Vinh Long Vietnam is a province located between the Tien river & Hau river in the heart of the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam - about 135 km from Ho Chi Minh City to the south. This province covers an area of about 1520,17km2, divided into 6 districts of Binh Tan, Long Ho, Mang Thit, Tra On, Vung Linh, Tam Binh & Binh Minh Town & Vinh Long city. This land has many fruit-bearing orchards and ancient architectural works, with no shortage of places to experience spiritual tourism, agricultural tourism or craft village tourism.
- Nearest airport: Can Tho international airport in Can Tho city - about 10km
- Surrounding localities: Tien Giang province, Ben Tre province, Dong Thap province, Tra Vinh province, Soc Trang province, Hau Giang province and Can Tho city
I - How is Vinh Long weather all year round?
Located in the tropical monsoon region, the province features hot and humid weather. The annual temperature is about 27ºC, with the highest temperature being 36.9ºC and the lowest being 17.7ºC. Average annual rainfall is 1,300mm to 1,690mm. There are 2 seasons: rainy season from May to October and dry season from November to April. The best time to visit Vinh Long Mekong Delta is in the dry season when the weather's nice without heavy rain.
Good news is that this province rarely suffers from extreme weather conditions, but several areas here have still experienced natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and lightning strikes,... due to the adverse effects of rain, tropical depressions in the East Sea,...
II - What are the best places to visit & things to do in Vinh Long Vietnam?
1 - Cai Cuong ancient house
This house is more than 130 years old - Source: NEM
Built in 1885 by a great landowner, Cai Cuong ancient house is a combination of ancient Southern Vietnam features in harmony with French architecture. The overall house has the typical architecture of Western mansions. The outside campus is quite large, paved with antique French ceramic tiles. The roof is decorated with exquisite details in the shape of unicorns.
The door of Cai Cuong ancient house in Vinh Long province is made of brown wood, designed in a classic Vietnamese style. The walls of the house are painted yellow, hung with pictures of carp and decorated with zigzag patterns. On the columns are carved images of typical animals of Vietnam's Southwest region of ancient rivers such as crabs, fish, deer, monkeys and horses.
- Address: No.38 Binh Hoa hamlet, Binh Hoa Phuoc commune, Long Ho district
- Opening hours: All-day
- Ticket price: 20,000 VND / person ($1)
2 - Mang Thit terracotta village in Vinh Long Vietnam
Source: Internet
The precious soil is the foundation for the development of earthenware and pottery making in this province. A special feature of the baked ceramic products in Mang Thit terracotta village is that after firing, the ceramic will have white veins because the clay contains alum.
Visiting Mang Thit pottery village in Vinh Long, you will be able to witness all the stages of making fine ceramic products such as choosing clay, kneading the earth, putting it in a mold, and drying it in the sun, and burning it. You also have the opportunity to admire ceramic houses with unique and distinctive architecture with roofs, fences, walls, and the items inside completely made of ceramic.
- Address: My Phuoc village, Mang Thit district - about 30km from Vinh Long city center
- Opening hours: All-day
3 - Phuoc Hau pagoda & Stone Buddha sutras garden
Phuoc Hau pagoda - Source: Thanhnien
The Phuoc Hau pagoda is famous for a unique stone Buddha sutras garden with more than 500 sutras pages carved on 250 stone slabs in a campus of more than 4000m2. The stones are arranged in a layout simulating bodhi leaves spreading in eight directions, representing the Eightfold Path. In the center of the garden is a mountain with four statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. There are also many stone slabs carved in English.
- Address: Dong Hau hamlet, Ngai Tu commune, Tam Binh district
- Opening hours: All-day
4 - Nha Xua eco-tourism area in Vinh Long Vietnam
Nha Xua eco-tourism area has only 1 old wooden house built in the middle of a green campus with only trees and a lotus pond in front of the house. It has an area of 450m2, built entirely of precious wood, in the style of 3-compartments & 2-wing. Entering the house, you can admire the delicate beauty in the lines of sophisticated carving animals and flowers throughout the house. Besides, visitors can also enjoy delicious specialties of Vinh Long province at the restaurants located right in the vicinity of this ecotourism area.
