Vietnam is finally enjoying its long-due recognition for being an exotic vacation spot. With crystal-clear beaches, enriching culture, and raw nature, it is now welcoming tourists from every corner of the world. Of course, each city and province offers all these, but they also enjoy their exclusivity. Cao Lanh in Dong Thap province is relatively a new town getting popular due to its success in rice trading. Till now, the city is not flocked by tourists so if you are looking for a peaceful vacation in Vietnam, you must include Cao Lanh on your travel list. Though the young city is indeed a little different from the rest of the cities, a peaceful vacation is guaranteed here. This guide will help you to get along with the city and plan your next trip.
Top Places To Visit In Cao Linh
As Cao Linh City in Vietnam is an offbeat place, it is best to plan your itinerary and to help you out, here is the list of the best places to visit in Cao Linh.
1. Cao Lanh Bridge
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Located over the Tien River, the Cao Lanh Bridge is cable-stayed in Vietnam. Once you see the bridge, you will appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship of it. It is a 2 km long bridge covering the Tien River. The project is funded by the Australian government and is an excellent example of modern engineering. The motive behind the construction of this bridge is to connect the regional areas and boost the industrial development in the country.
Address: CM62+XM8, ĐT848, Tân Mỹ, Lấp Vò, Đồng Tháp, Vietnam
Timings: 24 Hours
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2. Phong My Temple
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If you are inclined toward the historical relics, you must include this temple on your list to visit places in Cao Lanh. This temple holds a very significant place amongst the locals and is considered sacred. Like many traditional temples in Vietnam, this temple too follows a southern architectural style of intricate wood carvings and tiled roofs reflecting the regional heritage the place once possessed. Built under the rule of King Tu Duc in 1864, this temple worships HoangBon Canh. With the perfect mixture of history, tradition, and culture, you can have a wonderful time once you are at this temple.
Address: Phong Mỹ Temple Phong Mỹ Commune, Tuy Hòa City, Phú Yên Province, Vietnam
Timings: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
3. Nguyen Sinh Sac Relic
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This relic is located at Cao Lanh City and it is divided into two main parts. The first one includes the memorial house and the grave and the second potion has a stilt house and Uncle Ho fish pond. This place was built in memory of Ho Chi Minh, the father of the President. Each year, on the 27th of October, the locals and the tourists gather here to show their gratitude to the President’s father through a colourful ceremony, which is a grand local festival here.
Address: 137 Phạm Hữu Lầu, Phường 4, TP. Cao Lãnh, Đồng Tháp, Vietnam
Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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4. Dong Thap Museum
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For a history buff inside you, Dong Thap Museum must be on your itinerary to know the culture and the history of the place. It was started to be built in 1999 and covers an area of 11,000 sq ft. The museum has a combination of Eastern and Western architectural influences along with French buildings. The museum’s main aim is to reclaim its history and showcase artefacts from the war zone areas. It also features relics from the 11th century. The greenery surrounding the place uplifts the mood immediately.
Address: 226 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường 4, TP. Cao Lãnh, Đồng Tháp, Vietnam
Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
5. Kien An Cung Pagoda
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This pagoda was built in 1924 by Chinese people from Fujian not only to worship their ancestors but to pass on their heritage and teachings to the next generation. Fujian people who have now lived here for decades meet at this place to pay homage to their ancestry, exchange their beliefs and keep it alive. Due to its peculiar Chinese style architecture which is also antique, the ministry recognized this temple as a cultural heritage.
Address: 39 Đường Phan Bội Châu, Phường 1, Sa Đéc, Đồng Tháp, Vietnam
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
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Things To Do In Cao Lanh
Now that you have gotten an idea of where it is located and how to get to it, let’s look at the things you can do in Cao Lanh.
1. Explore GaoGiong Eco-tourism Park
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Located in Dong Thap province, this beautiful eco-tourism park is a wonderful destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Once you are here, you will see that the largest part of this park is covered by the melaleuca forest. Once you are here, you can enjoy dinghy rides through the canals, and to add more adventure to your day, you can rent a cycle and go cycling inside the dense melaleuca forest. The deep greenery, flora, and fauna will make you strongly realise its presence.
