Buzz
Have you ever considered adding Binh Duong to your list of must-visit destinations in Vietnam? Have you turned down opportunities for Binh Duong travel because you thought it was only associated with remote industrial zones? If so, this article might change your mind, and Binh Duong could be on your upcoming travel itinerary.
I. Introduction to Binh Duong
Binh Duong is a province located in the Southeast region of Vietnam, about 30 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, and is among the top 7 most populous provinces in Vietnam. It is known as the 'land of rains.' In the early months of the rainy season, there are often heavy rain showers, especially from July to September, when prolonged rainfalls lasting 1-2 days occur. However, Binh Duong is blessed with a rich and diverse vegetation and valuable mineral resources.
Traveling in Binh Duong (Photo: ST).
II. Transportation to Binh Duong
By Coach
As Binh Duong currently does not have an airport, you can travel to Ho Chi Minh City and then take a coach from the Mien Tay Bus Station to Binh Duong. Each coach trip costs around 110,000 VND and takes approximately 1 hour.
Train
From central Hanoi, you can catch a train at Hang Co station on Le Duan street to Ho Chi Minh City. The train fare depends on the seat and each cabin, ranging from 680,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND. For large groups, traveling by train can be enjoyable as you can sit together comfortably and chat. However, this mode of transportation takes a bit longer as it will take over 1 day to reach Saigon station.
Plane
To save more time, you should choose to travel by plane because the distance is quite far but only takes about 2 hours. If you can schedule your trip at least 3 months in advance, you can save a lot on airfare. Specifically, the ticket prices (from Hanoi to Tan Son Nhat airport) for Vietjet Airlines are around 499,000 VND, Jetstar around 500,000 VND, and VNAirlines around 798,000 VND.
III. Best Time to Visit Binh Duong
As mentioned earlier, during July, August, and September, Binh Duong experiences prolonged heavy rains. At the beginning of the rainy season, there are often heavy showers, but they quickly pass. Therefore, avoid traveling to Binh Duong during this time as you may end up stuck indoors all day due to the rain disrupting your travel plans!
IV. What to Do in Binh Duong?
1. Explore Dai Nam Cultural Park
When it comes to destinations in Binh Duong, you can't miss Dai Nam Van Hien. Similar to Thien Duong Bao Son in Hanoi and Dam Sen Tourist Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Dai Nam is a tourist complex featuring unique entertainment activities combined with spiritual values, reminding visitors of the cultural heritage and traditions of nation-building and preservation.
Dai Nam Tourist Area with its diverse attractions (Photo: St).
Besides the amusement park, Dai Nam Van Hien also features a racetrack where thrilling water motorcycle races, dog races, and horse races take place. The grand and magnificent Dai Nam Temple represents the spiritual culture of the Vietnamese people, commemorating the contributions of the Hung Kings, the heroic figures who served the nation, and providing a space for Buddhist followers to practice their faith. The Wildlife Park and Artificial Sea Area are equally captivating due to their vast scale and diversity.
Visitors to Dai Nam Van Hien Tourist Area not only participate in outdoor entertainment activities but also have the opportunity to explore the culinary corner and indulge in moments of relaxation at the body care spa.
2. Lái Thiêu Fruit Garden
Blessed with abundant water sources and fertile alluvial soil, Binh Duong is an ideal destination for fruit trees to thrive. So when visiting Binh Duong, don't miss out on the lush fruit orchards. The most famous one is Lái Thiêu Fruit Garden, spanning over 1000 hectares across 6 communes in Thuận An district, featuring various gardens such as 99 Garden, Ba Tam Fruit Garden, Hong Van, and Be Hai.
Traveling in Binh Duong Photo: ST.
3. Phu Cuong Cathedral
Located on Lac Long Quan Street, Thủ Dầu Một city, Phu Cuong Cathedral is hailed as the largest church in Binh Duong. After being renovated and inaugurated in April 2014, the old silver-colored church is no longer visible. Instead, it has been replaced by a majestic structure with a modern Gothic style. This is not only a place for devout believers to attend Mass but also attracts many young people for photo opportunities due to its stunning Western-like scenery.
Photo: St.
4. Phu Loi Prison
Phu Loi Prison is a remaining relic from the resistance war against the US, bearing witness to the heinous crimes of the US-backed Diem regime, which poisoned hundreds of people to death in 1958. The prison is surrounded by dense walls made of barbed wire, completely isolated from the outside world. Here, nearly 6000 political prisoners endured harsh punishments such as eating rotten fish, worm-infested fish sauce, lying in cramped positions, being denied medical treatment, and of course, subjected to brutal beatings and torture. If you are interested in exploring history, visit the revolutionary relic Phu Loi Prison to understand more about the atrocious crimes committed by the enemy forces.
Photo: ST.
5. Khanh Hoi Pagoda
Another cultural and spiritual tourist destination is Khanh Hoi Pagoda. Everyone in Binh Duong knows about this pagoda. Here, there is a famous giant Buddha statue measuring 52m in length and 12m in height, exuding an extremely serene and peaceful beauty.
(Photo: ST).
6. Wind & Water Cafe
Just hearing the name is enough to evoke the style of this place. The reason for this special name is the harmonious combination and maximum utilization of natural energy sources to create a cooling system for the entire house without the need for air conditioning. The construction materials are as simple as the name of the cafe itself, with nearly 7000 palm trees intertwined to create a structure that is close to nature and uniquely charming.
