5 Best Things to Do in Tay Ninh, Vietnam

Tay Ninh is one of the most underrated destinations in Southern Vietnam. Only 2h30 from Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the perfect weekend escape for travelers seeking culture. They can also enjoy nature and experience a more local side of Vietnam.

The entire region is flat. However, one massive mountain rises alone like a pyramid. This is the famous Ba Den Mountain, nearly 1,000 meters high. The city is authentic, peaceful, and full of unique experiences most tourists never see.

Here are the 5 best things to do in Tay Ninh based on real travel experience.

Table of Contents

Table Of Contents

1. How to Get to Tay Ninh
2. 1. Visit Ba Den Mountain’s Sacred Temple Complex
3. 2. Take the Ba Den Cable Car – One of the Best in Asia
4. 3. Explore the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh
5. 4. Stay in a Local Homestay and Enjoy the Nature
6. 5. Try Tay Ninh’s Famous Local Food
7. Why Visit Tay Ninh?
8. Planning a Trip to Ho Chi Minh City?

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How to Get to Tay Ninh

Tay Ninh is very easy to reach from Ho Chi Minh City.
You can go by:

• Bus (regular departures from HCMC) – 3 hours
• Private taxi or car (comfortable and fast) – 2 Hours 40
• Motorbike (for those who want a more adventurous ride) – 2 Hours 30

The road is not smooth, be cautious.

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1. Visit Ba Den Mountain’s Sacred Temple Complex

Ba Den Mountain is the most iconic attraction in Tay Ninh. At the top of the mountain, you’ll find an impressive temple complex featuring a massive Buddha statue, peaceful pagodas, and beautifully designed gardens.

The area may look like an amusement park, but the scale of the statues and the spiritual atmosphere make it a memorable place to explore.

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2. Take the Ba Den Cable Car – One of the Best in Asia

Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin) is famous for its world-class cable car system. You can choose between three different lines, each taking you to a different temple area or viewpoint.

The cable car is affordable, modern, and offers breathtaking views over rice fields, lakes, and the entire region. Even if you don’t plan to hike, riding the cable car alone is worth the trip.

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3. Explore the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh

Tay Ninh is the birthplace and spiritual center of Caodaism, a religion unique to Vietnam that blends elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Confucianism.

The Cao Dai Temple is one of the most unusual religious sites in the country. Its architecture is colorful, symbolic, and unlike anything else you’ll see in Southeast Asia.

Try to visit during a prayer ceremony for a deeper cultural experience.

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4. Stay in a Local Homestay and Enjoy the Nature

One of the best parts of Tay Ninh is its peaceful countryside. Staying in a homestay allows you to enjoy fresh air, rivers, small farms, coconut trees, and a slower pace of life far from Saigon’s chaos.

It’s the perfect way to experience local hospitality and relax after exploring the temples and mountain.

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5. Try Tay Ninh’s Famous Local Food

Tay Ninh is known across Vietnam for several delicious local specialties, including:

• Bánh tráng phơi sương (dew-wetted rice paper)
• Muối tôm Tây Ninh (the iconic chili shrimp salt)
• Bò tơ (young beef, tender and flavorful)

Food lovers will not be disappointed — this region offers some of the best traditional dishes in Southern Vietnam.

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Why Visit Tay Ninh?

Tay Ninh offers a unique mix of culture, spirituality, nature, and local authenticity. With Ba Den Mountain rising alone in the landscape, world-class cable cars, fascinating temples, peaceful countryside, and excellent food, it’s one of the best weekend destinations from Saigon.

Whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, or with friends, Tay Ninh is a refreshing, easy, and rewarding escape from the city.

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Planning a Trip to Ho Chi Minh City?

If you want to explore Ho Chi Minh City with confidence — including the best cafés, street food, day trips, scams to avoid, hidden gems, and complete itineraries — you can get our Ho Chi Minh City Digital Travel Guide.

It’s designed to help you experience Saigon like a local, avoid tourist traps, and discover the real heart of the city.

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