Dong Nai Travel Guide

1. Where is Dong Nai?

Dong Nai is a province located in the Southeast of Vietnam. This is the largest province in the South of Vietnam. It is about 30 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Geographical location:

• The North borders the provinces of Mondulkiri and Kratié of Cambodia.
• ​​The East borders Lam Dong province.
• The South borders Ho Chi Minh City.
• The West borders Tay Ninh province and Cambodia.

2. How unique is Dong Nai?

Dong Nai holds an important strategic position as it is located in the key economic region of Southern Vietnam. It is also a bridge between the Southeast, the Central Highlands and Cambodia. With a large area, diverse terrain and a developed waterway and railway transport system, Dong Nai plays an important role in economic, political and national security development.

In particular, this land has been formed and developed for more than 300 years thanks to the alluvial deposits from the Dong Nai River. Through many historical ups and downs, Dong Nai has created a unique cultural identity with the intermingling of many ethnic groups such as Kinh, Hoa, Cho Ro, Cham, … It contributes to the formation of a rich folk culture.

Not only that, this land also possesses many pristine landscapes and prominent landmarks such as Bu Gia Map National Park, Ba Ra Mountain or Lam Vien My Le Tea Hill. When coming here, you can not only admire the majestic nature. You also have the opportunity to learn about the unique cultural life of ethnic minorities. Especially in Bom Bo village – a symbol of the spirit of persistent labor and indigenous cultural traditions. With peaceful landscapes, friendly people and rich cultural identity, Dong Nai will certainly leave a deep impression on every visitor.

3. When is the best time to visit Dong Nai?

Dong Nai has a tropical monsoon climate, divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season is from May to October and the dry season is from November to April of the following year. Thanks to the mild weather, you can visit Dong Nai all year round. However, the dry season is the most ideal time to explore nature, sightseeing and participate in outdoor activities.

• From December to January, the scenery is brilliant with the forest changing leaves to orange-yellow, the weather is cool and sunny, very suitable for relaxation and photography. This is also the time when destinations such as Bu Gia Map, Ba Ra mountain or tea hills are at their most beautiful. It is suitable for eco-tourism and experiencing indigenous culture.
• March to April is the season when coffee flowers bloom white, creating a poetic scene in the middle of the mountains and forests.
• Summer from May to August is the season of ripe fruit, offering a unique experience of enjoying garden specialties. In addition, the rainy season is also a great time to admire the majestic beauty of waterfalls and cool green forests.
• If you love the festival atmosphere, the period after Tet is the time when many traditional festivals of ethnic minorities take place. It brings unique cultural experiences.

4. How to get to Dong Nai?

4.1 Traveling to Dong Nai from Ho Chi Minh City:

The capital of Dong Nai province is Bien Hoa city, which is only about 30 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, you can easily get here by means such as motorbike, bus, private car or train.

4.1.1. By bus:

From Ho Chi Minh City, you can go to the Eastern, Western or Tan Phu bus stations to catch a bus to Dong Nai. Some transportation companies that you can refer to, such as My Loan, Dien Linh, Truong Thinh, Phuong Anh.

4.1.2 By train:

If you have plenty of time and want to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, the train is the ideal choice. SE22 has 9 train cars, including 2 air-conditioned soft seat cars. Besides, there ara 4 sleeper cars in compartment 6 and 4 sleeper cars in compartment 4. SE22 runs from Saigon to Bien Hoa with a total travel time of 43 minutes.

4.1.3 By bus:

If you have plenty of time and want to save on travel costs, the bus is a suitable means of transport. You can refer to the bus routes from Saigon to Bien Hoa, Dong Nai. Such as: routes 60-1, 60-3, 60-5 and 60-7.

4.1.4 By personal transport:

If you want to be proactive with your time and have the freedom to stop and rest. So, you can take a personal car or motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City via Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Travel time is from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

4.2 Traveling to Dong Nai from Hanoi and the Northern and Central provinces

If you depart from Hanoi or the Central and Northern provinces. You will take a flight to Tan Son Nhat airport. This is the most optimal means of transport, it will save you time and health.

Or you can go by train to Bien Hoa station and then take a bus, and rent a motorbike to continue. Or take a bus from Hanoi to Bien Hoa, it takes about 35 hours.

4.3 How to move around Dong Nai?

When traveling to Dong Nai, you can move between tourist attractions in the following ways. Renting a motorbike, taking a bus and catching a taxi.

• Renting a motorbike: According to Dong Nai travel experience, this is the most convenient and proactive option for you. Just rent a motorbike, you can go wherever you want, at any time. Currently, hotels or motels combine both accommodation and motorbike rental services. You just need to contact the receptionist to arrange it for you.
• By bus: Bus is suitable for you to travel to a few places and want to sit on the bus to see the streets more. The cost of traveling by bus is extremely affordable.
• By taxi: If you travel in a group of 3-5 people or you go with your family. You can choose to travel by taxi. However, traveling by taxi will increase your cost a bit.

5. Sightseeings in Dong Nai

5.1 Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park is a nature reserve located in the districts of Tan Phu and Vinh Cuu in Dong Nai province, Cat Tien and Bao Loc in Lam Dong province. It is 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh City. Especially, it is one of the largest national parks in Vietnam and UNESCO recognized it as a world biosphere reserve. Besides, the characteristic of this national park is tropical lowland humid forest, located in the three provinces of Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc with a total area of ​​73,878 hectares.

