Tây Ninh, Vietnam

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Tây Ninh, Vietnam

Region: Tây Ninh Province

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Geographic Coordinates: 11.367800, 106.119000

Climate: Tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Population: 135254

Language: Vietnamese

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Tây Ninh is a province located in the southern part of Vietnam, About 90 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The province covers an area of 4, 028 square kilometers and has a population of over one million people. Tây Ninh is famous for its rich history, Cultural heritage, And natural beauty. One of the most famous attractions in Tây Ninh is the Cao Dai Temple. This temple is the center for the Cao Dai religion which was founded in 1926. The temple itself is an impressive structure with colorful murals depicting scenes from various religious traditions.

Another popular attraction in Tây Ninh is Black Virgin Mountain (Núi Bà Đen). This mountain rises to a height of 986 meters above sea level and offers stunning views over the surrounding countryside. For those interested in history, Tây Ninh has several sites related to Vietnam’s struggle for independence against French colonial rule. One such site is Dau Tieng Lake which served as a base for Vietnamese guerrilla forces during the war. Tây Ninh also boasts several national parks that are home to diverse flora and fauna species including rare birds like black-faced spoonbills and painted storks.

One such park is Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park which covers an area of 19, 210 hectares along Vietnam’s border with Cambodia. foodies will love exploring Tây Ninh’s local cuisine which includes dishes like banh trang phoi suong (rice paper soaked in dew), Banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes), Goi cuon (spring rolls) and many more. The province is also known for its fresh fruits like rambutan, Durian, And mangosteen which are grown in abundance. Tây Ninh offers something for everyone whether you’re interested in history or nature or food.

Plan a trip to Tây Ninh on your next visit to Vietnam and experience its unique culture and beauty.

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• Cao Dai Holy See is the headquarters of the Cao Dai religion, which combines Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity.
• Ba Den Mountain is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
• Dau Tieng Lake is a stunning artificial lake that provides ample opportunities for boating and fishing.
• Black Virgin Mountain holds significant historical importance in Vietnam’s history during the Vietnam War era.
• Nui Ba Den National Park boasts an array of flora and fauna species, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.
• Tay Ninh Museum showcases Tay Ninh province’s rich culture and history through various exhibits.
• Cu Chi Tunnels played an essential role during the Vietnam War era and are now a popular tourist attraction located just outside Tay Ninh province.
• Go Dau Ha Temple is dedicated to Thien Hau – the goddess of sea voyages – featuring stunning architecture that attracts many visitors each year with its beautiful surroundings.
• Minh Dam Army Base Tunnel System provides visitors with insight into soldiers’ living conditions in underground tunnels during wartime from another historical site from the Vietnam War era.
• The Cao Dai Great Temple in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), although not located in Tay Ninh province itself but nearby Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), represents different religions’ symbols under one roof – Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity – making it one of Vietnam’s most impressive religious sites due to its intricate design and vibrant colors.

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Primary Industries

1. Agriculture: Tây Ninh is known for its fertile soil and agricultural production. The region produces a variety of crops including rice, sugarcane, rubber, and fruit trees.
2. Manufacturing: Tây Ninh has a growing manufacturing industry that includes textiles, garments, footwear, electronics, and electrical equipment.
3. Tourism: Tây Ninh is home to the famous Cao Dai Temple and the Black Virgin Mountain National Park which attracts tourists from all over the world.
4. Construction: Due to rapid urbanization in recent years, construction has become an important industry in Tây Ninh.
5. Trading: There are several markets in Tây Ninh where goods are traded such as Ben Thanh Market and Cho Lon Market.
6. Services: The service sector includes banking services as well as other professional services such as accounting firms or law firms that serve local businesses.

