The Trang An Ecotourism Area is an ecological tourism destination located within the Trang An World Heritage Complex in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Designated as a particularly important national monument by the Vietnamese government, it has been recognized as a dual World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2014. Trang An features a system of limestone mountains that are approximately 250 million years old, shaped over time by the Earth's transformations, climate variations, sea advances, and retreats, resulting in numerous valleys, caves, and lakes. This scenic area serves as a preservation site for various ecosystems, including flooded forests, limestone mountain forests, archaeological sites, and cultural-historical landmarks.

The limestone mountains, rivers, forests, and caves in Trang An were strategically chosen by King Dinh Tien Hoang as a protective barrier for the ancient capital Hoa Lu during the 10th century, and later used by the Tran Dynasty as a military base during the resistance against the Mongol invasion. Today, the site retains many historical relics from the Dinh and Tran dynasties.

The combined tourist attractions of Trang An, Tam Coc, Bich Dong, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and the Hoa Lu special-use forest are collectively planned as part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. This complex represents Vietnam's first dual World Heritage Site, showcasing outstanding natural landscapes, historical and cultural heritage, and geological formations, aiming to become a globally recognized tourist destination.

Location-wise, the Trang An boat terminal is situated 3 km south of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, 7 km west of Ninh Binh City along the Trang An Avenue, 16 km north of Tam Diep via Tam Coc, and 96 km south of Hanoi. The core area of the Trang An - Tam Coc heritage site covers over 6,172 hectares, constituting a specially protected zone within the broader Hoa Lu special-use forest and the Trang An World Heritage Complex, which spans 12,252 hectares.

Within the Trang An scenic landscape complex, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu is located to the north, the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area to the south, and the Trang An ecotourism area in the central position. These three areas are interconnected by the Hoa Lu special-use forest on the limestone mountains and a network of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Additionally, Trang An is in close proximity to other popular tourist destinations such as Hang Mua and Van Long Nature Reserve.

Natural Landscape:
Trang An, characterized by its karst landscape, is a land of winding rivers and enchanting caves. The crystal-clear water reflects the towering limestone cliffs, creating a picturesque scenery. With a total of 31 lakes and ponds connected by 48 discovered caves, including extensive underground caves like Dia Linh, Sinh Duoc, and May, each cave boasts unique features, with intricate rock formations and cool, refreshing air. Notable caves include Dark Cave, which unexpectedly widens, and Bright Cave, adorned with sparkling and mysterious rock formations. Legendary caves like Wine Making Cave and Rice Cooking Cave tell tales of giants preparing meals for mountainous feasts. The caves also contain underground water channels, some more than 10 meters deep. Trang An's caves, such as through Hang Coc, lead to Hang Vong, where ancient trees with interwoven roots grow at the cave's entrance. The diverse caves of Trang An exhibit distinct characteristics, categorized into four main types: ancient underground caves, foundation-level caves, stone roof caves, and toad's throat caves.

Archaeological Sites:
Trang An is home to numerous caves recognized as archaeological sites, currently under study by British scientists. Noteworthy archaeological sites include the Drum Cave, which reveals artifacts and traces of prehistoric people from 3,000 to 30,000 years ago, providing insights into the Trang An cultural history. The Bui Cave, located between Truong Yen and Gia Sinh, displays imprints of ancient residents dating back 5,000 to 30,000 years, uncovering layers of the Trang An cultural history. The Mai Da Thung Binh Rock Shelter (Gia Sinh - Gia Vien) exposes traces of inhabitants from the Hoa Binh cultural era. The cluster of Mo Cave, Co Cave, Buffalo Cave, Outer Pot Cave, Inner Pot Cave, and Mai Da Thung Binh Rock Shelter reveals signs of both Hoa Binh and Da But cultures. The Hang Cho Rock Shelter (Ninh Hai - Hoa Lu), with its cultural layer dating back over 10,000 years, provides insights into the Hoa Binh era.

