Bac Lieu is 280 km from Ho Chi Minh City, 100 km from Can Tho city and 50 km from Soc Trang city. Coming to Bac Lieu, visitors will immerse themselves in the fresh air of natural bird gardens, ancient longan gardens, mangrove forests stretching next to the young city; listen to thrilling anecdotes about the life of the Prince of Bac Lieu, visit the wind farm…
What season is beautiful in Bac Lieu?
The weather in the Southwest always has two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. In each season, Bac Lieu has its own beauty, moreover, the attractions are mostly relics, gardens,… So you can go at any time of the year.
If you want to learn about the customs and beliefs of the local people, you should go during the festival, around February to April of the lunar calendar. The most interesting is on the full moon day of October – the day of the Ok Om Bok festival, one of the three biggest festivals of the year of the Khmer people.
Travel
Bac Lieu is about 280 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and takes about 6 hours by car. If you do not drive your own car, you can choose reputable bus companies operating this route such as: Phuong Trang, Hoang Yen, Kim Yen…, ticket prices from 190,000 to 210,000 VND.
From the North and Central regions, you can travel by air from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh, Da Nang… to Can Tho by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airlines, prices about 1,500,000 – 2,700,000 VND. Then take a bus to Bac Lieu via companies such as Phuong Trang, Tuan Hung, Vu Linh…, ticket prices 80,000 – 100,000 VND. Total travel time is about 2 hours.
To travel within the city, in addition to motorbikes or private cars, you can choose buses – a popular means of transport and operating at high frequency.
Hotels and homestays
Nightly motel prices range from 180,000 to 300,000 VND, rooms are clean, fully equipped and close to the city center. To experience the feeling of being a “young master” at Bac Lieu’s Young Master’s House Hotel, you should book a room early with prices ranging from 500,000 to 1,200,000 VND.
Where to go
A journey to explore Bac Lieu can usually be wrapped up in one day. If you have plenty of time and want to visit many places, visitors can extend the trip to two days and one night.
Sightseeing spots
Bac Lieu Bird Garden: Following the road named after the late musician Cao Van Lau, from the city center, go about 8 km further, visitors will reach the Bac Lieu Bird Garden Nature Reserve. The entrance fee is 15,000 VND. In addition, Bac Lieu has many natural bird gardens scattered in Dong Hai, Gia Rai and Phuoc Long districts.
Bac Lieu Bird Garden is the nesting place of many water birds, typically teal, stork, heron, heron, cormorant, black ibis… Birds often gather in large numbers during the rainy season from May to October. Coming to Bac Lieu Bird Garden, the most interesting thing is standing on the watchtower as high as the treetop to admire the scenery below. This is also a place for you to admire a rich and diverse flora and fauna. Here, hundreds of species of birds live, you can learn and have wonderful photos of birds here.
Bac Lieu Prince’s House is located at 31 Dien Bien Phu Street, Bac Lieu City. The house was built in French architectural style in 1919, with all materials brought from France. The house consists of a ground floor, a first floor with 4 rooms and 4 halls, a spacious corridor so the house is always cool and airy.
This place is currently the Bac Lieu Prince’s Restaurant – Hotel. Visitors also have the opportunity to hear about the life of the richest young master in the South at one time. Ticket price is 15,000 VND.
The house of the young master of Bac Lieu was built in the early 20th century, following French architecture. This place is considered the most majestic house in the six provinces of Nam Ky at that time. Visitors come here not only to visit the architecture and historical artifacts. But also to hear about the life of the richest young master in the South at that time. When you come here, you will know why he is famous for the anecdote of “burning money like paper”.
Nha Mat Amusement Park
Nha Mat Bac Lieu tourist area has become a familiar destination for tourists in recent years. It is located right on the coast of Bac Lieu, with many bathing areas for adults and children. With a system of sea waves, visitors feel like they are immersing themselves in the real blue sea. In addition, there are many other works such as: green campus, multi-purpose stage, high-class resort, culinary area, many attractive games…
Nam Hai Buddha was built in 1973, in Nha Mat ward of the city. This is an outstanding architectural, cultural and spiritual work. The feature that attracts tourists is the 11 m high Buddha statue, built in 1973 on an area of 25,000 m2.
The Nam Hai Mother Statue also has the meaning of protecting her children who go fishing to return safely. Every year, this place attracts thousands of tourists to visit and pray.
Nam Hai Buddha was built in 1973, in Nha Mat ward of the city. This is an outstanding architectural, cultural and spiritual work. The feature that attracts tourists is the 11 m high Buddha statue, built in 1973 on an area of 25,000 m2.
