Hạ Long tourism always attracts many domestic and international tourists. Hạ Long 'leaves a lasting impression' with its many famous landscapes, delicious dishes, and exciting experiences.

What to do, where to go, what to eat, which hotel to choose for Hạ Long tourism? Why choose Hạ Long as the destination for this vacation? What are the experiences of traveling to Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, to have a blast, right in its essence? All will be revealed in the comprehensive Hạ Long travel guide below!

Introduction to Hạ Long
Hạ Long belongs to Quảng Ninh province, about 180km from Hanoi, known as the paradise of tourism in the North. Thanks to its convenient location, modern infrastructure, and developed transportation system, every year, Hạ Long attracts millions of domestic and international tourists.
Hạ Long Bay covers an area of 1,553km2, including 1,900 large and small limestone islands with vivid shapes. The bay has been repeatedly voted by UNESCO as one of the world's natural wonders, dubbed as a must-visit destination at least once in a lifetime.

Why should you travel to Hạ Long once in your life?
Why should you choose Hạ Long as your travel destination? With the following 3 reasons, I believe everyone would want to pack their bags and leave.
. One of the 7 natural wonders of the world: being in the top 7 natural wonders of the world, Hạ Long Bay is undoubtedly the dream destination of every tourist. Not only domestic tourists but also foreign tourists are very excited and amazed by the natural beauty here.
. Full facilities and quality services: in recent years, Hạ Long has experienced extremely high economic growth. The infrastructure system has been systematically and qualitatively invested in. Tourists will be provided with full amenities, meeting the needs of entertainment, relaxation, shopping...
. Many interesting and attractive entertainment spots: when you come to Hạ Long, you will be free to explore, experience, and have fun. The experience of traveling to Hạ Long for most people is not to miss attractive sightseeing spots such as: Hạ Long Bay, Old Quarter, night market, Tuần Châu.

When is the best time to travel to Hạ Long?
The weather in Hạ Long changes according to each month and varies significantly in each season, so please carefully check the weather forecast information before your trip. The time for traveling to Hạ Long can be divided into the following periods:
. April to June is the ideal time to travel to Hạ Long. During this time, the weather is almost rain-free, warm, and comfortable, very suitable for sightseeing, resting with family and friends.
. June to August is the peak season of Hạ Long, many families combine vacations for children, so the number of visitors increases, room rates, and services also tend to increase. This is the summer season. Especially in July and August, there may be tropical depressions and storms, directly affecting the travel itinerary of tourists.
. From late November to Tet is the travel time for foreign visitors to Hạ Long. Vietnamese tourists mostly choose to come here in the summer, so during this time, Hạ Long is also peaceful and has more privacy space for you to enjoy.

The best and hottest tourist destinations in Hạ Long
4.1. Hạ Long Bay
Hạ Long Bay possesses majestic and poetic natural beauty with thousands of large and small islands and many unique caves. The bay is also recognized by UNESCO as a world natural wonder, attracting a large number of tourists every year to beautiful destinations such as: Dragon Eye Island, Ti Top Island, Hon Con Coc, Ngoc Vung Island, Surprise Cave.
4.2. Tuần Châu Island
Located on Tuần Châu Island, Tuần Châu tourist area attracts tourists with beautiful and romantic scenery. When you come to Tuần Châu, you should participate in the water music performance, enjoy outdoor entertainment parks or the newly opened dinosaur park that attracts many young people.

4.3. Quảng Ninh Museum
Considered a miniature model of Quảng Ninh, Quảng Ninh Museum contains the culture of Hạ Long people, depicting the most characteristic features of the mining land. This is also a famous and beautiful check-in point.

4.4. Cửa Vạn fishing village
According to the travel experience of many tourists, without coming to Cửa Vạn fishing village, you will not fully appreciate the beauty here. Cửa Vạn is an ancient fishing village on the bay with a very unique lifestyle of coastal fishermen. Here, you will discover exciting activities such as fishing, squid fishing, rowing... and enjoy delicious seafood right on the boat.

4.5. Bài Thơ Mountain
Bài Thơ Mountain carries a mystical and solemn beauty. From here, you can overlook the entire romantic scenery of Hạ Long.

However, the activity of climbing Bài Thơ Mountain has been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns for tourists, instead, you can visit and admire the scenery below. Please update information carefully from the local authorities before scheduling your specific itinerary for your trip to Hạ Long!

4.6. Bãi Cháy Beach - Hạ Long tourist attraction
Bãi Cháy Beach is an artificial beach located near Hạ Long Bay. According to the travel experience of many tourists, this is considered the most beautiful beach in the city with clear blue water, smooth white sand stretching nearly 1,000m. Here you can enjoy swimming, check-in, and have fun to your heart's content.

4.7. Lan Hạ Bay
Lan Hạ Bay is located on the East of Cát Bà Island and adjacent to the South of Hạ Long Bay. Possessing majestic natural landscapes, unique primitive scenery, Lan Hạ Bay is an ideal stop for those who love wilderness and peace. Visiting Lan Hạ, tourists will experience exciting activities on the sea and explore the simple life of fishermen here.