Biodiversity:
Trang An boasts two main ecosystems: the limestone mountain ecosystem and the aquatic ecosystem. The diversity of plant and animal species within these ecosystems contributes significantly to the overall richness of Trang An. With over 600 plant species and 200 animal species, many of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Book, Trang An's terrestrial ecosystem is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The aquatic environment includes around 30 floating and 40 bottom-dwelling animal species, including rare and endangered species like the Striped-neck Terrapin, which requires protection. Trang An is also home to more than 310 rare and valuable high-level plant species, such as Tuong Da Voi, Sua, Lat, Nghien, Phong Lan, Hoai Son, Kim Ngan, Bach Bo, Rau Sang, and more. The area supports a diverse population of rare and precious birds and mammals, including the Sonda Pangolin and the Phoenix bird.

Geology and Hydrology:
Trang An's unique geological and hydrological features have shaped the region into a fascinating outdoor geological museum. Surrounded by limestone karst mountains resembling a bow-shaped arch within a flooded depression, the area has undergone extensive geological transformations over millions of years. Geological studies affirm that the Trang An region was once an ancient sea, and the subsequent geological movements and changes resulted in the distinctive karst landscape. Numerous cracks formed due to these geological movements, gradually creating flowing streams within the limestone caves. The Trang An ecological cave system functions as an "outdoor geological museum."

Trang An encompasses a diverse system of natural limestone mountains and caves, ranging in age from 32 million to 6,000 years. Beneath the limestone mountains, traces of frogs' jaws are found, indicative of a former sea presence. This feature led to the nickname "Halong on Land" for the Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh limestone mountains. Naturalists recognize this region as a "dried Halong," both literally and metaphorically. Research indicates that the Trang An – Tam Coc region has experienced geological development over the past 245 million years, comprising six layers from the Triassic and the Fourth Epoch. The ancient Trang An – Tam Coc karst block represents a typical tropical karst with high limestone cliffs reaching 150 - 200 meters, featuring tower-shaped peaks, arches, bells, and steep cliffs. The fringe of the block contains flat valleys prone to flooding during the rainy season, creating a magnificent and poetic landscape with multiple parallel limestone ranges surrounding interconnected lakes. In this setting, the lakes are linked by subterranean passages formed by flowing water, connecting caves and tunnels from one mountain gap to another.

According to natural scientists, the most distinctive

characteristic of the geological landscape in Trang An is the abundance and diversity of caves, with various shapes and types forming clusters with intricate rock formations and layered structures. The presence of underwater caves, through caves, and subterranean caves is particularly remarkable. As a typical tropical karst, Trang An has undergone long-term evolutionary stages, evident in its topography and sediment, providing valuable insights into climate and landscape evolution and the imprint of sea-level changes during different geological periods.

The Trang An area is enveloped by limestone karst mountains, forming a natural bow-shaped arch amidst a flooded depression. Geological studies confirm that Trang An was once an ancient sea, and subsequent geological movements created the karst landscape. The numerous caves in Trang An are interconnected by underwater passages of varying lengths, formed by the influences of advancing and retreating seas. These caves and tunnels facilitate the flow of interconnecting water currents from one mountain gap to another.

In the eyes of natural researchers, the most significant aspect of Trang An's geological and geomorphic features is the extensive variety of caves, showcasing diverse forms, types, and layered structures. The caves are organized into clusters with intricate rock formations, exhibiting four main cave types: ancient underground caves, foundation-level caves, stone roof caves, and toad's throat caves. This exceptional karst cave system is often likened to a "karst geological outdoor museum."

Trang An's geological landscape also provides insights into the region's climate history and landscape evolution. The limestone mountains in the Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh area are regarded as a "dried Halong," displaying tropical karst characteristics with towers, arches, bells, and steep cliffs. The geological history of the Trang An – Tam Coc region spans 245 million years, comprising six layers from the Triassic and the Fourth Epoch. The unique karst block in Trang An – Tam Coc reflects the typical features of tropical karst, with limestone peaks, arches, and cliffs surrounded by flat valleys prone to seasonal flooding. This geological setting results in a picturesque landscape with multiple limestone ranges surrounding interconnected lakes.

