Buzz
Bạc Liêu, situated in the Southwest of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, holds a rich history and is progressively flourishing. Beyond the tales of the Bạc Liêu playboy, the province beckons travelers with captivating and diverse attractions. Explore these fascinating destinations that annually allure a multitude of visitors.
Bạc Liêu City (Photo by ST)
Discovering the enchanting destinations of Bạc Liêu
1. Windmill Field in Bạc Liêu
Heading from Bạc Liêu City towards the sea on Cao Văn Lầu road, in the coastal area of Đông A hamlet, Vĩnh Trạch Đông commune, you'll find the Bạc Liêu wind power plant. The windmill field is approximately 20km from the city center, yet even from a distance of several kilometers, you can see the turbine columns spinning like giant pinwheels. This field boasts a total of 62 wind turbines, each tower standing at 80m, with a diameter of 4m and weighing over 200 tons. Constructed from stainless steel, the 42m-long blades are made of special plastic and can fold in bad weather to prevent damage.
Giant windmills resembling colossal pinwheels (Photo by ST)
This location is a favorite spot for young people to capture stunning photos in Bạc Liêu. The best time for photography is around 3 to 4 in the afternoon when the sunlight is not too harsh, providing a comfortable and bright environment for the most beautiful virtual living pictures. However, if you plan to visit for photography, you need to seek permission from the guards on site.
A fascinating Instagrammable spot for the younger generation (Photo by ST)
2. Nhà Mát Tourist Area
Nhà Mát tourist area in Bạc Liêu has become a familiar destination for travelers in recent years. Also known as the “Mekong Delta's Fairy Stream,” visitors can relax and immerse themselves in the azure waves, giving the feeling of being at sea. The first impressive sight for visitors is the entrance gate of the beach area designed with an octopus lifting a boat, which is quite picturesque.
Artificial beach area (Photo by ST)
The artificial beach area is part of the Nhà Mát Tourist Area, covering an area of over 20 hectares along the coast of Bạc Liêu. It is designed with various swimming areas for both adults and children, and the wave system creates the sensation of swimming in the real blue sea. There are gentle water games and thrilling experiences to captivate visitors. In addition, the Nhà Mát Tourist Area features green spaces along the beach, a multi-functional stage, a high-end resort area, culinary zones, and a water music area designed with Singaporean technology to meet the essential needs of tourists for sightseeing and entertainment.
Aerial view of Nhà Mát Tourist Area (Photo by ST)
3. Bạc Liêu's Mansion
Bạc Liêu's Mansion is located at 13 Điện Biên Phủ Street, Ward 3, Bạc Liêu City, built around 1919. The house, designed by a French engineer, used all materials imported from France, making it the most majestic mansion in the southern provinces at that time.
Outside view of Bạc Liêu's Mansion (Photo by ST)
After a period of restoration, the house still maintains its ancient architecture. Currently, the mansion is used as a museum for visitors to see firsthand the images and artifacts used by the affluent Bạc Liêu family. When visiting Bạc Liêu's Mansion, tourists will witness the glamorous past of the once-famous wealthy family and Ba Huy, known as the Bạc Liêu's tycoon, who is still remembered by many.
A dazzling display corner at Bạc Liêu's Mansion (Photo by ST)
4. Bạc Liêu Bird Garden
Bạc Liêu Bird Sanctuary, located in Hiệp Thành commune, approximately 6km from Bạc Liêu city. Formerly, this conservation area was a mangrove swamp near the sea with a diverse and rich natural saltwater ecosystem. However, due to natural sedimentation, this mangrove area is gradually moving away from the sea, leaving only a part that forms the bird sanctuary as seen today. The saltwater mangrove ecosystem covers an area of over 385ha, serving as the habitat and nesting grounds for various plants, birds, frogs, etc.
Bird Sanctuary Bạc Liêu is the habitat for many plant and animal species (Photo by ST)
The bird sanctuary always brings surprising moments to visitors. Upon entering, you'll witness the lively scene of a natural birdyard, with bird eggs scattered on the ground like white pearls. The most fascinating experience is standing atop a tall observation tower made from tree trunks, leisurely admiring the spectacle of flocks of birds flying back to their nests in the evening. The orderly flight of different bird species creates a captivating display in the sky.
Diverse ecosystem in Bạc Liêu Bird Sanctuary (Photo by ST)
5. Vĩnh Hưng Ancient Tower
Located approximately 20km from the city center of Bạc Liêu, Vĩnh Hưng Ancient Tower is situated in Vĩnh Hưng A commune, Vĩnh Lợi district. It is the only preserved ancient architectural relic in the western region, discovered by a French archaeologist in 1911. Vĩnh Hưng Tower was built with a relatively simple and rustic structure on a spacious piece of land, elevated 50cm above the rice fields.
Image of Vĩnh Hưng Ancient Tower in Bạc Liêu (Photo by ST)
The tower is located near the eastern edge of the land strip, with a rectangular base. The tower's entrance faces west, and inside, there is a rectangular-shaped room with a straight-standing thick wall and a vaulted roof. Through multiple excavations, archaeologists discovered various artifacts such as a bronze deity's hand, a stone statue of a goddess, a green stone statue of a goddess, a bronze Buddha head, etc. However, visitors today won't see these ancient artifacts, as a new set of linga and yoni made of stone has been placed instead.
