1. Why is Tay Ninh tourism in Lunar New Year 2026 attractive to tourists?

Tay Ninh is one of the prominent places for spiritual culture in the Southern region, known for its many special peace-praying rituals and early year ceremonies. During Tet, from the sacred Ba Den Mountain to the Cao Dai Holy See bearing strong architectural imprints, all locations are bustling with incense smoke and chanting sounds, bringing a sense of peace to those seeking tranquility and good fortune at the beginning of the year.

The choice of Tay Ninh tourism during Lunar New Year for short trips from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces has become popular thanks to the convenience of travel. With just about 2 to 3 hours of travel, visitors can easily reach the sacred land, participate in early spring peace-praying activities with their families without spending too much travel time. The short distance and convenient transportation system are major advantages for Tay Ninh in the eyes of families wishing for spring travel.

Statistics from New Year's Day 2026 reflect the great attraction of Tay Ninh tourism during Lunar New Year with over 130,000 tourist arrivals, of which Ba Den Mountain welcomed over 84,000 pilgrims. This number is expected to continue to increase during the Lunar New Year, as the demand for participating in peace-praying ceremonies and early year activities by residents of the Southern region reaches its peak.

On the occasion of New Year 2026, Tay Ninh welcomed a large number of visitors. (Source: Collected)

2. Unique cultural festivals and activities during the Lunar New Year in Tay Ninh

2.1. Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival

The Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival kicks off the new year with solemn opening ceremonies. The event takes place from the 1st day to the end of the 3rd lunar month, attracting a large number of visitors from everywhere for pilgrimage. The festival atmosphere becomes distinct with the sound of temple bells echoing amidst the mountains and incense smoke spreading into the sky.

Highlighting the Spring Festival are visits to the ancient Ba Linh Son Tien Thach Tu pagoda, admiring the 72m tall bronze statue of Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son, and the world's largest sandstone Maitreya Buddha statue. Besides that, visitors can also participate in the peace-praying ceremony, releasing lanterns with the meaning of wishing for good luck, while enjoying the sacred atmosphere amidst majestic nature.

Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival bustles with annual art activities. (Source: Collected)

2.2. Rituals at Cao Dai Holy See, Go Ken Pagoda during Tet

New Year's peace-praying rituals at Cao Dai Holy See are held at four traditional times of the day: 6 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM, and 12 AM. During Tet, the ceremonies become solemn and grand, with the participation of many followers and pilgrims. The sound of scriptures echoes in the sacred space of the Holy See, creating a sacred and unforgettable atmosphere for attendees.

At Go Ken Pagoda, a famous ancient pagoda in Tay Ninh, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the ritual of spinning the Dharma Wheel at the beginning of the year. This activity is performed with the meaning of praying for prosperity and fortune in the new year. In addition, those who come to the pagoda can also chant scriptures, meditate together, and receive blessings from the monks, contributing to a richer spiritual experience during the trip.

Lively atmosphere of the Tet holiday at the Cao Dai Holy See. (Source: Collected)

2.3. Maitreya Buddha's Votive Ceremony

The Maitreya Buddha's Votive Ceremony at Ba Den Mountain always takes place in an atmosphere of reverence and solemnity. The highlight of this ceremony is the 20m high, 1,500-ton sandstone Maitreya Buddha statue, located at Sun World Ba Den Mountain. People and tourists come here with the belief that paying homage to Maitreya Buddha at the beginning of the year will bring peace, prosperity, and good fortune for the whole year.

The ceremony includes activities such as incense offering, worship, and prayer before the Buddha statue. Attendees can also immerse themselves in lion and dragon dance performances, traditional art shows, and enjoy spiritually-themed music amidst the vast mountain and forest scenery.

The Maitreya Buddha ceremony is solemnly held. (Source: Collected)

2.4. Traditional Kim Quang Cave Festival

The Kim Quang Cave Festival at Sun World Ba Den Mountain is a blend of spiritual elements and modern entertainment space. The festival takes place inside a natural cave, illuminated by an artistic lighting system, creating a magical and enchanting world. This is considered one of the must-have experiences when participating in Tây Ninh lunar new year travel .

The Kim Quang Cave Festival program offers artistic performances, cultural exhibitions, and many unique interactive activities. Visitors have the opportunity to pilgrimage for peace and enjoy world-class entertainment moments right on the summit of the sacred mountain.

