2N1D journey deep into Con Chim, encountering the dreamy Lac Beach

Tra Vinh, a peaceful land in the West with ancient Khmer pagodas, pristine nature and unique ethnic culture, is gradually becoming an attractive destination for tourists.

What is there to do in Tra Vinh for 2 days and 1 night?

• Cultural diversity:Tra Vinh is home to Khmer, Kinh and Chinese communities, creating a rich cultural picture with unique Khmer pagodas and specialty dishes.
• Wild nature:The floating islands in the middle of the river such as Con Chim, Ao Ba Om or the vast rice fields bring a peaceful, close feeling.
• Reasonable distance:From Ho Chi Minh City, it only takes about 3-4 hours to get to Tra Vinh, ideal for a short weekend trip.

With the itinerary we suggest below, you will experience all these wonderful things completely and economically.

What to prepare when traveling to Tra Vinh

To have a smooth trip, you need to prepare carefully. Here is a specific checklist:

1. Transportation:From Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh (about 130km), you can go by motorbike (4-5 hours) or bus (3-4 hours, ticket price about 100,000-150,000 VND/person).
2. Accommodation:Book hotels or motels in advance through platforms like dulich. Room rates here are quite cheap, only from 200,000 - 500,000 VND/night/room
3. Budget:Estimate about 1.2-1.8 million VND/person for 2 days, including food, transportation, entrance tickets and accommodation.
4. Clothing and equipment:Bring comfortable clothes, sneakers, a hat, sunscreen, and personal medication. Don't forget to bring cash as some places don't accept cards.

Tra Vinh travel itinerary 2 days 1 night

Day 1: Explore Khmer culture and Con Chim

The first day will take you to the highlights of Tra Vinh, from ancient Khmer pagodas to the pristine nature of Con Chim.

Morning: Ang Pagoda and Ba Om Pond

6:00: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

If you go by motorbike, leave early to avoid the heat. The route is quite easy, mainly via National Highway 1A and National Highway 60. If you go by bus, you can catch a bus at Mien Tay Bus Station and arrive in Tra Vinh around 9:00. On the way, stop at roadside cafes to rest and enjoy a cup of iced milk coffee with a strong Western flavor.

9:30: Have breakfast

Coming to Tra Vinh, you can visit Co Ba Banh Xeo Restaurant (No. 28 Le Loi, Tra Vinh City) to enjoy crispy banh xeo with shrimp, meat and bean sprouts, served with wild vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce. The price of a portion of banh xeo is about 30,000-50,000 VND. In addition, beef noodle soup at Hu Tieu 79 Restaurant (Le Loi Street) is also a great choice.

10:30: Visit Ang Pagoda

Ang Pagoda (Chau Thoi Commune, Duyen Hai District) is the oldest Khmer pagoda in Tra Vinh, standing out with its unique architecture: curved tower roofs, carved motifs of fairies, divine birds, and divine snakes. Don't forget to ask the monks about the history of the pagoda to learn more about Khmer culture. Remember to wear modest clothes and take gentle photos to respect the sacred space. Entrance to the pagoda is free, but you can make a donation.

11:30: Explore Ao Ba Om

About 1km from Ang Pagoda, Ao Ba Om (Ward 2, Tra Vinh City) is a famous scenic spot with clear blue water, blooming lotus flowers and unique ancient trees with floating roots. You can rent a bicycle (20,000 VND/hour) to ride around the pond or sit under the tree canopy and listen to the legend of Ba Om - the Khmer woman who created this wonder. This is also an ideal spot for taking "virtual life" photos.

Noon: Experience Con Chim

12:30: Move to Con Chim and have lunch

From Ao Ba Om, you can take a car for about 30 minutes to Con Chim wharf (Hoa Minh commune, Chau Thanh district). Renting a boat to Con Chim costs about 100,000-150,000 VND/person (round trip). On Con Chim, you can have lunch at rustic restaurants such as Co Ba Con Chim Restaurant, with specialties such as grilled snakehead fish (80,000 VND/fish), boiled green-legged shrimp (200,000 VND/kg), and fish sauce hotpot (150,000 VND/pot). Don't forget to try the cool fresh coconut water, only 15,000 VND/fruit.

