Dong Nai Tourism: Exploring history - spirituality - entertainment in one journey

The four-day National Day holiday (September 2, 2025) is a “golden opportunity” for travelers to explore destinations rich in history, spirituality, or attractive entertainment and experience.

With its rich natural landscape and diverse cultural heritage, Dong Nai Province promises to be an ideal destination for a fulfilling holiday. Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio and Television (ĐNNRTV) suggests some standout destinations across the province, contributing to offering visitors memorable experiences during this holiday season."

Returning to the roots of the sacred land

Located in Loc Thanh Commune (Dong Nai province), Ta Thiet Base was established in 1973 on more than 3,200 hectares, featuring trenches, shelters, underground meeting halls, residences, and workplaces of senior Party and Army leaders. Ta Thiet is a popular destination in “return-to-the-roots” journeys, especially for students.

Student Ha Phuoc Chuong from Tan Phu Secondary School (Binh Phuoc Ward, Dong Nai) shared: “This is my first time visiting this site. The trip allowed me to see and learn directly about Ta Thiet Base, a famous place I had only studied in Local Education and History classes. I now understand how our ancestors fought in the past, which enriches my knowledge and makes me love History even more.”

Ta Thiet Base (Loc Thanh commune). Photo: Tu Huy

In addition, D War Zone in Tri An Commune is another ideal “return-to-the-roots” destination. It is a national relic system, surrounded by diverse forests with precious wood and medicinal plants. Coming here, visitors can enjoy combined ecological and historical tours, suitable for both studying and exploring.

Within the site is a critical base in the wars against the French colonialism and American imperialism. In particular, there are three national historical relics and two provincial historical relics that have become “red addresses” for attracting tourists.

Deputy Director of the Center for Ecology, Culture, and History of D War Zone, Bui Van Toan, informed: “We are offering many services such as forest check-in, biodiversity discovery. Especially, guided tours that combine biodiversity exploration with historical and traditional education at the two bases of the Southeast Regional Party Committee and the Central Office for South Vietnam.”

Visitors kayak on Tri An Lake, part of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve. Photo: Quang Phat

Located in a remote commune of Dong Nai province, Cat Tien National Park (Nam Cat Tien commune) is recognized as a Special National Relic and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. These two titles are associated with cultural-historical values and its rich ecosystem ​​and rare ecosystems, making this place an important "red address" for biodiversity and heritage conservation in Vietnam.

Cat Tien National Park is listed in the Green list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), comparable to the world's top 72 conservation areas. With a unique primeval tropical forest ecosystem, over 18,000 plant species, and hundreds of rare animal species, many of which are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, such as gaur, black-shanked douc, peacock, Siamese crocodile..., coming to Cat Tien National Park, visitors can trek in the primeval forest, watch wild animals, and enjoy the fresh natural air.

Cyclists in Nam Cat Tien forest. Photo: Contributor

Spiritual and tranquil spaces

Located in Long Phuoc commune, Quoc An Khai Tuong Pagoda spans over 20 hectares. The pagoda stands out with a jade Buddha statue weighing 32 tons, 3.62 meters high. It is the largest jade Buddha statue in the world. Early mornings here are ideal for serene experiences.

Quoc An Khai Tuong Pagoda is in the process of completing and improving some items to become one of the most beautiful and largest pagodas in Dong Nai province, as well as the Southeast region. Next to the main hall of Quoc An Khai Tuong Pagoda is the Sangha House, designed in the ancient style with a red brick tile roof and dragon tail motifs evoke the inherent majesty and grandeur of the pagoda.

Quoc An Khai Tuong Pagoda (Long Phuoc Commune). Photo: Tu Huy

Along with Quoc An Khai Tuong, Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda (Binh Long Ward) is a unique and impressive spiritual destination. Currently, the pagoda has a 73 meters high statue of Buddha Shakyamuni - the tallest in Southeast Asia. The pagoda also has a 30 meters high Maitreya statue, along with the Pho Da mountain cluster and the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Hall.

Covering ​​over 117,000m², the pagoda consists of 24 large sections, each one is enshrined with a statue representing a spiritual field. After more than 10 years of continuous construction, although still in the process of completion, Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda has attracted a large number of people and tourists to come, worship and enjoy the scenery.

“The scenery is beautiful, especially the wide open space facing So Nhi dam, which feels refreshing and peaceful. Besides the grand statues, I’m most impressed by the themed complexes, each has its own mark and many sacred spots to visit.”

