Soc Trang is a seaside province by the Hau River in the Mekong Delta. This green and fertile area is 231km from H'CM City, and has many tourists, attracted by the area’s fruit-laden orchards, extensive shrimp farms and by the province’s vast ricefields.

Soc Trang has specialties such as Vinh Chau longans, and rambutans and durians on Dung and My Phuoc islets. However, it is probably known more for its rich spiritual life and 'festivals of the Chinese, Khmer and Vietnamese communities. The Khmer ethnic group is prominent in the area and the 90 or so Khmer pagodas make Soc Trang an architecturally distinctive region.

Doi Pagoda, (Pagoda of Bats) is an ancient pagoda and a national heritage site. Located in Ward 3 in the town of Soc Trang, less than two kilometres from the downtown, the yard of the pagoda is always shady thanks to many big old trees. The pagoda was named bats as tens of thousands of them live in the trees.

For Khmer people, pagodas are a cultural centre where big festivals can be organised and people can study Buddhism, and learn the Khmer language. It is also a place for the cultural, artistic and entertainment activities by monks and followers of Buddhism. Khmer youngsters usually stay at a pagoda for some time before reaching adulthood. Therefore, pagodas are a familiar place to many in the communities. Besides organising religious ceremonies, pagodas are considered a place where people can open their hearts to celebrate good things and hold cultural activities. Visiting Doi Pagoda at any time of the year, tourists can see many monks walk, work and study. The relationship between monks and local people is so close that it seems the gap between religion and daily life no longer exists.

Saigon Times Weekly