Located at the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong is easily accessible. This locality holds historical significance as it has many famous historical relic sites such as Phu Loi, Bau Bang, Ben Suc, and Lai Khe. Notably, former D war zone is famous for the Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village, pottery craft, and fruit-laden gardens.
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A corner of Phu An village |
A 48-hour trip is considered the most suitable tour for travelers who want to explore Binh Duong when they are in Ho Chi Minh City.
Tourists can start the trip by having breakfast and coffee in Thu Dau Mot city. Some must-try dishes are chao long Cay Me (Cay Me offal congee), bun rieu Moc (Moc crab noodle soup), and pho Da (pho Da). These dishes cost from VND 30,000 to 60,000.
After breakfast, tourists can head to Phu An Bamboo Village (also known as Phu An Ecological Bamboo Museum and Botanical Reserve) in Ben Cat town, which is about 20km from Thu Dau Mot city. This is the first bamboo ecosystem conservation area in Vietnam and a familiar destination for those who appreciate rural landscapes. The village preserves around 1,500 bamboo bushes of 300 different species, including 17 varieties (accounting for 90% of bamboo species in Vietnam). There are several rare bamboo varieties such as giant bamboo, striped yellow bamboo, and ivory, among others.
In 2010, Phu An was honored with the United Nations Equator Prize for biodiversity, serving community development, and responding to climate change. The village was recognized as a member of the Association of Botanic Gardens of France since 2016. It is considered an ideal place for visitors to take photos and relax.
One of the must-visit destinations in Binh Duong is the 150-year-old ancient pottery village of Dai Hung and Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village (about 3km from the center of Thu Dau Mot). Coming to the places, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the traditional process of pottery production, including molding, kiln firing, classic-style color mixing, and raw material extraction.
After visiting pottery and lacquer villages, visitors can have lunch at restaurants in the center of Thu Dau Mot city. Some recommended dishes are chao mon luon (eel porridge), goi ga mang cut (chicken and mangosteen salad), and banh beo bi (steamed rice cakes with shredded pork skin), which have been honored by the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association.
Tourists can continue the trip by visiting Tran Van Ho Ancient House (Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot city), which was recognized as national artistic architecture relic site in 1993, in the afternoon. Built in February 1890, the house consists of 36 cylindrical pillars arranged in six rows from front to back. All the pillars are placed on stone blocks.
The next destination is Hoi Khanh Pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Thu Dau Mot city. Built in 1741, the pagoda is highly appreciated for its cultural history, architecture, and well-preserved hundred-year-old relics and artifacts. One of the most outstanding features of the pagoda is a statue of the Buddha attaining Nirvana that is 52 meters long and 12 meters wide.
Tourists are recommended to stay in such hotels as Bcons, Becamex, The Mira, and Long Bao Chau in Thu Dau Mot with prices ranging from VND 500,000 to VND 2 million per night. While staying in the city, tourists can buy souvenirs, enjoy street food, or play games at night market and Bach Dang Pedestrian Street.
On the second morning, tourists can choose other dishes for breakfast such as Hue-style beef noodles, duck and bamboo shoot vermicelli soup, Ha Phat vermicelli soup, Muoi Thanh fermented fish noddle soup, with prices ranging from VND 25,000 to 40,000.
The next destination is Vinh Loi War Zone historical site in Tan Uyen town, which is about 15km from Thu Dau Mot. This 300 hectare area, created in 1946, is credited as one of the ideal place for visitors to learn about the history of the nation. Tourists can choose to have lunch at restaurants in Tan Uyen city, such as Tan Phuoc Khanh, Bep Nha 2, Bach Dang, and Le Tuan, among others. Must-try foods are cosmochilus harmandi and crayfish-related dishes.
Tourists can visit pomelo gardens and enjoy delicious Bach Dang pomelos before visiting Thu Dau Mot Market (also known as Phu Cuong Market), which is nearly 100 years old, to buy local products, or visit one of the most famous cafes in Thu Dau Mot - "Gio va Nuoc" (Wind and Water). This garden café was built from bamboo over 15 years ago and has won many prestigious architectural awards both domestically and internationally. The spacious café is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Visitors are recommended to enjoy local dishes for dinner at restaurants in Chanh Nghia residential area, such as Kill's Grill, Tokyo Binh Duong barbecue street, Chu Suki, Sesan, The Palma, and Huong Viet. Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), hu tieu (noodle soup), spicy noodles, tofu pudding, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), and snails are dishes that tourists must try while visiting the province.
Tay Tang Pagoda, Phu Cuong Cathedral, Minh Sang Plaza, Traditional Medicine Museum, Thuy Chau Ecotourism Area, and Dau Tieng Lake are places that tourists should not miss.
Tourists also can play golf at such golf courses as Song Be, Twin Doves, and Harmony before checking out.
Source: VnExpress
Translated by Tran Hoai