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Bordering Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong is rapidly evolving. With burgeoning industrial zones, it remains a promising tourism destination. Dive into the Binh Duong travel handbook in the following article!
Unveil Binh Duong Travel Handbook – Discover the Unforgettable Escapes
Overview of Tourism in Binh Duong
Binh Duong is situated in a key economic development zone in the South, serving as a satellite city of Ho Chi Minh City. Its rapid economic and urban development may mislead many travelers into thinking that there are few tourist attractions here. However, Binh Duong continues to develop eco-tourism areas and attractive entertainment zones.
Best Time to Visit Binh Duong
Weather in Binh Duong closely resembles that of Ho Chi Minh City, making it suitable for traveling to Binh Duong at various times of the year. The climate is divided into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from May to November, with heavy rainfall that may affect outdoor activities. The dry season runs from December to April of the following year, ideal for camping and outdoor adventures.
From May to August is the fruit harvesting season. Binh Duong also boasts fruit orchards that epitomize the produce of the Southern region. Visiting Binh Duong during this time offers you the opportunity to enjoy, pick, and bring back various types of fruits.
Transportation
Departing from Ho Chi Minh City
From Saigon, you can travel by private vehicle or take a bus to embark on your trip to Binh Duong. Alternatively, you can travel by train with ticket prices starting from 60,000 VND per person.
Some bus companies to Binh Duong
Thành Công: tel 02743800009, pick up at Miền Đông Bus Station
Thiện Dương: tel 0393 797978-0366 797978, pick up at Alley 95 Bắc Hải Street
Mỹ Hằng: tel 1900 86 86 84, pick up at Miền Đông Bus Station
Tiến Phát limousine: tel 0846 897897
Việt Hưng limousine: tel 0984 039045-0912 807342
Departing from Hanoi
Traveling from Hanoi to Binh Duong offers various transportation options. By air, you can land at Tan Son Nhat Airport and then proceed to Binh Duong. Taking the train on the Thong Nhat route offers tickets starting from 610,000 VND per person, depending on the seat class you choose.
Several coach companies operate from Hanoi to Binh Duong.
Hoang Long: Contact at 0225 392 0920, picking up passengers at Nuoc Ngam Bus Station.
Vinh Hoa: Contact at 0902 957 196, picking up passengers at Nuoc Ngam Bus Station.
Mai Linh Express: Contact at 02436 336 699, picking up passengers at Nuoc Ngam Bus Station.
The Sinh Tourist: Contact at 0243 929 0394.
Getting around in Binh Duong
During your Binh Duong tour, you can opt to rent a car for convenience. Alternatively, if you choose not to rent a car, you can easily get around by taxi to various recreational spots.
Some places for car rental
Như Quỳnh Car Rental Service: Alley 172 Tran Van On, Phu Hoa Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong
Motorbike Rental Service in Ben Cat: 34 Lot F2, NA3 Boulevard, My Phuoc Urban Area, My Phuoc, Binh Duong
Phuong Nam Resort: 15/12 middle block, Vinh Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong.
Some taxi companies in Binh Duong
Vinasun: Contact at 0274 38 27 27 27
Mai Linh: Contact at 0274 3 71 71 71
Duc Thao: Contact at 0274 3 82 82 82
Minh Giang: Contact at 0274 3 738 738
Interesting tourist destinations
Discovering the enchanting Dai Nam Tourist Area
Embark on an adventure to Binh Duong Province and make sure to include Dai Nam on your itinerary. Located in Hiep An Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Dai Nam is a massive complex built from 1999 to 2008, ready to welcome visitors.
Spanning over 261 hectares in phase 1 and 450 hectares in phase 2, Dai Nam Cultural Park boasts various landscapes mimicking nature, including seas, lakes, rivers, mountains, and even ancient walls. Its main highlights are the Dai Nam Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, and the Bao Son Mountain range. Additionally, Dai Nam features other significant attractions such as an open zoo, artificial beach, and entertainment area.
Address: 1765a QL13, Hiep An Commune, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province.
Explore the wonders of Thuy Chau Tourist Area
Nestled in Binh Thang Ward, Di An City, Thuy Chau Tourist Area is conveniently located near Saigon, offering a perfect weekend getaway spot. Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, this tourist destination has become an ideal escape from the city hustle and bustle.
Spanning approximately 18 hectares, the landscapes within the tourist area are all man-made. Nevertheless, they still evoke a serene and tranquil atmosphere for visitors. With lush green spaces alongside streams and rivers, tourists can both refresh themselves and enjoy a picnic right by the water's edge.
Address: 55 DT743C, Binh Thang Ward, Di An Town, Binh Duong Province.