Phat Quoc Van Thanh Pagoda (Binh Long Ward). Photo: Tu Huy

Endless fun and leisure at tourist areas

In Tran Bien Ward, Buu Long Tourist Area is an attractive destination with a large, airy space. This place is built into an eco-tourism system including rivers, lakes, mountains, caves, and pagodas.

Especially Long An Lake - Long Van Lake lake cluster, likened to a "miniature Ha Long Bay". It has check-in points such as Love Bridge, Bronze Drum House Model, waterfalls, fountains on Long An Lake. Coming here, visitors can also experience the swan cruise service on the lake or join canoe lake tours to immerse themselves in the charming landscape.

Acting Director of Buu Long Tourist Area, Nguyen Danh Thinh said: "On the occasion of this September 2 holiday, we have prepared with many flowers and some new miniatures to welcome visitors to Buu Long. In the stage area, there are many programs featuring the performances by famous artists. In addition, in the rural market area, we have prepared more than 25 stalls with many special dishes such as traditional cakes and specialties to serve tourists for free".

Buu Long Tourist Area (Tran Bien Ward). Photo: Phuoc Tho

Besides the famous Buu Long Tourist Area, Son Tien Tourist Area is a large-scale entertainment complex with a large space including full facilities serving the needs of entertainment, recreation, and relaxation. The game system is designed in a modern and advanced manner according to international standards.

Son Tien Tourist Area currently holds five national records including: the largest water park, the largest artificial sea, the highest artificial wave, the longest magical river, and the largest outdoor LED screen.

Son Tien Tourist Area. Photo: Provided by Son Tien

In Dong Xoai Ward, Dong Nai Province, Don Binh Minh Farm is an attractive camping site with an area of ​​more than 6 hectares. The farm is designed in harmony with nature, attracting a large number of visitors at dawn, dusk, and night.

Upon their arrivals, visitors can explore the green pine garden with more than 200 trees from 20 to 70 years old; take a relaxing cycle around, experiencing adventure games such as swings and ziplines. They can freely lie on a lazy chair in the middle of a 5,000m² lawn on a high hill, with a capacity of up to 1,000 people. It is an ideal place for watching Dong Xoai’s night scenery. This location is especially ideal for watching the brilliant fireworks display on the evening of September 2 at Suoi Cam Lake, Binh Phuoc Ward.

Farm owner Ta Dinh Trang said: “Don Binh Minh (Welcoming the sunrise) Farm is under construction and development, but its spacious and airy areas here allow visitors to relax, and organize folk games and outdoor activities. The most crowded visitors to the farm are on holiday, (Lunar New Year (Tet)... On holidays like the upcoming September 2, we expect 1,000–1,500 guests per day.”

Don Binh Minh Farm (Dong Xoai Ward). Photo: Tu Huy

On this holiday, new features at Bo Cap Vang  (Golden Scorpion) Tourist Area (Nhon Trach commune) are the Bliss artificial waterfall model (Bliss Waterfall), a large lake accommodating about 300 people, and TimeOut Island Glamping - a one-hectare riverside campsite with 16 luxury tents along Ong Keo river, creating a relaxing space in the middle of nature.

Here, visitors can enjoy water games like kayaking, inflatable houses, boat racing, and rustic dishes such as crab paste hotpot and grilled snakehead fish… Recently, Bo Cap Vang Tourist Area was voted “Vietnam’s Most Loved Ecotourism Destination 2024.” This destination will be an ideal choice for tourists on this holiday.

Bo Cap Vang  (Golden Scorpion) Tourist Area. Photo: Contributor

Beyond these impressive destinations, Dong Nai also boasts many other attractive sites for this September 2 holiday, such as: Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Panorama Glamping, Suoi Mo Park, and the S’tieng ethnic cultural reserve in Bom Bo Hamlet... All of them promise to offer tourists a feast for the eyes during their stay for relaxation and exploration of scenic beauty in Dong Nai.

More than just a dynamic industrial land, Dong Nai is a tourism treasure offering diverse experiences—from historical “red addresses,” spiritual retreats, and rainforest ecologies to modern resorts. This September 2 holiday, come and feel the vibrant, authentic beauty of this land.

By Lyna Phan – Le Thuy

Translated by Thuy Trang – Thu Ha