3. Places to explore during your Tây Ninh lunar new year trip

3.1. Ba Den Mountain - Sun World Ba Den Mountain

Ba Den Mountain, also known as the "First Celestial Mountain" of the South, boasts a height of 986m above sea level. This is a major pilgrimage destination, welcoming millions of visitors annually to pray for peace and admire its majestic natural beauty. Not only a spiritual center, Ba Den Mountain also attracts with its diverse ecosystem, home to many rare flora and fauna.

Notable spiritual structures here include the 72m-tall bronze Tay Bo Da Son Lady Buddha statue, known as the largest Quan Am statue in Southeast Asia; the Bat Nha Scripture Pillar with intricately carved Buddhist scriptures; and Ba Linh Son Tien Thach Tu Pagoda, a pagoda with over 200 years of history, one of the most sacred sites in Tay Ninh. Additionally, Hang Pagoda, located within the rock mountain, offers a tranquil meditation space, while Linh Son Phuoc Trung Tu Pagoda impresses with its unique Southern Buddhist architecture.

Visitors can use the modern cable car system with three routes to easily reach the summit in about 10 to 15 minutes. The Tây Ninh lunar new year trip becomes even more special when visitors can visit the newly inaugurated 24k gold-plated statue of Buddha Kasyapa, admire the artificial waterfall, vibrant flower gardens, and the 986m milestone marking the mountain's highest peak.

Gilded Cau Na statue on top of Ba Den Mountain. (Source: Collected)

3.2. Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See

The Cao Dai Holy See is the spiritual center of the Cao Dai religion, notable for its architectural style combining many Eastern and Western cultural elements. The structure was built from 1933 and completed in 1955 under supernatural guidance, with a length of 97.5m and 12 main gates intricately carved with images of dragons, qilin, turtles, and phoenixes. The Thien Nhan symbol in the main hall symbolizes the protection and blessings of the Thuong De for humanity.

Inside the main hall, eight elaborately carved dragon columns surround a globe, creating a sacred and solemn space. This place worships the Ngoc Hoang Thuong De along with founders such as Phat Thich Ca, Quan Am, Khong Tu, Lao Tu, and Chua Jesus. The main hall's floor is designed with 9 levels, representing the spiritual strata in the doctrine of the Cao Dai religion.

During Tet, visitors can stroll through the spacious grounds, capture memorable moments, and discover cultural beauty through the characteristic four-daily rituals. When visiting here, please note to wear respectful attire, avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, or revealing clothing, and maintain reverence for the sacred space throughout your visit.

Discover the Cao Dai religious structure, the Holy See. (Source: Collection)

3.3. Go Ken Pagoda

Go Ken Pagoda is a structure deeply connected to the long-standing cultural history of Tay Ninh, existing for over 150 years. The pagoda is built in the traditional Southern Vietnamese architectural style, notable for its intricate carvings and tranquil atmosphere that brings a sense of peace to any visitor. It is also one of the major Buddhist centers, attracting numerous monks, nuns, and pilgrims seeking blessings at the beginning of the year.

The highlight of Go Ken Pagoda is the ritual of spinning the Dharma Wheel Stupa, which takes place during major festivals. The giant Dharma wheel is spun clockwise, with the wish to bring good fortune and peace to the community. Buddhist activities such as chanting, meditation, and spiritual cultural programs are vibrantly organized at the beginning of the new year.

Go Ken Cocoon Mound Pagoda seen from above. (Source: Collected)

3.4. Thuy Hoa Vien Water Flower Garden

Outstanding "virtual living" destination in Tay Ninh attracting a large number of tourists with a vibrant flower garden space, architecture with a strong Korean style, and unique check-in spots. Located within the grounds of Tay Phap West French Pagoda in Ben Kinh King's Wharf hamlet, Don Thuan Loyal and Smooth commune (Tay Ninh), Thuy Hoa Vien Water Flower Garden offers a travel experience combining lush nature with serene spiritual values.

Visitors can stroll among the flower gardens, gentle wooden bridges, or take free "million-like" photos against this beautiful scenery. This is also a place where many people come to relax and pray and explore meaningful cultural and spiritual activities.