In 2012, geologists discovered 64 caves and limestone roofs in the core area of Trang An. Through investigation and survey, prehistoric cave archaeological sites emerged as the most prominent features in this heritage site's core area. The prehistoric Trang An community settled in caves or under limestone roofs, concentrated in the valley of limestone karst wetlands, enduring significant environmental landscape changes due to sea transgressions and regressions. The prehistoric residents of Trang An were the first to access and exploit the sea in Vietnam, innovating the use of limestone tools, sustaining long-lasting sophisticated techniques, early developments in sawing and grinding techniques, and widespread production and use of ceramics. The rich and diverse prehistoric cultural artifacts in Trang An serve as tangible evidence of the significant changes in the economy, culture, and society of the local community under the influence of environmental changes in the limestone karst mountains, fluctuations in ancient climates, and tropical seasonal sea level variations. These are the most typical evidence of continuous cave dwelling before, during, and after sea transgressions. A distinctive feature of the ancient Vietnamese people in Trang An is the tradition of harvesting and using marine resources both in the sea and on land, practicing widespread and diverse hunting without causing the extinction of the hunted animal species. The tradition of crafting and using limestone tools, the emergence of grinding and sawing techniques, and the development of pottery and cultivation in the lush valley are unique characteristics that contribute to the global significance of the archaeological sites in this area. It can be argued that the prehistoric Trang An archaeological site contains unique or at least special evidence of cultural traditions or civilizations that either still exist or have been lost in human history.

Trang An is closely associated with the historical and cultural values of the ancient capital land of Hoa Lu. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh united the country, establishing the state of Dai Co Viet, and chose Hoa Lu as the capital. Hoa Lu's capital consisted of three concentric citadels: the Eastern Citadel, the Western Citadel, and the Southern Citadel. The Eastern Citadel, located to the east and adjacent to the plain, was the palace area, known as the outer citadel. The Western Citadel, situated inside and bordering the mountainous region, was the residence of officials and the logistical area, known as the inner citadel. The Southern Citadel, larger and located in the high mountainous region for defense, is now known as Trang An. With such topographical features, Hoa Lu's capital was likened to a stone capital, with the mountains as walls, the rivers as roads, and the caves as palaces.

According to tradition, King Dinh Tien Hoang wanted to emphasize the grandeur of Hoa Lu as much as the northern capital Trang An, so he instructed Nguyen Bac to compose the couplet "Cồ Việt quốc đương Tống Khai Bảo - Hoa Lư đô thị Hán Tràng An" (Current nation of Dai Viet surpasses the prosperity of the Song Dynasty - Hoa Lu's urban area excels in splendor like Trang An). In 1010, King Ly Thai To changed Hoa Lu to Thang Long, and Dai La to Thang Long. The official name Trang An became associated with the ancient capital of Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh. Currently, Trang An is part of the special protection zone of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, according to Decision No. 82/2003/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister of Vietnam. This area has been recognized by UNESCO as the core zone of the Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Revealing the system of Trang An caves in the earth's interior gradually unveiled the decision to establish the capital by King Dinh Tien Hoang in Hoa Lu during the early period of the feudal state. It was also an important foundation for the king to assert the independence and sovereignty of the nation based on the strength of the people. This was manifested by effectively utilizing the advantages of nature, turning the limestone mountain ranges into fortifications to reduce the force of man and horse. The terrain of Trang An serves as a link between Hoa Lu and Thang Long, evoking historical events that occurred in the capital of Hoa Lu and its continuity in Thang Long, leading to Hanoi later on.

During excavation in the caves, scientists discovered many artifacts from the 10th century. There are areas with significant relics confirming that this was the living space of the factions in the 14th century under the Tran Dynasty, such as pottery and ancient dishes. Trang An is also a resistant capital during the Tran Dynasty's resistance against the Mongol invaders.

