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Guidance on independent travel to Trị An Lake, Đồng Nai with your close friends. Book your travel tour quickly at Klook and be ready to explore the marvelous nature.
Trị An Lake in Đồng Nai is a renowned resort and camping destination for the backpacking community in the South. Surrounded by lush green mountains and vast expanses of water under the radiant sunlight, this is considered a paradise for nature lovers. In this article, Klook Vietnam will share with #teamKlook the experience of independent travel to Trị An Lake - everything you need to know to have a memorable vacation at this enchanting destination.
Where is Trị An Lake?
Trị An Lake is located in the Dong Nai River basin, within the districts of Vĩnh Cửu, Định Quán, Thống Nhất, and Trảng Bom in Đồng Nai province. The lake area is approximately 30km from the city center of Biên Hòa and about 70km from Ho Chi Minh City. It is a man-made freshwater lake with a surface area of 323 square kilometers and a total capacity of 2,765 billion cubic meters. The lake took three years to build and was completed in 1987 with the purpose of supplying water for the nearby Trị An hydroelectric plant.
Trị An Lake boasts stunning natural beauty with its serene undulating surface, reflecting the clear blue sky, white clouds, and golden sun, surrounded by lush green grasslands. The spacious lakeside area is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, BBQ grilling, or setting up tents to admire the starry night sky. Additionally, within the lake, there are about 40 large and small islands scattered around, creating a pristine and tranquil environment.
Travel Experience at Trị An Lake for Independent Groups
Guide to Traveling to Trị An Lake from Ho Chi Minh City
Just about a 2-hour drive from Saigon, Trị An Lake becomes a favorite outdoor destination for weekend getaways. The route to Trị An Lake passes through major roads and is quite easy to navigate.
Here are some suitable transportation options for #teamKlook:
- Motorbike: This is the most flexible mode of transportation chosen by many young people to travel to Trị An Lake independently. Make sure to prepare all necessary vehicle documents, fill up with gas, and equip yourself with safety gear for the trip.
- Bus: If you're traveling with family or a group of friends, taking a bus is a convenient option. Check out some reputable Saigon - Đồng Nai bus companies: An Anh Limousine, Trường Thịnh Limousine, Hoa Mai, Hà Linh. Bus fares range from 150,000 to 350,000 VND/way.
- Self-drive rental car: To help you have a convenient trip to Trị An Lake, Klook Vietnam offers quick self-drive car rental services in Đồng Nai.
- Private car rental with driver: If you want to comfortably enjoy the trip in an air-conditioned car, pre-book private car rental with driver packages from HCMC to Trị An Lake on Klook.
Here is the fastest route guide for adventurous travelers:
- Starting from HCMC, head along Hanoi Highway and continue straight on QL 1A to reach Bien Hoa.
- Turn left at Trị An intersection onto provincial road DT767, then travel about 20 km along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, past Vinh Cuu Roundabout onto Quang Trung Street.
- Continue to Lam San intersection about 4 km further to reach the Trị An Lake camping area.
Regardless of the mode of transportation, the journey from HCMC to Trị An Lake will bring you many new and exciting experiences. Don't forget to check out the car rental deals on Klook for a smooth and cost-effective trip!
When is the Best Time to Travel to Trị An Lake?
Trị An Lake is truly an ideal destination for those who want to temporarily escape urban life and enjoy a relaxing space amidst nature. According to Klooker's travel experience, the following times are the best for a trip to Trị An Lake:
- October to June of the following year: The weather in the Southeast region during these months is cool and dry, providing favorable conditions for outdoor activities like camping and trekking. Especially, you can marvel at the vibrant scenery of Ma Da forest.
- July to September: During this time, Trị An Lake experiences the rainy season, which can make it a bit challenging for travelers to get around. However, this is when the lake starts to bloom with green algae, creating unique and picturesque photo opportunities.
Exciting Tourist Activities at Trị An Lake, Đồng Nai
1. Camping at Trị An Lake
Camping at Trị An Lake has become a favorite weekend activity for many #teamKlook members in the South. It's a place where you can temporarily escape urban life, immerse yourself in the fresh natural surroundings, and cherish memorable moments with family and friends.