The Nam Hai Mother Statue also has the meaning of protecting her children who go fishing to return safely. Every year, this place attracts thousands of tourists to visit and pray.
Xiem Can Pagoda is a typical Khmer pagoda in Bac Lieu, built in the 19th century on a campus of up to 50,000 m2. Through the cool green trees from the national highway, visitors are amazed by the pagoda decorated with many motifs, with unique carvings and sculptures.
Xiem Can Pagoda is a famous spiritual tourist destination in Bac Lieu. On major festivals such as Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year), Sene Dolta (worshiping ancestors), Ok Om Bok (worshiping the moon), the pagoda attracts the most visitors.
A typical Khmer pagoda in Bac Lieu. Xiem Can Pagoda was built in the 19th century on a campus of up to 50,000 m². The pagoda has a majestic appearance with sophisticated architectural details. You will be amazed by the unique motifs, patterns, and sculptures. The pagoda follows Theravada Buddhism, worshiping Buddha Shakyamuni. This is an important place in the spiritual and cultural activities of the Khmer people when traveling to Bac Lieu.
Ghositaram Pagoda of the Khmer
Ghositaram Pagoda Bac Lieu is a religious spiritual structure built in 1860. With a design imbued with the architectural style of the Khmer people. This is considered one of the most beautiful Southern Buddhist temples of the Khmer people. The temple consists of many typical areas such as: main hall, monks’ quarters, lecture halls, stupas, anas, etc. Next to the temple, there is a prominent main hall that appears brilliantly with a characteristic red-yellow color scheme. When you come here, you will have a super sparkling check-in and virtual living place.
Bac Lieu salt fields
Salt fields have become a unique feature of Bac Lieu province. The Bac Lieu salt fields are divided by the people into squares, rows, running straight. This place is one of the famous scenes in the photography world. And has also received many awards at home and abroad. When you come here, you will easily get great photos.
The memorial area of musician Cao Van Lau is located in Ward 2 of the city, the final resting place of the author of the famous Southern song Da Co Hoai Lang. Here, visitors will be introduced to his life, career, and the development of art from Da Co.
Visitors also have the opportunity to visit for free the galleries displaying images of costumes, musical instruments, wax models of traditional music… In 1997, the memorial site was recognized as a provincial historical site.
Thai Duong Clock: A stone clock over 100 years old, telling time by looking at the sunlight. After more than a century of operation, this clock still tells the time accurately to the point that the error is no more than 2 minutes compared to an electronic wristwatch.
Tac Say Church is located in Tan Phong Commune, Gia Rai District, more than 40 km from the city center on National Highway 1A towards Ca Mau.
The church is the resting place of priest Truong Buu Diep, who is admired and trusted by many people. From March 11 to 12 is the anniversary of the father’s death, so it attracts many people to visit.
Tac Say Church has become a destination that attracts many religious followers. This place is associated with the story of Father Truong Buu Diep. The priest is considered a saint because of his holiness and sacrifice for the religion to save the parishioners. Tac Say Church is a church with a very strange and unique 3-storey structure: the 1st floor is a place for guests to rest, the 2nd and 3rd floors are for mass with a very spacious and decorated lobby.
The ancient longan garden is located by the sea, 6 km from Bac Lieu town, with an area of over 50 hectares, stretching nearly 7 km, from Nha Mat ward to Vinh Trach Dong commune. Visitors will be surprised to see the hundred-year-old longan trees. In addition to enjoying sweet fruits, visitors can participate in camping, picnicking, listening to traditional music… Crispy and delicious Giong Nhan pancakes are a must-try dish when visiting the longan garden.
The Southwest region is the land of fruit specialties. In Bac Lieu, the most famous is the longan garden. When visiting the ancient longan garden, visitors will be surprised to see longan roots that look like ancient trees and the shady garden. Currently, this hundred-year-old longan garden is very airy, has a large area, suitable for camping, picnicking, and resting.
Mangrove forest: Bac Lieu has 56 km of coastline, mainly mangrove forests. Every time the tide goes down, the beach stretches for kilometers. Visitors can row a boat through the protective forests, experience local life while fishing, casting nets, and catching shrimp with the locals.
Standing from the city square or the 3 conical hat theater, visitors can see the turbine towers with giant blades printed on the sky. The best time to visit the wind farm is early morning or late afternoon to watch the sunrise or sunset. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person.
Bac Lieu Wind Farm
Bac Lieu Wind Farm is a clean energy production site in Vietnam. This is also the first wind power project in Vietnam. The large white blades are nearly 80m above the ground, rotating evenly in the wind, making many visitors excited. When you come to the wind farm, you will have extremely sparkling photos. Anyone who has the opportunity to come to Bac Lieu must come here once and take really “deep” photos.
