Located
as far as 100 kilometres south of Hanoi is Ninh Binh province, the south extreme of
the Red River delta.
Besides limestone caves and grottos, Ninh Binh is also popular for the first
imperial capital of Vietnam ,
from 968 to 1010 under Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties, which has resulted in its
cultural tourism potential. Also, Tam Coc-Bich Dong and Cuc Phuong national park within the province are desirable
destinations for tourists.
Hoa Lu, the first imperial capital of Vietnam
The
very first meaningful stop-over in Ninh Binh should be Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam from
968 until 1010. Before the year 968, the nation was just a district of China.
As time went by, several fighting for independence have occurred, yet none was
of a long success until Dinh Bo Linh’s troops rising. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh
defeated 12 lords of the district (former Vietnam ) and proclaimed to be
Emperor. He was the first King of Dinh dynasty (King Dinh Tien Hoang), and
named the country Dai Co Viet. Then he set up Hoa Lu, his home country, as the
capital of Dai Co Viet. His meaningful success was a great landmark of Vietnam as
transferring from a district of China into a truly independent nation.
Dinh
dynasty lasted 12 years. Then Le Hoan started 29 years of Le dynasty. In 1009,
when Ly Cong Uan became the King, he found an area which had an excellent site
and topography, therefore decided to move the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La
citadel, former Hanoi. In 1910, Hoa Lu ended its honoured role of being the
Nation’s Capital after 42 years. Today, tourists elsewhere come to Hoa Lu for
the purpose of involving themselves in a historical and mysterious world of an
ancient capital with miraculous palace, mighty citadel, hiding in the grandiose
mountain ranges and gentle Hoang Long Rivers. This makes magnificent fairy
scenery!
King Dinh Tien Hoang’s Temple
It’s
now time to pay a visit to the famous King of Vietnam’s temple – King Dinh Tien
Hoang’s. The temple is located in Truong Yen village, Truong Yen commune, Hoa
Lu town, in a garden of 5 hectares wide. It faces the East, and stands in front
of Ma Yen Mount, where King Dinh Tien Hoang’s tomb was located.
The temple was built in the 17th century, with a special architecture, the interior of which had an “I letter” shape, surrounded by a square land. Now you are standing at the 3-class mid-noon gate. You can go on to the next one, seeing a dragon bed and getting the second gate. Passing through one more gates and walking along the holy way will lead to the main house. In the middle of the house is one more stone dragon-bed, which is 1.8m long and 1.4m wide. Looking at the bed surface you can easily find sculptured dragon, shrimps, fishes, rat’s images which are of deep delicateness and skill.
This main house has 3 parts. The first one is the worshipping place with 5 rooms. The second is an incense burning room where they worshiped 4 important mandarins under Dinh dynasty. The third main part, the most important one, is separated to the second by a high door. Here you can witness there worshipping King Dinh Tien Hoang and his three sons.
The temple was built in the 17th century, with a special architecture, the interior of which had an “I letter” shape, surrounded by a square land. Now you are standing at the 3-class mid-noon gate. You can go on to the next one, seeing a dragon bed and getting the second gate. Passing through one more gates and walking along the holy way will lead to the main house. In the middle of the house is one more stone dragon-bed, which is 1.8m long and 1.4m wide. Looking at the bed surface you can easily find sculptured dragon, shrimps, fishes, rat’s images which are of deep delicateness and skill.
This main house has 3 parts. The first one is the worshipping place with 5 rooms. The second is an incense burning room where they worshiped 4 important mandarins under Dinh dynasty. The third main part, the most important one, is separated to the second by a high door. Here you can witness there worshipping King Dinh Tien Hoang and his three sons.
You
may have to admit that the temple is an original architectural work of art full
of folk sculptures! It attracts tourists for so many valuable relics hidden in
thick bricks, tilts, Buddhist prayer-book pillars, and more importantly its
meaningful history of the first ancient capital of Vietnam .
Nearby you can find the Tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang, which was situated on Ma Yen Mount, in front of hisTemple .
“Ma yen” means “back of a horse”, as seen from a far distance; it has the shape
of a back of a horse. The tomb is in the sagging down post of the horse’s back.
To reach up to the tomb, visitors must pass 150 rock steps. The tomb was built
in 1840, under Ming Mang King reign.
