What to do in Tien Giang – Top things to do in Tien Giang

Known as the largest rice basket in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is blessed with a warm climate year-round and fertile soil. For a long time, this land has been a popular tourist destination. Want to fully explore the cultural beauty and scenery of the Southwest region of Vietnam? You don’t need to go far; just travel 70km from Ho Chi Minh City to Tien Giang to enjoy a journey in the alluvial land. Let’s explore what to do in Tien Giang?

What to do in Tien Giang – Top things to do in Tien Giang

Tan Thanh Beach (Go Cong Beach) 

Unlike the northern and central coastal areas with clear blue water and white sand, Tan Thanh Beach has its unique beauty with a 7km stretch of black sand. Along the beach are characteristic blue piers and nets set up by locals to catch fish and clams.

Especially if you have a strong love for seafood, Tan Thanh Beach is an ideal stop. You can enjoy steamed lemongrass clams, Thai steamed clams, grilled scallops with green onions, stir-fried razor clams with garlic, and countless fresh seafood dishes caught the same day at affordable prices. You can indulge to your heart’s content!

My Thuan Bridge 

After three years of construction, My Thuan Bridge was inaugurated in 2000 and is the first cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam. With its massive and unique architecture, the bridge has become a check-in spot for many generations.

Connecting Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces, whether traveling by motorbike or car, you can schedule a visit here to admire the beauty of the bridge. Especially at night, the bridge becomes more prominent with its lighting and decorative system!

Cai Be Church 

Featuring characteristic Roman architecture, Cai Be Church not only plays an important role in the religious life of locals but also is an attractive tourist destination in Tien Giang.

The most notable feature of Cai Be Church is its bell tower, considered the tallest in the Mekong Delta. Additionally, the church faces the Cai Be river confluence, creating a scenic view. The courtyard is filled with greenery, adding to its picturesque landscape.

Linh Thuu Pagoda 

This is one of the oldest pagodas in Tien Giang province. Moreover, it is associated with the story of King Gia Long’s escape from death, passed down through generations. At Linh Thuu Pagoda, you can spend time exploring the unique architectural details at the gate and courtyard, and don’t forget to send good wishes to your family, friends, and everyone around you.

Address of Linh Thuu Pagoda: Cho Hamlet, Phuoc Thanh Commune, Chau Thanh District.

Tien Giang Cathedral 

Located at 32 Hung Vuong Street, Ward 7, My Tho City, this cathedral is over 100 years old and has undergone several renovations but still retains its ancient beauty with intricate decorations and characteristic Renaissance Greek architecture.

Vinh Trang Pagoda 

In Tien Giang, you can ask anyone for directions to Vinh Trang Pagoda as it is very famous. Besides its long history, the pagoda attracts visitors with its unique architectural blend of East and West. During construction, the pagoda used imported Italian tiles, so to this day, every detail and decorative tile retains its original shape and vibrant colors over time.

Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village 

Along with Duong Lam Ancient Village (Hanoi) and Phuoc Tich Ancient Village (Hue), Dong Hoa Hiep is one of the most beautiful ancient villages in Vietnam. Over 200 years of formation, preservation, and development, the village now has 36 old houses, with 7 recognized as heritage sites.

The most prominent feature here is the houses reflecting the liberal architecture of the southern region, harmoniously combined with Western architecture. Among the houses are fruit gardens laden with produce. If you visit between January and May each year, you can tour the gardens and harvest fruit. This is also the dry season, ideal for walking or cycling tours.

The standout in Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village is the over 1,000m2 house of Mr. Tran Tuan Kiet’s family. Though built in the Mekong Delta, the house reflects Northern architecture with a “Dinh” shaped structure. The owner has also arranged private rooms for visitors.

The house of Mr. Le Van Xoat’s family holds the record for longevity. Over 200 years old, the house still retains its grandeur. Inside, it houses antique furniture such as panels, tables, chairs, and beds. The house also has a homestay section for visitors to stay overnight.

Besides the ancient houses, you can engage in various interesting activities in Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village, such as learning about and experiencing traditional rice cake making at Ngoc Loi rice cake kiln, and enjoying local delicacies (Southern pancakes, fish sauce hotpot).

Dong Tam Snake Farm 

Take a break from the prominent architectural structures and explore Dong Tam Snake Farm, a must-visit tourist destination in Tien Giang. Located more than 9km from the center of My Tho City in Binh Duc Commune, Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang.

The snake farm was established in 1967 and covers an area of 30 hectares. It is home to thousands of snakes and plants (mostly medicinal herbs). The primary purpose of the snake farm is to breed and produce specialized antivenom. According to the farm’s statistics, it provides timely treatment for 1,000 snakebite cases annually.

During your visit, you will see over 50 rare snake species preserved in the museum, recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Records. Additionally, you will learn about various medicinal herbs and the process of preserving and breeding them for treatment.

Note that you should follow the instructions of the staff at the snake farm to ensure safety!

Cai Be Floating Market 

A trip to the Mekong Delta would be incomplete without mentioning the floating markets. The list of tourist destinations in Tien Giang always includes Cai Be Floating Market. Try waking up early, taking a boat to the market, enjoying a hot bowl of bun rieu, sipping iced coffee, and watching the sunrise on the river. There’s nothing better! 

Located at the confluence of three rivers, connecting Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre provinces, Cai Be Floating Market may not be as large as Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho but it offers a variety of delicious food, especially fruits. You can easily buy Lo Ren star apples, rambutans, mandarins, oranges, Tan Lap pineapples, and various handcrafted candies and jams at this unique market.

Visiting the Islets 

The Mekong Delta is famous for its “Four Sacred Animals” islets. These are four islets named Long, Lan, Quy, and Phung. Tien Giang has two islets, Long and Lan (Quy and Phung are in Ben Tre province). So, why not explore these islets?

First, you must visit Lan Islet, also known as Thoi Son Islet. With an area of over 1,200 hectares, it is the largest islet among the “Four Sacred Animals.” Here, you can tour fruit gardens, experience rural activities like rowing a sampan, trying the monkey bridge, listening to traditional music, and enjoying local cuisine.

Next is Long Islet, known for its fish farming rafts and ship repair village. Although smaller in size compared to the other islets, it is still an attractive destination in Tien Giang where you can explore the life of the locals and enjoy fresh fruits.

The ideal time to visit these attractive tourist destinations in Tien Giang is from June to September each year. This is when tropical fruits are in harvest, the climate is pleasant, and there is little rain. Hopefully, with these suggestions, you will have your own itinerary to explore the charming land of Tien Giang. You can also refer to information on booking tickets, hotels, homestays, and short tours in Tien Giang