Distinctive southern features in Tra Vinh

Hang Pagoda seen from above - PHOTOS: DULICHTRAVINH.VN/VIETFUNTRAVEL.COM

Pagodas, museums, lush islets and beautiful beaches are what travelers to the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh will enjoy there

Hang or Kamponnigrodha Pagoda

Hang (Cave) Pagoda in the province’s Chau Thanh Town is around five kilometers from Tra Vinh City. Initially called Wat Kompong Ch’rây, which means Banyan Tree Wharf, the pagoda adopted a new dome-shape gate lying between two small ones in the last century. Since then, the pagoda was renamed Hang (Cave) as the new gate looks like a big cave, distinguishing it from other Kh’mer-style pagodas in Tra Vinh.

Hang Pagoda is on seven hectares with more than half of the area surrounded by primary forests which is home to a wide range of animals. It is in fact a bird sanctuary.

Aside from the unique architecture and greenery space, Hang Pagoda enchants visitors with its wood-carving facility installed in the 80s of the last century. The facility displays wood-carving works made of trunks in different shapes. Some works are so big that they can cover an area of up to 60 square meters.

Aside from Hang, other well-known pagodas in Tra Vinh worth a visit are Ap Soc, Giac Linh, Phno Dung, Ang, etc.

Ba Dong Beach

The beach lies between Cung Hau and Dinh An estuaries. That’s why its seawater contain so much mud that the water is not as azure as others. However, the beach stretching more than 10 kilometers from Nha Mat Hamlet to Con Trung Hamlet is an ideal venue to admire the beauty of dawn and dusk. Additionally, tourists can easily enjoy fresh seafood at restaurants along the beach.

Tourists also should visit local villages nearby such as Con Cu Salt-making Village and Ba Dong Watermelon-planting Village, etc.

A view of Kh’mer Culture Museum

Kh’mer Culture Museum

The museum, which is part of a cultural tourist site comprising Om Lake and Ang Pagoda, is a venue for travelers who want to learn more about local history and culture.

On display at the 1,700-square-meter museum are more than 800 exhibits, photos and documents related to Kh’mer ethnic group in Tra Vinh. There are four exhibit rooms in four different themes including Southern Buddhism, daily life of Kh’mer ethnic people, traditional craft villages and culture and art.

Tan Quy Islet

The islet in An Phu Tan Commune, Cau Ke District, boasts vast fruit gardens such as rambutan, durian, longan, mangosteen, to name but a few. Especially, mangosteen from Tan Quy is dubbed “Queen of fruits.”

Moreover, tourists visiting the islet can take part in interesting activities making them feel like a local, like swimming in rivers, rowing boat, catching fishes, etc.

To get to the islet, tourists have to take a boat in Ben Dinh Wharf to travel to Ben Cat Wharf. Travelers will be filled with fresh air along the way.