You can also take a boat to move on Ong Me canal to visit the fruit garden of the local people, pick and taste the fresh fruits to enjoy while watching the natural scenery of the river with many types of fruits such as: oranges, sweet potatoes, loquats, Nam Roi grapefruits,…
- Address: Phuoc Nguon A hamlet, Phuoc Hau commune, Long Ho district.
- Opening hours: All-day
- Entrance fee: Free (Other services such as restaurants, eateries, canoes or boats will be charged separately)
5 - An Binh islet
Located between Tien and Co Chien rivers, in Long Ho district, Vinh Long Vietnam, An Binh islet consists of 4 communes: An Binh, Binh Hoa Phuoc, Hoa Ninh and Dong Phu and it is so famous for its peaceful sceneries and lush orchards. You can visit the garden of local people to experience the feeling of picking fruit, enjoy fresh fruit, go by boat on the river, visit Phuoc Dinh yellow apricot village, Cai Cuong ancient house, Tien Chau pagoda,... In addition, you have a chance to experience the production process of Com candy, rice wine, rice paper, and Vietnamese coconut candy at the craft villages.
For having a perfect trip to An Binh islet in Vinh Long province, it is highly recommended to book a package tour from local travel agencies. Puolo Trip Limited Company is an ideal choice:
- Contact: 0389 881 133
- Website: https://puolotrip.com
- Tour price:
+ 290,000 VND / person ($12.5) - Group of 25 persons by private boat
+ 350,000 VND / person ($15.08) - Group of 11 - 24 persons by private boat
+ 390,000 VND / person ($16.81) - Group of 5 - 10 persons by private boat
6 - Tra On floating market - the best Vinh Long market
Tra On floating market - Source: Thesinhtours
Tra On floating market is a floating market downstream of the Hau River stretching a length of more than 300 meters. This is one of the oldest markets that is associated with many cultural activities of the local people. The market is famous for specialties such as beef balls noodles served with banana flower vegetables, listening to the music of amateur mat sellers mingling with the laughter of the local people.
7 - Cu Lao Dai
About 20km long, Cu Lao Dai (Dai islet) consists of 2 communes Thanh Binh and Quoi Thien, Vung Liem district. Since the middle of the 19th century, Dai islet in Vinh Long Vietnam has been considered as a beautiful model of a new village, famous for its prosperity with seamless fields and gardens. Like other islets in Southern Vietnam, this place is endowed with fruit orchards laden like durian, mangosteen, rambutan, bonbon, jackfruit,… Arriving at Dai Island, you can drive along the small road and ask to visit the locals’ gardens, sit in a hammock and enjoy the fresh fruits.
You can also go to a local restaurant called Coconut Garden to enjoy attractive dishes such as sour fish soup, grilled snails with green pepper, chicken salad mixed with bananas, mussel rolls,...which are considered the outstanding specialties of Vinh Long province. If you ask, you will also have an opportunity to try to pour crispy golden pancakes on a cast iron pan yourself, making banh xeo with duck meat and bamboo shoots, or mussel pancakes. While eating, you will surely be mesmerized by the folk tunes of Don ca tai tu, performed by friendly artists.
8 - Ong pagoda
Source: Gody
As one of the outstanding architectural works of the Chinese, this is also known as That Phu Temple, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall or Vinh An Palace. Built in 1892, Ong pagoda is one of the most ancient, sacred and extremely pure spiritual attractions in Vinh Long Vietnam. Coming here, you have a chance to admire the architecture of Southern China style prevalent in the 19th century, with delicate carvings and embossed decorations. Among the artifacts preserved here, there is a painting with four words “Quan Thanh Phu Tu”, which won the bronze medal at the colonial fair in Marseille (France) in 1922. On the 15th of the twelve lunar months, thousands of people come to this Pagoda to visit and worship.
- Address: No.22, Nguyen Chi Thanh street, ward 5, Vinh Long city
9 - Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the largest and most sacred temples in the province, where many tourists come and find a quiet and peaceful place. This work was built in 1970 with many items with sophisticated and harmonious artistic architecture, bold spirituality and traditional architecture of Vietnam.
