Bac Lieu is a province in the Southwest region of Vietnam, in an area called the Mekong Delta. This region has a rich history with many events that have influenced its development over time. Bac Lieu is currently experiencing growth and development. It’s a popular destination for tourists, not just because of its historical anecdotes about the prince of Bac Lieu, but also because of its interesting sights and attractions. Let’s discover some of the fascinating Bac Lieu tourist attractions, which attract a large number of visitors every year.
Bac Lieu Wind Power Plant
Bac Lieu Wind Power Plant is located in Dong A hamlet, Vinh Trach Dong commune, about 20km from the city center of Bac Lieu. It can be seen from several kilometers away, with its 62 wind turbines standing 80 meters tall and featuring large propellers that rotate like giant pinwheels.
The turbine columns are made of stainless steel and weigh over 200 tons, with the 42-meter-long propellers made of special plastic that can be folded to avoid damage. Young people love to take photos here, especially in the late afternoon when the sun is not too hot but still bright enough to produce beautiful pictures. However, you need to get permission from the guards to take pictures.
Nha Mat Tourist Area
Nha Mat Tourist Area, also known as the “Fairy Spring of the West,” is a popular spot for tourists in Bac Lieu. It features an artificial beach area with over 20 hectares of bathing areas for adults and children, complete with a wave system that creates the feeling of being in the real sea. Visitors are impressed by the entrance to the beach, which has a beautiful design depicting an octopus lifting a boat.
There are also many other attractions, such as a green campus along the beach, a multi-purpose stage, a high-class resort, a food court, and a water music area that uses Singaporean technology. All of these serve the essential needs of tourists when visiting and enjoying their stay.
The House of Bac Lieu’s Prince – Iconic Bac Lieu tourist attraction
The House of Bac Lieu’s Prince is located at 13 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 3, Bac Lieu city, and was built around 1919. A French engineer designed the house, and all the materials for construction were imported from France. It was considered the most prestigious house in Indochine, which was composed of six provinces at that time.
After undergoing a period of restoration, the house still retains its original architecture and is now used as a museum. Visitors can witness the images and artifacts of Bac Lieu’s son’s family. A visit to this house allows visitors to experience the luxurious lifestyle of this once-famous wealthy family and Uncle Ba Huy – who is known as the Prince of Bac Lieu and is still widely recognized today.
Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary
Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary is located in Hiep Thanh Commune, approximately 6km from Bac Lieu City. Formerly, this sanctuary was a coastal mangrove forest with a diverse and rich ecosystem. However, due to natural accretion, the forest has receded from the sea, and only a part of it remains, forming the present bird sanctuary. The mangrove ecosystem covers an area of over 385 hectares, and it serves as a residence and nesting place for many species of plants, birds, and frogs.
Visiting the bird sanctuary is an exciting experience for tourists. As soon as visitors arrive, they will see the lively scene of a natural bird garden, with bird eggs scattered around like white pebbles. The most interesting part is standing on a high watchtower amidst the trees and observing the birds fly back to their nests at dusk. The birds fly in an orderly manner, displaying a variety of feather colors and cover types, creating a picturesque scene against the sunset sky.
Vinh Hung Ancient Tower
The Vinh Hung ancient tower is located in Vinh Hung A commune, Vinh Loi district, about 20km away from the center of Bac Lieu city. It is the only ancient architectural monument in the western region that is still preserved and has cultural and artistic value. The tower was discovered by a French archaeologist in 1911.
It was built simply and sits on a large piece of land, 50cm higher than the surrounding field. The tower has a rectangular base with a slanted door facing west. Inside, there is a rectangular room with a thick, vertical foundation and a curved roof. In past excavations, archaeologists found many artifacts such as the hand of a bronze idol, a lower body of a stone goddess statue, a green stone goddess statue, and a bronze Buddha statue’s head. Today, visitors can see a newly placed stone linga and yoni set instead of these artifacts.
Bac Lieu Sea
Bac Lieu’s coast may not have grand and beautiful white sand beaches like Vung Tau or Nha Trang, but it has a wild and rustic charm. There are distant alluvial beaches that offer fresh coastal specialties. The coast stretches 156km and has important estuaries such as Ganh Hao, Nha Mat, and Cai Cung.
