Content [Switch to sidebar]

Travel To Tay Ninh In 5 Days: Discovery Of The Mekong Delta With Mr. Dubois

Hello, my name is Julien. I’ve just finished my south Vietnam trip and am heading to explore tourist destinations in the north. I had unforgettable experiences in the Mekong Delta, and I’m delighted to share them with you. I spent 5 days in Tay Ninh, passing through Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and some other locations. I hope my travel experiences in Tay Ninh, with the support of the Autour Asia travel agency, will provide you with useful information to prepare for your journey through Vietnam.

I. Overview of my 5-day itinerary in Tay Ninh

I first arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and immediately started my journey exploring Vietnam after a day of rest at the hotel. I decided to visit Tay Ninh and some nearby provinces to discover the cultural highlights of southern Vietnam. If you also land in Ho Chi Minh City first, you can refer to my 5-day Tay Ninh itinerary to plan a convenient trip.

So, what to do in Tay Ninh? I started my journey from Ho Chi Minh City and headed to Tay Ninh, where I visited famous tourist spots such as Black Virgin Mountain, the Tay Ninh Holy See, and Go Ken Pagoda. Tay Ninh is a province with peaceful and poetic natural beauty. On my way back from Tay Ninh to Ho Chi Minh City, I passed through Cu Chi and visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, a renowned historical site in Vietnam. I spent the third day of my journey resting in Ho Chi Minh City, visiting some well-known sites, and trying unique street food. The next morning, I went to Vinh Long and ended my trip in Can Tho.

This 5-day South Vietnam journey took me from one surprise to another. I discovered many fascinating cultural aspects of the southern Vietnamese people, which are very different from those in the north. I witnessed breathtaking landscapes, enjoyed delicious dishes, and captured many interesting photos. These 5 days flew by quickly, and I hope you’ll have equally exciting experiences with a 5-day Tay Ninh trip like mine.

II. Detailed itinerary in Tay Ninh in 5 days

1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - indispensable place to visit

I came to Vietnam by plane, so Ho Chi Minh City was the starting point of my journey to explore Vietnam. My first impression of Ho Chi Minh City is that it’s a very large and modern city, yet it still preserves a sense of old-world charm. Life here is bustling and fast-paced, especially at night when the walking streets become even livelier.

Before my trip to Tay Ninh, I quickly adapted to the pace of life here since I also live in a big city in France. So, what to do in Ho Chi Minh City? There are many places to visit in Ho Chi Minh city that I found online. I visited the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, which are ideal spots to learn about Vietnam's history, especially the colonial period. Both places have English and French language descriptions, making it easy to understand the information.

I also visited Notre-Dame Cathedral, a building rich in French architecture, and the Municipal Theatre (Saigon Opera House). These two landmarks are located in the city center and close to each other, making it convenient to get around. It’s wonderful to see how such ancient structures are preserved in the heart of a modern city. I took many photos there.

What to eat in Ho Chi Minh City? For a culinary experience, I highly recommend visiting Ben Thanh Market. I’m sure it will be an impressive experience for first-time visitors to Vietnam, as this famous market not only lets you enjoy Vietnamese food specialties but also gives you a glimpse into local culture and lifestyle. The market offers plenty of choices with its diverse stalls. Following local recommendations, I tried cơm tam and hu tieu, both of which were delicious and affordable.

One of the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, especially for young people, is visiting the walking streets at night. I spent my evening exploring Bui Vien Walking Street, which gave me a glimpse into the lifestyle of Vietnamese youth. If you’re traveling in a group and looking for a spot with bars or just a place to have a beer and chat, this is an ideal choice. I even made friends with some locals while enjoying a beer; they were all very friendly. Then, I returned to my hotel to rest and recharge for the second day of the 5-day trip to Tay Ninh.

2. Day 2: Tay Ninh tour - Black Virgin Mountain - Tay Ninh night market

On my 5-day trip to Tay Ninh, the next morning I took a car from Ho Chi Minh city to Tay Ninh, which took more than 2 hours. I chose Ba Den Mountain (also known as the Black Virgin Mountain) as the first destination on my 5-day Tay Ninh tour. Conquering the Black Virgin Mountain is the top thing to do in Tay Ninh, as it is a very popular tourist destination. Standing at 986 meters, Ba Den Mountain is considered the roof of Southern Vietnam. It is both a famous spiritual tourism site and an ideal spot for mountain climbing enthusiasts. Personally, my favorite experience was "cloud hunting" at the top of the Black Virgin Mountain.

