1. Overview of Tien Yen Quang Ninh
Located in the center of the Northeast region, Tien Yen is a mountainous district situated between Ha Long and Mong Cai, earning it the nickname "green heart" of Quang Ninh. With an area exceeding 600 km², Tien Yen boasts diverse terrain, from mountains and plains to rivers, streams, and a vast sea area.
Thanks to the increasingly improved transportation system, traveling to Tien Yen has become easier than ever. It takes tourists only about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Ha Long along the Van Don – Mong Cai expressway, with majestic mountain and sea-sky scenery flanking the road.
Tien Yen is a place where mountains and sea intersect, blending highland culture with the essence of the plains. From the Dong Rui mangrove forest, Pac Sui waterfall, to Long Vang Cape or the ancient market area, each destination possesses its own unique imprint, appearing both wild and familiar.
Beyond its natural beauty, Tien Yen is also a land rich in ancient cultural values, where Kinh, Dao, Tay, San Diu, Hoa people, among others, coexist, creating a vibrant symphony of traditional colors.
The road connecting Ha Long – Tien Yen winds through majestic mountains and forests. (Source: Vietnamnet Newspaper)
2. Outstanding attractions in Tien Yen
2.1. Long Vang Cape
Long Vang Cape is located in Dong Ngu commune, about 30km from the center of Tien Yen, and is one of the most beautiful sunrise viewing spots in the Northeastern region. The road leading to the cape winds through casuarina forests, opening up a vast seascape.
Here, tourists can participate in activities such as going out to sea by boat, catching snails, raking clams, or joining fishermen to cast nets in the early morning. Long Vang Cape is also a beloved 'lush green' check-in spot in 2025, as this coastal area has been invested by the locality in developing eco-friendly community tourism.
When sunset falls, the entire sky seems to be dyed golden, reflecting on the sea surface, creating a beautiful picture of the Northeastern coast.
Early sun over Mui Long Vang. (Source: Collection)
2.2. Pac Sui Waterfall
Pac Sui Waterfall is located in Yen Than commune, about 15 km from Tien Yen town, and is nicknamed "the muse amidst the northeastern mountains and forests". The waterfall stream originates from a stream on a high mountain range, cascading down through many rock layers, creating white, cool water all year round.
Locals say that the waterfall is associated with the legend of the "chicken king" - the deity who governs the harvest and brings peace to the villagers. Therefore, whenever visiting here, visitors not only bathe in the clear water but also feel the sacredness and mystery of this land.
The road to the waterfall is quite convenient, interspersed with winding turns, with lush green forests on both sides. In summer, this is an ideal place for camping, picnicking, or simply soaking in the cool water, listening to the sound of the cascading waterfall like the music of the mountains and forests.
Pac Sui Waterfall is hidden amidst the green forest. (Source: Collected)
2.3. Dong Rui Mangrove Forest
Dong Rui Mangrove Forest, located in Dong Rui commune, is one of the rare pristine mangrove ecosystems still preserved in the North. With an area of over 3,000 hectares, this place is home to hundreds of species of birds, fish, crabs, and rare marine life.
Upon arriving at Dong Rui, visitors can take a boat trip weaving through towering mangrove trees (sú, vẹt, đước), inhale the salty sea air, and feel the vibrant life. Many tourists enjoy taking photos here because of the endless green expanse, creating a rare peaceful scene.
Besides ecological sightseeing, Dong Rui is also a biodiversity research destination highly regarded by environmental organizations.
Dong Rui mangrove forest has a unique ecosystem. (Source: Collected).
2.4. Tien Yen Market
If you want to understand the life of the people of Tien Yen, start from the central market. Tien Yen market is a convergence of hundreds of large and small stalls, selling all kinds of local products: Tien Yen chicken, gat gu cake, khau nhuc, ca say…
In the early morning, the market is bustling with calls, laughter, and lively chatter. The aroma from the breakfast stalls spreads throughout the alleys. Visitors can enjoy a rustic breakfast with gat gu cake dipped in special fish sauce, or hot Tien Yen chicken sticky rice.
In 2025, Tien Yen market is planned to become a "local culinary culture" area, preserving traditional features while serving experiential tourism.
Tien Yen Market is a convergence of local culinary flavors. (Source: Collected).
2.5. Northeastern Ethnic Cultural and Sports Center
Located right in the town center, the Northeastern Ethnic Cultural and Sports Center is a new destination for tourists who want to learn more about the local culture. Here, artifacts, costumes, and traditional musical instruments of the Dao, Tay, and San Diu people are vividly displayed.
Visitors can participate in folk art shows, experience cake making, fabric weaving, or bamboo pole dancing with the locals. The vibrant festival nights, filled with firelight and lively drumbeats, vividly recreate the identity of the mountainous region.
Northeast Region Ethnic Cultural and Sports Center (Dong Bac Region Ethnic Cultural and Sports Center) is where many important events of Quang Ninh province take place. (Source: Collected)
2.6. Love Hill (Doi Tinh)
Love Hill (Doi Tinh) is an ideal spot to admire the panoramic view of Tien Yen town from above. From the hilltop, you can cast your eyes far away, seeing the Tien Yen river winding like a silver ribbon, interspersed with houses nestled amidst the green mountains and forests.
Love Hill (Doi Tinh) is a great place for camping, picnicking, or simply enjoying a morning coffee and breathing in the fresh air. For photography enthusiasts, this is also a beautiful spot to 'hunt' for sunrises and sunsets.