4.8. Bái Tử Long Bay
Bái Tử Long Bay consists of hundreds of large and small islands that enchant tourists with the simple, mysterious beauty of the rocky islands, limestone islands rising and falling on the waves. The pristine, pure landscape of the long stretches of white sandy beaches will also captivate you.

4.9. Hạ Long Old Quarter
Hạ Long Old Quarter, also known as Bãi Cháy Old Quarter, blends the unique architectural beauty between traditional and modern, meticulously recreating the characteristics of Hội An and Hanoi's Old Quarter. Especially, every corner is meticulously designed so every nook and cranny is an ideal spot for young people to live virtually.

4.10. Hạ Long Night Market
Hạ Long Night Market is a place where you can find many unique and typical items of the bay area such as seashell wind chimes, handicrafts... Besides, this place is also known as a "culinary paradise" with many seafood stalls, snack bars that make you forget your way home.

4.11. Some other attractive experiences of Hạ Long tourism
Not only sightseeing, admiring landscapes, having fun, when coming to Hạ Long, tourists also experience many unique and impressive experiences such as:

. Kayaking: enjoying the scenery on the bay by kayak is an exciting activity for tourists.
. Visiting the floating village: feeling the life of coastal fishermen.
. Exploring the natural beauty of Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Trong Cave.
. Enjoying specialties: Hạ Long has a rich and diverse culinary culture, you should enjoy famous dishes such as seafood, sticky rice with seafood, sour pork skin, Tú Lệ wine...
. Exploring Yoko Onsen Quảng Ninh hot spring, Vinpearl Hạ Long Resort, Tuan Chau entertainment area.

With the above sharing, hopefully, you will have more information and useful experiences to make your Hạ Long trip more perfect. Wish you and your family have a fun and safe trip

Getting to Ha Long
5.1. How to travel to Ha Long?
With the synchronized development of transportation infrastructure, traveling to Ha Long is very fast and convenient. From Hanoi, tourists can use various means of transportation to get to Ha Long such as:
Motorbike

For traveling to Ha Long by motorbike from Hanoi and some northern provinces, you can choose one of the following two routes:

Route 1: Hanoi - Bac Ninh following National Highway 18 then continue to Pha Lai - Chi Linh - Dong Trieu - Uong Bi - Ha Long
Route 2: Noi Bai Airport - Bac Ninh, continue on QL18A to Pha Lai - Sao Do - Dong Trieu - Uong Bi - Ha Long
The travel time by motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Long is about 4 - 5 hours. However, the long distance may cause fatigue and danger. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy adventure tourism, this will be a great experience. However, if traveling by motorbike, remember to maintain a suitable speed, equip yourself with a helmet with a visor, long-sleeved shirt for safety during the journey.

Car

If traveling by car, you just need to follow the directions on the Hanoi - Ha Long expressway, and you can quickly and safely travel to Ha Long. The travel time by car from Hanoi to Ha Long is only about 2 - 2.5 hours, so it is very convenient.

Public transportation

In addition to personal vehicles, you can also use public transportation such as taxis, buses, and trains. If departing from southern provinces, tourists can also take a flight to Cat Bi Airport - Hai Phong or Van Don Airport - Quang Ninh and quickly travel to Ha Long.

5.2. Means of transportation in Ha Long City
In the Ha Long city area, there are quite a few suitable means of transportation:

Motorbike taxi (Xe ôm)

You can easily hire a motorbike taxi at a reasonable price. However, based on the travel experience of many tourists in Ha Long, remember to negotiate the price before getting on the bike to avoid being overcharged.

Bus

Ha Long has a continuous bus system, linking to famous tourist destinations. Depending on the departure and destination, tourists will choose the most suitable bus route. The average bus fare in Ha Long is about 7,000 - 10,000 VND per trip.

Electric car

Electric cars are a popular means of transportation, especially in the center and tourist destinations of Ha Long city.

Currently, the city has 5 Ha Long electric car routes serving tourists, starting from Bai Chay tourist area or the center of Ha Long city. Electric cars pass through famous Ha Long tourist destinations such as Bai Chay Bridge, Quang Ninh Museum - Library, Bà Thơ Mountain relic area, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long.

The fare for Ha Long electric cars ranges from 500,000 to 900,000 VND per trip. Operating hours are from 7:00 to 22:00 daily.

Taxi

This is a convenient means of transportation suitable for most tourists. The tourist destinations in Ha Long are not far apart, so transportation costs are not a significant concern. Taxi fares in Ha Long range from 5,000 to 11,000 VND per kilometer depending on the taxi company and distance traveled.

What to eat in Ha Long? Ha Long's delicious dishes to try
6.1. Grilled squid - Famous Ha Long specialty
The first delicious dish that answers the question of what to eat in Ha Long is grilled squid. Grilled squid is a famous specialty of Ha Long's coastal area. The golden, fragrant pieces of squid are elaborately and skillfully processed. When you bite into a piece of grilled squid, you will feel the crispy texture, the sweet and savory taste when dipped in chili sauce or sweet and sour fish sauce.
If you want to buy this dish as a gift when visiting Ha Long, according to the travel experience of many people, consider buying hand-grilled squid from locals in Ha Long such as Ba Kien, Fishing Village, Hien Nhung... They know how to choose the right squid, mix the ingredients in reasonable proportions, and use traditional processing methods. In this way, the grilled squid will be more fragrant and crispy.