The highlight of the temple is the statue of Buddhist Guanyin with a height of 32m and a stupa 45m high. Standing on an airy square of ten meters high, you have the chance to hear the bells of the pagoda humming in the breeze, to see the bustling city day and night.
- Address: Vinh Hoa hamlet, Tan Ngai commune, Vinh Long city Vietnam
10 - Vinh Sang tourist area
With an area of about 2.2ha, Vinh Sang tourist area is a large natural garden with a system of interconnected canals with a variety of fruit trees. This is also a place to preserve many rare species of birds and animals and is an attractive entertainment area with a variety of folk games. Coming here, you will be able to feel the fresh air of the countryside, and enjoy the freshly picked fruits such as rambutan, mango,...
At Vinh Sang tourist area in Vinh Long Vietnam, there are many games suitable for many ages or interests, for example, for those who like thrills, you can play crocodile fishing, ostrich riding or grass skiing. If you want to participate in country games, you can choose from games such as catching fish, water polo, rowing boats to catch ducks, rope riding, passing monkey bridge, bicycle bridge,... After catching fish, crabs and snails, you can prepare delicious dishes yourself with the support of the instructor, and drink the fragrant Vinh Sang glutinous-rice wine, which are the best things to do in Vinh Long.
- Address: Group 14, An Thuan hamlet, An Binh commune, Long Ho district
- Website: https://www.vinhsang.com
- Ticket price:
+ Adults: 50,000 VND / person ($2.16)
+ Children: 35,000 VND / person ($1.5)
+ Not covered other games, activities and food.
III - Accommodation: guest house & hotels in Vinh Long Vietnam
There are some hotels that you can refer to as follow:
Saigon Vinh Long Hotel
Saigon Hotel - Source: Saigonvinhlonghotel
As the first choice of many tourists when coming to Vinh Long city, this hotel is conveniently located right in the city center, with luxurious and modern design and professional attentive staff.
- Address: No.02 Trung Nu Vuong street, ward 1, Vinh Long city
- Contact: 0270 387 9989
- Room rate: 1,000,000 VND / night ($44)
Happy family guesthouse (another name: Thuy An homestay)
Designed as cottages in the countryside, this place is surrounded by tropical greenery, has a swimming pool, sauna and fishing area, as well as garden and sun terrace, giving you the best vacation possible.
- Address: No. 53/4, Phu My 1 Hamlet, Dong Phu commune, Long Ho district
- Contact: 0919 220 282
- Room rate: 175,000 - 200,000 VND / night ($7.54 - 8.62)
Truong Huy Hotel
Truong Huy Hotel - Source: Booking
Coming to this hotel, you can both relax and participate in recreational activities, in a spacious and open campus with green artificial grass, bringing the most comfortable and fresh feeling possible.
- Address: No.5, group 1, Tan Quoi Hung hamlet, Truong An commune, Vinh Long city
- Contact: 0898 002 939
- Room rate: 800,000 VND / night ($35)
Ut Trinh homestay
Surrounded by a large garden, Ut Trinh homestay is designed in both ancient Vietnam Southern architecture and modern features, providing a variety of means for you to experience the surrounding areas.
- Address: Group 12, Hoa Quy Hamlet, Hoa Ninh Commune, Long Ho District
- Contact: 0919 002 505
- Room rate: 700,000 - 1,100,000 VND / night ($30.22 - 47.5)
IV - Good to know about Vinh Long travel
1 - Local culture
Music of amateurs - Source: Vietfuntravel
The culture here is also very diverse and rich and it is impossible not to mention the typical arts, traditional festivals, folk games such as:
The southern amateur music (Don Ca Tai Tu art)
This art form was formed and developed from the late 19th century and is an indispensable cultural feature of the Southern Vietnam people in festivals, anniversaries, weddings, and engagements. Cai Cuong ancient house is one of the ideal places to enjoy this music - the program takes place every day and is completely free.
