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Set between two broad distributaries of the Mekong, Tra Vinh occupies a quiet stretch of land just before the river spills into the East Sea. Around 300,000 ethnic Khmer call this province home—one of the largest Khmer communities outside Cambodia—and their presence shapes everything from language to food to architecture.
The influence is tangible in bowls of bun nuoc leo (a must-try), but even more so in the roughly 140 Khmer pagodas that dot the province. Their ornate roofs, golden stupas, and flame-shaped finials often give the impression you’ve crossed into Cambodia or northeastern Thailand.
The province itself is large, and the temples are widely dispersed. Attempting to see them all would mean long drives along narrow delta roads and a full multi-day commitment. That’s why this guide focuses on a carefully selected cluster near Tra Vinh City, offering an accessible introduction to the region without becoming overwhelming.
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Planning a Last Minute Trip to Tra Vinh?
Short on time? Here are some quick tips and essential information to help you plan your trip to Tra Vinh today!
Where to Stay: Booking.com and Agoda are our go-to platforms for finding amazing hotels. Here are the top places to stay in Tra Vinh.
Best Time to Visit: November to April for the best weather conditions.
Reaching Tra Vinh: Book your bus ticket from Ho Chi Minh City or reserve your bus ticket from Ben Tre in advance here.
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A Province or a City?
When people talk about Tra Vinh, it can be unclear whether they mean the province or the city.
The province occupies one of the Mekong Delta’s last stretches of land before meeting the ocean. Across this low-lying plain, hundreds of Khmer temples are dispersed—some clustered together, others isolated among rice fields and canals.
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Tra Vinh City sits toward the northern edge of the province, near the Co Chien River as it widens on its way to the sea. It’s a quiet, low-key town rarely visited by international tourists.
This guide focuses specifically on the temples in and around the city. All of them can be visited within a single day.
It’s even possible to visit as a day trip from Ben Tre (about 40km north), but staying overnight allows you to really experience the town. There are several good local restaurants, quiet streets lined with trees, and a riverside market that invites a morning stroll. Chances are, you’ll find yourself the only foreign visitor in town.
Explore Tra Vinh with peace of mind. Grab your Heymondo travel insurance and enjoy 5% off here!
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Map of Tra Vinh
Temples in Tra Vinh
Kampong Ong Met
The first clear sign that you’ve entered Khmer territory appears soon after crossing the Co Chien Bridge. Behind you lie the coconut plantations of Ben Tre; ahead stretches Tra Vinh’s patchwork of rice fields. As you drive into the northern part of town, Kampong Ong Met rises on your right.
Established in 711CE, the complex is one of the oldest pagodas in the province. Although its buildings were constructed in different eras, they sit together harmoniously—you wouldn’t notice they were built years apart without being told.
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You enter through an impressive gold-gilded gate flanked by five-headed nagas on either side. Beyond it, shaded by tall eucalyptus trees, a broad staircase leads up to the main hall. Its newly renovated, shimmering roof is supported by 32 wooden pillars. Inside sits a 4.4-metre-tall Buddha statue resting on a lotus pedestal.
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Just behind the main hall stands the elaborately decorated library, distinguished by intricately carved pillars and a gold-gilded roof edged by ornate bargeboards that taper into naga finials.
Other buildings within the complex serve as the monks’ living quarters and classrooms, where Buddhist teachings are held for both resident monks and lay followers.
Looking for a place to stay in Tra Vinh? Discover top-rated options here!
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Kampong Ksan
Tra Vinh’s newest Khmer temple was renovated in 2017, with construction continuing through late 2024.
The main hall was funded by a local tycoon from Tra Vinh—his name prominently displayed on a placard on the exterior wall. Beyond that, the temple delivers everything you’d expect from Khmer architecture: intricately carved pillars, four-faced Brahma figures crowning the balustrades, and Garuda figures appearing to support the roofline.
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The main hall is enclosed on all sides by monks’ living quarters, giving the complex an almost monastic feel. It’s spacious and pleasant to explore, and the grounds are immaculately kept by monks who are constantly sweeping.
Tip: After admiring the temple up close, cross to the opposite bank of the Long Binh River for a riverside view of the temple.