What to do in Tay Ninh? I opted for the cable car to reach the summit of Ba Den Mountain, allowing me to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding scenery and the pagodas along the way. With a modern cable car system, it took me just over 10 minutes to conquer the summit. I was immediately overwhelmed by the majestic natural landscape, especially the stunning statue of Tay Bo Da Son Buddha amidst the sea of clouds. Like other visitors, I took photos with the milestone marker at the peak of Black Virgin Mountain.

I chose to descend the mountain via the walking steps to explore the pagodas along the path. The journey down was quite relaxing and not too tiring, as I occasionally stopped to drink water and have a snack. Make sure to bring water and snacks if you plan to climb the mountain, but don't worry if you forget, as there are several food and drink stalls along the way. The pagodas and statues along the trail were truly impressive.

I also visited Nui Da Lake, located right near Black Virgin Mountain. This is a must-see spot if you spend 5 days in Tay Ninh because the scenery here is beautiful. The water is crystal clear, and the surrounding mountainous landscape is majestic and poetic. It gave me a peaceful and relaxing feeling.

I returned to my homestay to rest in the late afternoon. In the evening, I decided to explore Tay Ninh night market, one of the top things to do in Tay Ninh during your Tay Ninh 5-day journey. The market opens from the afternoon until late at night, offering a variety of stalls with diverse goods. You can both shop and enjoy Tay Ninh's specialty dishes here. I tried a lot of street food at very reasonable prices.

3. Day 3: Tay Ninh - Religious sites to discover - Cu Chi Tunnels

Morning: Tay Ninh Holy See and Go Ken Pagoda

You’re wondering about top things to do in Tay Ninh? Tay Ninh is famous for its religious attractions, so I spent the second day of my 5-day Tay Ninh journey visiting the Tay Ninh Holy See and Go Ken Pagoda. The Tay Ninh Holy See is about 4 km from the city center, not too far from my hotel. It is one of Vietnam's most famous religious structures and a grand symbol of Caodaism. I was very impressed by its unique architecture, which blends styles from various religious civilizations around the world, both Eastern and Western.

After that, I visited another iconic religious site in Tay Ninh, Go Ken Pagoda, also known as Thien Lam Pagoda. This pagoda has a giant Avalokiteshvara statue in the middle, which is so tall that it can be seen from afar, and I was eager to see it in person. The pagoda is surrounded by vast green rice fields, creating a poetic and picturesque natural landscape. I heard that Go Ken Pagoda hosts a lantern-floating festival during the full moon of the seventh lunar month, and I regret not being able to visit Tay Ninh during that time. So, if you’re planning a trip to Tay Ninh, consider visiting during the full moon of the seventh lunar month to experience this special event.

Afternoon: Discover history in Cu Chi Tunnels

After that, I returned to my accommodation to pack my bags and head back to Ho Chi Minh City. On the way, I passed by Cu Chi and took the opportunity to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a very famous historical site in Vietnam. With an affordable entrance fee, I think this is a great choice as you can learn about Vietnam's history while enjoying interesting outdoor activities, perfect for group or family trips.

What to do in Cu Chi? I had the chance to explore the underground tunnels that stretch for kilometers, where Vietnamese soldiers used to live, work, and fight during the resistance against the French. I saw models showing soldiers cooking, treating the wounded, resting, or planning battle strategies in the bunkers. There were also displays of real traps they used in the war and documentary films recreating the battles. Everything was so vivid that I could truly feel the intensity of the war and the unity of the Vietnamese people. This was truly a memorable experience during my 5-day Tay Ninh itinerary.

If you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, you shouldn’t miss the exciting activity of sports shooting. I got to learn how to assemble and fire a gun with the guidance of the staff there. I also tried some food, including boiled cassava, a dish closely associated with the lives of Vietnamese soldiers in the tunnels during the war. Save this place to explore if you visit Tay Ninh. Then, I continued my journey back to Ho Chi Minh City. I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for one night.

4. Day 4: Vinh Long City - Vinh Sang Ecotourism Zone - Vinh Long Museum

I departed from Ho Chi Minh and traveled to Vinh Long by car on the morning of the 4th day of the 5-day Tay Ninh journey. Vinh Long is famous for its eco-tourism areas and fruit gardens, so I chose the Vinh Sang Ecotourism Area as the next stop on my journey. Vinh Sang Ecotourism Area (about 15 km from the city center), also known as Vinh Sang Farm, has a lush landscape similar to fruit farms. Here, I experienced the daily life of the locals in the river region, feeling like a farmer or fisherman through very authentic activities.

