1. Why Tay Ninh is an attractive destination during Tet
Not as noisy as major tourist cities, but Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet still always attract a large number of tourists thanks to the harmonious blend between beliefs, nature, and local culture. At the beginning of the year, all tourist spots in Tay Ninh are bustling with festive atmosphere, very suitable for spring trips combined with visiting pagodas to pray for peace and good luck for the whole year.
Besides, the cost of traveling in Tay Ninh is quite pleasant, with diverse services ranging from spiritual, resort to entertainment. This makes Tay Ninh an ideal choice for many different groups of tourists, from families, groups of friends to middle-aged guests who like to pilgrimage at the beginning of the year.
1.1. Convenient location, suitable for short trips
Tay Ninh is located about 90–100km from Ho Chi Minh City, with a travel time of only 2–3 hours by motorbike, car or bus. Thanks to the short distance, tourists can completely arrange a day trip or stay for 1 night without needing to prepare too much about the itinerary or cost.
A large number of tourists visit Tay Ninh in the early days of the year (Source: Collected)
This advantage makes Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet particularly suitable for families who want a "change of scenery" at the beginning of the year but do not have much long holiday time. Convenient travel also helps tourists proactively choose early departure and late return times to avoid crowds on peak days.
1.2. Combining spiritual, ecological tourism, and entertainment
One of the outstanding strengths of Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet is the ability to combine many types of experiences in a single itinerary. Tourists can attend New Year's ceremonies at famous spiritual sites, then continue to visit natural landscapes such as lakes, mountains, and ecological forests for relaxation, photography, and rest.
In addition, the city center and tourist areas also have many entertainment activities, culinary experiences, night markets, and spring fairs, making the trip not monotonous. This diversity makes Tay Ninh suitable for both the elderly who enjoy pilgrimage and young people who love exploration and check-ins.
1.3. Many special spring festivals and events
In the first lunar month, Tay Ninh hosts many traditional festivals associated with local beliefs and history. Votive rituals, spring festivals, incense offering ceremonies, and folk cultural activities are organized continuously, creating a very vibrant atmosphere at the beginning of the year while still maintaining solemnity.
Thanks to this series of activities, Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet are not only places to visit but also spaces for tourists to immerse themselves in the local cultural life, learn about customs, and clearly feel the spring-travel spirit of the Southern people in the early days of the new year.
2. Prominent spiritual tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet
With a rich system of religious structures, Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet are particularly attractive to tourists who wish to perform New Year's prayers for peace and prosperity. The spiritual sites here not only hold religious value but also possess beautiful landscapes and large scale, suitable for both pilgrimage, sightseeing, photography, and experiencing local culture.
During Tet and throughout the first lunar month, the number of pilgrims flocking to Tay Ninh increases sharply, creating a bustling festival atmosphere while still maintaining the solemnity characteristic of a land rich in religious tradition.
2.1. Ba Den Mountain
When mentioning Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet, Ba Den Mountain is always the top priority destination. On the mountaintop is a large complex of spiritual structures with a prominent cluster of three Buddha statues: the statue of Bodhisattva Kuan Yin, the statue of Bodhisattva Tay Bo Da Son, and the statue of Maitreya Buddha, creating a sacred space for worship amidst the clouds and sky.
Special artistic activities on Ba Den mountain peak during Tet (Source: Collected)
Besides the Buddha statue system, visitors can also visit many pagodas and shrines scattered within the mountain peak and mountainside such as Ba Pagoda, Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, forming a continuous pilgrimage route. Spiritual structures like Vo Nga Garden, the Buddhist exhibition center, squares, and ritual paths are spacious and convenient for visitors during peak periods.
In the first lunar month, Ba Den Mountain hosts several prominent festivals such as the Maitreya Buddha's Birthday Festival and the Spring Festival, featuring many rituals of incense offering, prayer for blessings, ceremonies, and traditional cultural programs. This is the time that attracts a large number of Buddhists and tourists from all directions, making the spring travel atmosphere at Tây Ninh tourist destinations during Tet always vibrant and rich in religious color.
