While Can Tho is famous for its vibrant attractions like Cai Rang Floating Market, lush fruit orchards, and the bustling, lantern-lit Ninh Kieu Wharf, the city also hides a serene, lesser-known gem: Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery. This place offers a completely different kind of travel experience, little known to many visitors, yet rich in spiritual and cultural value. It’s where travelers can momentarily step away from the hustle and bustle to reconnect with themselves.
If you’re looking for a journey that blends leisure, discovery, and inner peace, Truc Lam Zen Monastery is an unmissable stop on your Mekong Delta itinerary.
Truc Lam Zen Monastery – A Spiritual Landmark in the Heart of Tay Do
Located in My Nhon Hamlet, My Khanh Commune, Phong Dien District, Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery is only about 15 kilometers from downtown Can Tho. Designed in the architectural style of the Ly and Tran dynasties, this expansive complex reflects traditional Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetics. Among the monastery’s highlights are the majestic main hall that houses a 3.5-ton bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, a collection of 18 Arhat statues carved from white marble, an ancestral house, a bell tower, and over 1,000 ironwood columns imported from South Africa.
A Tranquil Space for the Soul
Stepping into the monastery feels like entering another world. Gone are the city’s sounds, replaced by the soft ringing of temple bells, birdsong, and the gentle breeze from the nearby river. The meditative gardens, lotus ponds, and winding stone paths form a harmonious landscape that naturally invites calmness and reflection.
Here, visitors can take a slow walk through the gardens, observe their breath with awareness, join early morning chanting ceremonies, meditate under the shade of Bodhi trees, or simply capture beautiful moments through the lens in a setting infused with spiritual charm.
How to Get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery from Downtown Can Tho
From downtown Can Tho, travelers can follow the Le Binh – My Khanh route or take Highway 91B. The journey by motorbike or car takes about 25 to 30 minutes and offers scenic views of peaceful villages and fruit-laden countryside along the way. It’s best to visit in the morning or early afternoon. Dress modestly to respect the spiritual setting of the monastery.
Relaxation in Can Tho: Victoria Can Tho Resort
After a morning of meaningful spiritual exploration, a perfect way to round out your day is to relax at Victoria Can Tho Resort. Situated by the Hau River and close to the city center, this resort is just under 30 minutes from the monastery.
With its elegant Indochine architecture, lush tropical gardens, and high-end services, the resort provides a serene space to unwind, recharge, and continue your day in comfort. Whether it’s enjoying a peaceful breakfast in the garden, savoring authentic Mekong cuisine at Spices Restaurant, reading a book in the quiet shade, or taking a walk along the river at sunset, every moment at the resort enhances the calm and relaxation of the overall journey.
Suggested One-Day Itinerary: Truc Lam Zen Monastery & Victoria Can Tho Resort
- In the morning, enjoy a buffet breakfast at Victoria Can Tho Resort in a tranquil garden setting overlooking the river. Then take a short ride to Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery, where you can walk through the meditative gardens, breathe deeply, and ease into a peaceful mindset to begin the day.
- By midday, return to the city for lunch at Spices Restaurant by the river and enjoy delicious, locally inspired dishes. For a lighter touch, a vegetarian restaurant nearby can offer a meal more aligned with the monastery’s spirit.
- In the afternoon, head back to the resort to relax at the tropical pool or rejuvenate with a gentle spa treatment. This is the perfect time to let your body recover while your mind stays calm and grounded.
- As the day winds down, take a peaceful walk along the Hau River, watching the colors of the sky shift at sunset, and feel the rhythm of life slow down. It’s the perfect close to a calm and meaningful day in Can Tho.
Why Combine Spiritual and Wellness Tourism in Can Tho?
In today’s fast-paced world, combining spiritual travel with leisure is more than a trend — it’s a chance to rediscover balance and clarity while exploring new cultures. Can Tho offers the ideal setting for this, with natural beauty, meaningful spiritual landmarks like Truc Lam Zen Monastery, and high-quality accommodations such as Victoria Can Tho Resort.
Spending a day between Truc Lam Phuong Nam Zen Monastery and Victoria Can Tho Resort offers not only a chance to relax the body and mind, but also an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. If you’re longing for a deeper, more mindful experience in the heart of the Mekong, this journey is one you shouldn’t miss.