What to do in Vinh Long? I visited during summer, the harvest season for tropical fruits, so I had the chance to pick fresh fruits straight from the garden and enjoy them on the spot, one of the most interesting things to do in Vinh Long for me personally. After that, I participated in catching fish and shrimp in the ponds. Eating the fish and shrimp I caught myself was definitely an unforgettable memory of my 5-day trip to Tay Ninh.

I think this ecotourism site is ideal for groups of friends or families with kids, as it offers many fun outdoor activities. Besides exploring the rare animal area, you can also enjoy unique experiences typical of the southern river region, such as rowing boats through small canals, making coconut candy, and cooking traditional rice wine.

Places to visit in Vinh Long? In the afternoon, I visited the Vinh Long Museum, about 3 km from the Vinh Sang Ecotourism Area. Unlike some modern museums I’ve been to, the Vinh Long Museum is simple and welcoming. Its grounds are filled with ancient trees, creating a historic atmosphere. I learned about the history of the resistance period in the southwestern region of Vietnam.

Can Tho City is not far from Vinh Long, only about 40 km away, so I decided to spend the evening of my fourth day of the 5-day Tay Ninh itinerary there. I checked into a hotel in the city center, rested, and strolled around to explore Can Tho’s vibrant night cuisine.

5. Day 5: Can Tho City - iconic destinations

I spent the last day of my 5-day Tay Ninh journey in Can Tho. If you are wondering what to do in Can Tho, you can find out some interesting activities by reading my post. In the morning, I woke up early to visit Cai Rang Floating Market – a place to visit in Can Tho. Known as one of the largest and busiest floating markets in the Mekong Delta, I was immediately overwhelmed by its vibrant atmosphere. Boats selling fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, and food were closely packed, floating on the water. At first, I found it challenging to move between the boats, but it truly became an unforgettable experience during my 5-day Tay Ninh journey. I had rice noodle soup on a breakfast boat with no chairs or tables, which made me admire even more the daily lives and hard work of people living and trading on these floating boats.

Later, I visited Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery – one of the top places to visit in Can Tho, especially for Buddhists or those interested in religious architecture. Unlike the bustling market, the atmosphere here was peaceful and serene. Many people come to learn about Buddhism, join retreats, or practice meditation, while I mainly explored the monastery's stunning architecture.

Explore things to do in Can Tho? Afterward, I went to the My Khanh Ecotourism Village, located close to the Zen Monastery. This place gave me the feeling of relaxing in a tranquil countryside setting. I had the chance to learn about the culture and lifestyle of rural Vietnamese people by visiting traditional old houses, observing the process of making and tasting local specialties at traditional craft villages, and participating in folk cultural activities. One highlight of the visit was the animal races featuring small pigs and dogs, a fun and entertaining experience you shouldn’t miss at My Khanh. This is a nice conclusion to my 5-day Tay Ninh itinerary.

III. Travel tips for 5 days in Tay Ninh

• Visit Tay Ninh Vietnam, when visiting religious sites, dress modestly and avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, or similar clothing to maintain the sanctity of these places. Make sure to keep the environment clean, walk softly, and speak quietly. If you’re traveling with young children during your Tay Ninh trip, ensure they don’t laugh or play too loudly. Some spiritual sites have special instructions—pay attention to them. For example, at the Tây Ninh Holy See, visitors can enter the main hall through side doors, but note that men should enter through the right door and women through the left door. At most temples, you are not allowed to wear shoes inside.

• Packing: The weather in southern Vietnam is quite hot, so prepare comfortable clothing. Bring extra clothes in your backpack, as you might get wet or dirty while participating in outdoor activities.

• Recommended travel agency: Choose a reliable travel agency to ensure a smooth trip. I recommend the Vietnam travel agency Autour Asia. Their consultants and guides are incredibly friendly and professional. They helped me have an amazing 5-day itinerary to Tay Ninh.

In general, a 5-day trip to Tay Ninh offers you the chance to explore the cultural characteristics of southern Vietnam. The journey includes mountain hikes, river excursions, visits to famous tourist attractions, or small charming villages, catering to the needs and preferences of travelers of all ages. Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or alone, you can refer to my 5-day Tay Ninh itinerary to plan an ideal adventure. Don’t forget to seek the assistance of a reliable Vietnam travel agency like Autour Asia to support you along the way.

You may be interested in:

>>> 3-day trip in Tay Ninh
>>> Things to do in Can Tho
>>> Visit the Mekong Delta
>>> South Vietnam tours
>>> Vietnam Package tours