2.2. Cao Dai Holy See
The Cao Dai Holy See is one of the most architecturally distinctive religious structures in Vietnam, nổi bật with the 
Magnificent space inside the Cao Dai Holy See (Source: Compilation)
At the beginning of the year, many tourists choose to visit the Holy See to attend prayer sessions, pray for peace, and learn about Cao Dai doctrine. The solemn, quiet space along with impressive architecture makes this a suitable stop for those who want to combine pilgrimage and cultural sightseeing during their spring trip.
2.3. Go Ken Pagoda
Go Ken Pagoda is one of Tay Ninh's famous ancient pagodas, chosen by many locals and tourists as a destination for New Year's visits. The highlight of the pagoda is the large outdoor Buddha statue along with a spacious and airy environment, creating a sense of tranquility in the urban area.
Visitors to Go Ken Pagoda on the morning of the 1st day of Tet (Source: Collected)
During Tet, Go Ken Pagoda welcomes a large number of people to offer incense, pray for peace, and enjoy the early spring scenery. Not as crowded as pilgrimage sites on the mountain, this place is suitable for tourists who want a gentle, relaxing space when exploring Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet in a slow-paced and tranquil manner.
3. Nature and Resort Tourist Destinations in Tay Ninh During Tet
Besides famous spiritual sites, Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet also attract visitors with vast, fresh natural spaces, very suitable for resting and relaxing after busy year-end days. With a dry climate and mild sunshine, Tay Ninh becomes an ideal destination for outdoor activities in early spring.
3.1. Dau Tieng Lake
Dau Tieng Lake is a large artificial lake with an open, airy landscape, very suitable for tourists to enjoy the fresh early year atmosphere. During Tet, many people choose to come here to watch the sunrise and sunset, lay out picnic blankets, and organize gentle picnics with family and friends.
With its calm lake surface, grassy banks, and beautiful waterside paths, this place is also a favorite check-in spot when exploring Tay Ninh tourist destinations during Tet in a resort and relaxing style. Visitors can combine a visit to Dau Tieng Lake with nearby spiritual sites to create a balanced itinerary between spirituality and nature.
3.2. Ma Thien Lanh
Ma Thien Lanh is located in a valley between three mountains, nổi bật with its cool atmosphere, rocky streams, and surrounding green forest landscape. In early spring, the weather here is quite pleasant, very suitable for light trekking, exploring nature, and resting in a quiet space.
Visitors enjoy the fresh air at Ma Thien Lanh (Source: Collected)
Many young tourists choose Ma Thien Lanh when looking for a Tây Ninh tourist destination during Tết that offers experience and exploration. Although it lacks many modern tourist services, its simplicity and wildness create a unique charm, making the spring trip closer to nature.
3.3. Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park
Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park is a large nature reserve with a diverse forest ecosystem, suitable for ecological sightseeing and learning about the natural environment. During Tết, many forest trails are chosen for gentle tours, combining relaxation and experiential education.
The cool green space, forest trails, and rich flora and fauna make this a distinctive choice for exploring Tây Ninh tourist destinations during Tết beyond the familiar pilgrimage sites. This is a suitable destination for families with young children or groups of tourists who love ecological tourism and a quiet start to the year.
4. Places for entertainment and cultural experiences during Tết in Tây Ninh
4.1. Tây Ninh Night Market and City Center Area
Tây Ninh Night Market is a familiar destination for both locals and tourists, especially lively in the early days of the year. The market space is brightly lit, selling many snacks, local specialties, and souvenirs, creating a bustling spring atmosphere, suitable for evening strolls.
Lively atmosphere at Tay Ninh night market (Source: Collected)
The city center is also often decorated with miniature landscapes and flower lights for people to enjoy spring outings, take photos, and participate in community activities. This is a suitable choice for those who want to explore tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet in a gentle, relaxing way, rich in local life experiences.
