1. Tam Chuc Pagoda – Vietnam's Largest Buddhist Complex
Tam Chuc Pagoda – Vietnam's Largest Buddhist Complex (Image: collected)
Located in Tam Chuc Ward, Ninh Binh Province (belonging to Ba Sao Commune, Kim Bang District, former Ha Nam Province), Tam Chuc Pagoda is one of the largest and most unique Buddhist complexes in Vietnam. With an area of over 5,100 hectares, the pagoda is nestled amidst a vast lake and imposing limestone mountains, creating a scene that is both serene and majestic.
A highlight of the complex is the Tam The Palace – a massive structure 39m high, with a floor area of 5,400 m², capable of accommodating approximately 5,000 Buddhists at once. Inside the palace are three monolithic bronze Buddha statues weighing over 200 tons, representing the three periods: past, present, and future. Behind each statue is a gold-leafed Bodhi leaf, reflecting a shimmering light in the tranquil space.
Another must-see destination is Ngoc Pagoda – a pagoda located on the top of That Tinh Mountain. Made entirely of red granite, the pagoda exudes a sturdy and majestic beauty. Inside, it houses a ruby Buddha statue weighing 4,000 kg. To reach the pagoda, visitors need to climb 299 stone steps, and from here they can admire the panoramic view of the Tam Chuc complex from above.
In addition, the exploration journey will also take you to:
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Quan The Am Bodhisattva Palace: where a 100-ton monolithic bronze statue is enshrined.
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Phap Chu Palace: notable for its 150-ton statue, cast from a single piece of bronze.
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Sutra Column Garden: consisting of 32 stone columns, 13.5 m high, weighing approximately 200 tons each, reconstructed based on the ancient sutra column model of Nhat Tru Pagoda (Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh).
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Tam Chuc Pavilion and Luc Nhac Lake: an ideal resting place to relax and admire the picturesque landscape.
Notably, the pagoda offers free entry, but you need to purchase tickets for boat or electric car tours. Boat tickets cost approximately 200,000 - 350,000 VND/person. The parking lot in the central area is also very spacious and completely free.
Ideal visiting time: from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. For those who love spiritual tourism, seeking inner peace amidst majestic nature, Tam Chuc Pagoda is a must-visit destination when visiting Ha Nam.
2. Ngu Dong Thi Son – A Hidden Gem within the Day River
Ngu Dong Thi Son in Kim Bang District, Ha Nam (Image: Collected)
Located in the heart of Cam Mountain, in Quyen Son Village, Ly Thuong Kiet Ward, Ninh Binh Province (or Quyen Son, Kim Bang, old Ha Nam). From Hoa Lu Ward, the center of Ninh Binh Province to Trúc Temple is about 42 km, Ngu Dong Thi Son is a unique natural cave system that still retains its pristine, wild beauty. This place seems to be separated from modern life, bringing visitors a sense of tranquility and serenity from the first steps.
The cave system consists of five large caves connected to each other, stretching in the limestone space formed millions of years ago. Each cave has a distinct appearance, with countless stalactites in various shapes and forms. There are stalactite formations that meander like dragons, and some resemble ancient trees with leaves drooping from the cave ceiling, evoking a mysterious and imaginative world.
Among them, Hang Lon (Big Cave) stands out with a length of up to 500 meters, a spacious interior, and a ceiling height of 15 to 20 meters, enough to accommodate thousands of people. Stepping into the cave is like stepping into a grand hall of sound and light created by nature.
Another impressive stop is Hang Kho (Dry Cave). The air in the cave is always cool with a temperature ranging from 18 to 20 degrees Celsius year-round. The stalactites here become sparkling under the multi-colored LED lights, reflecting vibrant colors on the rock walls, like a "crystal palace" underground.
Currently, visitors can join a tour of Ngu Dong Thi Son lasting about 90 minutes. The tour includes a guide and support equipment such as specialized flashlights.
3. Sun World Ha Nam - Entertainment Paradise
Sun World Ha Nam - entertainment paradise (Image: collected)
Located in Ha Nam ward, Ninh Binh province (belonging to Tan Hiep ward, Duy Tien district, former Ha Nam province), Sun World Ha Nam is the most modern entertainment complex in Ha Nam province. Located about 50-60 km from the center of Hanoi, this destination is the perfect answer to the question "What to play in Ha Nam?".