Moreover, Cat Tien is also a religious urban area of ​​the ancient Kingdom of Phu Nam. Around the second century AD with the famous Oc Eo culture. This place is a natural museum of international significance in science and culture. Where they preserve extremely valuable flora and fauna of this tropical forest.

In particular, this place also possesses an extremely diverse and rich flora and fauna. There are 636 species of plants belonging to 411 genera of 192 families, including many rare species. Regarding animals, there are 208 species of birds, 57 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, 121 species of insects and many rare species. They are protecting them, such as: clouded leopards, red wolves, flying squirrels, and five-colored ostriches. Even one-horned rhinos, gaurs, sun bears, white-necked cranes, and green peacocks.

5.2 Buu Long Tourist Area

Only 6 km from the center of Bien Hoa city, Buu Long Tourist Area and Long An Lake are like a miniature painting of Ha Long Bay. With rocks reflecting on the clear blue lake water, it creates an attractive landscape of beautiful nature. The system of high mountains, large lakes, in harmony with architectural works of art bear the religious imprint of many eras.

In addition, there are two low mountains by the lake. There is the famous ancient Buu Phong pagoda on Buu Long mountain, which is hidden behind a large Bodhi tree. Besides, there is also the ancient Thien Hau Temple, there is Long Son Thach Dong cave shaped like a frog’s jaw with many stalactites hanging down full of mystery. Buu Long Cultural Tourism Center and Buu Phong ancient pagoda are two national relics.

5.3 Tran Bien Temple of Literature

In 1715, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu ordered the Governor Nguyen Phan Long and Secretary Pham Khanh Duc to choose Tan Lai village, Phuoc Vinh commune – now Buu Long ward, Bien Hoa city – to build Tran Bien Temple of Literature. In particular, it plays a role as a cultural and educational center of this land. Tran Bien Temple of Literature is the first temple of literature in the South.

In 2002, people rebuilt Tran Bien Temple of Literature on the foundation of the old Temple of Literature in Buu Long ward, Bien Hoa city. It is about 3km from the city center, near Buu Long Cultural Tourism Center. Today, the Temple of Literature is a place to worship famous cultural figures of Vietnam and the South. Furthermore, it preserves and records units and individuals with high achievements, and is a place where cultural activities and national festivals regularly take place.

5.4 Hang Gon Ancient Tomb

In 1910, the French established a rubber plantation, cleared the forest and discovered Hang Gon Ancient Tomb. The tomb is 4.20 m long, 2.70 m wide, 1.60 m high and they made it from six large granite slabs, weighing no less than 50 tons. Hang Gon Ancient Tomb is unusually large, so people call it a megalithic tomb (meaning a large stone tomb).

According to archaeologists, the tomb is about 2,000 years old and the type of stone used to make the tomb is only found in Da Lat or Phan Rang. In 1992, Dong Nai Museum restored Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb to preserve cultural heritage. Also in this year, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized and ranked it as a national historical and cultural relic.

5.5 Cu Lao Pho

In 1679, General Tran Thuong Xuyen led a group of people to apply for asylum in Vietnam and was approved by Lord Nguyen to enter Dong Pho (now Cu Lao Pho) to reclaim the land. When he arrived at Cu Lao Pho, he and the local people built it into a large trading port. However, the war in 1776 between Tay Son and Nguyen Anh destroyed the magnificent architecture of Cu Lao Pho, and now there is no trace left. The golden age of Cu Lao Pho has passed into the past, completing the mission of an ancient urban area, the busiest trading port in the South.

Since the liberation, the people of Cu Lao Pho have transformed this land into a large rice granary of Bien Hoa. Cu Lao Pho currently has 5 pagodas, 3 hermitages, 11 communal houses, and 3 temples. It can be said that Cu Lao Pho still has many forms of beliefs, creating an interwoven structure that blends together.

5.6 Dai Giac Pagoda

Dai Giac Pagoda is located in Hiep Hoa Commune (Cu Lao Pho). This is one of the three oldest pagodas in Bien Hoa and is recognized by the state as a national historical relic. The other two pagodas are Long Thien Pagoda in Nhon Trach and Buu Phong Pagoda in Buu Long Cultural Tourism Center. The pagoda has a T-shaped architecture, an area of ​​about 1,000m2, consisting of 3 main parts: the main hall, the lecture hall and the kitchen.

Dai Giac Pagoda was built around the beginning of the 17th century by monk Thanh Dang. He was one of the disciples of the founder Nguyen Thieu of the Lam Te sect (originally from Guangdong – China).

5.7 Nguyen Huu Canh Temple

Nguyen Huu Canh Temple is located in Hiep Hoa Commune, Cu Lao Pho. And it is a historical – cultural relic ranked by the state.

In 1968, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu sent Nguyen Huu Canh to inspect the Dong Nai region. He named the new land Gia Dinh, built Tran Bien Palace, and divided the district into 2 districts: Phuoc Long and Gia Dinh. After that, he divided the wards, hamlets, communes, villages, established the land register and recruited migrants from Ngu Quang to Dong Nai.

In 1998, the Party Committee and people of Dong Nai built a stele house recording the 300-year history of Bien Hoa – Dong Nai in the grounds of Nguyen Huu Canh Temple. On May 16 and January 11 of the lunar calendar every year, local people hold ceremonies to pray for national peace and prosperity and celebrate the great merits of the ancestors who reclaimed land and established an administrative foundation in the southern region.