6.2. Stir-fried snails with fermented tofu - Ha Long's delicious dish
Without betel leaves, cooking oil, Ha Long people stir-fry snails with fermented tofu, dried coconut, and lime leaves. The snail dipping sauce also does not require complicated preparation but is taken from the chili sauce that was used to stir-fry the snails earlier.

The snails are cleaned, put into a pot, seasoned, and brought to a boil. When the aroma is strong and fragrant, they are removed from the heat. Stir-fried snails with fermented tofu are crispy, flavorful, and spicy, making tourists enjoy every bite.

6.3. Steamed spider crab
Spider crab is a type of crab with 2 very large and meaty pincers. Although not as rich as crab meat, spider crab meat is tastier than crab meat, and the price is also very affordable. Steamed spider crab is an attractive dish chosen by many tourists to enjoy when visiting Ha Long. Besides steaming, you can also cook spider crab in many different ways such as tamarind stir-fry, charcoal grilled, stir-fried with glass noodles.

6.4. Ha Long razor clams
Razor clams are extremely valuable marine worms, with 1 kg of dried razor clams costing up to 4 - 5 million VND. When you come to Quang Ninh, don't forget to enjoy the specialties made from razor clams such as crispy island razor clams, grilled razor clams, stir-fried razor clams with jicama, breaded and fried razor clams.

Source: https://vinpearl.com/vi/du-lich-ha-long-kinh-nghiem-tron-bo
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 The temples of King Dinh and King Le in Ninh Binh are located in an area commonly referred to as the Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu, belonging to Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Visitors to this area have the opportunity to delve deep into the historical values ​​of Vietnam's feudal dynasties in the 10th century. Witnessing the ups and downs of history, this is the only place in Vietnam to worship King Dinh, his parents, his sons, and the merits of the generals.

Situated on a 5-hectare area within the special conservation zone of the national cultural heritage site of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital complex, located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Over more than 1000 years of history, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a place that preserves the historical relics of the three dynasties of Dinh – Early Le – Ly. Among them, the temples of King Dinh and King Le are cultural and historical monuments of great significance to future generations.

The Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang in Yen Thuong village, Truong Yen commune, is situated on a spacious grounds covering nearly 5 hectares, with Mount Ma Yen as the background, facing East. The tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang is located on the top of Ma Yen Son – the reason why the tomb of King Dinh is located amidst Ma Yen mountain, where the shape resembles a saddle like a saddle, serving the mission of suppressing invaders and safeguarding the country.

According to legend, the temples of King Dinh and King Le were also built on the site of the ancient palace. When the Ly dynasty left the capital from Hoa Lu to the land of Thang Long (present-day Hanoi), the people built two temples to commemorate the two national heroes, Dinh Bo Linh and Le Hoan. Initially, the temple faced North overlooking Mount Ho and Mount Che. Over the years, the two old temples are no longer there. In the early 17th century, after leaving the Mac dynasty for the Le dynasty (1600), Bui Thoi Trung, the lord of the district, rebuilt the two temples as before, but turned to the East, and in 1606 inscribed the stele. In 1898, Mr. Ba Kenh, also known as Duong Duc Vinh, along with the people of Truong Yen Thuong, renovated the temple of King Dinh, making stone doorsteps and raising the temple on a stone platform as it is today.

Details about the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang
The Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang is the place of worship for King Dinh Tien Hoang and his sons. It is located at the main position of the Hoa Lu Imperial Capital, built in the style of inner Cong characters (Chinese characters) and outer Quoc characters (national characters). The path in the temple follows the shape of a square. The architectural constructions symmetrically correspond along the main axis.

This is a remarkable architectural work, a historical and artistic relic of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, ranked as a special national relic in 2012.

According to tradition, after pacifying the country and suppressing the 12 warlords, King Dinh Tien Hoang chose this place as the capital - his homeland was associated with his childhood of 'training under the coconut palms', along with the mountainous terrain and surrounded by water, which was very suitable for resisting external enemies, as at that time the northern invaders were threatening our country. However, in 979, King Dinh Tien Hoang and his son Dinh Lien were killed by Do Thich. According to the royal ritual, he was posthumously conferred the title, built the temple to worship him right at his hometown. Therefore, the temple has been established since ancient times. Today, the remaining part of the temple bears the architectural style of the Nguyen dynasty.

Many documents about King Dinh Tien Hoang have praised his intelligence, strength, and great contribution to the cause of unifying the country, opening up the legitimate regime of our country after thousands of years of slavery. In his homeland today, there are still many legends related to the childhood of King Dinh Tien Hoang or the generals Nguyen Bac, Dinh Dien, etc.

The outer gate leading to the temple - Ngọ Mon has three tiled roofs. On the arch of the gate are two lions playing in the clouds, above them are the words "Phuong Khuyet Dynasty" (front dynasty gate), outside there are the words "Bac Mon toa thuoc" (meaning: North gate closed). With more than a thousand years of experience in fighting against the northern feudalism, our ancestors have been cautious and reminded their descendants about that. Inside, in the middle of the courtyard, there is a stone altar, on both sides are two stone buffalo statues, with very high artistic value. The simple carving shapes with rustic blocks evoke reverence for King Dinh.