Sun World Ha Nam is the first water park in Vietnam with a water puppet theme. This is an outdoor entertainment space integrating 14 water game complexes with more than 40 slides invested and designed to international standards, in cooperation with the world's leading water technology brand Proslide. A special highlight is the park's unique architecture bearing the strong imprint of traditional water puppetry.
Visitors here will be immersed in a vibrant water world: from gentle games for young children, to high-speed slides, wave pools and especially a lazy river nearly 550m long embracing the children's play area.
When night falls, the park becomes a dazzling "light park", where light effects penetrate materials to create a unique visual experience, opening up a relaxing and fun space that is rarely found anywhere else.
Currently, Sun World Ha Nam Water Park will implement a special ticket price promotion program for all local people in Ninh Binh province, starting from July 1.
Accordingly, from July 1, 2025 - September 3, 2025, people with permanent residence in 3 localities (former Ha Nam, former Nam Dinh and former Ninh Binh) will enjoy a uniform price of only 150,000 VND/ticket when playing at Ha Nam Water Park from Monday to Thursday, applicable to both adults and children. The discounted price on weekends (Friday to Sunday) is 200,000 VND/ticket.
Sun World Ha Nam operating time:
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Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
With its modern scale, leading technology and multi-layered entertainment experience, Sun World Ha Nam not only answers the question "What to play in Ha Nam?", but also opens the door to bring Ha Nam (new Ninh Binh) to become a new potential entertainment and resort destination in the North.
4. Chua Ba Danh – serenity amidst nature in Northern Vietnam
Chua Ba Danh – A peaceful temple in Northern Vietnam (Image: collected)
Located on the slope of Ngoc Mountain, next to the poetic Day River in Ly Thuong Kiet Ward, Ninh Binh Province (belonging to Danh Village, Kim Bang, former Ha Nam Province), Chua Ba Danh (Bao Son Tu) stands out as a peaceful oasis in Northern Vietnam. With an area of about 10 hectares, the temple complex includes Tam quan, Bai duong, Trung duong, Thuong dien and many other items built from the 17th-18th centuries
The temple's architecture bears the strong imprint of traditional folk architecture in Northern Vietnam: a system of pillars and beams made of ironwood, blue tiles, intricately carved frames with patterns of the four spirits, five blessings, dragon-headed moons…. That ancient and solemn appearance makes the temple's atmosphere always quiet, just like the folk saying “as quiet as Chua Ba Danh”
Sacred legends are also what makes this temple special. The temple worships the goddess Phap Vu – one of the Four Phap. It is said that the temple is very sacred, and those who are disrespectful are likely to encounter bad luck, causing people to avoid visiting. In addition, the secluded location and complicated transportation in the past are the reasons why tourists are scarce.
The temple is open to visitors free of charge from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The temple festival takes place on February 17th of the lunar calendar, which is when traditional cultural and spiritual activities attract a large number of local people.
5. Den Trúc – where the thousand-year-old traditional festival is preserved
Located in Ly Thuong Kiet Ward, Ninh Binh Province (belonging to Quyen Son, Kim Bang District, former Ha Nam Province), Den Trúc is a national historical relic, built in the 11th century to worship Duc Thai Uy Ly Thuong Kiet. The temple is located in the middle of a cool bamboo forest, on the banks of the gentle Day River – a space that is both sacred and close to nature. The structure is in the shape of the character “Đinh”, including the Tien duong, Trung duong and Hau cung with a sturdy ironwood structure. The main hall is decorated with the horizontal plaque “Linh Thieng Hien Hach” dating back about 400 years, showing the deep historical and spiritual value.
The temple is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a ticket price of 30,000 VND/person (applicable to both festivals and ordinary days). The surrounding area has many specialty restaurants, a suitable stopover for tourists to visit and explore the local life more deeply.
6. Kem Trong Tourist Area - Picturesque mountains and water in the heart of the Day River
Kem Trong Tourist Area - mountains and water in the heart of the Day River (Image: Collected)
Located in Thanh Lam Commune, Ninh Binh Province (formerly Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province), Kem Trong is likened to a vibrant landscape painting with towering limestone mountains casting their shadows on the gentle Day River. A national scenic site since 1962, this place has been praised by the female poet Ho Xuan Huong through lyrical poems, leaving a mark on the hearts of nature lovers.