5.8 Ong Pagoda Historical Relic

Ong Pagoda is located in Hiep Hoa Commune, Cu Lao Pho, Bien Hoa City. It is only about 100 meters from Nguyen Huu Canh Temple. Previously, the Pagoda was Quan De Temple, today its name is That Phu Co Mieu. This is the earliest Chinese pagoda in the South of Vietnam, around 1684.

5.9 The mansion of Mr. Vo Ha Thanh

When passing through the main gate of Buu Long Tourist Area, you will reach Mr. Thanh’s house. The famous building was built more than three-quarters of a century ago in the French architectural style.

The building was built in 1922, completed in 1924, has a similar structure to Bien Hoa building and was the largest private residence in Bien Hoa province at that time. With all the building materials ordered from France transported by ship.

5.10 Nguyen Tri Phuong Temple

Nguyen Tri Phuong was a brave and intelligent general in the late 19th century. He was also the one who contributed to establishing plantations and reclaiming land to establish hamlets in the Southern provinces. After his death, to express their admiration and condolences to the hero, the people of Bien Hoa built a temple in My Khanh village, Tran Bien palace (now Buu Hoa ward, Bien Hoa city).

The temple was recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1992. Every year in the middle of the 10th lunar month, the temple holds a Ky Yen ceremony lasting three days with many traditional rituals. People from near and far come to attend in large numbers.

5.11 Hung Temple in Dong Nai

Hung Vuong Temple in Binh Da is a place to worship the Hung Vuong National Ancestors. The temple is located on Highway 15, in Ward 3, Binh Da Ward, Bien Hoa city. The temple was built in 1968 and completed in 1971, by 14 elders of Tam Hiep commune mobilizing people in the area to contribute to the construction. In addition to worshiping the Hung Kings, the temple also worships President Ho Chi Minh and the elders who contributed to the construction of the temple.

The main ceremony, the Hung Kings’ death anniversary, is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month every year. In addition, the temple also worships on President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19).

5.12 Tan Hiep Prison

From the center of Bien Hoa city, follow National Highway 1 about 3 km to the North, you will see Tan Hiep Prison. The prison is located in Tan Tien ward, Bien Hoa city, now called Bien Hoa Correctional Center.

Here, on Sunday afternoon, December 2, 1956, when the gong sounded for the tower guards to change shifts. The Communist Party prisoners divided themselves to occupy important targets, telephones, and ammunition warehouses. They controlled the camp director and wardens, supporting more than 400 cadres and party members to escape. Among them were a number of Party members who later held important positions in the Party and State of Vietnam.

5.13 Blue House Relics

From the center of Bien Hoa city, follow National Highway 15 to the May Cua intersection, turn right about 500m. You will reach the Blue House, which was formerly the headquarters of the Bien Hoa Sub-region of the French colonialists.

The Blue House campus is more than 1ha wide, built in the style of a French villa with two floors, the structure of each floor is the same. The roof is covered with fish-scale tiles, surrounded by barracks guarded day and night. Here, on July 7, 1959, a battle took place that resonated greatly in the country and the world. A Vietnamese commando unit of only 5 people raided the Blue House in a lightning and unexpected attack, killing 2 American advisors and injuring a number of officers. In the US, at the Memorial to American Soldiers Who Died in Vietnam, these are the two officers whose names are at the top of the list.

The Blue House was recognized as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1986.

5.14 Tan Lan Communal House

Tan Lan Communal House is located in a densely populated area, on Nguyen Van Tri Street, Hoa Binh Ward, Bien Hoa City. The Communal House has been recognized as a national historical and architectural monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information. After two moves, the communal house has its current location. Every year, on the anniversary of Tran Thuong Xuyen’s death, people organize a large-scale ceremony according to traditional rituals.

5.15 Doan Van Cu Temple

The temple is located in Tam Hiep Ward, on National Highway 15, built in 1956, with an area of ​​about 3,000 m2. The temple is where people worship Doan Van Cu – the leader of the secret society “Thien Dia Hoi” in Bien Hoa and 16 soldiers who died in the French attack on Bung Kieu in 1905. Every year, on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, local people hold a very solemn death anniversary ceremony to commemorate the heroic spirit of Doan Van Cu and the 16 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

The temple was ranked as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 2002.

5.16 Ben Go Village

From Vung Tau intersection, follow National Highway 51 for nearly 4 km, you will set foot in a cultural area of ​​about three hundred years old: that is Ben Go ancient village.

Ben Go ancient village includes An Hoa, Long Hung communes, part of Phuoc Tan commune (Long Thanh district) and Long Binh Tan ward (Bien Hoa) today. Archaeologists have discovered that Ben Go contains many relics of residents and ethnic groups who lived about 2,000 years ago in the Bronze Age.

An Hoa Communal House is ranked as a historical relic and is the pride of Long Hung Commune. Ben Go Church was built in 1932, the earliest type of church in Bien Hoa City. Ben Go has been famous for boat racing since the early 19th century. The boats are made of light wood, 16 meters long and 1.6 meters wide.

5.17 Sac Forest War Zone and Martyrs’ Temple in Nhon Trach

Sac Forest is a mangrove forest area of ​​thousands of square kilometers located in the Southeast of Dong Nai Province. It belongs to Nhon Trach and Long Thanh districts, connecting with Sac Forest in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Sac Forest area became a revolutionary base from the first years of the resistance against the French. With 625 martyrs of Group 10 and 1,400 martyrs of 12 communes of Nhon Trach district who fell on this fierce battlefield. To commemorate the heroic deeds and achievements of their fathers, Nhon Trach Martyrs Temple was built in Long Tho commune, Nhon Trach district, the gateway to the former Rung Sac war zone.