Cultural sites
The Southern Citadel of Trang An is the defensive system south of the Hoa Lu capital, so there are many temples, traces of officials from the Dinh and Tran Dynasties. There are many historical relics deep in the forest that tourists will encounter on the typical pilgrimage route, such as:

Trinh Temple
Trinh Temple is dedicated to the four deities of the Dinh Dynasty, including two Tả Thanh Tru and two Hữu Thanh Tru. In their era, they supervised the General's warehouse management of the king's gold and silver reserves. Legend has it that when King Dinh Tien Hoang passed away, the court was in chaos. They hid Dinh Toan here to avoid the pursuit of Le Hoan. When Queen Duong Van Nga handed over the throne to General Le Hoan, the four refused to submit and resolutely stayed in this area. The people built a shrine on the mountainside to worship them.

Four Pillars Temple
Four Pillars Temple is located next to Trinh Temple and is a historical site dedicated to the four great talents of the Dinh Dynasty, including General Nguyen Bac, External Diplomat Dinh Dinh, Thai Prime Minister Luu Co, and Minister Trinh Tu.

The Great Nam Dinh Chronicles and folk poetry often mention the Four Pillars, "Bac, Dien, Co, Tu," meaning the four pillars of the Dinh Dynasty. These four pillars were close associates, from the same hometown, and of the same age as Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, who helped the king suppress the 12 rebel generals, uniting the country. The great talents Nguyen Bac, Dinh Dien, Trinh Tu, and Luu Co are widely worshiped in the Hanoi - Nam Dinh - Ninh Binh region.

Tran Temple
Ninh Binh's Tran Temple was built by King Dinh Tien Hoang at the same time as the Hung Temple. Later, King Tran Thai Tong came here to establish the Vu Lam royal court, continuing to enhance its prestige, so it was called Tran Temple. The temple is dedicated to the god Quy Minh, the guardian god of the southern gate of Hoa Lu's four gates. The temple is also known as Noi Lam Temple (temple inside the forest). Tran Temple Noi Lam, along with Vu Lam and Van Lam, forms Tam Lam under the Tran Dynasty. The Tran Ninh Binh Temple festival takes place on the 18th day of the third lunar month every year, along with

The Trang An Festival in 2011

In 2012, geologists discovered 64 caves and rock shelters in the core area of Trang An. Through investigation and surveys, prehistoric cave relics were identified as the most prominent features in this heritage site. The prehistoric Trang An community settled in caves or rock shelters, concentrated in the valleys of limestone mountains, enduring significant environmental changes due to sea transgressions and regressions. The prehistoric inhabitants were among the first to access and exploit the sea in Vietnam, inventing a complex system of tools made from limestone, sustaining a long-lasting skill in pottery, early development of cutting and grinding techniques, and widespread use of ceramics. The archaeological evidence in Trang An is rich and diverse, providing tangible proof of the remarkable economic, cultural, and social transformations of the local community under the influence of changing limestone mountain environments and tropical climate fluctuations.

Trang An is closely linked to the historical and cultural values of the former capital region of Hoa Lu. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh unified the country, establishing the Dai Co Viet state with the capital in Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu's capital consisted of three concentric citadels: the Eastern Citadel, the Western Citadel, and the Southern Citadel. The Eastern Citadel, located to the east, adjacent to the plains, was the site of the imperial palace and was called the outer citadel. The Western Citadel, situated within, bordered the mountainous region and served as the residence of officials and the logistics area, known as the inner citadel. The Southern Citadel, larger in size, was a high and rugged mountainous area for defense, providing shelter to the capital, now known as Trang An. The unique topography of Hoa Lu is metaphorically described as a stone capital, where mountains serve as walls, rivers as roads, and caves as palaces.

Legend has it that King Dinh Tien Hoang wanted to assert the grandeur of Hoa Lu similar to Trang An in the North, so he commissioned Nguyen Bac to inscribe the couplet: "The current Dai Co Viet surpasses the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty - Hoa Lu, the capital, matches with Han's Trang An." In 1010, King Ly Thai To changed Hoa Lu to Thang Long and Dai La to Hanoi. The title Trang An officially became associated with the ancient capital of Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh. Presently, Trang An is part of the special protection zone of the former capital Hoa Lu, according to Decision No. 82/2003/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister of Vietnam. This area has been recognized by UNESCO as the core zone of the Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The revelation of the Trang An cave system within the earth gradually unveiled the decision to establish the capital by King Dinh Tien Hoang in Hoa Lu during the early period of a feudal state. It was also an essential foundation for the king to assert the independence and sovereignty of the nation based on the strength of the people. This was manifested by the effective utilization of the natural advantages, turning the limestone mountain ranges into a natural barrier to reduce human and material effort. The topography of Trang An is the link between Hoa Lu and Thang Long, evoking historical events in the capital of Hoa Lu and the continuity in Thang Long, which later became Hanoi.