Don-Ta ceremony
With the Khmer ethnic people in Vinh Long Vietnam, the Don-Ta ceremony is one of the biggest festivals in the year, usually held from August 28 to September 1 of the lunar calendar, around September to October of the solar calendar. This is a form of ceremony combining agricultural ceremony and ancestor worship ceremony.
Ky Yen festival
Ky Yen festival takes place from 1 to 2 days, including main rituals such as the Than Nong ceremony, Tuc Yen ceremony, Sac Than ceremony, and sacrifice for people with meritorious services to the village,... This festival is to pray for the nation's and people’s safety, everything is as expected and the prosperity of the village. Experiencing the Ky Yen festival is one of the best things to do in Vinh Long province. The festival takes place from the 12th to 18th of December of the lunar calendar which is around December - January of the following calendar year.
Ok Om Bok Ceremony
To maintain this activity, the Khmer people often gather at a pagoda, hold the ceremony and welcome the moon. The festival is usually held on October 15th of the lunar calendar (i.e. around November of the solar calendar).
2 - How to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long Vietnam?
Source: Internet
Bus and limousine is the most ideal choice. Travel time is about 2 - 2.5 hours. You can refer to the following buses & limousines:
Vu Linh limousine
- Pick-up: Mien Tay Bus Station, 395 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City at 3am, 8am, 11am, 3:30pm, 1pm, 4pm and 5:30pm
- Drop-off: Truong An roundabout, Truong An ward, Vinh Long city
- Contact: 1900 7009
Tri Nhan Limousine
- Pick-up: 555 Pham Van Chi Street, Ward 7, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City at 11am and 8pm
- Drop-off: One point on National Highway 1A, Vinh Long city
- Contact: 02838 555 575 - 0949 00 1111 - 0983 44 7777
Limoking
- Pick-up: All locations in the inner city of Saigon or Tan Son Nhat airport, at any time as long as you book at least 45 minutes in advance.
- Drop-off: Everywhere in Vinh Long city as booked
- Contact: 0902 859 777
Kim Ma Bus
- Pick-up: No.296A Tran Phu street, Ward 8, District 5, Ho Chi Minh city from 4am - 7pm with a frequency of 1 trip / hour.
- Drop-off: No.107 - 109, 2/9 street, the city center of Vinh Long
- Contact: 028 3838 3668 - 028 39235 480
Lube Express
- Pick-up: Mien Tay Bus Station - No.395 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, Ho Chi Minh City
- Drop-off: Vinh Long Bus Station - No.1E Dinh Tien Hoang street, Ward 8, Vinh Long city
- Contact: 0978 99 77 77 - 0901 508 588
3 - Top 3 Vinh Long food to try
With a huge diversity of fauna and flora, this province is the hub of many delicious foods. Visiting this river land, you can try many dishes made of freshwater fish and shrimp. Here below are some most typical dishes that you should enjoy.
Giant river prawn
Giant river prawn - Source: Songmoi
The prawn meat is juicy with a wonderful aroma that attracts everyone. Prawn is grilled after being marinated with salt, lemon and pepper creating an indispensable taste. This Vinh Long food can be processed in ways such as grilled on charcoal grilled with salt and chili, steamed with beer.
Crispy fried giant gourami
Crispy fried fish is served with fresh vegetables such as herbs, star fruit, green slices of banana, lettuce, and rice paper. All the ingredients are wrapped in rice paper and dipped in the sour & spicy fish sauce.
Bagrid catfish (Hemibagrus) cooked with some kinds of vegetables
The bagrid catfish is meaty, sweet but not too fishy cooked with vegetables such as purple onions, celery, scallions, tomatoes to make a fresh and sour soup.
Some restaurants in Vinh Long city:
Phuong Thuy Restaurant
- Address: No.1 Phan Boi Chau street, ward 1
- Price: 120,000 VND / person ($5)
Lan Que Restaurant
- Address: No.2, 2/9 street
- Price: 200,000 VND / person ($9)
Thien Tan Restaurant
- Address: No.56 Pham Thai Buong street, ward 4
- Price: 330,000 VND / person ($15)
4 - Vinh Long Vietnam map