Next is the internal Nghi gate (inner gate), this gate is the earliest form of three-legged architecture in our country. Inside, to the right of the temple is the house where King Dinh's parents are worshiped, to the left is the Vong house where offerings are made. The area in the middle is the foreign flower garden (in the shape of a country). On both sides are rockery designed in the form of a 'salvage dragon' and a 'human-shaped bowing to the general'.

The two stone lions are very robustly sculpted, with high heads, open mouths, twisted noses, curly hair, tightened bellies, clear protruding meat pieces on the hips, demonstrating strength.

The main temple has three buildings: Bai Duong, Thien Huong, and Thuong Dien.

The Bai Duong hall worships the communal balcony with the characteristic architecture of the Dinh temple being surrounded, the dim light has created a sacred space, making its altars and statues appear to have a mysterious power. Different from other architectures, usually attaching doors to columns outside, in the Dinh temple, the temple door is recessed into the column line, forming overlapping panels with large decorations. In the Bai Duong area, there are two 'swan necks' quite beautiful, both supporting the roof and covering the heads of the lintel. This is actually a clever corner, a very difficult technique in traditional architecture that has become a proverb.

In the middle of the Bai Duong area is a large signboard with three words "Chinh Thong Thuy" (Opening the mainstream). On the columns on both sides are two couplets "Co Viet quoc duong tong khai bao, Hoa Lu do thi han Trang An" (translated as: Dai Co Viet country is comparable to the Reign of the Tang dynasty, the capital of Hoa Lu like the capital of Trang An of the Han dynasty).

The Temple of King Dinh is a precious architectural masterpiece in the 17th century. Although it has undergone many renovations, the temple still retains the carvings of the late Ly period. The most represented theme is the dragons, intertwined with each other: mother dragons, dragon children, dragon groups... in the intricate relief carvings, some dragons are calm, some are curved tails, turning their heads back as if joking.

Details about the Temple of King Le
Located not far from the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang, about 300m away, is the Temple of King Le - the place of worship of King Le Dai Hanh. Located in Truong Yen Ha village, Truong Yen commune, it is also called the Lower Temple. The temple was built on the foundation of the ancient palace of Hoa Lu facing East, with Mount Den as the backdrop, and behind it is Mount Dia.

Although not as magnificent as the Temple of King Dinh because it has been less renovated, the Temple of King Le preserves many more carvings from the late Le period than the Temple of King Dinh. The overlapping panels in the Bai Duong hall are where the artistic performances of wood carvings converge.

In the middle of the Bai Duong area is a brightly colored signboard with four words "Truong Xuan Ling Tich" (Truong Xuan Temple's signature). On the signboard on the left side are three words "xuat thanh minh" (appear as saints), on the right is the signboard "Duong thanh vu" (expressing the divine). There are two couplets as follows "Thanh vu dong bon ben trong luc chiem cuong tong thịnh, thịnh liệng còn vạn thuở trong vùng núi mã sông Long" which means: The divine intervention in all four directions during the prosperous period, sacred and eternal in the region of the horse river and dragon mountains.

The Temple of King Dinh and the Temple of King Le are symbols of the 17th-century wood carving art reaching a refined and sophisticated level. The two temples are forever symbols of the respect and gratitude of the entire nation and the people of Ninh Binh in particular to the two kings who made great contributions to the opening of the independent national era in the 10th century.

The festival of the Temple of King Dinh and King Le (Truong Yen festival) is held annually at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, where the two temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh and related historical figures of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties are located. The festival takes place from the 8th to the 10th of the lunar month every year, attracting many local and regional tourists to visit and enjoy the spring.

The Truong Yen festival has recreated the entire life and career of King Dinh Tien Hoang, from childhood to the founding of the dynasty. The festival embodies the tradition of "remembering the source" and reverence for the ancestors who had the merit of suppressing the 12 warlords and unifying the country into one, establishing the first central monarchy in Vietnam. In addition, the festival contains much important historical information, contributing to clarifying a period in Vietnamese history, affirming the national spirit through each historical period.

Means of transportation to the Temple of King Dinh - King Le
If you depart from Ho Chi Minh City, flying is the best option. You will fly to Noi Bai Airport and from Noi Bai, travel to Ninh Binh by booking a limousine or renting a private car. The travel time for 100 km is 2 hours.

If you are already in Hanoi, you have three options:

Train: ticket prices range from 90-200,000 VND depending on the class of train and type of seat. There are morning trips at 6:30 and evening trips at 19:20. You will arrive at Ninh Binh Station and then take a taxi/motorbike/motorbike taxi to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Bus: ticket prices range only 80k. Travel time is about 2.5 hours including rest time. Leaving from Giap Bat Bus Station, there are many buses running directly to Ninh Binh, it is very easy and convenient to go to Ninh Binh.
Motorbike: If you take the bus, you will go on the new National Highway 1A route. However, if you go by motorbike, you will go on the old road, through Thuong Tin, and then stop by Phu Ly city, Ha Nam province. Just follow Google Maps and you will reach Ninh Binh, luxurious and splendid. Go another 7km and you will reach the Temple of King Dinh - King Le.
Limousine: Nowadays, there are many new bus companies running the Ninh Binh route with the highest quality, picking up and dropping off passengers at home with prices ranging from 250-350,000 VND/1 ticket. So don't hesitate to book yourself a seat to easily travel to Ninh Binh.