Thuy Hoa Vien (Water Flower Garden) stands out with its "Korea-like" scenery in spring. (Source: Collected)

3.5. Lo Go Xa Mat National Park

As a nature reserve of over 30,000 hectares in Tan Bien commune, Tay Ninh province, it is notable for its rich and diverse ecosystem, serving as a leading ecological destination in the Southeast. This is a characteristic transitional zone between the Central Highlands, the Southeast, and the Mekong Delta, with over 700 plant species and hundreds of animal species, including many rare species listed in Vietnam's and the world's Red Books. Visiting Lo Go – Xa Mat, tourists can enjoy pristine nature, trek through the forest, observe rare birds, and learn about historical and cultural values within a biological conservation space.

4. Top Tay Ninh Cuisine to Enjoy During Tet Am Lich (Lunar New Year)

Trang Bang Noodle Soup (Banh Canh Trang Bang) is a dish rich in local identity, an indispensable part of the Tay Ninh travel during Tet Am Lich journey. Made with chewy noodles, a clear broth simmered from pork bones, along with attractive ingredients like fish cake, fresh shrimp, and minced meat, this dish possesses a harmonious flavor, typical of the Southern region, easily satisfying even the most discerning diners.

Tay Ninh shrimp salt (Muoi Tom Tay Ninh) and dew-kissed rice paper (Banh Trang Phoi Suong) are two meaningful Tet gifts that tourists often choose to buy for their relatives. Shrimp salt is made from field shrimp, pure sea salt, combined with garlic and chili using traditional methods, resulting in a salty and spicy flavor that suits the palate. The thinly layered, crispy, and distinctively fragrant dew-kissed rice paper has become one of the prominent specialties of the Tay Ninh region.

Famous restaurants and eateries are usually concentrated around spiritual sites such as the area at the foot of Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den) and the road leading to the Cao Dai Holy See. Many Tay Ninh travel during Tet Am Lich tours include lunch with Trang Bang Noodle Soup at reputable restaurants, offering convenience and moments of relaxation for tourists after their pilgrimage.

Trang Bang noodle soup is a specialty to try in Tay Ninh. (Source: Collected)

5. Experience traveling to Tay Ninh for Lunar New Year 2026

5.1. Guide to traveling to Tay Ninh

Starting from Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces, visitors have many options such as coach, tour bus, or limousine with schedules departing from 4:50 AM. Travel time ranges from 2 to 3 hours depending on the vehicle and traffic conditions. The current cost for a one-day tour is approximately from 490,000 VND to 1,550,000 VND, including lunch, tour guide, and travel insurance.

Visitors from the North who want to join Tay Ninh Lunar New Year travel can fly to Ho Chi Minh City and then transfer by car or book a package tour. Flight time is about 2 hours with many flights per day, ticket prices are flexible depending on the airline and booking time. From Tan Son Nhat Airport, visitors can rent a private car or join tour groups departing from the city.

Current tours all use new model vehicles from 29 to 45 seats, with air conditioning and experienced tour guides. Many travel companies also offer pick-up services at home or at convenient meeting points, making the trip more leisurely and easy.

5.2. Notes on customs and rituals at the beginning of the year

When attending temple ceremonies, you should choose polite attire, avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, or revealing clothing. Men should wear long pants and shirts with sleeves; women should choose skirts or long pants, modest tops, and subtle colors to maintain the solemnity of the spiritual space.

During Tet, the number of pilgrims usually increases, especially at Ba Den Mountain and Cao Dai Holy See. For convenience, visitors should depart early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid long waits, while enjoying the cool, peaceful atmosphere of the new day.

Throughout the visit to spiritual sites, visitors need to maintain order, turn off phone ringers, and strictly adhere to the no-photography rules in prohibited areas. When offering incense and praying, please do so with sincerity and solemnity to fully experience the spiritual meaning that Tay Ninh Lunar New Year travel brings.

It is necessary to comply with the regulations at the attractions. (Source: Collected)

Tay Ninh Lunar New Year Tourism brings a unique experience by combining sacred pilgrimage and the bustling atmosphere of the early year festival. This is not only an opportunity to pray for luck and peace but also a chance to explore the unique spiritual cultural values of the South. Remember to save the itinerary and book your tour early to not miss the sacred spring travel season in the land of Tay Ninh.