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Noteable History

1. Cao Đài religion:
   • Ngô Văn Chiêu founded the Cao Đài religion in 1926, which combines elements from Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.
   • Tây Ninh is the birthplace of this religion.
2. French colonization:
   • Tây Ninh was part of French Indochina from 1862 to 1954.
   • During this time, many colonial buildings and infrastructure were built in the province.
3. Vietnam War:
   • The province was an important battleground during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) due to its location near the border with Cambodia that served as a major supply route for North Vietnamese forces.
4. Black Virgin Mountain:
   • This mountain has religious significance for both Buddhists and Caodaists and is located in Tây Ninh.
5. Trương Minh Giảng:
   • He co-founded Cao Đài religion along with Ngô Văn Chiêu.
6. Hòa Hảo Buddhism:
   • This Buddhist sect originated in An Giang Province but spread to neighboring provinces such as Tây Ninh.
7. Ba Den Mountain:
   • This mountain also has religious significance for both Buddhists and Caodaists; it’s located in Tay Ninh Province.
8. Lộc Hòa massacre:
   • In 1967, South Korean troops massacred over 400 unarmed civilians during the Vietnam War at Lộc Hòa village.
9. Phạm Quỳnh (1902-1945):
   • A famous writer who wrote many novels about life during French colonial rule including The Tale of Kieu
10. Núi Bà Đen Festival:
    • The festival is held annually at Ba Den Mountain and attracts thousands of visitors who come to pray for good luck and fortune.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Cao Dai Holy See: This is the main temple of the Cao Dai religion, which is a unique blend of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity.
2. Black Virgin Mountain: This mountain is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Caodaists and offers stunning views from its peak.
3. Ba Den Pagoda: Located at the foot of Black Virgin Mountain, this pagoda features beautiful architecture and intricate carvings.
4. Dau Tieng Lake: This large lake offers scenic views and recreational activities such as boating and fishing.
5. Tây Ninh Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Tây Ninh province through exhibits on local traditions, artifacts, and archaeological finds.
6. Hoa Thanh Tower: Built in the 17th century, this tower is a remnant of the Cham people’s ancient civilization in Vietnam.
7. Trang Bang Village: Famous for its rice paper production, this village also has a poignant history as it was heavily affected by the Vietnam War’s infamous Napalm Girl photograph.
8. Cu Chi Tunnels: Located just outside Tây Ninh province but easily accessible from there, these tunnels were used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war against America to defend themselves against bombings and attacks.

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Cultural Events

1. The Nghinh Ong Festival is a celebration that honors the sea goddess, who is believed to protect fishermen and sailors. It takes place in February and includes a procession of boats, dragon dances, and offerings to the sea goddess.
2. The Ba Den Mountain Festival is held at the Ba Den Mountain temple complex in Tây Ninh province. It takes place in March or April and features traditional music performances, martial arts demonstrations, and a procession of monks.
3. The Cau Bong Festival celebrates the village’s guardian spirit at Cau Bong Temple. It occurs on the 14th day of the first lunar month (around February or March) with dragon dances, traditional music performances, and offerings to spirits.
4. The Buffalo Fighting Festival happens on Lunar New Year’s Day (around January or February) at Chol Chnam Thmay Village Stadium near Tây Ninh City where two well-trained buffaloes engage in a fighting competition.
5. Trang Bang Rice Paper Making Village Festival celebrates Trang Bang village’s famous rice paper-making tradition with various activities such as rice paper making competitions & tug-of-war contests among others.
6. Ancestors Worshiping Ceremony takes place annually on 15th day of January according to lunar calendar by Khmer people living around Tay Ninh province area where they offer food & drinks to their ancestors for good luck & prosperity throughout year ahead.

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Cuisine

1. Bánh tráng nướng (Grilled rice paper): This is a popular street food in Tây Ninh that is made by grilling rice paper with various toppings such as minced pork, quail eggs, and green onions.
2. Nem nướng (Grilled pork sausage): This dish consists of grilled pork sausage served with herbs, lettuce leaves, pickled vegetables, and rice paper wrappers.
3. Cơm tấm (Broken rice): This is a staple dish in Vietnam that consists of broken rice served with grilled meats or fish, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce.
4. Quán ăn Hương Lan: This restaurant serves traditional Vietnamese dishes such as bún chả (grilled pork meatballs served with noodles), phở bò (beef noodle soup), and cơm tấm.
5. Nhà hàng Thanh Thủy: This restaurant specializes in seafood dishes such as fried squid, grilled prawns, and steamed clams.
6. Quán ăn Vườn Xoài: This restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine including cơm gà xối mỡ (chicken cooked in fat served with broken rice), bún riêu cua (crab noodle soup), and bánh xèo (Vietnamese crepes).

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Parks and Recreation

1. Cao Dai Holy See: This is a religious site that also has beautiful gardens and architecture.
2. Ba Den Mountain: This mountain offers hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding area.
3. Dau Tieng Lake: This is a large lake that offers boating, fishing, and other water activities.
4. Nui Ba Den Amusement Park: This park has rides, games, and other activities for families to enjoy.
5. Hoa Thanh Historical Site: This site features ruins of an ancient city with temples, tombs, and other structures to explore.
6. Tay Ninh Golf Course: Golf enthusiasts can enjoy playing on this 18-hole course surrounded by natural beauty.
7. Trang Bang Rice Paper Village: Visitors can learn about the traditional process of making rice paper while enjoying the scenic countryside surroundings.
8. Binh Thanh Cham Tower: These ancient towers offer insight into the history of the Cham people who once lived in the area.

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Experience Life

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