Top 10 Fascinating Destinations in Soc Trang

Bat Pagoda, also known as Bat Temple (or Mahatúp Pagoda), is located on Van Ngoc Chinh Street (with a signpost) in Ward 3, Soc Trang City. It is named as such because the temple is home to a large population of bats. This temple is the only cultural space dedicated to Lord Buddha Shakyamuni of the Khmer ethnic community in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang. According to ancient records, the temple was initiated for construction in 1569, over 440 years ago. Initially, the main hall of the temple was built with bamboo and leaves, later rebuilt with bricks and tiled roofs. In 1960, the temple underwent significant renovations in the main hall, resulting in its present beautiful appearance after several restorations. From the entrance gate, visitors cannot help but be overwhelmed by the vibrant golden color that covers almost the entire Bat Pagoda. Here, you will also encounter typical Khmer architectural motifs with many small towers on the temple's roof, and intricately carved Naga serpents at the roof's end.

The most fascinating aspect for visitors when visiting Bat Pagoda is witnessing thousands of bats hanging upside down like fruits on tree branches. During peak times, the temple attracts over one million bats. Although there are many serene temples and shady gardens in Soc Trang, the reason why bats only choose Bat Temple as their residence seems to remain a mystery. Therefore, as dusk falls, the scene at the temple becomes strangely lively, with the bustling sound of bats flapping their wings, calling out as they search for food at night. Strangely, they fly in rows and circle above the sky near the temple area, never flying directly over the main hall's roof. Although the reason for this behavior remains unexplained, many people liken it to the bats' solemn prayer to Lord Buddha for blessings before they depart.

Address: Ward 3, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang Province.

Sóc Trăng is not only famous for its ancient Khmer pagodas but also attracts tourists with the Mud Temple, which houses over 1000 Buddha statues and candles that have been burning for up to 100 years. A trip to Sóc Trăng would not be complete without visiting the Mud Temple, also known as Buu Son Pagoda. The Mud Temple, built by artisan Ngô Kim Tòng in the early 20th century, is located on Tôn Đức Thắng Street in Sóc Trăng City. With a history of over 200 years, this temple bears witness to the remarkable journey of a poor but devout man, Ngô Kim Tòng, who was passionate about sculpture.

Aside from admiring these masterpieces, visitors also have the opportunity to marvel at and decode the intricately carved decorative motifs adorning the temple, all crafted by Ngô Kim Tòng himself. The Buddha statues, mythical creatures, bell towers, and pagodas sculpted from mud seem unbelievably real at first glance. The harmonious blend of majestic Buddha statues, mythical creatures depicted in Buddhist scriptures, and culturally rich altars makes the Mud Temple a sacred place for the people of Sóc Trăng and tourists alike. Every year during festivals and holidays, the Mud Temple welcomes thousands of visitors from near and far, who come to experience the spiritual ambiance and appreciate the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Address: 286 Tôn Đức Thắng, Ward 5, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.

If in the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City there are grand, ancient One-Pillar Pagodas, then the One-Pillar Pagoda in Sóc Trăng is no exception. Designed true to the original style of the aforementioned locations, it boasts an elegant and dignified architectural design. Standing at approximately 8 meters tall, with a staircase of 18 steps, each 1 meter wide, the entire pagoda is supported by a single pillar with a diameter of 2 meters, descending into a lotus pond. Surrounding it are four dragon statues facing in four directions, with white clouds adorning the column. Inside the main hall, there is an altar with a statue of Buddha Avalokiteshvara made of plaster, standing atop a pink lotus. Behind it is a painting depicting a scene of rivers, mountains, trees, and notably, ivory bamboo bushes and phoenixes hovering with strings of pearls in their mouths. The curved roof with ancient motifs is adorned with double dragon bas-reliefs encrusted with pearls. At each corner of the roof are bas-reliefs depicting fish transforming into dragons.