If you're experienced in camping, you can bring your own tent, food, and drinks from Saigon to the Trị An Lake area. If you don't have camping gear, many camping sites such as Mã Đà LakeView, Lành Farm, Napy Garden, Gạo Farm Stay, etc., offer a variety of services for tourists. Here, you can enjoy various entertainment activities from campfire gatherings under the moonlight, BBQ parties, karaoke singing, SUP paddling, to renting vehicles for visiting hydroelectric dams and Mã Đà forest.
2. Trekking in Mã Đà Forest
Trekking through Mã Đà forest to witness the pristine nature firsthand is an unmissable experience in the journey to explore Trị An Lake. Known as the 'green lungs' of Đồng Nai province, Mã Đà forest is covered with various species of old-growth trees, dense green grass, and diverse species of butterflies, birds, and wildlife.
Moreover, #teamKlook can capture stunning check-in photos along the red dirt roads cutting through the forest. The best time for trekking in Mã Đà forest is during the dry season when the roads are not flooded and the weather is more pleasant. You can travel by private car or Jeep shuttle services from nearby areas. Check out Klook Vietnam's 2D1N all-inclusive camping tour with biking, trekking through Mã Đà forest, and SUP paddling at Trị An Lake for an exciting journey.
3. Stand-Up Paddleboarding at Trị An Lake, Đồng Nai
Trị An Lake is an ideal spot for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), offering majestic views amidst the serene lake. This activity is suitable for all ages. If you don't have your own equipment, camping sites here also rent SUP boards at reasonable prices.
Travelers often choose to paddle SUP at dawn to witness the sunrise or in the late afternoon to enjoy the cool breeze and admire the sunset. The experience of paddling freely standing or sitting on the board, gently swaying on the calm lake, will surely bring you a refreshing and rare sense of relaxation.
4. Watching Sunrise and Sunset at Trị An Lake
With its vast and tranquil waters, Trị An Lake is famous for its stunning sunrise and sunset views. As soon as the sun rises above the hills around 5:30 a.m., you can admire the sparkling water under the early morning sun. As dusk falls, the lake becomes a magical painting, reflecting the romantic pink glow of the evening.
In contrast to these unique moments of the day, Trị An Lake at night offers a serene and mystical beauty. Experience gathering around the campfire with friends, chatting, eating, and gazing at the starry sky at Trị An Lake.
Places to Visit Near Trị An Lake
In addition to the unique experiences at Trị An Lake, Klook Vietnam also suggests some famous tourist spots not far away:
1. Cao Minh Ecotourism Area
Located just 15 km south of Trị An Lake, Cao Minh Ecotourism Area is an ideal stop after experiencing the lake. It's one of the well-known ecotourism areas in Đồng Nai province that many tourists flock to.
Covering over 20 hectares, this tourism area was passionately built by the talented artist Cao Minh since 2000. Visitors can relax amidst the cool greenery of the forest, in a special space that is refreshing, peaceful, with diverse accommodation options from homestays, villas to bungalows, stilt houses, and ancient stone castles. The entertainment, recreational activities, and cuisine here are also outstanding. You can enjoy camping, fishing, or participate in outdoor activities such as rowing, ziplining, and highwire...
- Address: Group 2, Hamlet 2, Vinh Tan Commune, Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province
- Entrance Fee: 15,000 VND/person (excluding overnight stay fees)
2. Reo Stream Waterfall
If #teamKlook is looking for a less crowded outdoor destination on the weekends, Reo Stream Waterfall is a suitable choice. It's a system of streams flowing through communes in Thống Nhất district, about 25 km from Trị An Lake.
The waterfall originates from numerous small streams flowing continuously day and night, converging near Trị An Lake to form a smooth white water flow cascading from a height of over 10 meters. Surrounded by lush, pristine forests, Reo Stream Waterfall offers an extremely poetic and romantic scenery. Some fun activities that can be done at the waterfall area include swimming, camping, fishing, paragliding,...
