Top 10 Most Attractive Destinations in Sa Dec City, Dong Thap

1. Flower Village in the City of Sa Dec

Sa Dec Flower Village is located in Tan Quy Dong Commune, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. This is the land of ornamental flowers with a tradition spanning hundreds of years, proudly displaying its beauty along the Tien River, always vibrant and windy. Every Tet and spring season, tourists from all over gather here to admire the colorful flowers and buy decorative plants for the Lunar New Year. The blossoms, with their vivid colors and intoxicating fragrance, stretch across the fertile alluvial soil, truly enchanting those who appreciate their beauty. Local farmers meticulously care for each flower, often planting them on racks above waterlogged fields for easy irrigation and moisture retention.

Sa Dec Flower Village boasts about 2,000 different flower species, and nearly 2,000 households are engaged in this profession, making significant contributions to the agricultural value of Sa Dec City. Thanks to advancements in science and technology, as well as careful investment in infrastructure and output planning, the flower village continues to grow and prosper. During the flower harvest, farmers use boats to transport the blooms from the racks to the shore. These exquisite flowers are then gathered along the Sa Dec River and transported by trucks or boats. If you have a fondness for the beauty of flowers, visit Sa Dec Flower Village to witness the splendid display of roses, daisies, orchids, and more.

2. Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House

The ancient Huynh Thuy Le House is located at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Beyond the fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles, this ancient house is also renowned for its association with a borderless love affair between French writer Marguerite Duras and the wealthy Vietnamese-Chinese gentleman Huynh Thuy Le in the early 20th century.

The house originally belonged to Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the first love of the French writer Marguerite Duras. This love story later became the memoir that inspired her famous novel, 'The Lover,' in 1984. The novel was adapted into the film 'L’Amant' in 1992 by French director Jean-Jaques Annaud.

The ancestral house was constructed in 1895 by Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan (father of Huynh Thuy Le) – a wealthy Chinese businessman from Fukien, China, who once thrived in Sa Dec amidst the bustling trading quarter along the Sa Dec River.

Initially, it was a three-compartment traditional house of the Southwest region, covering 258 m2 with precious wood as the main material and a yin-yang tiled boat-shaped roof. In 1917, the owner renovated the house with solid bricks, enclosing the wooden frame inside. Consequently, it appears as a French-style villa from the outside, yet inside, it exudes a distinctly Chinese architectural style. Despite the vicissitudes of history, the house has been well-preserved over the years, symbolizing a unique architectural heritage from centuries past.

In the Mekong Delta region, the Phuoc Kien people, consisting of the Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer communities, harmoniously coexist while preserving their cultural identity and spiritual essence through generations. Kien An Cung Pagoda stands as a testament to their spiritual resilience.

Kien An Cung Pagoda, also known as Ong Quach Pagoda, is over a century old and centrally located in Sa Dec City, a prominent tourist attraction in Dong Thap province. Recognized as a national historical monument in 1990, this iconic Chinese cultural structure was built by a group of Chinese immigrants from Fukien province, China, who settled in Sa Dec to honor their ancestors, educate their descendants, and foster community cohesion for business dealings and information exchange.

The construction began in 1924 (Year of the Rat) and was completed in 1927 (Year of the Cat). Over those three years, craftsmen from Fukien collaborated with local artisans in Sa Dec, dedicating themselves to intricate details, patterns, decorations, and statues, creating an imposing architectural masterpiece in the style of Chinese temples. The uniqueness of the pagoda lies in its cement fence, crafted to resemble rustic bamboo stakes. Visiting this heritage site, you'll marvel at its unique, magnificent, and dignified architectural style. The pagoda faces the Cai Son canal, designed in a majestic 'Cong' shape, symbolizing resilience and success. The entire structure has no pillars; instead, the load is supported by round wooden columns.

The front facade of the pagoda is harmoniously designed with three main sections, and the yin-yang tiled roof forms six dragon-shaped waves on the floor, representing six elegant palaces, symbolizing the spirit of overcoming challenges and achieving prosperity.

Vinh Phuoc Communal House is situated on Tran Hung Dao Street, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. This unique historical and cultural relic exudes the distinctive style of Southern communal houses. Beyond preserving the ancient architectural charm, Vinh Phuoc Communal House also possesses the 6 divine colors associated with the Nguyen dynasty.

The establishment of Vinh Phuoc Communal House is intertwined with the process of reclaiming and founding settlements. Based on the spirit of 'Tu Duc five years' (equivalent to 1852), which granted the establishment of Vinh Phuoc rural district, the communal house may have existed before 1852 (mid-19th century). Initially modest and small, the communal house was built on a piece of land in Vinh Phuoc village, Vinh An district, Tan Thanh prefecture, An Giang province. By 1898, some nearby families contributed a rectangular plot, and in 1904, construction began again. Despite the historical upheavals, the communal house retains its original architectural features.

