Top 10 Most Fascinating Tourist Destinations in Tra Vinh

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial, commonly referred to by locals as the Ho Chi Minh Temple, is considered by researcher Tran Bach Dang as a symbol of "The Monument of the Heart" due to the profound significance of its creation, the relentless struggle for its protection, and the spiritual value it holds in the lives of the Communist Party and people of Tra Vinh Province.

The memorial is located in Vinh Hoi Hamlet, Long Duc Commune, Tra Vinh City, about 4 km north of the provincial center. The Ho Chi Minh Memorial in Tra Vinh was designated as a National Historic-Cultural Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information, now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in 1989.

The memorial complex spans 5.4 hectares and features key components such as: The Ho Chi Minh Temple, an exhibition house detailing the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, green spaces, a fish pond, a recreation and camping area... and especially, a model of President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, which is scientifically replicated to 97% of the original design found at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.

Hang Pagoda, also known as Kom Pông Chrây Pagoda, is an ancient Khmer pagoda in Tra Vinh Province, located in Kho 4, Chau Thanh Town, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province. The name 'Hang Pagoda' comes from the arched design of its gate, which resembles a cave, hence the local name.

The pagoda was established in 1637 and spans an area of 7,000 square meters. The main hall is richly decorated with intricate and unique patterns. Its roof consists of multiple layers, with columns adorned with statues of celestial dancers holding up the structure. In the center of the hall is the main altar.

Above, there is a grand statue of the Buddha, and below, a smaller Buddha in various poses. The pagoda grounds are home to many large trees and serve as a habitat for a massive flock of storks. It is also a place for cultivating skilled artisans who create unique wooden art from the roots of ancient trees. This pagoda is not only a spiritual retreat for monks but also a place that preserves the traditional artistic heritage of the Khmer people for future generations.

In recent years, tourism in Tra Vinh has been steadily developing, marking a significant transformation in the local service industry. One of the newly opened and popular destinations in Tra Vinh that has drawn considerable attention is the Huỳnh Kha Ecotourism Area. Located in Ward 4, Tra Vinh City, about 500 kilometers from the city center, this attraction stands out for its blend of stunning man-made architecture and natural beauty.

The expansive, open grounds feature visually striking arrangements and cater to various needs of visitors. Some of the highlights include a café area, karaoke lounge, restaurant, Vietnamese cuisine section, entertainment zone, and resort areas—all designed to offer a comprehensive entertainment experience. Notably, Huỳnh Kha also serves as a venue for elegant weddings and conferences, complete with a refined atmosphere.

The Huỳnh Kha café covers an area of 1,577 square meters, combining an outdoor garden with an air-conditioned room. Surrounded by a swimming pool, lush greenery, and colorful flowers, it provides a fresh, relaxing environment that makes enjoying Huỳnh Kha's specialty drinks even more delightful.

Located about 30 kilometers southeast of Tra Vinh City and more than 5 kilometers northeast of Cau Ngang Town, Giác Linh Temple is nestled on a high sand dune in Nhut A Hamlet, My Long Bac Commune, Cau Ngang District, Tra Vinh Province. Giác Linh Temple, also known as Doi Pagoda (Bat Pagoda), got its name because many species of bats and other birds once inhabited the ancient trees within the temple grounds, which is why locals refer to it by this name.

The temple is home to a variety of birds from different regions, but the presence of the crow bats makes it particularly distinctive. While modest in size and architecture, Giác Linh Temple is most notable for its intricate wooden door panels, adorned with gold leaf, depicting the Four Sacred Beasts and revolutionary symbols from the years of resistance.

As you enter the gates, you will be greeted by a large statue of the Goddess of Mercy, with a peaceful and compassionate expression, symbolizing her benevolent protection of all living beings. Surrounding the temple are dense groves of plants such as Mã Tiền, Mù U, Nhọc, and Bamboo, contributing to its sacred and tranquil atmosphere. Inside the temple, in addition to the Buddha, you will also find altars dedicated to Confucius, Laozi, and folk deities like the Lady of the Region and the Kitchen Gods. The temple was officially recognized as a national historical and cultural monument in 1998.

Ba Động Beach is a renowned scenic spot and a popular tourist destination located in Trường Long Hòa Commune (Duyên Hải Town, Trà Vinh Province), approximately 50 km southeast of Trà Vinh city center and 10 km east of Duyên Hải Town. The site is positioned between two river mouths, Cung Hầu (Tý River) and Định An (Hậu River), facing directly towards the East Sea.