- Address: Gia Tan 1 Commune, Thống Nhất District, Đồng Nai Province
- Entrance Fee: Free
3. Dream Stream Ecotourism Area
Less than 30 km from Trị An Lake, Dream Stream Ecotourism Area, also known as Dream Stream Park, is the top tourist destination in Đồng Nai.
Suối Mơ is nestled in a valley spanning over 300,000 square meters, with numerous small streams running through the mountains and a natural swimming pool with clear water all year round. Visitors can spend a whole day relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings, experiencing hundreds of underwater entertainment areas such as SUP paddling, water cars, pedal boats, stream bathing, or participating in mountain climbing, camping, picnicking on the shore... Additionally, within the tourist area, there is a system of restaurants, homestays catering to every overnight accommodation need of families, groups.
- Address: Hamlet 6, Tra Co Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province.
- Entrance Fee: 120,000 VND/adult, 60,000 VND/child (over 1 meter tall)
4. Explore Stork Island
Stork Island, also known as Heron Island, is a small isolated island on Trị An Lake, about a 45-minute boat ride from the lakeside camping area. It's an interesting destination for #teamKlook to experience unique encounters in the wilderness.
You can rent a boat or canoe for transportation to the island and observe the life of various bird species, especially the mighty herons. The scenery on the island is simple, creating a poetic and serene atmosphere amidst the surrounding azure waters. Visitors can camp or stay overnight in some guesthouses on the island. Don't forget to savor the snakehead fish and other local specialties here.
- Address: Vinh An Town, Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province
- Boat Ticket Price to the Island: 550,000 VND/trip for 5 people
5. Phú Điền - Cross Stone Mountain
Phú Điền town is a traditional village, located about 20 km west of Trị An Lake. #teamKlook will find a unique check-in point here, which is the Cross Stone Mountain.
Cross Stone Mountain is a massive monolithic gray-black rock formation towering up to 150 meters, situated amidst vast rice fields. Visitors often come here in the afternoon to admire the peaceful countryside scenery and flocks of white storks flying in the sunset. Not only is it a new photo spot, but it's also a favorite destination for many backpackers. If you want to challenge yourself to conquer the mountain peak and camp overnight, check out Klook's 2-day 1-night tour to explore Phú Điền - Cross Stone Mountain in Đồng Nai.
- Address: Hamlet 7, Phú Điền Commune, Tân Phú District, Đồng Nai Province
- Entrance Fee: Free
Local Specialties Around Trị An Lake
Here are three local seafood dishes that travelers must try when visiting Trị An Lake:
- Um Crayfish: A traditional dish not to be missed at Trị An Lake, featuring the natural sweetness of crayfish and the unique aroma of onions and spices.
- Snakehead Fish Hotpot with Bacillus: Fresh delicious snakehead fish caught from the lake, combined with the refreshing sourness of Bacillus vegetables creates a special flavor. This is a local specialty only found in Đồng Nai.
- Stewed Emperor Fish with Bitter Melon: The emperor fish is a unique-looking fish, abundant in Trị An Lake. Its meat is fragrant, chewy, and fatty, suitable for grilling, stewing with bitter melon, or simply cooking sourly.
Travel Expenses for 2 Days 1 Night at Trị An Lake Reference
Below is a reference table of the estimated basic expenses for a self-guided 2-day 1-night trip at Trị An Lake:
Expenses/ Person:
- Tent rental: 300,000 VND/ tent for 2 people
- Drinks: 100,000 VND
- BBQ food: 200,000 VND
- Rental car from Ho Chi Minh City: 500,000 VND
- SUP paddling: 250,000 VND/ SUP
- Biking: 200,000 VND/ bike
- Other expenses (entrance fee, gasoline): 100,000 VND
Total: 1,600,000 VND
Here's everything you need to know about traveling to Trị An Lake - Đồng Nai. From relaxing camping experiences by the lake to exploring the natural beauty at nearby attractions, the tranquil space of Trị An Lake promises to recharge every traveler's positive energy.
If #teamKlook is interested in more travel destinations in the South, check out Klook Vietnam's blog on 34 interesting travel spots near Saigon that you can explore on weekends. Hopefully, these useful suggestions will help you have memorable and fulfilling trips!
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