1. Why choose spiritual tourism in Tay Ninh during Tet?

1.1. Convenient location, pleasant climate

Tay Ninh is conveniently located about 90 km from Ho Chi Minh City, and visitors only need about 2 hours to travel there. Therefore, it becomes a suitable choice for short spiritual tourism trips to Tay Ninh during Tet, originating from the southern provinces. In the early days of the year, Tay Ninh welcomes visitors with a fresh, cool atmosphere, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 28°C. The pleasant weather, along with the pristine natural landscape, lush green mountains, and vast fields, brings a sense of relaxation and tranquility, creating an ideal condition for walking and early year pilgrimages.

Tay Ninh is increasingly developing into a province strong in spiritual tourism. (Sourced)

1.2. Lively festival atmosphere, deep spiritual value

Every Lunar New Year, Tay Ninh is filled with a sacred atmosphere as many visitors from all directions come here to worship. From early morning, Nui Ba Den is bustling with visitors, the sound of temple bells echoing everywhere, creating an atmosphere that is both solemn and warm. Visitors can participate in continuous ceremonies such as praying for peace, prosperity offering ceremonies, and releasing sky lanterns, sending wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Toa Thanh Cao Dai also organizes special holy services, attracting many followers and visitors who wish to learn about the unique religious culture of this land.

1.3. Diverse experiences: Beliefs, culture, and vegetarian cuisine

A spiritual tourism trip to Tay Ninh during Tet not only involves worship but also offers many experiences of unique religious architecture at Toa Thanh Cao Dai – a place where Eastern antiquity and Western modernity intersect. Visitors also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the traditional festival atmosphere, exploring rich specialty vegetarian dishes. Additionally, ecotourism activities such as taking the cable car for scenic views from above, gentle walks, and exploring meditation gardens create a complete and colorful journey.

Tay Ninh is home to many famous spiritual structures. (Source: Collected)

2. Unmissable Spiritual Tourist Destinations in Tay Ninh During Tet

2.1. Ba Den Mountain

Ba Den Mountain, with a height of 986 m, is likened to the "roof of the South" and has long been a prominent spiritual symbol of Tay Ninh province. Every New Year, this place is a familiar pilgrimage site for people from the South and visitors from all over, thanks to its sacred atmosphere, spacious scenery, and valuable spiritual structures.

For spiritual tourism in Tay Ninh during Tet, the special highlight is the cluster of three statues including Buddha Shakyamuni, Maitreya Buddha, and the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue, creating an architectural complex symbolizing peace – blessings – prosperity for the new year. The combination of traditional beliefs and modern structures has made the spring travel experience at Ba Den Mountain more complete, making it an ideal choice for a spiritual journey during Tet.

Additionally, the modern Sun World Ba Den Mountain cable car system allows visitors to easily reach the summit, enjoying panoramic views of Tay Ninh from a height of 980 m. Every Tet, Ba Den Mountain is vibrant with many unique cultural activities such as lion dances, traditional opera, and giving lucky money to pilgrims.

The golden color of the Kuanhammauni Buddha statue on the mountaintop. (Source: Collected)

2.2. Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh

The Cao Dai Holy See of Tay Ninh is the center of the Cao Dai religion worldwide, located right in Tay Ninh city with an impressive architecture blending Eastern and Western styles. The structure was built in 1927, nổi bật với 9 tầng cửa cao vút, mái che rộng lớn và các chi tiết trang trí tinh xảo. The interior space has the Buddha Mother Temple (Dien Tho Phat Mau) with a capacity of about 2,000 people at a time.

During Tet holidays, visitors can attend solemn holy masses held at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM daily to feel the sacred atmosphere. Surrounding the Holy See is a 54-hectare campus with structures such as the Confucius Temple (Dien Tho Duc Khong Tu), the Merit-Saving Tower (Cuu Kho Dai), and many other architectures of special cultural value.