2. Spend Your Time At Tram Chim National Park
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This is another eco-tourism park, located only 37.5km away from Cao Lanh. Spread across 7,000 hectares, you can witness outstanding landscapes throughout. Covered with melaleuca forest, this national park is full of flora and fauna, housing more than 130 different species of vegetation over here. Also, the vast waterways allow you to take boat rides throughout the park. You can enjoy the serene beauty and peaceful nature throughout the park. Have a wonderful time here alone or with friends and family.
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3. Hike At XeoQuyt Forest
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If hiking satisfies your adrenaline rush, you can have a great time in this beautiful, fairy-tale-like forest. Spread across 50 hectares, this dense forest is located in My Long Village, Cao Lanh Commune. Once you are here, you will get the vibe of a primitive forest, which can be rightly said to be adventurous. Cross the small streams and bridges to go inside the dense forest. Here, you can spot numerous species of birds, especially water birds. Also, you can enjoy boat rides on the water bodies inside the forest.
4. Engulf Into The Beauty Of Dam Sen Thap Muoi
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This is one of the most popular destinations in Cao Lanh that attracts the maximum number of tourists annually. Located only 40 km from Cao Lanh City, the place maintains a soothing atmosphere. You can take boat rides on lotus ponds while being dressed up in the traditional costume of the city and wear a ‘non la’ (a conical hat, made of palm leaf). Another exciting thing you can enjoy here is tasting the incredible lotus cuisine. Yes, you can try lotus steamed rice, lotus sweet soup, fish grilled on the lotus leaf, chicken and lotus salad, etc.
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5. Try The Local Cuisine At Any Restaurant
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You can’t explore the local culture of a place until you don’t try the local cuisine. While you are at Cao Lanh, you will find outstanding dishes to taste. At the top of the list of local dishes, you can try Sa Dec rice noodles, eel fish cooked with ant eggs, dishes of linh fish, Cao Lanh rats, cork flower, etc. You can’t leave the city without tasting lotus cuisine like steamed lotus seeds, Thap Muoi lotus, etc. Finally, you should try the signature dish of this place: grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaf.
Best Time To Visit Cao Lanh
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The best time to visit Cao Lanh City in Vietnam is during the flooding season. Yes, you may be surprised, but during the flooding season, you can witness the lush greenery engulfing the city, making it heaven. You can also witness the famous ‘Dien Dien’ flowers of Dong Thap province this time. Besides, you can try the famous ‘Lingh fish’ recipes this season. If you are up for an adventure, pack your bags and visit the city anytime from July to September. You can also visit the city year-round as the weather is beautiful throughout.
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How To Reach
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If you travel from Saigon, you can always travel by bus or private car. You can buy bus tickets from bus depots. If you are coming from far, you can take a flight to Saigon, book a car, or get on the bus. While you are in Cao Lanh, you can rent motorbikes to roam around and enjoy the city’s beauty.
Further Read: Snorkelling In Vietnam
Cao Lanh is a new city in Vietnam, located in Dong Thap province, which will favour you for enjoying the best of the place with fewer tourists. Indulge in the local culture and enjoy the soothing atmosphere. Whether you are a nature lover or a backpacker, Cao Lanh will welcome you with all its underrated gems. Next time you plan your trip to Vietnam, spend a day or 2 at Cao Lanh.
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Cover Image Credit: Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên for Wikimedia Common
Frequently Asked Questions About Cal Linh
Where is Cao Lanh located?
Cao Lanh is a small, yet new city in Vietnam in Dong Thap Province. It was built in recent times.
What are the must-try foods of Cao Lanh?
While you are here, you must try grilled snakeheads in lotus leaf, steamed lotus seeds, Cao Lanh rats, and fish cooked with ant eggs.
What is the best time to visit Cao Lanh?
You must plan a trip during the flooding season to enjoy the true beauty of this city, which is from July to September.
Which are the best places to visit at Cao Lanh?
You must visit Cao Lanh Bridge, Nguyen Sinh Sac Relic, and Xeo Quyt Relic Area to get the best glimpse of Cao Lanh.
How many days should you stay at Cao Lanh?
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