Source: https://sinhtour.vn/den-vua-dinh-va-den-vua-le-ninh-binh/
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 Phat Diem Stone Church in Ninh Binh - "the capital of Vietnamese Catholicism"

Phat Diem Stone Church is considered the most beautiful Catholic church complex in Vietnam. The construction sits on an area of ​​22 hectares in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.

In 1828, Mr. Nguyen Cong Tru - a talented official, was sent north by the Hue court with the title "Dinh Dien Su" to explore new lands. He founded Tien Hai district (Thai Binh) and Kim Son district (Ninh Binh). These two districts are now prosperous, vibrant regions fittingly named "silver sea" and "golden mountain".

The Phat Diem Church complex was built in the Kim Son area under the supervision of Father Peter Tran Luc (also known as Cu Sau, 1825-1899). Cu Sau served as the parish priest of Phat Diem from 1965. During his 34 years as the parish priest, Cu Sau dedicated himself to education and spiritual life for the parishioners. With a broad vision, he oversaw the construction of the Phat Diem Church complex.

The structure of Phat Diem Stone Church in Ninh Binh resembles a lake, statues, Phuong Dinh (bell tower), and a large church. It includes the Roco scripture prayer house, artificial caves, and more. The construction of Phat Diem Church in Kim Son took 24 years (1975 - 1988) amidst numerous challenges. Materials were transported from regions like Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, hundreds of kilometers away, to build Phat Diem. Despite primitive working conditions, thousands of tons of stone and hundreds of ironwood columns, some as long as 12 meters and weighing over 7 tons, were transported for the construction.

The highlight of Phat Diem Stone Church architecture is the harmonious combination of Eastern and Western architectural styles, arranged in a V-shaped layout to create an open space resembling the Eastern landscape: a pond in the front and mountains in the rear.

The Phat Diem Church complex consists of a large church and five small churches, including one entirely made of natural stone, known as the Stone Church, Phuong Dinh (bell tower), a lake, and three artificial caves.

The entire wooden structure, church interior, and walls are made of large ironwood logs. The roof is tiled with traditional ridge tiles found in temples.

The centerpiece of this religious complex is Phuong Dinh, resembling a village communal house, 21 meters wide, 25 meters tall, and comprising 3 floors. The ground floor, entirely built of square green stones, is divided into three compartments, each containing a stone altar.

Although a Catholic structure, Phat Diem Church mimics traditional Vietnamese temple architecture with its curved roofs resembling boats.

Phat Diem Stone Church, built entirely of stone and ironwood, required materials from various regions like Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and Son Tay. Precious stones were obtained from Thien Duong Mountain, 30 kilometers from Phat Diem, and Nhồi Mountain, near Thanh Hoa, 60 kilometers away.

Despite weighing up to 7 tons, large wooden beams and 20-ton stone slabs were transported using rudimentary means in the late 19th century.

Phat Diem Stone Church features intricate carvings and familiar symbols from Vietnamese rural villages such as pine, bamboo, apricot, or lotus.

The central area is dominated by the large church, built in just 3 months at the end of 1891, preceded by 10 years of material preparation and foundation laying.

Phat Diem, originally a coastal area reclaimed from the sea, required millions of bamboo stakes and thousands of cubic meters of stone to lay a solid foundation for this monumental structure.

Among the 5 small churches in Phat Diem, one entirely made of stone is called the Sacred Heart of Mary. Cu Sau initiated its construction as the first structure in the complex.

The Christmas festival, a major event in Catholicism, is a significant cultural activity for the Phat Diem parishioners. On Christmas Eve, the church sparkles with colorful lights, glow-in-the-dark caves, pine trees, and fluorescent lamps, creating a unique and magnificent atmosphere. The solemn celebration of Christmas attracts both locals and tourists to Phat Diem.

Phat Diem Stone Church in Ninh Binh has stood firm for over 100 years, surviving natural disasters and wars while preserving its originality. The Kim Son Stone Church complex was designated a National Historical and Cultural Monument in 1988. Ninh Binh province and relevant authorities are finalizing documentation to propose UNESCO recognition of Phat Diem Church as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The intricate blend of Western church architecture with traditional Eastern elements makes Phat Diem Church a uniquely captivating destination for domestic and international tourists visiting Ninh Binh.

Source: https://tttt.ninhbinh.gov.vn/du-lich/nha-tho-da-phat-diem-ninh-binh-kinh-do-cong-giao-viet-nam-2602.html
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Introducing Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh

Cuc Phuong National Park (Cuc Phuong forest) is a nature reserve and a special-use forest located across three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa.

Cuc Phuong Forest exhibits the characteristics of a tropical forest with a rich flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species that are discovered and preserved here.

