Option: Private Tour: Tam Chuc Pagoda & Tran Thuong Temple
Begin your journey with a visit to the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex, the largest pagoda complex in the world. Located in Ba Sao Town, Kim Bang District, Ha Nam Province, this stunning site is just 12 km from Phu Ly City and about 70 km south of Hanoi.
Admire the unique location of the pagoda, with its back leaning on the mountain and its face overlooking the lake, creating a poetic scenery like a fairyland. Learn about the legend of “Tien Luc Nhac - Hau That Tinh,” meaning “Six music bells in front – Seven stars after.”
Explore the current Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex, built on the foundation of the ancient Tam Chuc Pagoda and inaugurated in May 2019. The pagoda overlooks Tam Chuc Lake (also known as Luc Nhac Lake), with constructions such as the interior Tam Quan (Three-entrance) Gate, Sutra Pillar Garden, Quan Am (Kwan Yin) Temple, Phap Chu Temple, Tam The Temple, and Ngoc (Ruby) Pagoda.
Discover the impressive architectural works that combine breathtaking natural landscapes with the craftsmanship of skilled Vietnamese and foreign artisans, including many craftsmen of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
Finally, visit Tran Thuong Temple, which is located in Tran Thuong commune (former Ly Nhan commune, Ha Nam province) was recognized as a Special National Relic site in 2016.
The temple is dedicated to King Tran Hung Dao, the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty, who repelled three major Mongolian invasions in the 13th century and holds much historical, cultural and spiritual value.
Legend has it that this place was where Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan stored and hid his food supplies and weapons.
The temple consists of external nghi mon, inner nghi mon, 5 buildings, 15 compartments which are divided into 3 palaces: First Palace, Second Palace and Third Palace, along with 5 Ngoc (Pearl) wells.
The architectural decoration of the temple has many different themes and motifs that are elaborately depicted, such as two dragons gazing at the moon, flying dragon, dancing phoenix, water, waves and clouds.
Option HALF DAY Group Tour : Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional)
Duration: ~ 6 hours
Morning from 7:45~13:30
Afternoon from 11:45~17:30
Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Get an observe how conical hats are made and decorate a hat by painting it then bring it home as a souvenir.
Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the center of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specializes in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colorful bundles of incense.
Back to the city center. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to get drop off here, please wait in the car.