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Chua Hang
Roughly 6km south of Tra Vinh stands Chua Hang, also known as the Cave Pagoda. It gets its name from the grotto-like entrance, though perhaps it’s even more famous for the large number of storks and egrets that nest in the trees surrounding the temple.
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The grounds are thickly shaded by trees, making it difficult to see the different buildings from one another and giving the complex a larger feel than it actually has. Among the structures are monks’ living quarters and the main hall, positioned at the centre of the grounds.
Read more: For more temples in the Mekong Delta, stop by Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most popular stops on any Mekong Delta trip!
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Unlike many other Khmer Pagodas, the temple features colorful Himmapan statues, baby-blue balustrades, and brightly painted buildings scattered throughout the complex.
Khmer pagodas are not only places for spiritual worship but also serve as cultural centres. Chua Hang offers something unique, however: a wood-carving workshop that has been producing intricate artworks for more than three decades. Many of the finished pieces are displayed throughout the temple grounds.
Also read: Visit the famous Hang Mua Viewpoint in Ninh Binh!
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Ang Pagoda
The final temple in this guide is the thousand-year-old Ang Pagoda, located about 6km southwest of Tra Vinh City. First constructed in 990 and renovated several times since, the temple remains beautifully maintained, and its grounds are carefully kept.
The main hall features a large Buddha statue and still preserves the original wooden structure. The ceiling is adorned with colorful paintings and supported by 12 gold-clad wooden pillars.
Perhaps the most famous feature of the temple is its location beside Ba Om pond. The water is filled with lotus plants and encircled by a walking path—the ideal place for an afternoon stroll beneath the shade of towering dau and sao trees.
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Plan Your Trip
How to Get to Tra Vinh
From Ho Chi Minh City: Plenty of buses (both seater and sleeper) depart daily and take about 4 hours.
Book your bus to Tra Vinh here!
From Can Tho: A few local buses leave from Can Tho Bus Station, usually twice daily (morning and afternoon). Since many local buses don’t have websites, it’s often easiest to arrange the transfer through your accommodation.
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From Ben Tre: You can drive by motorbike, which is a straightforward ride along large roads and across several big bridges. Alternatively, buses head to Cang Long Bus Station, followed by a short 20-minute ride to the center of Tra Vinh.
Book your bus to Tra Vinh here!
Tip: For the most convenient option, you can also arrange a taxi from Ben Tre, which takes about an hour.
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Where to Stay
With Tra Vinh’s small and laid-back vibe, accommodation options are fewer than in its more famous neighboring towns, but you can still find affordable and comfortable places to stay in the town center. Find all accommodations in Tra Vinh here!
Here are the most highly-rated stays in the city:
Eating & Drinking in Tra Vinh
Bun Nuoc Leo Co Ba: One of the most famous restaurants in Tra Vinh, known for serving the province’s signature Bun Nuoc Leo, a noodle soup with strong Khmer influences. 6:30am-7:30pm
Bep Chay Nha Ruma: A well-decorated vegetarian restaurant serving shareable dishes, with popular options including a variety of hotpots and fried rice. 8am-2pm & 4-8pm
Ca Phe Nha Go D5: Housed in a traditional wooden home and filled with wooden furniture throughout, this cafe is a beloved hangout spot among locals. 6am-10pm
Cafe Sao Dem Bo Ke: Set on an embankment along the Long Binh River, this simple cafe offers a cozy setting with views of Kampong Ksan temple in the distance. 6am-11pm
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Best Time to Visit
For the best weather and clear skies, visit Tra Vinh during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April. These months are ideal for exploring the province’s temples and countryside.
The rainy season lasts from May to October. Showers are more frequent but usually brief, except in September and October when rainfall tends to be at its heaviest.
Read More: Best Time to Visit Vietnam
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And that’s our guide to visiting the Khmer temples of Tra Vinh!
If you’re interested in exploring more temples in the Mekong Delta, consider heading to An Giang Province, where impressive temples dot the landscape. From cave sanctuaries to hilltop pagodas perched on rocky outcrops, the province offers some of the most unique temple experiences in southern Vietnam.
Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions.
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