24 hours in Tra Vinh

Just a few hours' drive from Saigon, heading south to Tra Vinh, tourists will have the opportunity to visit tourist destinations that bear the distinctive mark of this land at the end of the Mekong River. It is also home to three ethnic groups – Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa – who have lived together for generations. From here, a diverse culture has formed with many unique religious architectures. When visiting Tra Vinh, tourists will experience a peaceful atmosphere, enjoy diverse cuisine, and meet friendly and hospitable locals.

Travel blogger Henry Duong recently had an incredibly impressive 24-hour trip exploring Tra Vinh. Sharing with Travellive, he said: "Tra Vinh is a province in the Mekong Delta that I had never set foot in before. Before going to Tra Vinh, I only heard about it from friends and saw it on social media, so this trip gave me the most objective experience of Tra Vinh."

24 hours at your leisure

When traveling to Tra Vinh, tourists should choose to use a motorbike to experience the journey freely and have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Mekong Delta's waterways. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh takes visitors through the provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, and Ben Tre, crossing three of the largest and most beautiful bridges in the Mekong Delta: Rach Mieu Bridge, Ham Luong Bridge, and Co Chien Bridge. These bridges are not only unique architectural structures but also offer picturesque and tranquil scenery on both sides of the river, promising to captivate any visitor from afar.

"Tra Vinh is close to Saigon, so it's quite easy to get to. Instead of spending the weekend wandering around Saigon, I can explore a province in the Mekong Delta," said Henry Duong.

With its characteristic tropical riverine climate, visitors to Tra Vinh will have unique experiences regardless of the season. However, if you enjoy crowds and lively atmospheres, July or October (lunar calendar) are excellent choices. Many major festivals take place during these times. Additionally, you can visit tourist attractions in Tra Vinh during the summer to enjoy delicious, ripe fruits straight from the orchards, adding another wonderful experience to your trip.

During his 24-hour exploration of the region, Henry Duong visited 7 famous landmarks, including ancient temples renowned for their unique architecture. He shared: "In my initial imagination, I thought Tra Vinh would be very boring, with nothing to do except visit a few temples. But in reality, Tra Vinh gave me a completely different feeling. I was impressed by the peaceful atmosphere of Tra Vinh, not as bustling and hectic as other cities in the Mekong Delta. In particular, the Khmer temple architecture in Tra Vinh is incredibly beautiful. The complex of over 143 temples scattered throughout the province means you can find a temple to explore within less than 1 km."

Savoring Tra Vinh's specialties

Besides enjoying the picturesque scenery, visitors also have the opportunity to savor the rich flavors of the Mekong Delta in Tra Vinh, such as bun suong (noodle soup), bun nuoc leo Dong Khoi (noodle soup with broth), banh canh Ben Co (rice noodle soup with broth), nem nuong Chau Thanh (grilled pork skewers), com ca ri Ja (Ja curry rice), chao ca khoai (fish porridge with sweet potato), banh u Da Loc (rice dumplings with coconut milk), luon um la cach (eel stewed with betel leaves), ca chay Cau Quan (Cau Quan grilled fish)...

Henry Duong shared that you can try Tra Vinh-style noodle soup in the Ao Ba Om area, as suggested by locals. "Remember to try the coconut smoothie sold in the evening at Tra Vinh market. Just thinking about it makes me crave it; the distinctive aroma of the coconut, the rich sweetness of the milk blend together perfectly, and you'll just want to order another glass," he recalled.

Get these handy tips in your pocket.

When visiting Tra Vinh in particular, and the Mekong Delta provinces in general, prepare comfortable and cool clothing. The weather here is often hot, humid, and sunny, especially in the summer. Neat and comfortable clothing will not only make it easier to move around, but also keep you more comfortable in the harsh weather conditions. However, if your plans include visiting temples in Tra Vinh, please dress respectfully and modestly.

Besides noting the weather, Henry Duong also shared that there are very few budget-friendly hotels listed on booking apps or websites, and the phone numbers for booking rooms on websites are often inaccurate. Therefore, tourists should go to the center of Tra Vinh city, then search for hotels and book if they find a price that suits their needs.

"In the evening when you arrive in Tra Vinh, if you're still hungry, head to the Tra Vinh market. It's crowded with people late into the night and has a full range of food. Grab a bite to eat so you can sleep better," he said.

Here are some travel photos of Tra Vinh taken by Henry Duong:

During his 24-hour trip to Tra Vinh, Henry Duong visited 7 locations:

1. Vam Ray Pagoda

2. Dong Hai 1 Wind Power Plant

3. KomPong Ksan Temple

4. Ong Pagoda

5. Ao Ba Om

6. Ang Pagoda

7. Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple

Ha Mai Trinh - Photo: Provided by the subject