4.2. Spring fairs and early year community events
During Tet, many areas in Tay Ninh organize spring fairs with cultural programs, art performances, and folk games for all ages. This is an opportunity for tourists to clearly feel the traditional Tet atmosphere through community activities with strong regional characteristics.
These events not only create a fun space for families but also help tourists understand more about the customs and traditions of the local people celebrating Tet. When looking for tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet that foster connection and cultural experience, spring fairs and community events are a worthwhile choice.
4.3. Trang Bang Rice Paper Village
Trang Bang Rice Paper Village is an attractive destination for tourists who want to learn about the traditional rice paper making process and buy specialties as Tet gifts. Here, tourists can directly observe the stages of making and drying rice paper, and try experiencing making it with the local people.
Not only does it hold culinary value, but the craft village also contributes to preserving the long-standing culture of the Tay Ninh region. Visiting the craft village makes the journey to explore tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet more complete by combining sightseeing, experiences, and shopping for New Year specialties.
5. Suggested 2-day, 1-night itinerary for visiting tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet
With a short timeframe, a 2-day, 1-night itinerary is a suitable choice to combine spiritual and natural sightseeing with local cultural experiences. The following itinerary helps tourists explore prominent tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet while ensuring reasonable rest and travel time.
- Day 1: Pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain – City center sightseeing
In the morning, tourists depart for Ba Den Mountain tourist area, travel by cable car to the mountaintop and visit the spiritual complex with its Buddha statues, pagodas, and worship spaces on the summit. This is an important stop on the journey to explore tourist destinations in Tay Ninh during Tet, especially for tourists who travel for spring outings combined with praying for peace at the beginning of the year.
Tourists offer incense to pray before the statue of Linh Son Holy Mother (Source: Collected)
At noon, tourists can have meals at restaurants within the tourist area or move to the city center to enjoy local specialties. Afternoon and evening are suitable times to stroll around the city center, visit Tay Ninh night market, join the festive atmosphere, and experience street food during Tet holidays.
- Day 2: Cao Dai Holy See – Dau Tieng Lake or Trang Bang Rice Paper Village
On the morning of the second day, tourists should visit the Cao Dai Holy See to admire its unique architecture and learn about Cao Dai religion, and can also attend a prayer session if time permits. This is an iconic destination when mentioning Tay Ninh tourist attractions during Tet, associated with culture and beliefs.
In the afternoon, tourists can choose to travel to Dau Tieng Lake for a light picnic, take photos, admire the lake and the airy natural landscape, or visit the Trang Bang rice paper village to experience the making process and buy specialties to take home. At the end of the afternoon, tourists return to Ho Chi Minh City or continue their journey to neighboring provinces depending on their personal plans.
6. Tips for visiting Tay Ninh tourist attractions during Tet
Tourists should depart early in the day to avoid traffic jams, especially on roads leading to Ba Den Mountain and the city center. If planning to take the cable car, dine at a restaurant, or stay overnight, it is advisable to book tickets and rooms in advance to limit overcrowding during the Tet peak season.
For spiritual sites, choose polite and modest attire for convenience when performing rituals and visiting pagodas. When visiting lakes, forests, or picnic areas, bring sports shoes, hats, and light jackets to suit the sunny early spring weather at Tay Ninh tourist attractions during Tet.
During the peak season, tourist areas are usually very crowded, so tourists should pay attention to protecting personal belongings and avoid carrying too many valuables. At the same time, comply with the management's instructions, do not litter, and maintain civilized behavior to contribute to building a friendly tourism image at Tay Ninh tourist attractions during Tet.
With its diversity of spiritual, natural, and cultural experiences, Tay Ninh offers many attractive options for a spring trip at the beginning of the year. From sacred religious structures, pristine lake and mountain landscapes to the bustling festive atmosphere, Tay Ninh tourist attractions during Tet are suitable for family trips, group outings, and spiritual pilgrimages at the start of the year.
