, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of delicious seafood specialties made from fresh ingredients such as grouper, oysters, blood clams, and crabs, sourced directly from the sea or raised on the farm.

Some free activities available here include taking a canoe from Lang Chim Fishing Port to the farm, fishing, and visiting the seafood farming areas.

Address: Ca Lang Chim Port, Ward 2, Tra Vinh.

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

4.2. Tan Quy Island

The island is situated in the middle of the Hau River and is known for its fruit cultivation, earning it the nickname “fruit kingdom” in Tra Vinh. Visitors to this area will have the opportunity to enjoy garden-fresh fruits in a cool atmosphere.

Tan Quy Island

Some activities I recommend you try at Tan Quy Island include cycling around the village roads, rowing a boat on the river, and swimming in the river.

Tan Quy Island

Address: An Phu Tan Ward, Cau Ke District, Tra Vinh.

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

4.3. Ba Dong Beach

Ba Dong Beach in Tra Vinh is loved by many visitors for its pristine beauty and the lush green scenery of the casuarina trees surrounding it. The name “Ba Dong” comes from the fact that when the tide goes out, three unusual sand mounds emerge on the beach.

Ba Dong Beach

It is loved by many visitors for its pristine beauty and the lush green scenery of the casuarina trees surrounding it. The name “Ba Dong” comes from the fact that when the tide goes out, three unusual sand mounds emerge on the beach.

Address: Truong Long Hoa Ward, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

4.4. Duyen Hai Wind Power

Dong Hai Wind Power is a 100MW offshore project located in the East Vietnam Sea, near Ba Dong Beach in Tra Vinh.

Duyen Hai Wind Power.

This area is also known for its scenic beauty and the nearby Korean Wind Power Project, which features 12 wind turbines and has become a popular attraction for tourists. The project is expected to contribute approximately 330 million kWh of green energy annually to the national grid once it is officially operational.

Admire the beauty of sunrise and sunset – Tra Vinh Coastal Wind Power.

Address: Dinh An Street, Dong Hai Ward, Duyen Hai District, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

4.5. Long Khanh Mangrove Forest

A typical tourist destination in Tra Vinh for a coastal mangrove ecosystem over 200 hectares is the Rung Duoc Eco-tourism Area, located in Long Khanh commune, Duyen Hai district. This area is known for its rich biodiversity and is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and eco-tourism activities.

Long Khanh mangrove forest

The forest is carefully planted and protected by local residents, as the mangrove species is endemic to the flooded land, holding both economic and ecological value. The mangrove forest is also expected to serve as a conservation and regeneration site for wildlife species characteristic of the increasingly depleted mangrove region.

Address: Long Khanh Ward, Duyen Hai District, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

4.6. Ang Pagoda

Chùa Âng, also known as Ang Pagoda, is a renowned Khmer temple located in Vietnam. It holds significant historical importance and is celebrated for its impressive ancient sculptures, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Khmer civilization.

Ang Pagoda

The temple attracts many visitors who appreciate its architectural beauty and historical value. Inside the main hall, there is a majestic statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, exuding a sense of reverence and tranquility. The temple’s design and intricate carvings showcase the artistic mastery of the Khmer people, making it a vital part of their cultural identity and spiritual practices.

Since then, the pagoda has been restored and repaired many times, including the construction of new ancillary structures such as the monks’ dormitory and dining hall.

Address: 53 Highway, Ward 8, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

4.7. Vam Ray Pagoda

Vam Ray Pagoda, located in Tra Vinh, features unique Khmer architecture and is renowned for its impressive 54m long statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering nirvana. This statue, along with the pagoda’s intricate design, makes it a significant spiritual and cultural site in the region.

The temple is like a magnificent, brilliant golden palace.

Vam Ray Pagoda – one of the biggest pagoda in Tra Vinh

At this tourist destination in Tra Vinh, you will admire a distinctive Angkor architectural style characteristic of the Cambodian people. Vam Ray Pagoda is also the largest Khmer pagoda in the Mekong Delta, showcasing unique motifs representing deities on its dome, walls, and columns. In addition to its vibrant architecture, the pagoda is famous for its 54m tall outdoor Buddha statue, the largest in Vietnam, which is considered a source of pride for the local people.

Architectural works imbued with Khmer culture.

Address: Vam Ray Street, Ham Thuan Ward, Tra Cu District, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily.

4.8. Phuoc Minh Cung (Ong Pagoda)

Phước Minh Cung, also known as Quan Thánh Đế Temple or Chùa Ông, is a place of worship for the Chinese community in Trà Vinh. True to its name, the deity worshipped at this tourist destination in Trà Vinh is Quan Vũ, also known as Quan Vân Trường, a renowned general known for his martial and literary prowess during the Three Kingdoms period.

Phuoc Minh Cung

The temple grounds are over 800 square meters wide, with the front door facing east to the front of Dien Bien Phu Street.

Address: No. 44, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 3, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

4.9. Ba Om Lake

A tourist destination in Tra Vinh that was recognized as a national scenic site by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1994 is Ba Om Lake. This location is beloved for its peaceful and clear beauty, surrounded by trees that are over a hundred years old. Additionally, it serves as a parade site for the Khmer people during the famous Ok Om Bok festival.

Ba Om Lake

Address: Ta Cu Street, Nguyet Hoa Ward, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.

4.10. Nodol Pagoda

This temple was built in 1677 and is older than Vam Ray Pagoda, which gives it a more distinctive architecture. Specifically, you will see the Khmer culture expressed very clearly here.

Nodol Pagoda

The temple gate is decorated with many unique and outstanding decorative patterns, attracting the eyes from the first visit.

Inside the main hall

The main hall of the temple has a unique design with curved roofs in the shape of a dragon’s tail, above which are pointed towers shaped like the Xome mountain and familiar images to the Khmer people such as the four-faced god Mohabrom, the divine bird Kayno, Riehu (Reahu), Mahaknot.

Address: Giong Lon Street, Dai An Ward, Tra Cu District, Tra Vinh.

Opening Hours: open 24 hours.