From the high platform, visitors can behold the serene beauty of thousands of lotus flowers blooming all year round. Nearby, there are many Buddha statues depicting the life of the Buddha, Sakyamuni, renouncing his princely life to seek enlightenment and bring peace to humanity. Next to the lotus pond of One-Pillar Pagoda stands a row of large statues representing powerful supernatural beings. Beneath the ancient banyan tree is a beautiful and majestic statue of Avalokiteshvara. In front of the pagoda is a magnificent shrine dedicated to the local deity, immaculately clean and beautiful. One-Pillar Pagoda, when viewed from the outside, exudes a slim and distinctive charm, embodying both the common features of Eastern temples and shrines and the uniqueness of being the only 'one-pillar' pagoda in the Mekong Delta to date. Not only a sacred place with beautiful, solemn, and ancient scenery attracting many visitors, the pagoda is also a humanitarian address with regular activities such as distributing rice, providing free meals for the poor, and offering books and study materials to underprivileged children.

Address: Ward 6, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.

Known as the Cup-shaped Pagoda because it is decorated with ceramic bowls and plates in a unique architectural style. In the journey to explore the temples in Sóc Trăng, the Cup-shaped Pagoda is one of the temples that will leave a deep impression on visitors. If Kh’Leang Pagoda exudes solemnity and grandeur, then the Cup-shaped Pagoda emanates a sense of solemnity yet intimacy with its unique decorative motifs made from familiar household items. These are ceramic objects used in daily life such as cups, bowls, plates, and so on. Hence, this temple is named the Cup-shaped Pagoda.

The Khmer artisans cleverly utilize these bowls and plates to decorate the walls, pillars, and create a harmonious, impressive architectural structure. The new items are directly applied to the walls or made into fences surrounding corridors or stair handrails, while the broken or cracked ones are arranged and pieced together into eye-catching decorative patterns. The temple also houses some valuable artifacts of Mr. Tran Trinh Huy, famous for the title 'Bac Lieu Gentleman.' These include a meticulously crafted rosewood bedroom set with two rare antique beds for winter and summer, adorned with rosewood shells, valued at billions of dong. With its impressive architectural features, the Cup-shaped Pagoda is not only a spiritual destination for people to come and pay homage but also an attractive tourist destination for travelers from afar.

Address: Dai Tam Commune, My Xuyen District, Sóc Trăng Province.

Kh'leang stands as one of the oldest Khmer temples in Sóc Trăng, dating back to the mid-16th century. The temple features a 6.8-meter-high Buddha statue seated atop a lotus pedestal. Situated on a spacious 3,825m2 campus, Kh'Leang Temple was initially constructed in 1533, initially just a thatched roof temple before being rebuilt multiple times with tiled bricks. Its current architecture stems from renovations over 80 years ago. Khleang Temple is renowned for its ancient and beautiful Khmer architecture in Sóc Trăng. Positioned centrally within the town, along the picturesque Trang River dividing the town in half, the temple sits within a large courtyard enclosed by fences adorned with traditional Khmer patterns. Beneath the cooling shade of ancient trees, its symmetrical and harmonious architectural lines integrate seamlessly with unique and diverse artistic works, many of which exhibit the distinctive features of traditional Khmer art. Amidst the Khmer artistic decorations, one can also find works from the Kinh people on the hammock door and from the Chinese on the column bodies, reflecting the cultural exchange among the three ethnic groups, who, through long-term cohabitation, have combined the quintessence of art, learning from each other for mutual development.

Address: 6 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Ward 6, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.

Tân Long Egret Garden lies within Ngã Năm town, approximately 60km from the center of Sóc Trăng city. This site isn't just a bird sanctuary but also renowned for its conservation of egret species, thanks to its extremely favorable natural conditions for their growth and development. Rapid population growth has turned Tân Long Egret Garden into an ideal tourist destination in Sóc Trăng. Many visitors come here to experience the feeling of immersing themselves in vast and tranquil nature. In the journey of exploring Sóc Trăng, after visiting famous landmarks like Ngã Năm Floating Market, Chén Kiểu Temple, Khmer Museum, the egret garden will surely offer you a unique experience. The atmosphere here is refreshing, cool, and relaxing, providing a sense of ease and comfort as you step into this lush and serene environment.