Vinh Phuoc Communal House is designed in the style of Southern communal houses, featuring yin-yang tiled roofs, upper and lower halls, and intricate reliefs depicting ancient tales of morality, good and evil, peace, and prosperity. The robust frame system is made of solid, durable wood, with columns, beams, traverses, and ridge poles supporting the structure. Ornate carvings on pillars, lintels, fascias, and horizontal boards showcase meticulous craftsmanship, adorned with gold leaf. Nestled in the serene and rare tranquility amidst the vibrant urban center of Sa Dec along the poetic Tien River, Vinh Phuoc Communal House adds a harmonious note to the urban symphony. On April 10, 2003, the communal house was officially recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic.

Ba Pagoda, officially known as Thien Hau Palace, or Thien Hau Temple, is located at 143 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec, Dong Thap Province. The temple features a unique architectural style with a strong Chinese influence. From the outside, the temple boasts a spacious and deep courtyard, where the vibrant red and gold colors contrast against the blue sky, enhancing its solemn, venerable, and radiant appearance.

The temple was built in 1867 by a group of Chinese residents from Fukien province in Sa Dec for worship and community activities. The temple venerates Lady Thien Hau, also known as Lam Mac Nuong, a woman from Mi Chau Island in Bồ Dương (Fukien), bestowed with the Han dynasty title in China. She is revered as the Holy Mother Thien Hau, the protector of the nation and the people, credited with rescuing those at sea from storms and shipwrecks.

Initially constructed with simple bamboo and palm leaves on a small plot, the temple underwent renovation in 1886. It expanded in size, featuring brickwork, stone cladding, and luxurious decorations. Most materials for the renovation were imported from China. To this day, the temple has preserved its original architecture and is renowned as the most beautiful temple in the Mekong Delta.

Kim Hue Pagoda, also known as Hoi Khanh Pagoda or Bong Pagoda, is located at 41/2 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. Nestled alongside the poetic Cai Son River, the pagoda showcases an impressive Chinese-inspired architecture, radiating royal elegance in the heart of the city.

Built in 1806, according to the monks in the pagoda, the name Hoi Khanh Pagoda appeared long ago, with carvings of these three characters on the pagoda's lintel. Locals also affectionately refer to it as Bong Pagoda because of the many flowers that used to be planted around it. The pagoda was originally named Kim Hoa Tu but later evolved into Kim Hue Pagoda.

From 1920 to 1945, this spiritual center served as the training hub for monks from across the Mekong Delta, contributing to the education of numerous revered monks who played pivotal roles in the Buddhist revival, such as Venerables Hanh Tru, Thien Tuong, Thoi An, Hue Hung, and Tu Nhon. From its establishment to the present, the pagoda has undergone nine generations of abbots. Currently, it is under the leadership of Venerable Thich Thien An, who is also the proofreader of the provincial Buddhist Executive Board in Dong Thap. Notably, Venerable Thich Chanh Qua has made significant contributions to both the local community and the Buddhist revival. The pagoda has recently undergone a splendid renovation, featuring a spacious main hall for practitioners to meditate and pay homage.

The expansive and airy main hall has a total of 6 small windows and 3 large doors on each side. Additionally, the pagoda houses precious ancient statues from its early construction, including the statue of Amitabha Buddha and two Guardian Deities. The pagoda's beautiful architectural landscapes are harmoniously designed, creating a serene, peaceful, and gentle atmosphere, occasionally accompanied by the melodious sound of wind chimes, the rhythmic recitation of sutras, and the quiet resonance of the temple drum—perfect for those seeking tranquility during their visit to Dong Thap.

Sa Dec, serene with sweet fruit trees and traditional elegant flowers, is also renowned for the saying, 'Sa Dec is the land of Buddha.' When touring Sa Dec, you can't help but marvel at over 50 temples scattered throughout the city. One temple that everyone pauses to visit is Phuoc Hung Ancient Pagoda.

Phuoc Hung Ancient Pagoda, also known as Perfume Pagoda, is located at 461 Hung Vuong Street, right in the center of Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. This architectural masterpiece is closely tied to the birth of Buddhism in the ancient town of Sa Dec for over 300 years.

The temple was established by a group of Chinese people from the Minh Huong association who came to Sa Dec for settlement and religious activities in 1838. Over time, the Chinese-Vietnamese community renovated and upgraded the pagoda to its current splendor, now bearing the name Hương Sa Đéc Pagoda. The design of Perfume Pagoda follows the shape of the Chinese character '山' (mountain), a traditional architectural style in both Chinese and Vietnamese cultures.

Every year on the 19th of July in the lunar calendar, the pagoda holds a memorial ceremony for Venerable Thich Minh Phuoc, the first abbot of the pagoda. If you have the opportunity to visit Dong Thap, be sure to explore Phuoc Hung Pagoda, a place of tranquility that dispels fatigue and unveils the architectural and cultural beauty rooted in tradition.