Coming to Kem Trong, visitors will admire the impressive scenery: on one side is Rua Mountain, Co Dong Mountain of Ha Nam, on the other side is Bai Tho Mountain, the Bat Gia range of Ninh Binh. At the foot of these mountain ranges, the Day River meanders, creating a peaceful and tranquil space. In the mountain crevices, there are also hidden small caves, where the water flows gently, creating a unique natural experience for those who love to explore.
7. Phu Ly Cuisine - Eat to your heart's content without worrying about the price
7.1 Bun ca ro dong - the quintessence of the countryside
Originating from the Day River delta, bun ca ro dong has a unique flavor that cannot be mistaken. The snakehead fish are raised in rice paddies, the meat is firm, sweet, and less fishy, going through elaborate processing: blanched, deboned, and then cooked with broth from bone marrow simmered for 3-4 hours.
The broth is clear, with a natural light yellow color, a mild sweetness from the bones and fish, plus a little galangal and ginger to remove the fishy smell. The hot bowl of vermicelli is served with bean sprouts, cilantro, perilla, and Vietnamese basil, creating a harmonious blend of rustic flavors. The accompanying snakehead fish cake is handcrafted from minced snakehead fish, seasoned, and fried golden brown, an irresistible highlight.
7.2 Ca kho Vu Dai - a famous traditional dish
Vu Dai village, located along the Day River, is where the traditional fish-braising craft, which has existed for over 300 years, is preserved. Each pot of braised fish is the culmination of time, effort, and experience. 2–3 kg of carp are carefully prepared, marinated in salt overnight to maintain firmness and ensure even seasoning. Ingredients such as Phu Quoc fish sauce, rock sugar, shallots, chili peppers, and fresh banana leaves create a distinctive, unmistakable flavor.
The fish is braised in an earthenware pot or large cast-iron pan, cooked over a charcoal stove for 4–5 hours, maintaining an even heat to ensure the fish is tender, flavorful, and not burnt. When finished, the fish is firm, with a glossy brown color, the braising liquid is rich and coats every piece of fish.
Vu Dai braised fish is now vacuum-packed, with a shelf life of 6 months, suitable as a gift or a family dish for Tet (Lunar New Year).
8. Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda - a peaceful place
Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda - a peaceful place in Ha Nam (Image: collected)
Hidden in Thanh Binh Ward, Ninh Binh Province (formerly Lien Son Commune, Thanh Liem District, Ha Nam Province). Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda (also known as Dung Pagoda) appears as a serene, simple yet peaceful space. The over 1,000-year-old pagoda has been restored to its original state, following the architectural style of Northern Buddhism, harmoniously blending with the surrounding nature.
The three-gate entrance is built of natural stone, meticulously carved with traditional Buddhist motifs, moderately high, suitable for the hilly terrain - creating a feeling of solemnity yet intimacy. The path leading to the pagoda is paved with stone and white gravel, with flamboyant trees, star gooseberry trees, and pines planted on both sides, providing shade and creating a feeling that every step is a step into a Zen garden.
The pagoda atmosphere is very quiet, with wind chimes gently ringing on the path, the sound of Buddhist scriptures played softly from morning to evening - helping to soothe the soul. The meditation hall is airy, simple and open freely to visitors or for dharma talks, not organizing large-scale retreats as previously described.
The pagoda is open free of charge, welcoming visitors from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily. Every weekend or summer, the pagoda organizes basic Buddhist studies and light meditation sessions, providing opportunities for adults and children from near and far to find inner peace.
9. Vui-Fest Market - A Must-Visit Destination
Vui-Fest Market Ha Nam (Image: Collected)
The Vui Fest night market is a weekend culinary and cultural event held at Sun Urban City Park (in the Tam Chuc area, Phu Ly City), attracting many tourists and locals. The event brings together more than 40 booths of the Vietnam Fruits&More hypermarket, showcasing a variety of food and handicrafts.
The food area in the festival is the main attraction, with dishes from three regions as well as Ha Nam specialties (old) such as Banh Cuon, Bun Ca Ro Dong, and Ca Kho Vu Dai, which are particularly popular. The children's play area includes inflatable houses, mini roller coasters, and traditional folk games – a suitable choice for the whole family.
Ha Nam is truly an ideal destination with a perfect combination of spiritual culture, magnificent nature, distinctive cuisine, and new, high-class experiences. Only 60km from Hanoi, you can explore memorable experiences from the majestic Tam Chuc Pagoda to the traditional Phu Ly Banh Cuon. Plan your trip to Ha Nam today!
