Visiting Tây Ninh to Chase Clouds and Trek on Fairy-tale-like Trails

Located less than 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City and suitable for a day trip, Tây Ninh is an intriguing destination for families and groups of young explorers. Upon arriving in Tây Ninh, you can both enjoy many Southeast specialties and freely explore and learn about the unique culture of this sacred land.

Chasing Clouds and Trekking to Conquer the Roof of Southeast Vietnam

Núi Bà Đen is becoming a new exploration and conquest point for today's youth. It is the highest peak in the South, standing at 986 meters, and is also an ideal spot for cloud-chasing.

During the summer, from late April to August, the summit of Núi Bà Đen is often shrouded in waves of mist and clouds at dawn, making the entire mountain area appear like a fairyland. From the summit, visitors have the opportunity to view clouds up close.

Núi Bà Đen is also one of the most beautiful trekking spots in the South. Although this area now has grandly invested cable car routes that reduce travel time from 4 hours to just 8 minutes, many fit and adventure-loving visitors still choose to climb the slopes and traverse large boulders to reach the 986-meter summit.

The cool, fresh air and shaded green trees make the trekking path more "breathable." The area is surrounded by the pristine forests of Heo Mountain and Phụng Mountain, with temperatures about 8-10 degrees Celsius lower than Tây Ninh city and neighboring provinces.

The path to the summit is quite steep with few flat sections. Visitors can take various routes such as the Bà Temple path, the power line path, and the Ma Thiên Lãnh path. Among these, the power line path is chosen by many visitors for its gentle slopes.

Visiting Spiritual Sites

Located about 4 km from the city center, Tòa Thánh Tây Ninh is a famous landmark of the Cao Đài religion.

This complex of unique architectural, artistic, and religious structures spans 2,000 m². The special feature is its bamboo-reinforced concrete architecture, with the main symbol being the Long Mã bowing to the master, facing west.

The first impression when visitors arrive is the Thiên Nhãn at the front of Tòa Thánh. It is the image of an eye radiating with light, a sacred symbol of the Cao Đài religion.

Inside the Tòa Thánh are two rows of dragon columns painted in green, red, and white. The ceiling features nine sections of sky, clouds, and stars.

Visitors should note that the main ceremony of the day is at 12 noon. Besides attending the ceremony, many young people also take beautiful photos here.

In addition to visiting the Cao Đài Holy See, known for its unique architecture and rich history connected to the stories of the Cao Đài religion, you can visit the ancient Thiền Lâm Pagoda (Gò Kén Pagoda) or Tây Ninh Museum.

Camping at Dầu Tiếng Lake

Dầu Tiếng Lake spans three provinces: Bình Dương, Bình Phước, and Tây Ninh.
As one of the largest man-made lakes in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, Dầu Tiếng Lake attracts visitors with its picturesque scenery and unique ecosystem. The road to the lake passes through tall, green rubber forests.
Here, you can set up tents overnight, organize outdoor activities and music, or enjoy a barbecue with friends. Camping by the lake offers a peaceful experience away from the noisy city. As a man-made lake, it is green and calm all year round, creating a serene landscape.

Exploring the National Park With an area of 18,765 hectares, the Lò Gò - Xa Mát National Park features evergreen forests, vast grasslands, scenic rivers and lakes, and is home to many rare animals.

Visitors have the opportunity to encounter many rare animals listed in the red book, such as black-shanked douc langurs, adjutant storks, white-collared ibis, and silver-backed chevrotains. It is also a stopover for red-crowned cranes and storks during their migration to Cambodia for breeding.

You can walk through the forest guided by the National Park Management Board. Besides trekking, visitors can admire large ancient trees, cross small streams, and observe diverse flora and fauna.

The National Park Management Board also offers various tours, such as cycling through the forest, survival skills training, boat trips on the Vàm Cỏ Đông River, and historical site visits. From the 7-story watchtower, visitors can view the entire national park. There are also services for overnight campfires.

Enjoying Delicious Dishes 

Not only is the scenery beautiful, but this land also satisfies food lovers with many irresistibly delicious flavors.

▸ Trảng Bàng Rice Noodles 

Trảng Bàng rice noodles win over food enthusiasts with the essence of familiar ingredients.

To make the white noodles, people often choose Nàng Thơm rice. The pork knuckle has crispy tendons and tender skin, garnished with a few green onions. The rich broth impresses diners.

▸ Tây Ninh Veal 

Tây Ninh veal is prepared in many ways, with grilled veal being the most delicious and popular. The marinated veal is grilled over charcoal, releasing a fragrant aroma.

▸ Bà Đen Mountain Snails 

Bà Đen mountain snails, or mountain snails, are a prized specialty in Tây Ninh, associated with the famous Bà Đen Mountain.

These snails are flat and round like coins, usually abundant in the rainy season, with chewy meat, considered very nutritious.

They don't need elaborate preparation; simply steam or boil them with lemongrass and ginger, then dip them in salt and lemon pepper for a tasty treat.

▸ Tamarind Rice Paper Tây Ninh tamarind rice paper is a favorite snack for many, especially young people.

Thin rice papers can be torn into small pieces or rolled and dipped in a rich tamarind sauce, with fried shallots, garlic, roasted peanuts, scallions, and other toppings adding to the flavor.

During a day wandering in Tây Ninh, each wonderful moment about the land and its people will be deeply etched in your memory. After the daily hustle and bustle, a journey to explore this beautiful countryside will help cleanse your soul, making you feel more relaxed and comfortable.