Location: Cuc Phuong National Park is situated in Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province.

Area of Cuc Phuong National Park: 22,000 hectares, including 11,350 hectares within Ninh Binh Province, 5,850 hectares within Thanh Hoa Province, and 5,000 hectares within Hoa Binh Province.

The ecosystem of Cuc Phuong Forest is diverse and abundant.

Flora of Cuc Phuong National Park: It includes 31 families, 57 genera, and 149 species of vascular plants. There are 3 families, 3 genera, and 3 species of gymnosperms; and 154 families, 747 genera, and 1,588 species of angiosperms.

Fauna of Cuc Phuong National Park: There are 97 species of mammals, 137 species of birds, 76 species of reptiles, 46 species of amphibians, 11 species of fish, and numerous unidentified or discovered insect species.

The terrain of Cuc Phuong National Park mainly consists of limestone mountain ranges stretching up to 25 kilometers, with many underground water streams, resulting in few lakes or ponds. The only river here is the Buoi River, which flows into the Ma River.

Tourist Attractions at Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong Forest, being a tropical forest with a rich flora and fauna, naturally attracts numerous tourists, making it a renowned ecotourism destination with hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

What do tourists visit in the national forest for?: Tourists come here to explore the rich flora and fauna, especially the butterfly species, and to admire the natural scenery. They participate in ecotourism programs, relaxation, camping, cultural and historical research, etc.

Other tourist activities at Cuc Phuong National Park include:

Hiking in the primary forest
Community-involved ecotourism
Night wildlife watching
Birdwatching
Cycling in the forest
Observing reptiles, amphibians, and insects
Visiting various biodiversity spots
Ethnic cultural programs
Kayaking
Conservation centers within Cuc Phuong Forest
Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden
Cuc Phuong Visitor Center
Wildlife rescue, conservation, and development center
Cuc Phuong Primate Rescue Center
Cuc Phuong Museum
Caves in Cuc Phuong: Ancient People's Cave, Moong Cave, Mang Chieng Cave, Crescent Moon Cave, Son Cung Cave, Pho Ma Cave, Thuy Tien Cave
Ancient trees in Cuc Phuong Forest: Ancient Cycas Tree, Thousand-year-old Fig Tree, Ancient Ficus Tree
The Muong People's Village in Cuc Phuong: Cuc Phuong National Park is home to the Muong ethnic group, with many common characteristics of Vietnamese ethnic groups such as stilt houses, terraced fields, traditional weaving frames, etc.

Nature in Cuc Phuong Forest

Silver Cloud Peak: At 648 meters, it is the highest peak in Cuc Phuong Forest, located about 3 kilometers from the center. The exploration time is from 4 to 5 hours, and it's advisable to hire a local guide for safety due to steep slopes. From Silver Cloud Peak, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Cuc Phuong National Park.
Yen Quang Lake: Habitat for many bird species, with an ancient temple in the middle, the lake's water is clear and cool.
Pho Ma Cave: About 2 kilometers from Yen Quang Lake, visitors should wear high-traction shoes. Pho Ma Cave is beautiful with many stalactites resembling architectural masterpieces gifted by nature.
Best Time to Visit Cuc Phuong National Park

The most suitable time is from December to May, the dry season when there is less rain, resulting in dry roads and fewer insects, especially mosquitoes.
The best time for butterfly watching in Cuc Phuong Forest is in April and May. This is when the most butterflies gather in Cuc Phuong.

Transportation to Cuc Phuong National Park

Self-driving by motorcycle or car: Follow National Highway 1A to Gian Khau junction (Gia Vien, Ninh Binh), then take National Highway 12A through Nho Quan town for 2 kilometers and turn left to the national forest gate.
Renting a service car or joining a tourist group: Just provide the address, and the drivers will take you there.
Taking a coach: Take a bus along the Nho Quan route, then take a bus to Cuc Phuong National Park.
Cuc Phuong National Park Map

Cuc Phuong National Park is vast, with many trails, so it's easy to get lost in the forest. Therefore, to confidently explore the forest without getting lost, bring a map of Cuc Phuong Forest and a compass.
For extra caution, it's recommended to hire a local guide for long hikes in the forest. They can provide interesting information about the forest's flora and fauna and help deal with any forest-related emergencies such as getting lost, falling, insect bites, especially avoiding snake trails, or hiking up Silver Cloud Peak.

Nguồn: https://tourre.vn/vuon-quoc-gia-cuc-phuong-ninh-binh/
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 Temple of Tien La - The ancient temple of Thai Binh region

Vietnam - the land of journeys. Have you checked in at all the famous landmarks of Vietnam yet? If not, then come to Tien La Temple, a place that will give you extraordinary spiritual travel experiences. Visiting Tien La Temple in Thai Binh, you will feel the ancient architecture along with the unique festivals here. Let's explore the highlights of this ancient temple with Traveloka!

Some information about Tien La Temple:
Tien La Temple is located in Tien La village, Doan Hung commune, Hung Ha district of Thai Binh province. This place still preserves the memory of an outstanding female general named Vu Thi Thuc (17 - 43), also known as Thuc Nuong - a famous general during the Hai Ba Trung uprising in 40 AD, with her abilities she was honored as "Dong Nhung Dai Tuong Quan". This is a temple built by the people to worship the Eight Generals (Generals who saved the people - also known as Bat Nan or Bat Nao).