5.18 Eastern Zone Party Committee Base Relic (War Zone D)

Located in Hieu Liem Forestry School, Tri An commune, Vinh Cuu district. War Zone D is a famous resistance base in the Southeast region during the resistance war against France and the US of the Vietnamese people.

War Zone D is the birthplace of special forces techniques and the elite special forces of the Vietnam People’s Army. Today, within the scope of War Zone D, there are 3 historical relics: Suoi Linh tunnel, Eastern Zone Party Committee Base and the first establishment of the Central Office of the South (1961).

Today, the War Zone D relic is a national relic. This is the pride, the symbol of the resilient revolutionary tradition of Dong Nai people and the entire Southeast region.

5.19 Ba Chong Rock

Ba Chong Rock is located in the middle of a bustling residential area of ​​Dinh Quan district, next to National Highway 20. After millions of years of weathering the elements, three times submerged in the sea when the sea flooded in, witnessing hundreds of volcanic activities. Ba Chong Rock is like three rocks stacked on top of each other quite precariously still standing there, creating a majestic landscape.

Next to Ba Chong Rock are two Bach Tuong mountains shaped like a pair of reclining elephants. On the top of the mountain is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni over 20 m high sitting on a lotus pedestal. At the foot of Bach Tuong Mountain is a deep cave and Thien Chon Pagoda, opposite is Hon Dia, a little further away is Hon Su Tu. Ba Chong Rock belongs to the Oc Eo – Phu Nam culture on the Southeast plateau. It was ranked by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1988.

5.20 Mai Waterfall tourist area – hot spring lake

Originating from the Langbiang plateau, La Nga river winds through many undulating hills, crossing many rapids, and then merges into the water of the great Dong Nai river. Mai Waterfall is one of the scenic spots of La Nga river on that arduous path of convergence.

In the territory of Tan Phu Forestry, on the way to Mai waterfall, there is also Da Ban stream. The place where traces of a giant’s hand are preserved is associated with the love story of the heroic hero Knhut of the Ma ethnic group. The natural hot spring lake nearby, with a temperature of 50°C to 60°C, and large reserves, is very beneficial for human health.

5.21 Ba Giot Waterfall

Ba Giot Waterfall eco-tourism destination is located on La Nga River, nearly 8 km from National Highway 20, in Phu Vinh commune, Dinh Quan district. This is an area with beautiful terrain, an area of ​​about 20 km2 with entertainment areas on the lake and river.

Favorable geographical location, beautiful terrain and favorable natural landscape environment. Ba Giot Waterfall is waiting for investment to become an ideal eco-tourism area.

5.22 Da Ton Lake

Da Ton Lake is located in Thanh Son Commune, Tan Phu District, and is an eco-tourism destination with a complex of hills, rapids, and waterfalls. When you come to Da Ton Lake, you can take a motorboat on the river, enjoy local specialties, camp, or picnic.

5.23 Chua Chan Mountain Tourist Area

From Bien Hoa City, follow National Highway 1 north for nearly 80 km, and you will reach Chua Chan Mountain in Gia Ray Town, Xuan Loc District.

Chua Chan Mountain is 837 m high with Buu Quang Pagoda. It is commonly known as Gia Lao Pagoda, near the top of the mountain. This is a tourist destination that attracts many visitors from all over the world. On holidays and New Year’s, the number of pilgrims coming here reaches thousands, creating a bustling atmosphere of the festival.

Buu Quang Pagoda was built in the early 20th century, with a dome-shaped main hall, located in a stone cave shaped like a Ham Rong. The crystal clear Fairy Stream, with its year-round murmuring water and the mysterious three-rooted banyan tree on the mountainside, are further evidence of the legends that have been passed down for generations in this mountainous region.

Chua Chan Mountain today still retains many traces of revolutionary activities through two resistance wars of the Dong Nai people. Because this was the resistance base of Xuan Loc district and Buu Hung Pagoda used to be a logistics base. It was the shelter of many revolutionary cadres and soldiers during the two liberation wars

5.24 Tri An Waterfall

Tri An Waterfall is located 30 km from Bien Hoa city on Highway 24, with a width of 300 m with a rapid flow between two gray rocks covered with dense green trees.

In the dry season, large rocks are exposed, almost allowing one to wade from one bank to the other. But in the rainy season, the waterfall roars, foam covers the waves, carrying along the intact tree trunks uprooted from the shore. Tri An Waterfall is majestic in the middle of nature but is associated with a romantic legend that has been passed down for generations.

5.25 Long Khanh Fruit Garden

Long Khanh is considered the fruit granary of the Southeast, with guava, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, and rambutan. In the summer, gardens in Xuan Lap and Binh Loc communes open their doors for visitors to experience free rambutan picking, and buy them at the garden after picking.

The Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb, Suoi Tre Park, and ancient villas are also suggested destinations. In particular, the Hang Gon Megalithic Tomb is a unique relic in terms of both art and technique of ancient ethnic groups in South Asia in general and ancient Vietnamese people in particular.

5.26 Rubber gardens in the deciduous season

At the beginning of the dry season, from around December to February of the following year, rubber forests in Dong Nai began to shed their leaves, creating a beautiful scene. Dong Nai is one of the three provinces with the largest rubber acreage in the country, many of which are associated with the history of the formation of the domestic rubber industry.

