Walk Around Thu Dau Mot

Walk Around Thu Dau Mot

When talking about a simple and peaceful city in southern Vietnam, I, mr.hotsia, a chill traveler, would like to introduce you toThu Dau Motwhich is the capital city of Binh Duong province, located only 31 kilometers from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

I traveled from the Northern Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh by bus and arrived in this city in the afternoon. The weather was hot with a slight humidity typical of tropical cities. Upon leaving the bus station, I saw houses and small communities among low hills that seemed to connect directly to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It felt like escaping the hustle of the big city and entering a simple yet lively world typical of the local people here.

Thu Dau Mot city is not bustling like typical tourist cities. There are not many hotels or accommodations. I chose to stay in an area surrounded by banana groves, which was very cheap and gave a rare rustic atmosphere in a city. The sound of roosters crowing and the scent of damp earth made me feel extremely relaxed.

Walking out of the bus station, you will see the Co.opmart mall nearby, which is an important central point for the locals. I strolled around the mall and the adjacent streets, seeing locals sitting and chatting in the manner of a small town. Here, you will not find large groups of tourists because Thu Dau Mot is not widely known yet. But for travelers who want to experience the real lifestyle of southern Vietnamese people, this place is very suitable.

Lifestyle and Atmosphere of Thu Dau Mot

What impressed me especially was the peaceful life of the locals here. I saw people raising chickens in their backyard gardens, small hills, and naturally grown banana groves. There was no rush or chaos like in big cities. Motorbike taxis are the main means of transportation here. I tried riding from the bus station into the city center, which is not far. But if you want to stroll and enjoy the city leisurely, it’s very doable.

If you are planning to travel to Binh Phuoc province, I recommend stopping here first because traveling from Thu Dau Mot to Dong Xoai, the capital city of Binh Phuoc, is convenient and not very far.Read more about traveling in Binh Phuoc provinceAnd for interesting experiences in Dong Xoai city, I have documented them in several articles such asTraveling Dong Xoai 2016including the very colorful morning market inDong Xoai Morning Market 2016

Local Food and Snacks to Try

Although it is a small city, Thu Dau Mot does not lack delicious local food. I did not miss trying simple dishes available at curry rice shops in town. The prices are cheap and the flavors suit Thai taste buds like mine very well. Sometimes I got to taste Vietnamese-style chicken biryani, which has a slightly different flavor from the one back home.Watch Vietnamese Chicken Biryani clipI filmed it showing the grilling of chicken and the fragrant rice, which looks very appetizing.

There are also snacks like grilled button squid that can be found on small streets in the city.Grilled Button Squid clipThis helps to clearly show the taste and cooking methods of the local people here.

Real Feelings from mr.hotsia

For me, visiting Thu Dau Mot is not just a casual trip but an experience of real life in a small city near Ho Chi Minh that still preserves its natural and simple character very well. Walking around the city, enjoying the views of small hills and surrounding banana groves, and talking with the locals allowed me to see a different side of Vietnam beyond big cities or famous tourist spots.

As a traveler, I, mr.hotsia, recommend anyone who likes unhurried travel and wants to escape the hustle to experience Thu Dau Mot at least once. You will find that the peaceful simplicity here is as charming as anywhere else in Vietnam.

If you want to know about nearby cities like Dong Xoai in Binh Phuoc province, try reading my articles at these linksDong Xoai 2016andDong Xoai Fresh Morning Marketwhich will broaden your perspective on traveling in Vietnam.