Symbolizing the Yin and Yang, the linga and yoni set (Photo by ST)
6. Bạc Liêu Sea
Far from glamorous and extravagant, unlike the pristine white sandy beaches of Vũng Tàu or Nha Trang, Bạc Liêu's coastline maintains a raw, untouched beauty. It features expansive sandy stretches along with mudflats that bring forth the fresh and vibrant seafood specialties of the coastal region. With 156km of coastline and key estuaries like Gành Hào, Nhà Mát, Cái Cùng, the Bạc Liêu Sea is surrounded by clusters of mangrove trees, fishing boats swaying in the wind, and coconut trees glistening in the breeze.
Tranquil night atmosphere at Bạc Liêu Sea (Photo by ST)
Here, visitors can surrender themselves in the beachfront homes, savor seafood, and breathe in the invigorating sea breeze. The eateries along the coast are tranquil, with no blaring music; the lights provide sufficient brightness without being flashy, gently flickering in hues of green and red. Travelers can also stroll across the concrete bridge spanning the Nhà Mát area offshore, experiencing a sensation of swaying as if riding on the back of ocean waves.
Bạc Liêu Seaside (Photo by ST)
7. Western-style Architectural Ensemble
Differing from some other provinces and cities, Bạc Liêu still boasts numerous mansions and villas built in Western architectural style in Bạc Liêu town. In the Hàng Me Park, there are many splendid structures, including administrative offices, a courthouse, a governor's mansion, and the Trạch Council House. This Western-style architectural ensemble is constructed using various building materials such as cast iron, doors, marble flooring, and bricks—all imported from France.
Western-style Architectural Ensemble in Bạc Liêu (Photo by ST)
These Western-style houses showcase architecture from the early 20th century. Each residence features spacious surroundings, symmetrical front facades, octagonal tiled roofs, and transverse rafters reminiscent of pagodas. Inside, you'll find corridors and lofty vaulted ceilings. Hence, the Western-style architectural ensemble in Bạc Liêu exudes a distinctive charm, quite unlike the French villas in Hanoi, Saigon, Dalat, and elsewhere.
Modern-designed houses (Photo by ST)
8. Xiêm Cán Pagoda
Located in Hiệp Thành commune, this is one of the largest and most beautiful Khmer pagodas in the Khmer temple system in the South. Xiêm Cán Pagoda embraces the Angkor architecture of the Cambodian people, evident in unique patterns on the roof, walls, columns, and staircases. Today, one can feel the flourishing and distinctive cultural essence of the Khmer people, steadily preserved and enhanced to beautify, enrich, and diversify Vietnamese culture.
Image of Xiêm Cán Pagoda showcasing Angkor architecture of the Cambodian people (Photo by ST)
Comprising the main hall, hall for rituals, residences of the monks, stupa containing relics, and more, it leaves visitors in awe with its vast temple grounds, tranquil atmosphere, clear blue sky, golden sunlight filtering through leaves, distant melodious bird songs, and refreshing air. All these elements create an extraordinary experience, making the visitors' souls feel unusually serene.
The enchanting beauty of Xiêm Cán Pagoda (Photo by ST)
9. Ancient Litchi Garden
Situated in the areas of Hiệp Thành and Vĩnh Trạch Đông, belonging to Bạc Liêu city, this unique ancient litchi garden stands unparalleled in the Mekong Delta region. The garden hosts hundreds of litchi trees, each bearing twisted and peculiar trunks, displaying a profound sense of time. The generous nature has endowed Bạc Liêu with fertile alluvial land near the sea, making it a favorable environment for two litchi varieties, Su-bic and Tu-huyt, which immigrated from China, rooted and thrived for centuries.
Ancient litchi tree roots (Photo by ST)
In the past, this litchi garden yielded an average of 300-400kg per tree per harvest annually. However, with the aging and degeneration of the trees, some garden owners have shifted their focus to turning the litchi garden into a tourist attraction. Nowadays, the number of visitors to the litchi garden has been increasing due to the refreshing atmosphere and the fragrant aroma of litchi. It's a delightful experience to lie under the ancient litchi trees, swaying gently in the breeze from the sea, immersing in the sweet fragrance of litchi, and letting the soul wander into the beautiful nature. During the ripe litchi season, visitors can also enjoy delicious, flavorful litchis, straight from the orchard.
Singing 'Dạ Cổ' beneath the ancient litchi trees (Photo by ST)
10. Tắc Sậy Church
Tắc Sậy Church stands as one of the remarkable attractions in Bạc Liêu province. This place is closely tied to touching stories about the life of Father Trương Bửu Diệp, who made significant contributions to the Catholic followers in this region. The church features a unique and distinctive architecture with three floors: the ground floor serves as a resting place, while the second and third floors are dedicated to holy masses with a spacious front hall.
Famous Tắc Sậy Church in Bạc Liêu (Photo by ST)
Visiting Tắc Sậy Church, besides paying respects at Father Bửu Diệp's resting place, tourists can marvel at the unique architecture of the church. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Mekong Delta region. Every day, numerous pilgrims and tourists come to Tắc Sậy Church to pay homage to Father Bửu Diệp, making it a captivating attraction in Mekong Delta tours.
Place of Worship for Father Diệp (Photo by ST)