However, later on, the troops of Hai Ba Trung suffered a heavy defeat when the Han dynasty sent Ma Yuan to invade our country. In 43 AD, in the final battle, the female general Bat Nan and her soldiers sacrificed themselves. The people, in mourning, erected a temple to commemorate her merits. In 1986, Tien La Temple was recognized as a national historical site. Nowadays, the temple is considered a symbol of Thai Binh province.

When to visit Tien La Temple?
Thai Binh is a province located in the northern region of our country, known for its vast rice fields and peaceful countryside. Besides the rainy and sunny seasons, Thai Binh also experiences cool weather in the late months of the year in the North. Each season, Thai Binh has its own beauty in nature and culture, surely bringing you the most wonderful experiences.

The best time to travel to Thai Binh is from late December to May every year. Traveling to Thai Binh during this time, you can admire the golden rice season on the vast fields. Not only that, you can also witness the pristine beauty of the sea in this area.

How to get to Tien La Temple, Thai Binh?
Traveling from the Northern region:
Thai Binh is a province in the Northern region, so you can easily get here from neighboring provinces. From Hanoi, you can choose to travel by motorbike or bus, as the road to Thai Binh is the national highway, making it easy for you to have a trip down here. Moreover, traveling from Hai Phong or Hai Duong is also easy and convenient.

Tien La Temple is 31 km away from the center of Thai Binh city in the Northwest direction. Therefore, when traveling to Tien La Temple in Thai Binh by motorbike, you should prepare in advance for the route to facilitate your travel.

Special features of Tien La Temple:
Admire the architectural construction:
Tien La Temple is located in Tien La village, Thai Binh province, covering an area of about 6000 m2. The front of Tien La Temple faces the Tien Hung River. After several renovations, the temple now has a large and beautiful scale. The entire temple follows the "Front first - Rear later" structure, with ancient styles expressed from the columns, beams, curved roofs resembling flying dragons, or the shape of the Double Dragon holding the Moon.

Tien La Temple has three main palaces: Dai Bai (Front altar), Trung te (Middle altar), and Hau dien or Hau Cung (Rear Palace). Before entering the gate is Tam quan ngoai (Outer Three Gates), entering the temple courtyard is Tam quan noi (Inner Three Gates), and on both sides are Lady's House and Gentleman's House.

Continuing inside the temple, you will reach Dai Bai, which is divided into 5 different sections, the interior is made of wood and carved with patterns of the Four Supernatural Creatures "Dragon - Unicorn - Turtle - Phoenix" interspersed with images of the Four Gentleman or Four Graces "Plum - Orchid - Bamboo - Chrysanthemum". Here, there are also large portraits praising Trung Vuong and the merits, talents, and virtues of the female general Bat Nan.

Next is the Middle altar of Tien La Temple, built in the "ancient stacked candlestick" architectural style. The special thing here is that all building materials are made of stone such as columns, beams, rafters... The carved images are very sophisticated, including 4 main columns carved with the images of the Four Supernatural Creatures, 12 secondary columns carved with Dragon patterns, 8 rafters carved with the images of the Four Supernatural Creatures and the Four Gentleman, the remaining stone column ribs carved with floral bands and characters.

Going deeper into Tien La Temple, you will reach the Hau Cung, which is built of wood, consisting of 3 sections: in the middle is an altar, on top of which is a statue of Bat Nan General, surrounded by altars for her generals; the left section worships her paternal ancestors, and the right section worships her maternal ancestors. Above the roof of the Hau Cung hangs a board with four words: "Van Co Anh Linh" meaning eternal gratitude for the merits of the Bat Nan General and her soldiers for the country and the people.

With the ancient architecture and the merits of the female general Bat Nan worshiped at Tien La Temple, it will surely be a unique point that you should not miss when visiting here. Come and commemorate the merits of the generals who fought for the country in the first uprising after the Christian era.

Tien La Temple Festival:
The Tien La Temple Festival takes place from the 10th to the 20th of March in the lunar calendar every year. The festival attracts many tourists to come and commemorate the merits of the Bat Nan General and the Hai Ba Trung uprising. The main festival day is on the 17th, coinciding with the death anniversary of the Bat Nan General (17/3/43).

The Tien La Temple Festival in Thai Binh is meticulously organized by the people of Tien La village and Thai Binh province, including ceremonial rituals and festival activities such as cultural and artistic activities, sports such as processions, water procession, drum beating, cockfighting, wrestling, dragon dance, lion dance... In addition, artistic troupes from Thai Binh province and neighboring provinces also come to perform outstanding plays such as Quan Am Thi Kinh, Luu Binh - Duong Le... or even the cai luong play of Mê Linh Drum Sound.

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 Mother Temple, Second Street: A provincial-level historical and cultural relic

The Mother Temple, Second Street, now located in Le Hong Phong Ward, is one of the temples in the Van Huong worship complex, worshiping the Three Holy Mothers: Princess Lieu Hanh, Lady Quynh Cung Duy Tien, and Lady Quang Cung Que Anh. On June 9, 2020, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee of Thai Binh signed a decision to rank the Mother Temple as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic.

