Weekend Stress Relief at Ta Lai Tourist Village in Dong Nai

Ta Lai Tourist Village, also known as Ta Lai Longhouse, is a community tourism model located in Ta Lai commune. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

If you want to experience the feeling of being "one with nature, carefree like the grass," then head to Ta Lai Tourist Village, just next door to Saigon.

Ta Lai Tourist Village, also known as Ta Lai Longhouse, is a community tourism model located in Ta Lai commune, Tan Phu district, Dong Nai province, 20 meters from Vam Ho Lake and 100 meters from Cat Tien National Park.

                                               Image source: Collected

This project was established by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) from Denmark and Vietnam through the National Program on Ecotourism Development in Vietnam's protected areas in 2008, funded by DANIDA. The aim is to contribute to nature conservation and cultural development among local ethnic minorities. Ta Lai Longhouse was constructed from October 2010 to January 2011 and officially opened to tourists in March 2012. After nearly a decade of operation, it has become one of the most attractive ecotourism destinations in Dong Nai.

The Ta Lai ethnic village is also known as a unique resort, with houses designed in the traditional longhouse style of the Chau Ma people. The houses feature thatched roofs made of palm leaves, wooden floors cooled by fans, and walls and railings entirely made of bamboo, creating harmony with the surrounding nature.

Additionally, because the longhouses are situated on a hilltop, surrounded by lush gardens, green lawns, vibrant flowers, and a gentle river, visiting in the summer feels like entering a cool paradise filled with the scent of flowers and the soothing sounds of birdsong.

At Ta Lai Tourist Village, visitors can participate in various exciting outdoor activities such as hiking up Green Hill, touring cocoa and coffee gardens, kayaking on the river, or biking around the village to enjoy peaceful gardens in the early sunlight.

                                               Image source: Collected

Moreover, hiking through the forest to discover the diverse flora and fauna in Cat Tien National Park, learning about the uses of forest plants, and camping overnight in the woods to immerse yourself in nature are highly popular among adventure enthusiasts.

Even children can engage in outdoor adventures and wilderness experiences through the Winter Kids Camps program, which fosters confidence, multicultural communication, and friendship. Activities include campfires, obstacle courses, kayaking, and tightrope walking.

However, if you're not into physical activities, don't worry. Ta Lai Longhouse also offers traditional cultural exchanges with local ethnic communities such as Chau Ma, Tay, and S'tieng, helping preserve and promote their unique cultural heritage. Visitors can watch and learn from local women as they weave brocade, play gongs, blow traditional horns, make rice wine, and participate in cultural exchanges with gong performances, graceful ethnic dances, bamboo pole jumping, and various traditional games.

One of the most meaningful activities is cleaning up, planting trees in the village and forest, or repairing houses for disadvantaged families. Thus, for families or schools looking to instill good values in their children, Ta Lai Tourist Village is an ideal destination.

                                                                                      Image source: Collected

After all the fun, everyone naturally looks forward to the food, and the village does not disappoint. Whether you prefer familiar Vietnamese dishes like white rice, pickled vegetables, boiled greens with fish sauce, or ethnic specialties, everything is available.

Before leaving, don't forget to stop by the souvenir shop to buy handcrafted items made by the locals as keepsakes of your Dong Nai trip for friends and family. Items like clothes, scarves woven from brocade, bags, shoes made from rattan, bamboo wind chimes, and beautiful stone necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are sure to captivate you.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)