During excavations in the caves, scientists discovered many relics from the 10th century. There are areas with significant artifacts, affirming that this was the living area of ancient regional authorities in the 14th century during the Tran Dynasty, such as pottery and ancient plates. These artifacts closely resemble those found in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Trang An is also a center of resistance against the Mongol invasions of the Tran Dynasty.

Cultural Sites
The Southern Citadel of Trang An is the southern defense system of the Hoa Lu capital, so there are many temples and traces of officials from the Dinh and Tran dynasties. Here, there are also many historical relics deep in the forest that tourists will encounter on the typical pilgrimage route, such as:

Shrine of Trinh: A place of worship for the four deities of the Dinh Dynasty, including two Tả Thanh Trù and two Hữu Thanh Trù. During the Dinh Dynasty, they served as supervisors of the royal treasury, managing the king's gold and silver. According to legend, when King Dinh Tien Hoang passed away and the court was in turmoil, they hid Dinh Toan here to avoid capture by Le Hoan. When Queen Duong Van Nga handed over the throne to Le Hoan, the four officials did not submit and remained firm in this area. The local people built a shrine here to worship them.

Four Pillar Shrine: Adjacent to the Trinh Shrine, this site honors four great officials of the Dinh Dynasty: General Nguyen Bac, External Protector Dinh Dien, Minister Lưu Cơ, and Chief Secretary Trịnh Tú.

Tran Temple: Built by King Dinh Tien Hoang at the same time as the Hung Temple, later King Tran Thai Tong returned here to establish the Vũ Lâm palace, further enhancing its grandeur, so it is called the Tran Temple. This temple worships the Quy Minh deity, a guardian deity of the southern gate of Hoa Lu's four gates. The temple is also known as the Inner Forest Temple.

Phu Khong: Phu Khong is situated on a narrow strip of land, leaning against the Khong Cave, with a range of towering rock mountains to the right and a vast valley in front. Phu Khong is where seven great officials of the Dinh Dynasty are worshiped, linked to legends that, when King Dinh Tien Hoang passed away, these officials, deeply loyal to the dynasty, carried many coffins in different directions and then committed suicide to keep secrets about the true tomb. A general who guarded the southern fortress, deeply moved by the nobility of the seven officials, erected seven altars for worship here. After his death, the local people built a temple and planted a longan tree in front of Phu to commemorate these officials. The thousand-year-old longan tree bears two types of fruit: one round and one flat.

Vũ Lâm Hành Cung: The Vu Lam Ecotourism area is deep within the forest of the Trang An World Heritage Site. To reach the Vu Lam Ecotourism area, visitors will sit on traditional boats rowed by local people, experiencing a close bond with nature and appreciating the pure, magnificent beauty of the caves, strange rocks, and the golden history of nation-building and defense. Here, the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology has excavated and surveyed the valley, finding thousands of artifacts on the surface and in excavation pits. The Vu Lam Hành Cung center worships the officials of the Tran Dynasty. Under the Tran Dynasty, the area had a famous scholar and military commander named Truong Han Sieu, who was originally from Ninh Binh, a prominent figure during the Tran period and a close disciple.

Title: "Exploring Vu Lam Archery and Cao Son Temple in Trang An Ecotourism Area"

Cao Son Temple:
Cao Son Temple venerates the deity Cao Son, who guarded the four precincts of Hoa Lu. While patrolling the Vu Lam Mountains in Ninh Binh, Cao Son discovered a type of bung bang tree that could be used as a substitute for rice to alleviate hunger. The local people revere this deity, and the temple is situated along a tourist route in the Trang An Ecotourism Area, alongside other attractions such as Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Archery.