The coastal area of the Eastern Sea along the Mekong Delta is characterized by muddy shores due to the numerous small and large river mouths, making the water less clear. However, Ba Động Beach stands out as a rare location in the Mekong Delta, boasting a sandy stretch longer than 10 km, from Nhà Mát Hamlet to Cồn Trứng Hamlet. The gentle slope of the shore means that when the tide recedes, the sandbar is revealed, extending several hundred meters from the shore to the water's edge. Due to its location in a sediment-laden area, the sand at Ba Động is not as white or golden as beaches in Nha Trang or Vũng Tàu, and the water is not as clear. Nonetheless, among beaches from Gò Công to Cà Mau, Ba Động offers a beautiful sandy shore with relatively clear water, especially in the months following the Lunar New Year, when the sea is calm, making it a popular destination for beach tourism.

Recognizing the value of Ba Động Beach, the French colonial authorities began developing a resort here in the early 20th century, complete with a mini golf course (called a “cu golf” course) for local officials and elite visitors from surrounding provinces. Although the resort and golf course were lost during the intense period of warfare, they left behind landmarks such as Nhà Mát Hamlet (Trường Long Hòa Commune, Duyên Hải Town) and Cồn Cù Hamlet (Đông Hải Commune, Duyên Hải District). After Trà Vinh Province was re-established in 1992, the government invested in improving infrastructure, including transportation, national electricity grids, telecommunications, protective forests, and anti-erosion embankments, thereby unlocking the tourism potential of Ba Động Beach.

Tân Quy Island spans across parts of Cầu Kè District in Trà Vinh Province and Trà Ôn District in Vĩnh Long Province, renowned for its lush greenery and abundant fruit orchards, a defining feature of the Southern waterway landscape. The island is located in An Phú Tân Commune, Cầu Kè District, about 45 km to the northwest of Trà Vinh city. Reaching Tân Quy takes approximately 10 minutes by ferry from Bến Đình, though for a more scenic experience of the nature around Tân Quy, visitors can start from Bến Cát. Additionally, tourists can ride on canoes, gliding over the Hậu River, enjoying the refreshing breeze and serene atmosphere.

Originating in the early 19th century, Tân Quy Island was first settled by pioneers who crossed the river to establish villages. The area was initially named Tân Vinh but was renamed Tân Quy in the early 20th century and has retained this name ever since.

Situated in a freshwater zone, Tân Quy boasts fertile soil and a variety of tropical fruits, including mangosteen, durian, rambutan, guava, and longan. The island’s mangosteen, especially, is highly sought after both locally and internationally for its superior quality and consistent yield. Its unique balance of sweet and tart flavors has earned it the title of “queen of fruits.” Besides the fresh fruits, visitors can also enjoy regional delicacies like fish hotpot, chicken cooked with leaves of the giang plant, and grilled shrimp, served in thatched-roof huts nestled in the orchard. These delightful experiences offer a harmonious blend with nature, inviting everyone to explore this hidden gem.

Trà Vinh is a beautiful region home to many unique landmarks, such as Ba Om Lake, Tân Quy Island, Ba Dong Beach, and ancient Khmer pagodas. Among these, the Đước Forest is a highly favored tourist destination due to its stunning and diverse natural beauty.

The Đước Forest Ecotourism Area represents the southern mangrove ecosystem, covering over 200 hectares and more than 20 years old. The forest is located about 7 km from the famous Ba Dong Beach. It is home to various species of plants such as mangroves, mắm, chà là gai, and vẹt, with mangroves being the most abundant. This area, situated in Long Khánh Commune, Duyên Hải District, Trà Vinh Province, serves as a sanctuary for preserving and regenerating local wildlife typical of the mangrove ecosystem, including wild animals, birds, and aquatic creatures, which are at risk of depletion.

Visitors can access the forest by both waterway and land, embarking on an adventurous journey through the unique terrain filled with surprising wonders. Local specialties are a highlight for tourists visiting the Đước Forest Ecotourism Area, where they can sample various delicious dishes such as bún suông, bún nước lèo, cháo ám, nước mắm rươi, grilled fish cooked over dry mangrove wood, shrimp with lime, sour fish hotpot with giác fruit, and grilled chù ụ with tamarind...

Ao Ba Om, also known as Ao Vuong, is a unique and well-known scenic spot located in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam. It is situated in Group 3, Ward 8 of Tra Vinh City (previously Ta Cu Hamlet, Nguyet Hoa Commune, Chau Thanh District), about 7 km southwest from the city center along National Route 53. The pond is rectangular, measuring 300 meters in width and 500 meters in length (it is also called Ao Vuong due to its square-like shape). The water surface is clear and calm, covered with lotus and water lily flowers. The pond is surrounded by undulating sand hills and ancient trees such as star trees and oil trees with exposed roots creating strange and beautiful shapes.