14:00: Explore nature and folk activities

Con Chim is a floating islet in the middle of Tien River, famous for its cool green space and folk activities. You can rent a bicycle (VND 30,000/hour) to explore the islet, visit the fruit garden (free) or try your hand at crab fishing (crab season: March-September) or green-legged shrimp fishing (shrimp season: October-February). Some households provide fishing gear for VND 50,000/person. If you are lucky, you can bring home fresh crabs to cook.

Evening: Khmer culture and overnight stay

16:30: Visit the Khmer Cultural Museum

Returning to Tra Vinh City, you can visit the Khmer Cultural Museum (Le Loi Street, Ward 2) to learn about the life and culture of the Khmer people through more than 800 artifacts, from costumes, musical instruments to Khmer pagoda models. Entrance fee is 20,000 VND/person. If you are lucky, you can watch traditional dances such as Romvong dance on weekend afternoons.

18:00: Dinner

In the evening, try the specialties at Quan An Gia Dinh (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street), with a diverse menu such as fried fish cakes, sour snakehead fish hotpot, Tra Cuon sticky rice cake (VND 100,000-150,000/person). Then, stroll around Tra Vinh Night Market to enjoy snacks such as grilled rice paper, pomelo sweet soup (VND 10,000-20,000/portion).

19:30: Overnight

Go to a hotel or homestay to rest. If you want to experience a close space, Ao Ba Om homestay is a great choice with cool green space and reasonable price.

Day 2: The Oil Palm Tree and the return journey

Day two will focus on a prominent spiritual destination and some specialty shopping before returning.

Morning: Visit the Old Oil Tree

6:30: Have breakfast

Have breakfast at Pho 79 Restaurant (Le Loi Street) with delicious beef pho (40,000 VND/bowl) or fried egg bread at a bakery near Tra Vinh Market (20,000 VND/loaf). Then, pack your bags to continue your journey.

7:30: Visit the Old Oil Tree

The Old Tree of Oil (Ngu Lac Commune, Duyen Hai District) is an ancient tree over 700 years old, associated with many spiritual legends. With a large canopy and peaceful space, this is an ideal place to take photos and feel the majesty of nature. The way to the Old Tree is quite easy, you can ask the locals or use Google Maps. Admission is free, but you should keep the area clean.

9:30: Buy specialties and return

Before leaving Tra Vinh, stop by Tra Vinh Market or Tra Vinh Specialty Store (Le Loi Street) to buy flattened green rice (50,000 VND/kg), Tra Cuon sticky rice cake (80,000 VND/loaf), beef paste (100,000 VND/jar) or shrimp paste (150,000 VND/liter). Then, start the journey to Ho Chi Minh City, expected arrival time around 13:30-14:00.

Compare Tra Vinh 2 days 1 night self-guided tour and tour

To help you decide between going it alone and joining a tour, here is a comparison table:

Tips for safe 2-day, 1-night travel to Tra Vinh

To make your independent trip successful, please note:

1. Detailed planning:Research your destinations in advance using Google or travel blogs. Save phone numbers of restaurants and ferry terminals for easy communication.
2. Safe travel:If you ride a motorbike, check the vehicle carefully before going. Bring a raincoat because the weather in the West is unpredictable.
3. Respect for culture:When visiting temples, wear polite clothes and do not make noise. Ask local people before taking photos in sensitive areas.
4. Reasonable budget:Bring cash as some restaurants and ferry terminals do not accept cards. Always ask for the price before making a purchase or using a service.

Frequently asked questions about independent travel to Tra Vinh

1. Is it difficult to travel to Tra Vinh on your own?

It's not difficult if you prepare well. The roads are easy, the people are friendly, and the attractions are all near the center of Tra Vinh city.

2. When should you go to Tra Vinh?

March to September is the dry season, ideal for sightseeing and crab fishing. October to February is the giant freshwater prawn season, suitable for prawn fishing activities.

3. Do I need to book a hotel in advance?

It is advisable to book in advance, especially on weekends or during festival seasons (such as Ok Om Bok Festival in the 10th lunar month) to avoid sold out situations.

Traveling to Tra Vinh for 2 days and 1 night on your own is an opportunity for you to freely explore the colorful land of the West, from ancient Khmer pagodas, wild Con Chim nature, to unique Khmer culture. With the detailed schedule and useful tips above, you will have a memorable trip without worrying about costs or plans.