Suoi Tien Temple:
Located at the upper stream of the Ngoc Dong River, Suoi Tien Temple is essentially an extension of the Tam Coc tourist route but is integrated into the second route within the Trang An Ecotourism Area. This temple honors the deity Quy Minh, who guarded the four precincts of Nam Hoa Lu. Nestled in a desolate mountainous area, the temple is surrounded by the pristine environment and can only be accessed by boat.

Prominent Caves:

Địa Linh Cave:
Địa Linh Cave stretches approximately 1500m and is the first cave in the journey starting from the Sào Khê River boat dock for route 1. Also known as Chau Bau Cave, it gives visitors the sensation of entering a treasure trove of fossilized stalactites. Exiting the cave reveals a picturesque landscape of clouds, mountains, and rivers. The 260m cave is adorned with mesmerizing hanging stalactites.

Nấu Rượu Cave:
Nấu Rượu Cave houses an underground water vein that is over 10m deep. Legend has it that ancient predecessors used to come here to fetch water for brewing royal wine.

Ba Giọt Cave:
Ba Giọt Cave boasts a variety of colorful stalactites, including formations resembling upside-down trees. The unique feature is that the stalactites here are not dry like in previous caves but damp and continuously transforming into new shapes and hues.

Sính, Si, and Ba Giọt Caves:
These caves are linked to a poignant love story. A young nobleman deeply loved a princess. When he carried wedding gifts to Sính Cave for a proposal, the princess was sacrificed to a neighboring water spirit. The young man, heartbroken, bathed in Ba Giọt Cave and secluded himself in Si Cave with his unrequited love.

Bói Cave:
Bói Cave is an archaeological site of global heritage value within the Trang An complex. Discovered in 2002, it contains fossilized remains, animal bones, and artifacts dating back to the Hoa Binh prehistoric culture, around ten thousand years ago. The cave was named Bói as it is located in the Bói Valley, associated with the legend of King Tran's divination rituals. Since 2007, researchers from Vietnam and the University of Cambridge have conducted extensive studies on this archaeological site, ensuring its preservation.

Many stone columns, sparkling like snowflakes, are believed by scientists to bear the prehistoric imprint dating back 5,000 to 30,000 years. The primary food sources of prehistoric people here included mountain snails, river and stream seafood, mountain turtles, stone crabs, small mammals and birds, various tubers, fruits, and seeds. Their dwellings were stone caves and rock shelters. Scientists suggest that there might be an ancient riverbed beneath the caves.

Kong: Skull Island Set
The setting of the indigenous village in the movie Kong: Skull Island is located in the Trang An tourist area, opened to visitors on April 15, 2017. The Kong film set is part of Trang An's tourism route 2, which includes the Cao Son Holy Temple and the Vu Lam Palace. Visitors can purchase a single ticket to visit all three locations.

The indigenous village film set covers an area of about 10 hectares, featuring 36 pointed-roof huts and involving over 50 actors playing indigenous roles. This model was implemented by the Trang An Ecological Management Board and Xuan Truong Company.

Kong: Skull Island is a blockbuster American film shot in 2016 with various scenes filmed at Vietnam's scenic spots, such as Trang An World Heritage site, Van Long Nature Reserve, Tam Coc - Bich Dong (Ninh Binh); Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh), and Phong Nha (Quang Binh). Kong: Skull Island became the box office king in Vietnam, breaking all previous records to become the highest-grossing film of all time in the country.

On September 20, 2019, the Trang An Tourism Management Board announced the official cessation of tourist visits to the Kong film set for demolition work, following the recommendation of UNESCO. Removing an African-style village to construct purely Vietnamese structures was deemed necessary for the long-term and sustainable development of tourism in Trang An. Placing an African village in the middle of a UNESCO-listed core heritage area was considered inappropriate and needed removal to avoid creating a distorted perception for tourists.