Photo: ST.
V. Dining in Binh Duong
Rice Cakes with Pork Skin Topping
Photo: ST.
Few can resist the temptation of this dish upon their first taste. The rice cakes with pork skin topping differ from those in Central Vietnam as they feature a mixture of minced pork and pork skin blended with roasted rice powder and various spices, served with rice cakes and fish sauce, creating a familiar yet unique combination.
Chau Truc Shrimp Vermicelli
The shrimp vermicelli is served with grilled rice paper and delicious, firm shrimp pieces. Binh Duong shrimp vermicelli is a rare specialty, as the noodles are not the common type found in the market but are made fresh on-site by eateries, steamed in boiling water before being served to customers. Hence, the noodles in each bowl are always soft, fine, and pleasing to the palate.
Photo: ST.
Lai Thieu Spring Rolls
While Central Vietnam boasts the famous sour spring rolls from Thanh Hoa, the culinary map of the South cannot overlook Lai Thieu spring rolls. Their deliciousness is beyond dispute, to the extent that many food connoisseurs in Saigon don't hesitate to journey to Binh Duong in search of authentic Lai Thieu spring rolls.
Photo: ST.
Water Lily Stem Salad
If you think only firm fruits and vegetables like mangoes, carrots... can be turned into salads, then come to Binh Duong, where residents prepare water lily stem salads that will open your eyes wide. This dish requires meticulousness right from the stage of ingredient selection. One must choose water lily stems that are still green but with ripe insides to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness, crunchiness, and slight sourness. Peeling must be quick and skillful to prevent the stems from becoming mushy or dark. When mixed with other ingredients, it will provide your taste buds with an unforgettable experience, one bite and you'll remember it forever.
Photo: ST.
Roast Chicken with Puffed Sticky Rice
The dish of sticky rice with chicken seems to be quite familiar and can be found almost everywhere. However, have you ever imagined the daily packs of sticky rice you eat are now deep-fried into big puffy balls, crispy on the outside, and soft with the fragrance of glutinous rice inside? The roast chicken is carefully marinated, brushed with a layer of honey to give the chicken skin an attractive golden color. The roast chicken and puffed sticky rice blend their flavors and complement each other in such a strange way that diners just can't stop eating.
Photo: ST.
VI. Trendy “Instagrammable” Cafes
Sea Sand Café & Gelato
Address: 24/4 Đinh Bộ Lĩnh, Thủ Dầu Một, Bình Dương.
What makes this coffee shop interesting and unique is that the entire space is covered with soft, white beach sand, gently embracing the feet of visitors. There are two seating areas: sitting on mats or on small low chairs, resembling beach seating.
Photo: ST.
Imperial Court Cafe
Address: 45 Trần Bình Trọng, Thủ Dầu Một, Bình Dương.
True to its name, the entire space of the cafe is arranged to simulate the style of the imperial court of Hue with a strong sense of nobility, giving the impression from the outside like a famous scenic area.
Photo: ST.
- Castle Land Coffee – Castle Street Cafe
Address: Tran Thi Vung, Him Lam Phu Dong Residential Area, Di An, Binh Duong.
With eye-catching colorful decorations and meticulously invested space resembling a miniature castle, Castle Land Coffee will make you feel like a real princess or prince.
Photo: ST.
The Garden House
Address: 59 N7 Street, Phu Hoa Residential Area, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong.
Keeping up with modern coffee trends, The Garden House makes its mark with a space adorned with greenery from various potted plants. Enjoying coffee in the fresh, green atmosphere is an ideal suggestion to escape the scorching heat of summer.
Photo: St.
Hoi Coffee
Address: 113/112 Tran Van On, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong.
Many tourists have expressed that if given the chance, they would definitely return to Hoi Coffee multiple times. In complete contrast to the 4 coffee shops with 4 different styles mentioned above, Hoi Coffee exudes a tranquil ancient charm. Drawing inspiration from Hoi An Ancient Town, the shop evokes nostalgia through old songs and decor reminiscent of the ancient streets.
Photo: ST.
VII. Hotels in Binh Duong
Long Bao Chau Hotel
Address: No. 9, D20 Street, Chanh Nghia Urban Area, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong.
With rates starting from 647,000 VND per night, Long Bao Chau Hotel promises to provide you with comfortable moments of relaxation after a long journey.
Photo: ST.
Green Scene Villas
Address: 79 Binh Hoa Area, Thuan An, Binh Duong.
Serving in the form of villa compounds suitable for families and large groups. Green Scene offers rental services for both the entire villa or individual rooms with full amenities, friendly, and cozy like home. Room rates start from 795,000 VND per night.
Photo: ST.
- Becamex Hotel
Address: B2 Hung Vuong, Hoa Phu, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong.
With 4-star hotel standards, Becamex Hotel brings customers a sense of luxury and a professional, courteous, and elegant service experience.
Photo: ST.
- The Mira Hotel
Address: 555B Binh Duong Boulevard, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong.
Aiming for the style of a luxury 5-star hotel right in the city center, The Mira boasts 186 guest rooms with full amenities to meet the absolute needs of travelers for business or leisure in Binh Duong. At The Mira, you are not only taken care of in every aspect of the day but also have the opportunity to enjoy Chinese, Asian, and Western cuisine alongside the refreshing swimming pool.
Photo: ST.
You can book your room through VNTRIP.VN to get the best deals. Explore more hotels when traveling to Binh Duong.