Seen from above, the bare rubber trees create a scene likened to “the birch forest in Eastern Europe”.

5.27 Vuon Xoai Tourist Area

Located in Tan Cang Hamlet, Phuoc Tan Commune, Bien Hoa City, Vuon Xoai Eco-tourism Area is famous to many tourists. With an area of ​​over 50 hectares, it possesses many diverse landscapes with forests, lakes, fruit gardens and zoos.

When coming here, you will participate in games such as ostrich riding, grass sliding, kayaking, and basket boating. In addition, visitors can also walk to observe wild animals such as crocodiles, tigers, horses, ostriches, wild boars, horses, deer and many rare birds. They designed sports activities in open spaces such as swimming pools, tennis courts, multi-purpose gymnasiums, and camping areas for groups.

5.28 Golden Scorpion Tourist Area

Located in Hamlet 3, Phuoc Khanh Commune, Nhon Trach District, the tourist area is surrounded by rivers and fruit gardens, creating a fresh atmosphere. It is suitable for organizing picnics and camping trips for families on weekends.

You can participate in many games on the shore, in the water, folk games such as walking on coconut bridges, rope bridges, swing bridges, fishing, … Or experience thrilling games with ziplines in the air or SUP rowing.

5.29 Ba Ra Mountain

Ba Ra Mountain is a famous tourist destination of Dong Nai tourism. This is a tourist destination that combines natural landscapes and works created by human hands. Moreover, Ba Ra Mountain is up to 732 meters high. This is the third highest mountain in the Southeast region of Vietnam. This mountain is also called “Bơnom Brah” by the S’Tieng people, meaning the mountain of gods.

In addition, the scenery of Ba Ra Mountain will make visitors excited. When reaching the top of the mountain, the surrounding scenery will make you feel like you are lost in a fairyland. In particular, the floating clouds create a romantic and beautiful scene. You can trek up Ba Ra Mountain or use the cable car if you want.

5.30 Bu Lach Grassland

The peaceful space of Bu Lach Grassland is like a soft green silk strip stretching across the clear nature of Dong Nai province. In particular, this is a suitable tourist destination for young people who love to experience picnics, camping or taking photos. The romantic and poetic scenery of Bu Lach Grassland with a clear lake in front. It will help you feel peaceful and comfortable when traveling here.

5.31 Bu Gia Map National Park

Bu Gia Map National Park is a tourist destination with beautiful scenery and cool climate. In the campus of Bu Gia Map National Park, there is an extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna. Moreover, this is also a destination for tourists who love trekking to experience the feeling of being immersed in fresh nature.

5.32 The Destina Park

The Destina Park is a sightseeing and enjoyment spot with a strong modern style. The space of this park is part of the Cat Tuong Phu Hung urban area project. Besides, the space here will help you admire the gentle scenery with many green trees and beautiful lakes.

5.33 Quang Minh Pagoda

Quang Minh Pagoda is a famous cultural site of Dong Nai. This is the largest religious activity place in this province. The space of Quang Minh Pagoda will bring you a feeling of meditation and peace. It will make you forget all the troubles of everyday life.

5.34 Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda

Phat Quoc Van Thanh is a pagoda with unique architecture in Dong Nai. In particular, this pagoda has a 73 meter high Buddha statue, sitting on a large, high platform. This platform is the main hall of Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda. In addition, the campus of Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda is extremely large and airy. It is suitable for Buddhists and tourists who want to find a feeling of meditation and tranquility here to worship and pray.

5.35 Suoi Giai Lake

Suoi Giai Lake is a fairly close tourist destination, only about 80 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Suoi Giai Lake is one of the most beautiful places to admire the scenery in Dong Nai. In addition, many tourists have chosen this as a weekend camping spot. You have the opportunity to admire the scenery and enjoy the fresh, cool air. Besides, the area around Suoi Giai Lake is a lush green forest. It creates a peaceful, quiet and cool feeling.

5.36 Thac Mo Hydroelectric Lake

Thac Mo Hydroelectric Lake is a beautiful sightseeing spot in Phuoc Long and Bu Dang districts in Binh Phuoc province. Thac Mo Hydroelectric Lake has a fairly large area and a gentle, clear stream of water. The space here is also extremely airy, evoking a peaceful, pleasant feeling. This is an ideal sightseeing spot if you want to change the stuffy atmosphere with an extremely chill scene on the weekend.

5.37 Soc Bom Bo

Soc Bom Bo is a famous tourist destination in Dong Nai. It helps you learn about the cultural beauty and hear about the most heroic pages in the history of this place. In particular, Soc Bom Bo is a historical relic associated with the resistance war against America. When coming here, you can learn about history as well as explore the extremely unique cultural life of the S’Tieng ethnic group.

5.38 Standing Waterfall

Standing Waterfall is a land with majestic scenery. The waterfall has a very strong red stream. Besides, this is a quite dangerous waterfall and is quite strictly managed. Therefore, visitors need to consider carefully before visiting.

5.39 Dak Mai Waterfall

Dak Mai Waterfall is a small waterfall in Bu Gia Map, Dong Nai. This waterfall is not too famous but still makes trekking enthusiasts passionate and come here to visit.

In addition, around Dak Mai Waterfall is a lush green forest. You can admire the clear space of the waterfall in the middle of the green nature. Or organize picnic parties with family or friends.