Tân Long Egret Garden covers an area of ​​1.5 hectares and is home to many rare egret species. Located in Long Bình commune, Ngã Năm district, Sóc Trăng province, it is managed by Mr. Huỳnh Văn Mười, 73 years old. Various bird and egret species such as herons, white egrets, buff-banded rails coexist harmoniously here. Besides observing flocks of egrets, visitors can also enjoy many local specialties of Sóc Trăng or the Mekong Delta in general. In Tân Long Egret Garden, a 10-meter observation tower has been built to serve as a viewing spot for observing the egrets living here. Tourists can overlook the entire garden area, admiring the scene of flocks of egrets gathering in the garden in the early morning. For over 40 years, Tân Long Egret Garden has contributed to the development of Sóc Trăng tourism with a large number of visitors every year.

Address: Tân Bình Hamlet, Long Bình Commune, Ngã Năm District, Sóc Trăng Province.

Ngã Năm Floating Market stands as the most famous floating market in Sóc Trăng Province. It earns its name because the market is located at the central position, from where five branches of rivers flow into neighboring areas. This floating market is one of the busiest trading addresses for the people of Sóc Trăng, while also becoming a tourist attraction drawing numerous adventure enthusiasts. According to historical records, Ngã Năm Floating Market has existed since the French colonial period. The name 'Ngã Năm' also appeared when the French dug the Phụng Hiệp canal. This canal, along with the Xáng canal intersecting the Xẻo Chính canal, forms a five-way junction leading to the provinces of Cà Mau, Vĩnh Quới, Long Mỹ, Thạnh Trị, and Phụng Hiệp. From then until now, Ngã Năm Floating Market has been a place for trading and commerce, with goods gathered here then distributed to various provinces in the Western region. Ngã Năm Floating Market is where the people of Sóc Trăng and neighboring areas converge for trading and commerce. Families bring fruits, aquatic products, agricultural produce, etc., to sell to traders. Meanwhile, small traders sell clothes, shoes, food, and drinks imported from wholesale markets to local residents. The trading atmosphere here is vibrant, bustling, and lively every day.

The market usually starts from 4 a.m. Traders gather here very early to buy goods at good prices from local residents. Around 6 a.m. is the busiest time for the market, when everyone comes to shop, especially on weekends. Ngã Năm Floating Market sells almost everything, with each boat planting a pole, on which they hang the goods they sell for buyers to easily identify. In the early morning mist, before the sun rises, the atmosphere here is already bustling. You will hear buyers haggling, sellers bargaining, the rumbling sound of motorized boats, all voices blending together to create the distinctive atmosphere of a floating market. When visiting Ngã Năm Floating Market, you surely cannot miss the delicious breakfast dishes. There are many small boats selling everything from coffee, smoothies, juices, cigarettes, broken rice, noodle soup, to special dishes like Sóc Trăng's noodle soup with broth, stir-fried noodles. The glowing charcoal stoves, with pots of steaming broth, emit thick smoke, and the fragrant aroma creates the unique beauty of this place.

Address: Ngã Năm Town, Thạnh Trị District, Sóc Trăng Province.

Situated on Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Sóc Trăng Khmer Museum boasts a prime location right in the city center, not far from Kh'leang Pagoda and Bửu Sơn Pagoda. From accommodations in the downtown area, you just need to drive along Hai Bà Trưng Street from 30/4 Park across Quay Bridge for about 450m to spot the museum on the left-hand side. Because the route to here is quite easy, experienced travelers often choose to travel by motorbike or self-driving car. These means of transportation will help you easily explore many eateries and attractive tourist spots. Sóc Trăng Museum has two outstanding features: the distinctive architecture of Khmer pagodas like Som Rong Pagoda, Sà Lôn Pagoda... and the collection of cultural artifacts of this ethnic group. In terms of architecture, the houses in the museum system mainly have pointed and curved roofs. The area is divided into two main sections: the exhibit area (called Masacum community house) and the office area. The cultural space covers 2,344m2 with an exhibit house of 368m2, which is the highlight of the provincial museum.

