Ba Dong Beach, Tra Vinh: A Quick Getaway Guide
Hit the Road: Saigon to Ba Dong
Craving a beach escape? Ba Dong in Tra Vinh province is a fresh destination gaining popularity. My journey started early from Saigon, a leisurely breakfast and coffee fueling the motorbike for a ride to My Tho.
Around 10:30 AM, My Tho welcomed me. I explored Le Thi Hong Gam and Ap Bac streets, and enjoyed a relaxing lunch, coffee, and the breezy riverside along 30/4 and Hoang Sa streets. It's a great area for food and drinks. Consider these spots:
- Reu Coffee: Drinks range from 35,000 - 55,000 VND. Good drinks and a cool, vintage ambiance.
- Banh Canh Cua 70HV (9 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ward 4, My Tho City): Crab noodle soup, priced from 40,000 - 200,000 VND, depending on your order.
At 1 PM, I crossed Rach Mieu Bridge to Ben Tre, heading straight for Co Chien Bridge. I used Google Maps to navigate smaller garden roads along the river, a cooler and less crowded route. Alternatively, you can take the main road.
Between 3 PM and 3:30 PM, after crossing Lang Chim Bridge, a field of giant windmills marked a scenic spot. I stopped for some photos, enjoying the quiet road before reaching the beach.
Exploring Ba Dong Beach
Ba Dong reminds me of Vung Tau's front and back beaches. The area near A.fus coffee (easily found on maps) is more spacious and less crowded, attracting those seeking a chill vibe and photo opportunities. From about 3:30 PM, vendors set up with coffee and snacks, providing seating and parking. It's perfect for photos, eating, drinking, and sunset views – while not directly facing the sunset, the light on the windmills is beautiful.
The water has silt, making it a bit murky, but it is relatively clean.
While there are multiple drink vendors, I'd recommend A.fus coffee. Their coffee is good. They also have photography equipment and are known to be generous to let customers use it, a nice perk for visitors.
Further down the beach is the main Ba Dong Tourist Area (also on maps). It's busier and less relaxed.
Accommodation and Local Flavors
Staying near the beach means limited food options and evening entertainment. There are hotels from 500,000 VND per night if you want to catch the sunrise.
I stayed until 6 PM and drove 20 minutes to the town.
- Toan Vinh Hotel: Rooms around 380,000 VND, clean, quiet, and comfortable.
- Ca He Tui Nau (Coffee Shop): Good drinks in a nice setting.
- Oc Nho Restaurant (79 19 thang 5 Street, Long Toan, Duyen Hai Town, Tra Vinh): Fresh, delicious seafood with a breezy view.
After dinner and coffee, I checked into my hotel. At 5 AM the next day, I returned to the beach to find it incredibly crowded. Arrive early to secure a spot for sunrise viewing. A.fus coffee was open again. If you are lucky, you might see the Sun Set at sunrise.
After sunrise, I had breakfast near the hotel, checked out, and started the journey back to Saigon.
On the way, I stopped at Co 10's coconut shop for a refreshing treat. She prepares the coconut on the spot, and you can even take some home. I stopped in My Tho for another lunch and coffee before arriving back in Saigon around 3 PM.
This itinerary is perfect for a 2-day trip. You can stop wherever you like, only spending money on gas, food, drinks, and accommodation. It's all about the adventure and creating memories. Safe travels!
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