5.40 Tau O checkpoint relic

The Tau O checkpoint relic is a historical relic that records the heroic feats of the army and people in Dong Nai. This is the place that marks one of the most fierce periods of the Vietnam War when thousands of people fell here. The Tau O checkpoint relic was established to pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed at this location.

5.41 Bu Dang rubber forest

Bu Dang rubber forest is a suitable tourist destination for tourists who love to check-in “virtual life”. Anyone who comes here cannot miss the vast rubber forests. It creates an impressive landscape, a beautiful background that attracts tourists from near and far. It has a mixture of young and old rubber trees, creating a beautiful green-brown color scheme.

In addition, at the end of autumn, when the trees are about to change leaves. Bu Dang rubber forest at this time seems to put on a new, quiet but equally charming coat. This is a destination that is often checked in by Dong Nai tourism enthusiasts on weekends.

5.42 Dau Tieng Lake

Dau Tieng Lake is a famous lake in the Southeast region of Vietnam. It starts at Dau Tieng, Ho Chi Minh City and Hon Quan, Dong Nai. The place is often chosen by many tourists as a picnic spot, organizing picnics with friends and relatives.

5.43 Chou Shin Tourist Area

Chou Shin Tourist Area is also a popular weekend camping spot. With cool, fresh air and many places where you can camp and picnic. This is an ideal day trip destination that you should visit.

6. Specialties when traveling to Dong Nai

When traveling to Dong Nai, you not only admire the beautiful natural scenery, historical and revolutionary relics full of meaning. But you also have the opportunity to enjoy the specialties of this beautiful land.

6.1 Southern sour soup

In fact, the people of the South are no different from anywhere else. Natural foods are the same as those of the North and Central regions. They provide rice grains, leaves, vegetables, small fish, shrimp, and pieces of meat. And the processing methods are also left by our ancestors. The only difference is the geographical characteristics and weather of a region in the extreme south that is hot all year round, with many rivers and canals. Therefore, there are more special dishes with rich Southern flavors that may suit anyone’s taste.

6.2 Braised fish sauce

The traditional method of the Khmer people makes braised fish sauce very delicious. People cook large snakehead fish to make a thin broth. And they enjoyed fish sauce with coconut leaves, water spinach, and water lilies. Or with young banana stems and thinly sliced ​​banana flowers. You can eat fish sauce with star fruit, green mango, green banana with fresh chili, herbs and a little sugar mixed in.

6.3 Vegetable salad

They peeled the young shoots, split in half, blanched in boiling water until slightly tender. Then, they mixed them with white shrimp, pork belly, dried squid, onions, vinegar and sugar. And they served them with shrimp crackers. When dipping the vegetable salad in sweet and sour fish sauce, no other vegetable salad can surpass it. The crunchiness, the richness, and the characteristic flavors of this traditional and modern salad.

The winged bean salad is crunchy, the pungent smell combined with the strong aroma of garlic and chili. It may be ranked second after other salads. In addition, they made snakehead salad of thinly sliced ​​white radish, red radish mixed with shredded grilled snakehead fish. This is also a dish with a sweet, sour, spicy taste that is really wonderful to use as an appetizer.

6.4 Grilled shrimp

They grilled silver shrimp with coconut stalks when the rice was almost ripe, this is the best dish. The shrimp are plump and round thanks to eating the rice grains that have fallen into the fields. Take a piece of coconut leaf and skewer it horizontally across the body of fresh shrimp, each strand is about 5-6 shrimp. If you can season it, it’s even better, otherwise just leave it as is and grill it over a straw fire, the shrimp shell will burn but the shrimp meat will still be red and soft, dip it in a thick, sour tamarind fish sauce, eat the tail too because it is also crispy and fragrant.

6.5 Braised eel with spinach leaves

Another delicious dish of the old Southern region is eel with chuan leaves, a type of leaf that has medicinal properties for back pain. But to eat it, you must choose a type that is neither too old nor too young to line the bottom of a clay pot. Cut the eel into pieces, place it in the pot, add wood ear mushrooms, onions, vermicelli, season with enough spices, then pour enough coconut milk on top, put it on the stove to simmer, simmer for as long or as short as you like. The side dishes are vermicelli and fish sauce with fresh chili.

6.6 Bien Hoa fish salad

Dong Nai has two famous fish villages, Tan Mai and La Nga. Fishermen here prepare many delicious dishes from fish, but the most mentioned is still salad.

The fish used to make salad are carp, elephant ear, red tilapia, weighing from one to two kilograms. According to the people, fish that are too big will have dry meat, the meat fibers are not smooth, but fish that are too small will have little meat and are mushy.

After cleaning and removing the scales, they filtered fresh fish to separate the meat and bones. They cleaned, drained then mixed fish meat with lemongrass, galangal, crushed until half-cooked, then mixed with rice powder. They ground fish head and bones with lean meat, pork liver, fish eggs, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, seasoned with spices and cooked until thick to make the dipping sauce. People served fish salad with more than ten types of vegetables. Such as fig leaves, young jackfruit shoots, mango shoots, ginseng, perilla, basil, mint, young lotus leaves, lettuce, perilla leaves, and coriander.

To enjoy Bien Hoa fish salad, you should go to restaurants along the Dong Nai River in Tan Mai Ward. Or Hiep Hoa Commune.

6.7 Bien Hoa grilled pork rolls (Bien Hoa grilled pork rolls)

People sold pork rolls a lot in Bien Hoa City. The word “lui” refers to the way of skewering bamboo sticks into the rolls and grilling them on a charcoal stove.