As for the artifact collection, it houses thousands of utensils, tools that have been associated with the cultural life of the Khmer people in Sóc Trăng through generations. The number of artifacts in Sóc Trăng Khmer Museum has reached 13,000 items to date. From primitive labor tools to traditional costumes, musical instruments, and even architectural structures... all are present at this tourist attraction. Stopping here, you will have the opportunity to witness firsthand and even touch the artifacts to feel the distinctive cultural beauty of the Khmer people in the Southwest. Sóc Trăng Khmer Museum will surely provide you with an unforgettable and special discovery experience on your trip. Hurry up and save this interesting sightseeing spot in your personal travel guide so you don't forget to visit when you have the chance to stop in the land of golden pagodas.

Address: 53 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, Ward 6, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.

Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery is one of the largest Northern Buddhist structures in Sóc Trăng Province, which has been operational since 2020. With a total investment of over 100 billion VND, the project is built on nearly 6 hectares of land, including items such as the main hall, ancestral house, assembly hall, guest house, and three-gate entrance... contributed by philanthropists and Buddhist followers. Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery holds significance not only in terms of religion for the local people but also as a unique architectural art attraction attracting many Buddhists and tourists for sightseeing and worship. When visiting Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery, you will be impressed by the large-scale architectural structures with unique designs. The compound of Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery is arranged with many items such as the main hall, ancestral house, bell tower, drum tower, and three-gate entrance... with tiled roofs, wooden pillars, golden brick walls, and characteristic tiled paths of Southern architectural style temples.

From the outside, stepping into the three-gate entrance with the signboard of “Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery”, the two side gates are embossed with Buddha's teachings on “Compassion” and “Wisdom”. The gate is built in the style of a curved gable roof with red tiles, and the upper tier of the three-gate entrance is where the bell tower and worship statues are placed, creating a solemn boundary that separates you from the bustling, hurried life. Passing through the three-gate entrance is a spacious tiled courtyard leading to the main hall area. In the courtyard are two rows of 18 stone Arhats placed side by side. On the right side is the bell tower with a large bronze bell weighing 1.5 tons, and on the left side is the drum tower with the wooden frame intricately carved. Located right in the center of Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery is the Great Dharma Hall built in the form of a rectangular shape, with an eight-roofed tiled roof in the style of the Tran dynasty. Like many other temple architectures in Sóc Trăng, the roof of Trúc Lâm Sóc Trăng Zen Monastery is designed in the “curved gable roof” style, which means the corners of the roof are slightly curved upwards and decorated with the image of Xi Vẫn. The monastery's roofline is not spread out too wide like Lăng Ca Pagoda but only slightly curved at the corners to create a gentle, elegant look for the entire structure.

Address: 69 Trần Nhân Tông Street, Ward 2, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.

Bình An Ecotourism Area offers a cool space, four-season ornamental flower gardens along with diverse architectural structures, representing the three regions of the country. Here, there are many entertainment activities for all ages; cool relaxation bamboo houses with artistic sculptures, adaptations of folk tales and legends. In addition, tourists can spend time participating in music club activities, dancing in the evening. This is a place with many activities and services: entertainment, dining, stage performances, accommodation… The system of green trees, fruit trees, swimming pools, fish ponds, swings… are arranged reasonably, harmoniously, close to nature, both quiet but lively. The tourist area can meet the needs and preferences of various age groups, diverse audiences.

Through the gate, behind the stage, you can see an artificial mountain about thirty to forty meters high, with a large statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara on top. At the foot of the mountain is a fish pond; trees are planted very naturally; paths winding through large and small rocks, mimicking mountain trails. Vines cling to dense trees. Inside the mountain is a mini hotel. Next to the mountain is a two-story villa, a combination of Russian and Middle Eastern architecture styles. Bình An Ecotourism Area was born to break the tranquility of a town imbued with Khmer culture in a province in the Mekong Delta.

Address: National Highway 1A, Ward 2, Sóc Trăng City, Sóc Trăng Province.