For many years, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, along with Hanoi, have promoted a variety of unique tourism products, including spiritual, craft village, and eco-tourism. Among these, all three localities share a rich cultural heritage intertwined with traditions, religions, and beliefs, which form the foundation for their spiritual tourism offerings.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is located in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province. The Bai Dinh Pagoda complex consists of the ancient pagoda and a newly constructed area built in 2003, spanning a total area of 539 hectares.
The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda (Bai Dinh Co Tu) was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural-Revolutionary Relic in 1977. It is nestled on a mountainside, surrounded by valleys, lakes, and rocky landscapes.
The new Bai Dinh Pagoda features impressive structures, including the Tam Quan gate, La Han corridor, bell tower, Quan The Am Bodhisattva Hall, Phap Chu Hall, Tam The Hall, Buddha Di Lac, and the Bao Tower. While the new architecture is grand in scale, it seamlessly blends with traditional styles.
The pagoda boasts several Asian and Vietnamese records: it houses the largest bronze-gilded Buddha statue in Asia, the longest La Han corridor in Asia, and the largest bronze Di Lac statue in Southeast Asia, among other distinctions.
Tam Chuc Pagoda
Tam Chuc Pagoda, located in Kim Bang, Ha Nam, is one of the largest pagodas in the world. It is part of a vast tourist complex spanning nearly 5,000 hectares, including nearly 1,000 hectares of lakes, 3,000 hectares of rocky mountains and natural forests, and numerous valleys. The pagoda is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the Tam Chuc lake on the fourth, featuring six small mountains.
Tam Chuc Pagoda is built along a sacred axis, including the Ngoc (Jade) Pagoda, the Quan Am (Avalokitesvara) Hall, the Phap Chu Hall, the Tam The Hall, the Tam Quan gate, and the International Conference Center.
The Ngoc Pagoda sits atop the Thach Tinh mountain and is constructed entirely from red granite slabs. It houses a 4.9-ton jade statue. The Quan Am Hall features a 100-ton bronze statue of Quan Am Bodhisattva and 8,500 paintings depicting stories of Buddha.
The International Conference Center is built over the lake, spanning 10,000 square meters and accommodating 3,500 seats.
Tam Chuc Pagoda captivates visitors. Photo: Pham Hai
Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong
In 2014, the Trang An Landscape Complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural values. It is the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
The Trang An cave complex comprises 50 dry and 50 water caves, showcasing a diverse range of formations and types, including penetrating, connected, and underground caves. This area is also home to numerous historical and cultural relics, such as the Dot citadel (also known as Trinh temple, dedicated to the two generals of the Dinh dynasty, Thanh Tru), and the Tran temple (also known as Noi Lam or Vung Thom temple, dedicated to Quy Minh king)…
The Tam Coc – Bich Dong landscape complex spans an area of 350.3 hectares, boasting pristine natural landscapes with a combination of land and water caves, harmoniously integrated with ancient religious architecture and historical relics dating back almost 1,000 years.
Trang An eco-tourism site (Ninh Binh). Photo: Thach Thao
Tran Temple
Located in Tuc Mac village, Loc Vuong ward, Nam Dinh city, Tran Temple is a special historical and cultural relic of Nam Dinh province, recognized as a National Historical Relic in 2012. The Tran Temple historical site occupies a vast area, with the main temple, Thien Truong Temple (also known as the Upper Temple), on the right, the Co Trach Temple (the Lower Temple) on the left, and the Trung Hoa Temple.
At the beginning of each year, Tran Temple attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims seeking blessings and participating in the Tran Temple Festival, which takes place from the 11th to the 16th of the first lunar month.
Along with the Tran Temple, the Po Minh Temple (Tower Temple) is a renowned spiritual destination, captivating visitors with its ancient, serene, and lush surroundings. The Po Minh Tower stands at 19.51 meters tall, with 14 stories. The two lowest stories are built with stone and feature intricate carvings of lotus patterns and water waves.
The ancient and peaceful Po Minh Pagoda. Photo: Tran Viet Duc
Nam Dinh is also famous for its beautiful Gothic-style churches, including the Hung Nghia Church in Hai Hau district, the Bui Chu Episcopal See in Xuan Ngoc commune, Xuan Truong district, and the Kien Lao Sanctuary in Xuan Tien commune, Xuan Truong district…
Kien Lao Sanctuary, with a length of 75m, width of 26m, height of 28m, and a bell tower of 46m. Photo: Trong Tung
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