Ganh Hao coastal town: To dispel the fatigue of the trip, you can come to admire the majestic, poetic scenery of the windy waves of Ganh Hao, Dong Hai district. Immerse yourself in the life of fishermen and visit the traditional craft village of making fish sauce, shrimp paste, etc.
Vinh Hung Ancient Tower
Vinh Hung Ancient Tower dates back to the 9th century, and is an ancient architectural relic of the Khmer people in the South. It is recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic preserved in the West. The Ancient Tower is the remaining architecture of the Oc Eo culture. On the stele next to the tower, there are Sanskrit inscriptions clearly stating the time of King Yacocar-Man. Visit Vinh Hung Ancient Tower. Visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the golden age of the Oc Eo culture in this area.
Specialties
Mam hotpot is usually made from fish sauce with fresh coconut water, lemongrass and fragrant fried garlic. Hotpot served with pork belly, snakehead fish, basa fish… and celery, water spinach, Malabar spinach, purple cabbage, lotus root, water hyacinth, etc.
Sour pickled water fern: is a popular dish of Bac Lieu people. Clean the young roots of water fern, blanch them in boiling water, soak them in a jar with a mixture of rice water and salt for 3 to 5 days to have a delicious pickled dish to eat.
Water fern has a sour, crunchy taste, so it is used to dip in soy sauce, braised fish sauce, shrimp paste, mix shrimp and meat salad… Water fern can also be processed into other dishes such as stir-fried shrimp, stir-fried meat, sour soup with snakehead fish, perch, etc. The price for each kg of pickles is 40,000 – 50,000 VND.
Seafood: The fertile land of Bac Lieu is famous for many types of fresh seafood such as tamarind crab, stir-fried snails with satay, stir-fried snails with coconut…
Radish cake: The outside of the cake is made from flour mixed with white radish powder, rolled into small, bite-sized pieces. The filling is made from shrimp, lightly crushed shrimp, lean pork mixed with green beans marinated with suitable spices and then stir-fried. Visitors can enjoy this cake at Cho Lon area, Bac Lieu town.
Spicy beef noodle soup scores points with diners thanks to the spicy flavor of chili, the aroma of spices such as lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon… mixed with rich, shimmering red and sweet broth. Some reference addresses are spicy beef noodle soup restaurant at 215 23/8 Street, Anh Nguyet spicy beef noodle soup…
Bun nuoc leo is sold everywhere in Bac Lieu, from street vendors to famous traditional restaurants. Delicious broth must be cooked in a clay pot to retain the sweetness of shrimp, fish, coconut water and the aroma of fish sauce.
Vermicelli is served with thinly sliced banana stem, bean sprouts, basil…, you can add fresh squid, roast pork, spring rolls, rice cakes… Reference addresses are Ms. Diep’s vermicelli broth at Xom Moi market on Vo Thi Sau street, ward 3; Nam Hon on Tran Phu street, ward 7, Bac Lieu city,
Sweet and sour three-striped crab: Belongs to the crab family but has 3 lines on the back like a knife, so people call it three-striped crab. To make the dish delicious, you need three-striped crabs that are not too big or too small, wash them, then cut off the shell and the sharp part of the claws.
Soak in boiling water for about 15 minutes to kill bacteria and reduce saltiness, then cut them into small pieces to make them easier to eat and absorb the spices quickly. Mix the three-striped crab with minced garlic and chili, add lemon, sugar, and MSG to taste. In addition to sweet and sour dishes, three-striped crab is also used to prepare dishes such as tamarind stir-fry, three-striped crab fish sauce, three-striped crab and papaya salad…
Ngan Dua rice cake is a specialty of Ngan Dua town, Hong Dan district. The cake consists of red dust rice, pork belly, pork liver and cassava. The cake is rich in flavor thanks to the pork skin and lean meat boiled, shredded, mixed with rice powder and crushed roasted peanuts… The cake is eaten with thinly sliced cucumber, herbs, bean sprouts, tomato sauce, fish sauce, vinegar, chili, sugar, coconut milk… and especially meatballs.
Xa bau, also known as pickled radish, is best when combined with white porridge. The radish is dried and mixed with sugar, five-spice powder, salt and a little wine. Visitors to Bac Lieu who want to buy delicious xa bau do not need to go to the market, they can find it at the stops on the national highway.
What to buy as gifts
Specialties such as pickled water fern, fermented crab, pickled radish, longan… are typical gifts of Bac Lieu land for tourists to give to their relatives and friends. In addition, tourists can choose for themselves books of anecdotes about the Prince of Bac Lieu, CDs of reformed opera, and vọng cổ.