Along the shore, there are rows of cork trees, fish sauce leaning in the wind, and sparkling nipa trees. Visitors can relax in the houses by the sea, enjoy fresh seafood, and breathe in the cool sea breeze. Unlike other places, the restaurants and eateries around the sea do not have loud music, and the electric lights are not too bright. Visitors can also walk on the concrete bridge over the Nha Mat area off the coast and feel as if they are riding on the back of the waves.
The Western House Architectural Complex
Bac Lieu is different from other provinces and cities because it has many mansions and villas built in Western architecture. Hang Me Park has many dignified residences and offices such as administrative buildings, courts, father’s palaces, council houses, and more. These Western-style houses were constructed using materials such as cast steel, doors, marble floors, and bricks, which were all brought from France.
These houses were built in the early 20th century and have open spaces around them. The front part is symmetrical, the roof is tiled in an octagonal shape, the cross beams resemble pagodas, and there are usually corridors and high ceilings. Therefore, the Western House Architectural Complex in Bac Lieu is unique compared to the French villas in Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Lat.
Xiem Can Pagoda
Xiem Can Pagoda is located in Hiep Thanh commune and is one of the largest and most beautiful Khmer temples in the South. The Cambodian architecture of Angkor is reflected in the unique motifs on the dome, walls, columns, and stairs. Today, tourists can experience and appreciate the flourishing and distinctive Khmer culture that is being preserved and promoted to enrich Vietnamese culture.
The temple complex includes the main hall, sala, houses of monks, cremated remains, and more. Visitors will be amazed by the vast temple campus, quiet spaces, clear green sky, yellow sunlight shining through the leaves, the sound of birds chirping in the distance, and fresh air, all of which make the soul of tourists feel relaxed in a strange way.
The Ancient Longan Garden
There is a remarkable ancient longan garden in Bac Lieu city, located in the Hiep Thanh and Vinh Trach Dong communes of the Mekong Delta. The garden is home to hundreds of longan trees, which have a unique appearance due to their sinewy and curvaceous shape, displaying the effects of time. Bac Lieu’s coastal alluvial soils, which are fertile, have become a perfect land for two longan varieties, Subic and Tuhuyt, imported from China, that have survived and taken root for hundreds of years.
In the past, the longan garden had an average yield of 300-400 kg/crop per tree per year. However, as the trees have aged and deteriorated, some gardeners have converted their longan gardens into tourism services. Currently, the garden of longan is gaining popularity among visitors, owing to the fresh air and the scent of longan. It would be a delightful experience to lie under the swaying old longan trees, feel the sweet longan aroma, and let your soul immerse in the beautiful nature. During the longan season, visitors can also relish the delicious garden-style longan.
Tac Say Church
Tac Say Church is a fascinating attraction in Bac Lieu province, associated with touching stories about the life of Father Truong Buu Diep, who made significant contributions to Catholics in the area. The church has a distinct and unique architecture, consisting of three floors: the ground floor serves as a resting place for guests, while the second and third floors serve as a place to celebrate Mass, with a spacious foyer.
Upon visiting Tac Say Church, in addition to paying respects at Father Buu Diep’s grave, visitors can also admire the church’s one-of-a-kind architecture, which is considered one of the most beautiful churches in western provinces. Every day, many pilgrims and tourists visit Tac Say Church to honor Father Buu Diep, making it a sought-after attraction on western tours.
In conclusion, Bac Lieu is a province in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta that has a lot of history and culture to offer. From its unique architecture, like Western-style mansions and Khmer temples, to its ancient longan garden and impressive attractions like Tac Say Church, Bac Lieu gives visitors a chance to see the beauty and diversity of Vietnamese culture. Bac Lieu continues to draw more and more tourists to its peaceful and beautiful landscape because its cultural treasures are being kept and shared.
More Bac Lieu travel guides:
- Best Bac Lieu Travel Guide to Unraveling the Charms of Southern Vietnam
- 10 Affordable Bac Lieu Local Foods to Enjoy This Food Lover’s Paradise