The grilled pork rolls are not too elaborate but exude a distinctive and attractive flavor. The filling includes shrimp and minced pork belly placed in the middle of a soft rice paper, wrapped into bite-sized rectangular pieces.

6.8 Bitter melon hotpot

Wild bitter melon leaves are popular in Long Khanh. People often pick young leaves and shoots to prepare the dish. The leaves are bitter but have the effect of cooling and detoxifying, and they are a good ingredient for health.

Wild bitter melon hotpot is a specialty of Bien Hoa. People often cook it with catfish, ribs, dried shrimp or field crab. The cook reduces the bitterness of the bitter melon by squeezing salt. When enjoying, diners dip the leaves into the hotpot and then take them out immediately, and eat them immediately to feel the unique flavor.

6.9 Tan Trieu grapefruit salad

When coming to Dong Nai, you should visit Tan Trieu islet in Tan Binh commune, Vinh Cuu district (8 km from Bien Hoa). With the famous grapefruit village in the South, the specialty is orange-leaf grapefruit and guava grapefruit.

In addition, there are many leaf huts along Tan Trieu canal, serving grapefruit-related dishes. Grapefruit salad is a must-try dish, with a sour taste from grapefruit segments. And sweet from shrimp, fragrant with spices and herbs.

The grapefruit used to make the salad is just ripe, separating the segments. Then mix it with shrimp and chopped boiled pork belly, add roasted peanuts, chili and herbs to eat with. The salad dish is both attractive in color and full of sour, spicy, sweet and salty flavors.

6.10 Steamed chicken with grapefruit

In previous centuries, this was an extremely luxurious and solemn dish. To make this dish the most delicious, they used Tan Trieu grapefruit, ripe enough. Then, they peeled the grapefruit very meticulously so that the grapefruit kept its original shape.

The chicken used for this dish is ri chicken or hill chicken. Then they steamed the chicken with a little grapefruit leaves and grapefruit wine to enhance the flavor of the dish. This is one of the dishes that people used to present to the king in ancient times.

6.11 Stir-fried bat

Surely only when you come to Dong Nai can you enjoy this dish. Bat meat from a large one will have a more delicious and fragrant texture. After people catch them, they will clean the bats very carefully and stir-fry with pork and a little vegetable. Extremely delicious.

6.12 Wild orangutan fruit

You must have heard the name quite strangely because orangutan fruit is not available every year. Therefore, the price is also quite high. Before eating, you should soak it in water first and then open it to get the filling. The Uoi fruit mixed with sugar water, eaten with basil seeds is very delicious.

6.13 Ho Nai Gai Cake

More than 70 years ago, many people from the North came to Dong Nai to live. And they brought with them the traditional profession of making gai cake. The cake has the soft and fragrant taste of gai leaves, sticky rice flour. And it mixed with the rich, fatty taste of green beans, coconut and some other ingredients.

People sold Ho Nai Gai Cake in many places, in supermarkets. But the best is still to enjoy it locally, hot, with the fragrant smell of leaves when it is fresh out of the oven. This is also a popular gift product when coming to Bien Hoa.

Visitors who want to enjoy it can go to long-standing gai cake shops in Tan Mai, Ho Nai, Tan Bien wards in Bien Hoa city. Or Ho Nai 3 commune in Trang Bom district.

6.14 Grapefruit Melt

Dong Nai is also rich in fruits, almost all year round, of which grapefruit is the most famous fruit.

Dong Nai grapefruit is most abundant in Tan Trieu village (Vinh Cuu district). Tan Trieu grapefruit is famous domestically and in several countries around the world. For its pleasant sweet and sour taste, small juicy segments, and good effects on the cardiovascular system. Today, visitors can take a tour, or come to Tan Trieu village. In order to rest, camp or picnic right in the grapefruit garden. Or pick the grapefruits yourself, to enjoy the sweet taste of sugar dissolved in the grapefruit segments – a gentle, cool sweetness. That it helps refresh the spirit…

6.15 Rambutan, durian – two specialties of Long Thanh and Long Khanh orchards.

Rambutan has thick skin, clear white flesh, and is sweet and cool. Durian is the most expensive fruit in Vietnam. The name of this fruit is associated with the legend of the failed love. Between a neighboring prince and a girl from Southern Vietnam. The durian has a thick, hard shell with jagged thorns. When ripe, just use a knife to gently split the groove in the shell to see the golden, shiny durian segments as if spread with butter.

The durian scent is very strong, strangely seductive, travels very far and takes a long time to dissolve in the air. People exported durian to many countries around the world.

6.16 Crispy fried cicadas

Crispy fried cicadas are definitely a Dong Nai specialty that many tourists choose to try. Cicadas are caught, cleaned, then dipped in boiling water, then soaked in cold water to remove all toxins. Then put the cicadas in a pan of oil to fry until golden brown. Crispy fried cicadas are often served with fish sauce, garlic, chili, and many kinds of raw vegetables.

6.17 Salted roasted cashews

An extremely famous Dong Nai specialty that many tourists have probably heard of is cashews. Moreover, Dong Nai is a famous place for growing cashews in Vietnam, and is even exported. Salted roasted cashews here always have their shells intact, have a unique flavor, a lasting aroma, and a sweet taste. They are extremely delicious when eaten crispy in the mouth.