According to legend, to ensure a fresh water supply during the dry season, the Khmer villagers organized a pond-digging competition between two groups, male and female, as a way to determine who would marry whom. The male group relied on their strength, working and playing at the same time. The female group, led by a woman named Om, used many tricks to delay the male group. When the digging was almost finished, they released lanterns in the east, making the males believe that the morning star had risen, so they stopped working early. After the competition, the male group lost, and the pond they had dug is now dry, while the female group's pond was named after Om.

This is not only a great place for sightseeing but also a popular spot for young couples to meet, for camping during weekends, or for wedding photo shoots. Nearby is the Angkorajaborey Pagoda, the oldest Khmer pagoda in Tra Vinh, which is believed to have been built in 990 AD, blending harmoniously with the natural landscape. In 1994, the Ang Pagoda complex and Ao Ba Om were recognized as a national cultural and historical heritage site by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Ang Pagoda (Khmer name Angkorajaborey) is an ancient pagoda located in the Khmer pagoda system of Tra Vinh province. It is situated on National Route 53, in Quarter 4, Ward 8, Tra Vinh city, Vietnam, approximately 5 kilometers from the city center, within the scenic Ba Om Pond area and opposite the Khmer Ethnology Museum of the province.

According to legend, Ang Pagoda was established in 990, at the end of the 10th century. The pagoda features a unique ancient architecture that harmonizes with nature. The entrance is adorned with statues of giants, celestial nymphs, and divine birds in traditional motifs. The pagoda's platform stands 2 meters high, consisting of two levels. The largest structure is the main hall, which houses exemplary works of art. Inside the main hall is a room dedicated to the worship of Buddha Sakyamuni. The Buddha's pedestal measures nearly 30 square meters and includes four levels.

The central Buddha statue stands at 2.1 meters tall, surrounded by 50 smaller Buddha statues made of stone or wood. On three sides of the main hall's walls are several paintings depicting the life of Buddha. The ceiling of the main hall is decorated with four large murals representing the themes: Buddha's birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and nirvana. On August 25, 1994, Ang Pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism).

Ong Met Pagoda, named Bodhisálaràja in Khmer, is often referred to as Chùa Kom Pong. It is located at 50/1 Le Loi Street, Ward 1, Tra Vinh City, Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam. This pagoda follows the Southern Khmer Buddhist tradition and serves as the headquarters for the Southern Khmer Buddhist College. On March 3, 2009, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism officially designated Ong Met Pagoda as a National Historical Site.

This is one of the oldest pagodas in Tra Vinh. According to local legend, it was originally constructed around the year 642, near the site of the current provincial stadium. In 711, it was relocated to its present location. The pagoda now spans an area of 12,900 square meters. The main hall underwent restoration in the early 20th century. The building is rectangular in shape, facing east, and sits on a three-tiered elevated platform. The roof is tiled and consists of three layers, with the topmost layer being steeper than the others. The roof corners feature soaring dragon-shaped eaves. Between the roof levels are wooden rain and sun shields, intricately carved with floral patterns. The eaves are adorned with dragon sculptures (phu chông) stretching across their length. At the ends of the columns on the pagoda's verandah are statues of dancing nymphs, supporting the tiled roof. The columns, beams, rafters, and crossbars of the main hall are crafted from precious wood, painted and gilded, with intricate carvings of various motifs. The walls are decorated with scenes depicting the life of Buddha Sakyamuni. The roof is adorned with a unique dragon-shaped relief. Like other Southern Khmer pagodas, Ong Met Pagoda's main hall houses a solitary Buddha Sakyamuni statue.

In addition to the main hall, the pagoda complex includes a library, built in 1916 in the style of a traditional stilt house, facing east. It features two staircases at either end. The library consists of three sections: the central space for displaying books, and two side sections for reading. The library floor is made of precious wood, and the columns are supported by brick bases to prevent termite damage. The column tops and beams are beautifully carved and gilded. The western gable is adorned with a sunflower motif, while the eastern gable features two lion statues holding umbrellas above a pedestal for sacred texts. Notably, the central section of the library houses an exquisite wooden screen. Over time, the pagoda has undergone multiple restorations, yet the main hall and library retain their architectural and artistic value. In 2001, a new dormitory for monks, named the Đại Đoàn Kết Monastery, was built to accommodate monks from other regions.