The beauty under the rainbow of the Cao Dai Holy See. (Source: Collected)

2.3. Thien Lam Go Ken Pagoda

Located in Go Dau town, Thien Lam Go Ken Pagoda is one of Tay Ninh's ancient pagodas with over 200 years of history. The pagoda attracts visitors with its 12m-tall Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Avalokitesvara statue cast from pure brass. The 15-hectare campus offers a serene space with a clear lotus pond and ancient trees suitable for meditation. During Tet, the pagoda organizes peace-praying ceremonies, release of living creatures, and lucky gift programs for visitors from all directions. Especially, the spiritual tourism journey in Tay Ninh during Tet here also offers the opportunity to admire a large Maitreya Buddha statue weighing 3 tons and a vibrant spring flower garden in many colors.

Thien Lam Pagoda is an ancient pagoda in Tay Ninh. (Source: Collected)

2.4. Ton Thanh Pagoda

Ton Thanh Pagoda is one of the prominent historical and cultural relics of the former Long An region (now Tay Ninh), built in 1808 by Zen Master Vien Ngo with the initial name Lan Nha, later affectionately called Ong Ngo Pagoda. It is not only an ancient pagoda with traditional Southern Vietnam architecture featuring yin-yang tiled roofs and intricately carved wooden columns, but also a place associated with the patriotic poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu – who resided and composed many famous literary works here. Classified as a national historical relic, Ton Thanh Pagoda is a spiritual pilgrimage site attracting tourists and Buddhists to worship and gain a deep understanding of the history of Buddhism and the culture of the southern land.

The ancient beauty of the pagoda. (Source: Collected)

2.5. Phuoc Lam Pagoda

Phuoc Lam Pagoda (also known as Ong Mien Pagoda) is located in Tan Lan commune, and is one of the high-value Buddhist architectural art relics of the old Long An region, now belonging to Tay Ninh. Established in the late 19th century (1880–1881) by Mr. Bui Van Minh, the pagoda serves as both a place to worship Buddha and the ancestral temple of the Bui family, and soon became a spiritual and belief activity center for the local community. With its main hall, ancestral hall architecture, and precious ancient artifacts, Phuoc Lam Pagoda was recognized as a national architectural art relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information, making it an unmissable destination for those who wish to find a sacred place, remember the history of Southern Buddhism, and admire traditional sculptural art.

Phuoc Lam Pagoda offers a serene space. (Source: Collected)

3. Experience moving and booking spiritual tours in Tay Ninh during Tet

3.1. Convenient transportation from Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces

From Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can choose bus routes departing from Mien Tay bus station to Tay Ninh, operating from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Ticket prices range from 80,000 to 120,000 VND per trip, with a travel time of about 2 hours. If driving yourself, the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong expressway then turning onto National Highway 22 is a convenient option. Additionally, high-quality limousine bus companies like Phuong Trang and Thanh Buoi also serve this route with ticket prices from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per seat, along with amenities such as wifi and air conditioning. Visitors departing from the Central and Northern regions can fly to Tan Son Nhat Airport, then continue by road or book a package tour.

3.2. Tay Ninh tour packages during Tet

Happy Tour's one-day spiritual tour of Tay Ninh during Tet is priced at 590,000 VND per person, including a new model limousine bus, a professional tour guide, and the cable car ticket to Ba Den Mountain. PYS Travel offers a one-day tour package priced at 1,190,000 VND per guest, including 4-star hotel accommodation and full specialty vegetarian meals. Hai Dang Travel stands out with its VIP tour for small groups of up to 16 guests, priced at 1,290,000 VND per person for a 1-day itinerary.

5. Vegetarian cuisine and culinary experiences associated with spiritual tourism in Tay Ninh during Tet

5.1. Vegetarian cuisine

The vegetarian identity of the Cao Dai community has contributed to a rich vegetarian cuisine in Tay Ninh, known as the 'capital' of vegetarian dishes in the South. Local ingredients such as young jackfruit from Trang Bang, melaleuca forest bamboo shoots, lotus seeds from Dau Tieng Lake, along with characteristic spices like vegetarian fish sauce from wild cashews and fermented bean paste, contribute to its unique flavor.

The Tet menu is extremely diverse with dishes such as crispy pomelo peel vegetarian spring rolls, tangy and sweet pomelo salad, braised jackfruit in coconut milk, vegetarian roasted 'pork' made from dried tofu skin, and fragrant braised vegetarian ribs with bamboo shoots. During the spiritual tour of Tay Ninh during Tet, especially from the 4th to the 16th day of the first lunar month on Ba Den Mountain, visitors can enjoy hundreds of free vegetarian food stalls offered by devout Buddhists, creating a warm, sharing atmosphere at the beginning of the year.