Phu An Bamboo Village
Phu An Bamboo Village is an eco-bamboo conservation project established in 1999 based on the scientific idea of Dr. Diep Thi My Hanh, a lecturer at the University of Natural Sciences - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and the collaboration of 4 entities: Rhône Alpes Region (France), People's Committee of Binh Duong Province, Pilat Natural Park (France), and the University of Natural Sciences - Ho Chi Minh City.
Phu An Bamboo Village comprises a bamboo eco-museum and a botanical conservation area. It is home to approximately 1,500 bamboo bushes with over 300 bamboo, reed, and rattan specimens belonging to 17 species, accounting for nearly 90% of bamboo species in Vietnam. In 2010, Phu An Bamboo Village received the Equator Prize from the United Nations for biodiversity.
The bamboo village is designed to be spacious with two areas: the bamboo conservation area and the research area. The Phu An Bamboo Conservation Area quickly became a surprising tourist attraction for both the founders, as its original purpose was solely for bamboo research and conservation. Today, it has become a green, clean, and beautiful tourist destination near Ho Chi Minh City that many people visit on weekends.
Address: 124 DT744, Phu An, Ben Cat, Binh Duong Province.
Chau Thoi Pagoda
Chau Thoi Mountain Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in the Southeast region, located on Chau Thoi Mountain in Di An town. The pagoda was built by Zen master Khanh Long in 1612, closely associated with the history of founding settlements by people from the Southern region. When visiting Binh Duong, one cannot overlook this religious site.
Despite enduring over 400 years of existence and facing various impacts of natural disasters and wars, despite losses, Chau Thoi Pagoda still carries the essence of Buddhism along with the convergence of folk beliefs. The pagoda complex now showcases diverse architectural structures, including the main hall and subsidiary halls: Heavenly Eye, Holy Mother Linh Son, Divine Treatment Golden Mother, Five Elements Mother, Jade Emperor…
Address: WR83+2QH, Binh Thang Commune, Di An Town, Binh Duong Province.
Dinh Hoa Garden
Dinh Hoa Garden is a coffee shop designed in the style of the flower city of Da Lat. If you haven't had the chance to travel to Da Lat, come to Dinh Hoa to immerse yourself in nature and savor every moment. With its completely open space, the coffee shop provides a sense of tranquility and relaxation after days of work and study.
Address: DX 082, Dinh Hoa, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province.
Phu Giao Broken Bridge
Phu Giao Broken Bridge (also known as Song Be Bridge) once appeared in the movie 'Teo Em' and has now become a unique check-in spot for many young people when traveling to Binh Duong. The bridge spans the Dong Nai River, connecting the two communes of Phuoc Hoa and Vinh Hoa, preserving the majestic historical footprint.
During the American - Puppet regime, the bridge served as a vital transportation route for the Saigon authorities, who turned it into a site for execution and burial of comrades and civilians. On the night of April 27th, early morning of April 28th, 1975, the armed forces of Phu Giao district annihilated and cut off all enemy posts in the two communes of Binh My and Binh Co along Highway 16, clearing the way for two wings of the 1st Army Corps to advance westward towards Di An and Thuan An.
Due to the strong attack by our people, the enemy in Phu Giao district withdrew across Song Be Bridge to escape. To avoid being pursued, the special operations platoon commander ordered the placement of mines to destroy the bridge. Subsequently, the people of Phu Giao destroyed strategic hamlets, enemy posts... capturing more than 200 enemies and confiscating over 200 guns of various types. By noon on April 30th, 1975, Song Be was completely liberated.
Address: Song Be, Phu Giao District, Binh Duong Province.
Dau Tieng Lake
Dau Tieng Lake spans three provinces: Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh. It is the largest artificial lake and irrigation reservoir in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Construction began in 1981 and was completed after 4 years. Today, the lake has become a popular destination for tourists, offering recreational activities, sightseeing, and camping opportunities.
At Dau Tieng Lake, visitors can enjoy picturesque photo opportunities, canoeing, boating, and engaging in various games. Camping overnight by the lake is also an experience worth trying with friends and family. And what could be more nostalgic than cooking food by the warm campfire, sharing warm cups of milk to dispel the cold of the night.
Famous Foods
Lai Thieu Fruits
The place name Lai Thieu has long been famous for cultivating various types of characteristic fruits of the Southern land. When visiting Binh Duong tourism, you must visit the fruit orchards here. The hundred-year-old orchards along the Saigon River banks have supplied many fruits to the market.