6.18 Free-range pigs

Most of the free-range pigs are raised naturally by ethnic minorities in Dong Nai. Pigs are mainly raised in natural forests, eating vegetables to ensure that the meat is both firm and delicious. Free-range pigs can be processed into many dishes such as: Grilled dishes, fake dog meat, steamed dishes, … The most delicious is probably grilled pork.

6.19 Binh Phuoc bamboo rice

Bamboo rice or tube rice will use rice cooked in bamboo tubes or reed tubes. The rice can be regular rice, sticky rice mixed with many types of green beans, peanuts, black beans, … The bamboo tube part is also carefully selected, not too old or too young. When cooked, the bamboo rice will be both sticky and fragrant, with the characteristic flavor of bamboo tubes that everyone loves. People served bamboo rice with chicken or wild boar meat, sprinkled with sesame salt or sesame salt and it’s perfect.

6.20 Grilled bamboo shoots

Dong Nai specialties are also famous for their extremely delicious grilled bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots grilled under red charcoal will have an extremely fragrant smell. When enjoying, it has a cool, rich, slightly bitter taste. The bamboo shoots are eaten with salt, chili and lemon juice to complete the taste. In particular, this dish is also very good for the body, both to relieve hangovers and to treat bloating, so you can enjoy it with peace of mind.

6.21 Cashew fruit salad

Surely you already know that one of Dong Nai’s specialties is cashew nuts. That’s why the people here have taken advantage of the delicious cashews to make an extremely attractive cashew fruit salad. Moreover, cashew fruit salad has a sweet and sour taste combined with a little shrimp and meat, adding a little seasoning to increase the saltiness.

6.22 Stir-fried nib leaves

Nib leaves or nib vegetables are a very popular vegetable and are considered one of Dong Nai’s specialties. Nib leaves will be harvested when they are still young to ensure the leaf stalks are green. The leaves are slightly pink for good health when used. Nhip leaves can be used to make many dishes. Such as: stir-fried Nhip leaves, hot pot, soup, stir-fried with meat, etc. Nhip leaves have a sweet taste, both rich and sticky when ripe, so they are very delicious.

6.23 S’Tieng wine

S’Tieng wine is a specialty that will make many tourists fall in love when they try it. Moreover, the wine is completely handmade, bringing a very unique spicy flavor. In addition, for the S’Tieng ethnic minority or Dong Nai people. This wine is also a gift, a valuable product. It shows the love that connects people and villages together.

6.24 Snakehead fish noodle soup

Have you learned about Dong Nai specialties, have you heard of snakehead fish noodle soup? Snakehead fish noodle soup here is famous for its rich broth. In addition, they selected the fish carefully and then they steamed it before removing the bones. Delicious as it is, snakehead fish noodle soup can be easily found in many places. From cheap eateries to high-end restaurants with very reasonable prices, so you can rest assured.

7. Accommodation when traveling to Dong Nai

When traveling to the lyrical land of Dong Nai, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:

• The Mira Central Park Hotel. Address: No. 1809 Nguyen Ai Quoc Street, Tan Tien District, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• Bcons PS Hotel & Apartment. Address: A9C Hanoi Highway, Tan Hiep District, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• Mansion Park Hotel. Address: K73, Quarter 7, Thong Nhat Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• As ONE Hotel Bien Hoa. Address: No. 41, N10 Street, Thong Nhat Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• Aurora Hotel. Address: No. 253, Pham Van Thuan Street, Tan Mai Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• The Mansion Hotel. Address: Tran Cong An Street, Quarter 6, Trung Dung Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
• Happy Hotel Chon Thanh. Address: Ho Hao Hon, Chon Thanh, Dong Nai.
• NgocTram Hotel. Address: No. 353 QL14, Tan Thien Ward, Dong Xoai, Dong Nai.
• Hung Oanh Hotel. Address: 50 Tran Phu Street, Tan Phu Ward, Dong Xoai City, Dong Nai.
• Cat Tuong 68 Hotel. Address: Tien Hung, Dong Xoai, Dong Nai.
• Thanh Binh Hotel. Address: Nguyen Binh Khiem, Thanh Binh, Binh Long, Dong Nai.

8. Some important notes when traveling to Dong Nai

To have a safe and complete trip to Dong Nai, you need to refer to some necessary notes below:

• Understand the information: Learn carefully about Dong Nai, including tourist attractions, culture, history. And information about climate, terrain to have a detailed and convenient travel plan.
• Prepare personal items: Make sure you bring enough personal items such as comfortable clothes, shoes, sunscreen, drinking water. And other personal items suitable for travel conditions.
• Book a hotel room in advance: If you plan to stay overnight in Dong Nai, book a hotel room in advance to avoid being out of rooms and get the best price.
• Choose the right time: Consider the time to travel that best suits your plans and the weather conditions in Dong Nai.
• Respect local culture: Always respect the culture, customs and traditions of the locality you visit.
• Personal and Environmental Hygiene: Maintain personal and environmental hygiene by disposing of waste properly and respecting the land you are visiting.
• Safety on the Road: Always obey traffic laws and ensure safety on the road by using seat belts, not overtaking recklessly and observing the speed limit.

With updated and useful information about Dong Nai travel experiences. Origin Vietnam – a reliable tour operator, has just shared in the above article. Hopefully, it will help you in your upcoming vacation to this beautiful land. Especially, we are committed to accompany you on your Vietnam tour to explore this land of Dong Nai rich in history and tradition with interesting activities and unforgettable experiences.