Vegetarian dishes are the culinary essence of the land of Tay Ninh. (Source: Collected)

5.2. Trang Bang Noodle Soup

Trang Bang Noodle Soup is a signature dish associated with the culinary fame of Tay Ninh and is considered a "must-try" choice when tourists visit the land of Nui Ba Den during Tet. What makes this noodle soup special lies in its noodle strands made from rice flour, which are slightly chewy and clear, combined with a clear and light broth simmered from meat and bones, not too fatty. The noodle soup is usually served with boiled pork, dipped in a flavorful fish sauce mixture, and seasoned with pepper and chili to taste, creating a harmonious, simple yet very memorable flavor.

A hearty bowl of banh canh for diners to enjoy. (Source: Collected)

5.3. Banh Trang Phoi Suong (Dew-dried Rice Paper)

Banh trang phoi suong is one of the most typical specialties of Tay Ninh and often appears on the list of souvenirs to bring back after each trip. The cake is made from rice flour mixed with wheat flour, thinly coated, then dried in the dew overnight to create a natural softness and chewiness, unlike regular rice paper which is dry and hard. When enjoyed, the cake is rolled with boiled meat, Tay Ninh wild vegetables, and a flavorful dipping sauce, creating a harmonious and characteristic flavor of the Southern region. During Tet holidays and festivals at Nui Ba Den, banh trang phoi suong is even more sought after by tourists due to its convenience, ease of preservation, and the meaning of a 'countryside gift' conveying the sophistication of Tay Ninh people.

5.4. Tay Ninh Young Beef

Tay Ninh young beef has long been known as a local culinary pride with its tender, sweet, and low-fat meat, suitable for diverse preparations from grilled, boiled with rice paper rolls, to steamed with ginger or dipped in 'nhung me' (sour fermented rice). The fame of Tay Ninh young beef comes from selecting young calves, raising them naturally, and slaughtering them daily to ensure freshness. During Tet and festivals, many tourists combine their pilgrimage to Nui Ba Den with enjoying young beef at local specialty restaurants, considering it a 'quintessential Tay Ninh' experience. The natural sweetness of the meat, the attractive aroma, along with the way it's eaten rolled with wild vegetables and dipped in mam nem sauce, has created a very unique culinary style, difficult to confuse with any other locality.

Tay Ninh Young Beef is an irresistible specialty. (Source: Collected)

5.5. Tay Ninh Shrimp Salt

Tay Ninh Shrimp Salt is a nationally famous specialty spice, contributing to the culinary fame of the land at the foot of Black Lady Mountain. The product is made from rock salt mixed with dried shrimp, chili, pepper, and many other auxiliary ingredients in a characteristic ratio, creating a moderate saltiness, mild spiciness, with a strong shrimp aroma blended with fragrant spices that is very appetizing.

6. Suggested itinerary for spiritual tourism in Tay Ninh during Tet

Day 1: Morning departure to Black Lady Mountain at 8 AM, experience the cable car at Sun World Ba Den Mountain, pay homage to the new Buddha statue and spiritual structures, and participate in early spring festival activities such as lion dance and traditional opera. Lunch buffet with vegetarian dishes at Van Son restaurant on the mountaintop, afternoon transfer to Thien Lam Go Ken Pagoda to admire the Quan Am statue and participate in a prayer ceremony for peace. Evening rest at the hotel and enjoy dinner at night market eateries.

Day 2: Morning arrival at Cao Dai Holy See, attend the holy mass at 6 AM and stroll within the 54-hectare complex. Continue the journey strolling and taking photos at famous spots like Tri Hue Palace or Thuy Hoa Garden, then return to Long Hoa Market to buy souvenirs to take home.

Spiritual tourism in Tay Ninh during Tet offers a meaningful experience with the new statue of Buddha Kuan Yin Bodhisattva at Black Lady Mountain, the unique architecture of the Cao Dai Holy See, and a rich treasure trove of vegetarian cuisine. This journey not only brings peace of mind but also an opportunity to explore the unique religious culture of Tay Ninh. Plan and experience it now for a peaceful and lucky new year!