The fruit orchards stretch along the territory of 6 communes in Thuận An city. Although the area is shrinking compared to before, the fruit orchards are still a beloved destination. There are many fruits in Lai Thieu, including mangosteen, lychee, oranges, tangerines, and jackfruits…
Address: 14 Lai Thieu 17, Lai Thieu, Thuận An, Binh Duong.
Lai Thieu Nem
Listed among the specialty dishes, Lai Thieu Nem is famous nationwide. The nem is made from lean meat, pork skin, garlic, chili, spices, reed leaves, and banana leaves with a very complex preparation process. Therefore, the resulting nem has an irresistible fragrant, sweet, and sour taste.
The pink nem pieces wrapped in banana leaves have a slightly sour and spicy taste, perfect for family meals or as appetizers for gatherings. So when you travel to Binh Duong, try Lai Thieu Nem and bring some back as gifts for your family and friends.
Heart of Palm Salad
Because heart of palm is extensively grown in the Lai Thieu fruit region, people from Binh Duong have creatively crafted a delicious and unique heart of palm salad. To make this dish, the heart of palm must be crunchy and unripe. Boiled chicken meat is shredded and mixed with sliced heart of palm, along with spices and ingredients such as onions, carrots, peanuts, fried shallots, coriander… This dish is often served with a hot mushroom rice porridge.
Water Lily Stem Salad
Water lilies thrive in the rivers and waterways of Vietnam, and in recent years, water lily stems have been used in the production of exported handicrafts. Moreover, water lily stems are also processed into dishes, especially water lily stem salad with shrimp and pork.
Using a sharp knife, peel the outer skin of the water lily stem and slice it thinly. Soak the sliced water lily stem in water with a little alum and lime juice for about 5 minutes, then drain. Peel and devein the shrimp, boil until cooked, slice the boiled pork belly thinly, and arrange each on a plate. Mix the ingredients evenly on the plate with coriander, lime, sugar, chili, and fish sauce. Enjoy with a bowl of sweet and sour fish sauce, and you have a delicious meal.
Beef and Fermented Shrimp Paste Hotpot
Beef Fermented Shrimp Paste Hotpot is highly renowned in Binh Duong, attracting visitors from near and far. The enticing hotpot captivates diners with its flavorful broth, rich aroma of fermented shrimp paste, balanced sweetness, spiciness, and the richness of pork fat and ingredients like lemongrass, garlic, and chopped chili.
When ordered, the restaurant begins by slicing and marinating the beef, ensuring it remains tender and moist. Each hotpot serving includes a small pot of broth, a plate of thinly sliced beef, a basket of assorted greens including morning glory, bitter melon, water spinach, and Thai basil; a plate of vermicelli noodles and fermented shrimp paste sauce.
When the hotpot boils, diners add the beef to the pot, waiting until it's cooked then dipping it in the fermented shrimp paste sauce, eating it with the greens. The interactive dining experience of cooking at the table enhances the enjoyment of the meal.
Rice Cakes with Pork Skin
When you have the opportunity to travel to Binh Duong, don't forget to try Rice Cakes with Pork Skin. Each small, white rice cake is spread with mung bean paste, topped with a layer of pork skin mixed with shredded lean meat, accompanied by fresh herbs and julienned cucumber. Diners drizzle on a sweet and sour dipping sauce, featuring shredded turnip and carrot, and minced chili for a delightful culinary experience.
Shrimp Noodle Soup
Shrimp Noodles is the signature noodle dish of the people of Binh Duong. Unlike any other type of noodles, shrimp noodles carry the rustic flavor of the Southeast region. The special feature of shrimp noodles lies in the way the noodles are made. Shrimp noodles are not the type of noodles sold in markets; the seller makes the noodles right on the spot, meaning they start pressing the rice flour and steaming it in boiling water only when customers arrive. Therefore, the noodles here look small and clear. The shrimp used for shrimp noodles are fresh, caught from ponds and marshes, looking plump and firm, with sweet flesh.
Tile-Grilled Beef
Tile-grilled beef, also known as fat-wrapped grilled beef, is a unique dish for every visitor to Binh Duong. The beef is wrapped in fat and grilled to have a chewy taste of the fat and the sweet taste of the beef. The fat makes the beef tender, not tough, making it taste better.
True to its name, the preparation of the dish is quite simple. The beef is marinated with spices for about 15-20 minutes, then rolled with fat and grilled on a hot tile. After a few minutes, diners will smell the fragrance spreading around the dining table. Enjoying tile-grilled beef with aromatic herbs, rice paper, fermented fish sauce, and special dipping sauce will make you remember it forever.
Above is the entire Binh Duong travel guide you should save and use when you have the opportunity. Follow the Mytour blog for more new articles!
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJune 27, 2022
