ONE DAY IN TAY NINH – WHAT CAN WE DO?

In recent years, Tay Ninh has become a popular tourist destination near Ho Chi Minh City because of its convenient transportation, flat terrain, and numerous interesting attractions. If you have a day to spare, why not choose Tay Ninh as your next destination? Join Lua Viet Tours to explore the beauty of this region!

Overview of Tay Ninh

Situated in an ideal location, just over an hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh has been attracting more and more visitors to marvel at its natural beauty and participate in Buddhist pilgrimages.

This region is where the Central Highlands’ mountainous terrain meets the Mekong Delta’s flatlands, resulting in a unique blend of highland and lowland landscapes. This combination creates diverse scenic views, from majestic mountains to lush green rice fields.

The diverse scenic views of Tay Ninh City View

Tay Ninh is also renowned for its rich cultural and spiritual activities. It is the birthplace of Caodaism – known for its unique architecture, and home to the mysterious Black Virgin Mountain, full of intriguing stories that tourists cannot miss!

Visiting Famous Tourist Attractions In Tay Ninh

The Cao Dai Holy See – The Tay Ninh Architectural Complex 

This is a large-scale architectural work of Caodaism, a religion that originated in Tay Ninh. The Cao Dai Holy See is a unique architectural complex unlike any other. While other large buildings often require architects to design construction blueprints, the Cao Dai Holy See was built entirely under the guidance of Duc Pham Ho Phap without any preliminary sketches, relying solely on the hands and creativity of the workers. 

The Cao Dai Holy See is a unique architectural complex unlike any other

The total area of the Cao Dai Holy See spans 12 square kilometers and includes 12 entrances. Each gate is intricately carved with the Four Sacred Animals and lotus flowers. Notably, the main gate, known as the “Chanh Mon” features a special decoration of two dragons vying for a precious pearl.

The grand complex of Cao Dai Holy See

The beauty inside the Cao Dai Holy See is certain to amaze you with its meticulous and sophisticated craftsmanship:

• Two rows of columns: intricately carved with dragons soaring through the clouds, winding around the columns.
• The large globe in the center: symbolizes the vast universe.
• The “Thien Nhan”: a symbol of Caodaism, intriguing and impressing visitors.
• Long Ma on the Nghinh Phong Dai: a dragon-shaped horse standing to greet the wind.
• And many other fascinating details await your discovery.

Black Virgin Mountain

Ba Den Mountain or Black Virgin Mountain is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and ancient spiritual architecture. Standing at 986 meters, this mountain is dubbed “the roof of Southern Vietnam”.

The majestic panorama view of the Black Virgin Buddha.

The pagoda system here includes many long-standing pagodas that attract millions of pilgrims: 

At the foot of the mountain, you’ll find the first pagoda Linh Son Phuoc Trung (Trung Pagoda) in the system, established in the 18th century and located at an altitude of 250 meters. It is dedicated to the “Black Virgin”, who is believed to protect and assist the local people. Don’t forget to admire the colossal white statue of Shakyamuni Buddha entering Nirvana on the way to Hoa Dong Pagoda.

• Linh Son Tien Thach Tu Pagoda: The oldest pagoda
• Cave Pagoda: associated with the story of a split rock that left a passage to the pagoda.

On the way up to Black Virgin Mountain

Visitors can take a cable car to the mountain peak, where a newly developed tourist complex offers many attractions:

• A colossal 72-meter-high statue of the Buddha, cast from 170 tons of red bronze. The statue stands on a four-tiered concentric pedestal, with various Buddhist exhibition spaces inside.
• Kinh Bat Nha Pillars: Descend underground by escalator to discover five gleaming Kinh Bat Nha Pillars. Each pillar is constructed from sparkling black granite, engraved with golden Tibetan script, and surrounded by a beautiful water fountain.
• Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue: This enormous statue stands 36 meters tall, weighs 5,112 tons, and is composed of thousands of handcrafted sandstone blocks, making it a truly impressive sight.

This enormous Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue stands 36 meters tall on the Black Virgin Mountain

• Vo Nga Garden: This expansive garden is adorned with flowers, foliage, and statues of serene novice monks. The garden provides a peaceful atmosphere, helping visitors to relax and recharge.

>>>> Explore Black Virgin Mountain and the Cao Dai Holy See here! 

Dau Tieng Lake

Dau Tieng Lake is a vast artificial reservoir spanning the provinces of Tay Ninh and Binh Duong. It is the largest irrigation lake in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The expansive scenery of Dau Tieng Lake and feel the gentle breeze through your hair

When visiting Dau Tieng Lake, you can relax on the expansive green grasslands by the lake, perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset. Groups of visitors can also choose to stay overnight, set up camp, and enjoy a BBQ.

Groups of visitors can also choose to stay overnight, set up camp, and enjoy a BBQ.

A unique check-in spot here is the striking pink lighthouse. At this location, you can take in the vast, expansive scenery of Dau Tieng Lake and feel the gentle breeze through your hair.

Go Ken Pagoda

On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City from Tay Ninh, visitors can stop by Go Ken Pagoda located on National Highway 22B. The pagoda is easy to recognize from afar by the giant white Bodhisattva statue standing tall amidst the vast surrounding rice fields.

Surrounding the pagoda are numerous rice fields tended by local farmers, adding to the grandeur and majesty of this temple.

The pagoda’s architectural complex is divided into several areas such as the Main Hall, Bell Tower, various statues, and gardens. Notably, there is a 25-meter tall statue of Bodhisattva riding a dragon, placed prominently on a white lotus, and a 25-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha, both of which are incredibly impressive.

Some Tips When Traveling To Tay Ninh

With its daily development, Tay Ninh is striving to become one of the top tourist destinations in Southeastern Vietnam. Visitors to Tay Ninh should keep in mind the following tips to ensure a more complete and enjoyable trip!

When traveling to ecological and natural sites

• Avoid picking flowers, breaking branches, or hunting wild animals, as this can disrupt the ecosystem.
• Do not litter or start fires indiscriminately, as this can cause environmental damage.
• Ensure your health, and equip yourself with essential knowledge and tools when hiking.

When visiting spiritual sites 

• Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and avoid being overly revealing.
• Minimize noise and disorder.

When exploring cultural sites and enjoying local cuisine

• Respect the differences in language and customs of the locals.
• Avoid taking photos in restricted areas.
• Additionally, tourists should wear comfortable clothing to better explore Tay Ninh.

If you want to discover the beauty of Tay Ninh and gain a deeper understanding of the local culture, don’t hesitate to contact Lua Viet Tours today!