Conservation and Development
Detailed Article: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
World Heritage Site
The Trang An Ecological Complex and other tourist areas within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex have become Vietnam's first mixed World Heritage site, meeting two criteria for natural heritage and one criterion for cultural heritage:

Criterion 7 for aesthetic value: "Heritage contains extraordinary natural phenomena or areas of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance."
Criterion 8 for geological and geomorphological value: "Heritage is outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth's history, including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features."
Criterion 5 for cultural value: "Heritage is a masterpiece of human creative genius or a significant traditional human settlement, land use, or sea use that is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment, especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change."
Infrastructure

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex Planning

Trang An Wharf

Ancient Trang An
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is a specially protected area of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, closely associated with the historical and cultural values of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital region. The Vietnamese government has allowed Ninh Binh province to excavate and dredge mud to create water routes and illuminate the cultural and tourism values of this scenic spot. The Trang An Cave Ecotourism Area is a large-scale tourism area in Vietnam, planned with a total area of up to 12,000 hectares and an investment of 17 trillion VND.

Trang An Cave and the surrounding area, including Bai Dinh Pagoda, the historical-cultural and environmental forest of Hoa Lu, Trang An Cultural Park, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, are integrated into the planning of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex across three districts and one city in Ninh Binh province. The total planned area is 12,000 hectares. The development plan for this tourism area includes nine sightseeing routes. Trang An Tourism Area is identified as a key point in Ninh Binh tourism. According to the plan approved by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, the Trang An Tourism Area has a total planned area of nearly 12,000 hectares, including the following main focal points:

The central area for visiting the 30-hectare cave system located along the Trang An Avenue, 6 km from Ninh Binh city. Here, there are parking lots, boat docks, restaurants, reception areas, souvenir shops, etc.
The cave ecotourism area: with an area of nearly 2,000 hectares, this is a complex of scenic landscapes proposed by scientists for UNESCO recognition as a natural world heritage site.
Trang An Cultural Park covers 288 hectares to the west of Ninh Binh city, including entertainment areas, guesthouses, hotels, eco-islands, squares, a 41-hectare ancient Dai Viet street, Trang An Park, and Nghi Mon Foreign Park.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex in Gia Vien district covers an area of 539 hectares, including a 27-hectare old Bai Dinh Pagoda, an 80-hectare new Bai Dinh Pagoda, a cultural park, a Buddhist academy, a reception area, a landscape park, a traffic route, and a parking lot, as well as Dam Thi Lake and Phong Sinh Lake.
Special conservation area of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital covering 300 hectares in Hoa Lu district, including restored historical sites such as Am Tien Cave Pagoda, Duyen Ninh Pagoda, Ma Yen Mountain Lake, city walls, and waterways to protect the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest (or Hoa Lu Historical-Cultural-Environmental Forest) was established on May 19, 1995. Hoa Lu is listed in the Vietnam Special-Use Forest list by 2010, covering an area of 5,624 hectares, including Trang An Cave, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, and many other historical sites of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The historical-cultural forest of Hoa Lu, when established, included land in Ninh Hai, Truong Yen, Ninh Xuan, Ninh Hoa, and Ninh Nhat communes of the former Hoa Lu district. This area has now expanded westward to the Ben Dang River. The terrain of this historical-cultural area is typical of a limestone karst region rising in the middle of the relatively flat coastal plain of Northern Vietnam. This prominent limestone area is interspersed with a series of perennially flowing streams and seasonal floodplain valleys. The absolute elevation of the region ranges from 10 to 281 meters.
Tourist Journey
A part of Trang An Cave has been opened for tourism. Currently, visitors to Trang An typically participate in three boat tours, each lasting 3 hours, and a hiking tour.

The waterway tour starts from the central reception area along Trang An Avenue, passing through various tourist destinations:

Route 1: Tourist center – Dia Linh Cave - Tran Temple (or Noi Lam Temple) – Tran Temple Valley – Nau Ruou Valley – Nau Ruou Cave – Dark Cave Valley – Light Cave – Light Cave Valley - Seo Lớn Cave – Seo Be Valley – Son Duong Cave – Khong Valley – Lo Cave - Lo Thoc Valley + Tran Valley – Qui Hau Cave – Tourist center.

