Late afternoon on the road to Chùa Dơi, the trees behind the monastery begin to stir, and the fruit bats that the monks protect start to shift and stretch before taking to the air. That half hour before sunset is the single best reason to build a day around Sóc Trăng.
The city suits travellers moving through the Mekong Delta who want Khmer pagodas, river life and an easy pace rather than a checklist of monuments. Its Khmer Krom, Chinese and Kinh communities shape what you eat, what you see and what is celebrated.
This guide covers the sights worth your time, the practical detail for reaching them, and how to string the best of them into a single day.
Top things to do in Soc Trang
1. Chùa Dơi (Bat Pagoda)
The monastery itself is pleasing, but the main draw is the colony of fruit bats living in the trees behind the temple. The monks protect them from farmers in the area who regard the bats as both a pest and a delicacy.
Arrive about half an hour before sunset to watch the show begin. Any xe om in town can bring you here, and there is a Buddhist crematorium across the road from the temple if you want to combine the two.
2. Chùa Đất Sét (Clay Pagoda)
This monastery was decorated by a monk sculptor who spent 60 years designing and installing thousands of statues, producing a colourful cacophony of Buddhist kitsch. Look for the pillars with dragons on them, the baby white elephant, the white tiger, and the golden turtles in the pond out back.
It sits on D Mau Than, roughly 300 m north of the river, which makes it easy to fold into a walk along the waterfront.
3. Chùa Phật nằm (Som Rong Pagoda)
Som Rong Pagoda is counted among the most famous pagodas in the city, alongside Chùa Dơi and Chùa Đất Sét. It is one of the Khmer temples that give Sóc Trăng its distinctive character.
Pair it with the other pagodas on your route rather than treating it as a standalone stop, since the city's Khmer temples are its strongest draw.
4. Ngã Năm Floating Market
This five-fork intersection market is busiest between 05:00 and 06:00, but it is held all day and all night on one fork of the river. It lies about 50 km from the city.
You can rent a boat to go around for as little as USD2–3. Go early if you want the market at its liveliest, and plan the trip as a half-day outing rather than a quick stop.
5. Tan Long Stork Garden
Known as an eco-destination in Sóc Trăng, this garden draws people who come to watch birds and walk among the thousands of storks. It is a quieter counterpoint to the pagodas.
Bring patience and time to walk; the point here is watching rather than ticking off a sight.
If you only have one day
Morning: Leave early for Ngã Năm Floating Market to catch it at its busiest between 05:00 and 06:00, renting a boat to move around the river fork.
Afternoon: Return to the city and visit Chùa Đất Sét on D Mau Than, about 300 m north of the river, then continue to Chùa Phật nằm (Som Rong Pagoda).
Evening: Head to Chùa Dơi (Bat Pagoda) and arrive about half an hour before sunset to watch the fruit bats take flight. If you have daylight left, Tan Long Stork Garden rewards a slow walk among the storks.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the bats at Chùa Dơi?
Arrive about half an hour before sunset. That is when the show begins, as the fruit bats in the trees behind the temple start to move.
How do I get to Chùa Dơi?
Any xe om in town can bring you there. The temple also has a Buddhist crematorium across the road if you want to see both.
What is the best time to visit Ngã Năm Floating Market?
It is busiest between 05:00 and 06:00, though the market is held all day and all night on one fork of the river. It is about 50 km from the city, and you can rent a boat to go around for as little as USD2–3.
Where is Chùa Đất Sét?
It is on D Mau Than, about 300 m north of the river, which makes it convenient to combine with a walk along the waterfront.
Start with the pagodas and the sunset at Chùa Dơi, then build the rest of your Sóc Trăng days around the river and the stork garden.