Sunset falls on Love Hill. (Source: Collected).
3. Multiculturalism of Tien Yen Quang Ninh
Tien Yen is home to over 20 ethnic groups, primarily Kinh, Dao, Tay, and San Diu. Each ethnic group brings its own cultural color, from language, costumes to customs and traditions.
The Red Dao people are notable for their Cap Sac ceremony, the Tay people for their Then and Coi singing; while the San Diu people maintain many rare traditional rituals. All live in harmony, creating a united community, full of the warmth of the mountain people.
Annually, Tien Yen hosts many festivals rich in ethnic identity. The most prominent are the Tien Cong Festival, Luc Na Communal House Festival, and Tien Yen Culinary Festival. Especially, the “Return to Quan Ho Land of Tien Yen” festival and the “Cultural Day of Tien Yen District Ethnic Groups” are opportunities for tourists to immerse themselves in folk singing and dancing, watch traditional costume performances, and enjoy local dishes.
The festival atmosphere here is not noisy but warm and friendly – reflecting the hospitable and sincere spirit of the people of the Northeast.
Tien Yen Festival gathers the quintessence of mountainous culture. (Source: Collected).
4. Tien Yen Cuisine
Tien Yen Cuisine uniquely harmonizes the sea and the forest, between the rich saltiness and the pure freshness of the mountains. Each dish here tells its own story, both rustic and deeply connected to the lives of the people in the Northeast region.
4.1. Tien Yen Chicken
Tien Yen chicken, also known as “rooster with a beard”, has long been a source of pride for the local people. This breed of chicken is raised naturally on hillsides, foraging in the forest, resulting in firm meat, thin golden skin, rich sweet flavor, and moderate fattiness. Tien Yen chicken has just the right chewiness, the meat is not dry, and when boiled, the skin is taut and shiny as if coated with honey. The chicken is prepared in various ways such as: boiled, honey-glazed roasted, or charcoal-grilled, among which, boiled chicken dipped in salt and lime is the way to best preserve its natural flavor. Tien Yen chicken is also an OCOP-registered product of Quang Ninh, considered the “culinary ambassador” of this land.
Tien Yen chicken is a famous specialty with crispy golden skin and rich, sweet meat. (Source: Collected).
4.2. Gat Gu cake
Gat Gu cake is a rustic dish but has a special appeal. The cake is made from rice soaked overnight, finely ground, then thinly coated like banh cuon, and then rolled up. When holding the cake, the soft, flexible body sways, reminding people of the 'nodding' motion. The flavor of the cake depends heavily on the dipping sauce, a mixture of chicken fat, fried shallots, and rich minced meat. When eating, Tien Yen people often combine Gat Gu cake with khau nhuc to enhance the rich flavor. This seemingly simple cake is the soul of Northeastern cuisine, appearing in feasts, festivals, and morning markets in the town.
Soft, chewy, smooth white Gat gu cake rolls invite diners. (Source: Collected).
4.3. Khau Nhuc Tien Yen
Khau nhuc is an elaborate and refined dish, bearing the cultural imprint of the Tay, Nung, and San Diu people in Tien Yen. Pork belly is carefully selected, cut into square pieces, fried until golden, then steamed for many consecutive hours with five-spice powder, honey, taro, and dried shallots. When finished, the dish has a glossy golden-brown color, a fragrant aroma, the skin is soft and smooth, and the meat melts in the mouth. Khau nhuc is not only a famous delicacy but also a symbol of abundance and prosperity, often appearing during festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year), or weddings. The rich yet light flavor, rich in spices and naturally sweet from the meat, makes it unforgettable for anyone who tries it.
Braised pork belly is steamed for many hours, melting in the mouth and exuding a rich aroma. (Source: Collected).
4.4. Tien Yen Ca Say
Ca Say is a unique specialty dish found only in the Tien Yen region, it is a hybrid poultry species between a Muscovy duck and a duck, possessing a harmonious blend of flavors from both. Ca Say meat is firm, fragrant, low in fat, and not fishy; when grilled, it emits an attractive aroma. Local people often prepare Ca Say in various ways: steamed with ginger, grilled with honey, made into Rua Man, or as Ca Say hot pot. Among these, the Rua Man Ca Say dish, slow-cooked with galangal, fermented rice, and coconut water, is the most popular. Ca Say is not only delicious but also a main source of income for the locals, becoming a specialty gift that tourists always want to bring back.
Cà sáy Tiên Yên is a unique hybrid between a duck and a goose, with firm, sweet-smelling meat. (Source: Collected).
4.5. Lac Hong Candy
If Tien Yen chicken or Gat Gu cake are the main dishes of a meal, then Lac Hong candy is the sweet gift to end the culinary journey. The candy is handcrafted from golden roasted peanuts, sugar, and malt syrup, creating a mildly sweet, crispy, and nutty fragrant taste. Although it is just a simple countryside gift, for the people of Tien Yen, Lac Hong candy is a symbol of sincerity and warmth.
Lac Hong Peanut Candy is crispy, fragrant, and savory. (Source: Collected).
Tien Yen tourism is not just a trip to a land, but a journey to find peace, where people live slowly, nature remains intact, and culture is preserved. After exploring the pristine beauty of Tien Yen, visitors can easily travel to Ha Long to continue their journey of exploring the heritage region. It only takes about two hours by car to reach the center of the coastal city and enjoy vibrant experiences at Sun World Ha Long – the leading entertainment complex in the North.