Route 2: Tourist center – Ang Lam Cave - Internal Lam Cave Vang Cave – Ang La Valley – Dai Cave – Bac Bai Valley – Fairy Stream Valley, Fairy Stream Temple – Cloud Cave – May Cave + Dai Cave – Tourist center.

Route 3: Tourist center - Trinh Temple – Cloud Cave, Vang Cave – Fairy Stream Temple – Vu Lam Palace – Kong: Skull Island film set - Tourist center.

Compared to nearby tourist areas with similar characteristics like Tam Coc - Bich Dong, which mainly offers river tourism, and Van Long Nature Reserve, which features boat tours on the eco-lake, Trang An Cave has its own unique characteristics with boat tours through numerous water valleys created by interconnected limestone cliffs without the need for a return journey.

The overland tourism route covers a length of 1.6 km, where visitors walk through three sections to reach Tran Temple. Starting from Cay Bang Wharf, tourists walk, climb mountains through three successive passes. The first pass is Cay with an elevation of about 60m above water level. The second pass is Vai, and the third pass is Tran Temple. Currently, stone steps have been built along this mountain path. Along the way to Tran Temple, seven octagonal wooden floors have been built as resting places for tourists during the climb.

Trang An in Poetry
In the winter of the Canh Dan year (1770), Trinh Sam, the ruler, toured the Western realm. On the return journey, passing through Trang An to visit the scenery of Hoa Lu, he was captivated by the green mountains, blue water, locked gates several times, and every step was like gold and silver, with majestic mountains and rivers. Seeing the traces of the Dinh dynasty left desolate... he expressed his feelings in a poem carved on the rock of Luon Cave:

Scenery of Trang An
Returning the boat to Truong Yen Wharf,
The ancient Hoa Lu seems favorable.
Like a silk piece, the cave and water are gentle,
With each mountain appearing, the gate is stacked.
The ancient capital has changed over time,
The heavenly court's mark remains strong and enduring.
The rise and fall, countless tales of the past,
The people's hearts should be feared, not forgotten.
Trang An River and Mountain were described in the epic "Hoan Vuong Ca Tich" as follows:

The celestial dynasty established its majestic position
Building a fortress to guard the earth.
Deep caves and mysterious grottoes,
Lakes adorned with red leaves and roaring waterfalls.
Trang An has various specialties such as Thị Đền Phủ Khống, Trang An wine, Tổng Trường carp, etc. Particularly, a Trang An water specialty is the Tổng Trường carp, which has entered the folk poems of the ancient capital:

When you leave, remember the nephew and niece,
When you return, remember the Tổng Trường carp.
When practicing Buddhism here, King Tran Nhan Tong composed the poem "Vu Lam Thu Van," translated by Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Bang Thanh as follows:

The valley's heart inverts, flowers seek their sunshine,
The banks sparkle with the glow of the sun.
A thousand mountains silently drop red leaves,
Clouds hang like a dream, the distant bell chimes.
Trang An Festival
The Trang An Festival takes place over three days, from the 17th to the 19th of the lunar month every year to honor the two deities Quy Minh and Cao Son, who guard the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and the kings of the Trần Dynasty who established the Vu Lam Palace. The festival includes many traditional rituals held on the river, such as water processions, processions with palanquins, and dragon dances to express gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to the peace of the land and protected the nation. The processions move through Trang An Wharf, following the Sao Khe River to the Vu Lam Palace, Cao Son Temple, and perform rituals at these locations.

The Trang An Festival goes through a journey on the water through caves that were created thousands of years ago, such as Mây Cave over 1 km long, Vạng Cave, Đại La Cave, Vân Cave, and historical sites such as Trinh Temple, Suối Tiên Temple, Kong: Skull Island film set, and Vu Lam Palace. The festival also includes performances of unique cultural items and folk games on both sides of the river throughout the procession route.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khu_du_l%E1%BB%8Bch_sinh_th%C3%A1i_Tr%C3%A0ng_An
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