In the Vietnamese pantheon, Saint Mother Lieu Hanh is one of the Four Immortals, the saint of the Four Palaces belief system, essentially the worship of Mother, a belief with deep roots and uniqueness in Vietnam. According to folklore, Mother is the second daughter of the Jade Emperor, who descended to earth three times, each time taking on a different female identity. The Three Holy Mothers of Van Huong are the three incarnations of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh. Mother has been honored by feudal dynasties from the time of the Later Le Dynasty to the Nguyen Dynasty with many titles, reverently called "Mother ruling the world," "Che Thang Hoa Dieu Great Princess," and "Golden Horse Princess." The temple was solidly built in the second Bao Dai year, 1926. The temple is located on Second Street, now Tran Hung Dao Street, in a very spacious compound, with the temple yard containing two large ancient trees. The worship area includes a five-bay Bai Duong hall and a three-bay Hau Cung hall. On the right side of the temple, there is another auxiliary structure consisting of three bays. The temple has historically been a spiritual gathering place for the ancient residents of Thai Binh town.

During the resistance against the United States, the Mother Temple located in the Tran Phu area was the most heavily damaged area of the city. This area contained Bo Bridge, a vital bridge on National Highway 10 connecting Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and southern provinces, becoming a focal point of intense American attacks. Therefore, the Mother Temple also suffered significant impacts. In 1977, the temple was dismantled, and all statues and worship items were moved to Bồ Xuyên Pagoda for worship. Subsequently, the land of the Mother Temple was used to build schools and government offices. All the ancient and venerable structures were left with only the horse-mounted statue gate as the entrance to the temple. More than 10 years ago, the shrine of the Holy Mother was erected behind this horse-mounted statue gate, on the very ground of the old Mother Temple courtyard paved with Bat Trang bricks. In 2019, with the consent of the authorities at all levels, businesses, and the people, efforts were made to restore the Mother Temple to its grandeur. In front of the temple gate is still the ancient horse-mounted statue gate with verses praising the merits of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh. Mr. Doan Cong Nhien, the temple's caretaker, said: Worshiping the Holy Mother Lieu Hanh or other goddesses is nothing but an expression of gratitude to the divine beings, cultural celebrities of the nation, so that each of us hopes and prays for protection, shelter, and blessings. That is the spirit of "Remembering the source when drinking water," self-discipline to cultivate morality. Understanding the full meaning, in recent times, the Party Committee, the People's Committee, as well as the people of Le Hong Phong Ward, through specific actions, have mobilized the people in the ward, visitors near and far, to contribute efforts, offerings, and honor the relic of the Mother Temple to fulfill the wishes and beliefs entrusted to the Supreme Being.

The temple is built in the nail-shaped style, with front and side corridors, and a spacious veranda. The height of the veranda compared to the ground is about 1 meter, with five-level stairs leading up to the veranda from the front and sides. This design makes the temple a sacred space rising amid a magnificent flower terrace. The entire wooden frame of the temple architecture is made entirely of finely carved ironwood, with delicate and graceful leaf patterns. On the left side of the temple is the View Scene floor, where one can admire the architecture of the temple dedicated to the Holy Mother, observe the grandeur of the Three-door Honor System, and admire the overall scenery of the temple.

Since the completion of the temple, Mrs. Le Thi Binh from Ward 6, Le Hong Phong Ward, has been present twice a day, morning and evening, regularly to assist in cleaning and arranging the offerings. She shares: Being recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic, the Mother Temple of Le Hong Phong Ward is a source of pride for the officials and people of Le Hong Phong Ward. This is also a responsibility for each of us to self-examine, cultivate, and foster morality to become useful citizens for our families and for society. To contribute to the protection and promotion of the value of the heritage.

The collective efforts of the community have helped to rebuild the temple to its magnificent appearance as depicted in the ancient verses on the horse-mounted statue gate that the ancients carved to praise: "Beautiful and sacred scenery perpetuates on Ky Bo land - The towering temple stands amidst the Thái Bình sky." Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Phat, Secretary of Party Cell 6 of Le Hong Phong Ward, shares: The relic is located in the area of the residential group 6. We recognize that historical and cultural relics are extremely valuable assets left by our ancestors for future generations. It affirms the existence and development of a village, a community of people. Therefore, our responsibility is to disseminate, educate, and promote the historical and cultural values of the Mother Temple. To enhance the awareness and responsibility of the officials and residents of the residential area in preserving and promoting the values of traditional cultural heritage. To create motivation for movements in the residential area, contributing to the achievement of economic, cultural, and social development goals of Le Hong Phong Ward. And the historical and cultural relic of the Mother Temple is well managed, protected, and effectively promoted in value by the government and people of the city in general, and Le Hong Phong Ward in particular, to make the temple a meaningful discovery and pilgrimage destination for local residents and visitors from afar.

Source: https://thanhpho.thaibinh.gov.vn/.../den-mau-pho-de-nhi...
https://tuoitrethudo.com.vn/tai-hien-nhieu-nghi-thuc...
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