Nearby you can find the Tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang, which was situated on Ma Yen Mount, in front of his
Phat Diem Cathedral – symbol of a rich religious life
If
you are a Catholic, a famous Cathedral for visiting in Ninh Binh is Phat Diem
Cathedral, which was built between 1875 and 1899 with four roofs and six sets
of iron wooden pillars, and consists of a network of ponds, lakes, churches,
and artificial caves. On both sides of the church are four smaller churches of
different styles. In the area, the rice paddies are peppered with stone
churches. But, unlike these structures, as built by Europeans and resembling
typical churches of the era, Phat Diem Cathedral was designed by a Vietnamese
priest, known as Father Sau. Father Sau rallied the local population to build
the cathedral, five side chapels, three artificial grottoes, an artificial lake
and a bell tower. Phat Diem Cathedral seems to have changed very little since
Graham Greene described its gigantic pillars formed out of single trees and the
scarlet lacquer work of the altar. Indeed, with its multi tiered, curling roofs
and its 48 lime-wood columns - (the largest of which weigh seven tones), Phat
Diem is a far cry from a European cathedral. Stone relief angels overlook
carved dragons and the cathedral's two-tone bell is accompanied by a giant
brass gong.
Whoever spending a few minutes inside the Cathedral, particularly theStone Church ,
can easily feel the especially cool atmosphere and a classical religious space!
Whoever spending a few minutes inside the Cathedral, particularly the
Tam Coc – Bich Dong - “South second nicest grotto”
Tam Coc – Bich Dong is called “A terrestrial Ha
Long Bay”, or the “South second nicest grotto” (to Huong Tich) for its poetic
and inspirational natural scenery of beauty. It is a grandiose comlex of Bich
Dong pagoda and Tam Coc grotto. King Le Canh Hung ever said: “This is “the
South second nicest grotto of Vietnam ,
after the Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay province”. Its pristine natural beauty
together with a simple but nice countryside landscape, and a sacred spiritual
life have converged into a fascinating and attractive Tam Coc-Bich Dong to
numerous tourists.
These days, more and more people in the world have been coming here in various types of tours: ecological tours, culture, history, festival tours (such as Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong pagoda, Linh Coc pagoda,Thien
Huong Cave ,
Fairy Cave ... festivals). No one could deny
that Tam Coc-Bich Dong has become a legend of rivers and mountains, a green,
pure, and safe destination for every traveller.
These days, more and more people in the world have been coming here in various types of tours: ecological tours, culture, history, festival tours (such as Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong pagoda, Linh Coc pagoda,
Tam Coc – Bich Dong is also called “A terrestrial Ha Long Bay ”,
or the “Vietnam ’s
second nicest grotto” (to Huong Tich) for its poetic and inspirational natural
scenery
Briefings
Located
in the Ngu Nhac
Son Mountains ,
Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, it is a grandiose complex of
Bich Dong pagoda and Tam Coc grotto which is one among the 21 crucial tourism
destinations of Vietnam .
The
zone is featured with a tropical climate, with 2 seasons. The cold and rainy
season lasts from May to October, and the dry and hot season from November to
April. Its annual average temperature is 23.5oC. As situated at the
base side of the Red River Delta Triangle, it is a half-mountain half-plain
area, with a coastline of 18 kilometres.
King
Le Canh Hung ever said: “This is Vietnam ’s second nicest grotto,
after the Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay province”. Its pristine natural beauty
together with a simple but nice countryside landscape, and a sacred spiritual
life have converged into a fascinating and attractive Tam Coc-Bich Dong to
numerous tourists.
These days, more and more people in the world have been coming here in various types of tours: ecological tours, culture, history, and festival tours. No one could deny that Tam Coc-Bich Dong has become a legend of rivers and mountains, a green, pure, and safe destination for every traveller.
These days, more and more people in the world have been coming here in various types of tours: ecological tours, culture, history, and festival tours. No one could deny that Tam Coc-Bich Dong has become a legend of rivers and mountains, a green, pure, and safe destination for every traveller.
Historical name
Bich
Dong is a beautiful pagoda on the nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain dated to 1428 under the Le
Dynasty, comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in
ascending order. In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer
Nguyen Du) visited this cave. He was much impressed by the whole magnificent
scenery of mountains, waterways, fields, and sky covered in green mist. Thus he
gave it a very beautiful and romantic name, Bich Dong, which literally means
“Green Pearl Grotto”. This picturesque landscape is added by Tam Coc portion.
It derives its name from its consisting of 3 caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang
Ba); “Tam” means 3, “Coc” means cave. Tam Coc or “Three Caves ”
portion is of great enchanting charm and mystery, inviting tourists to come and
explore!
Tam
Coc – a mysterious grotto
Visiting
Tam Coc Grotto, tourists may feel like they had just disappeared from the real
world to get lost in such a hidden fairy site, which is located approximately
2km from the pagoda. Tam Coc is 3 kilometres from Van Lam Wharf. Now just take
a boat from Van Lam Wharf to reach the Tam Coc Grotto, which consists of the
Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba caves. This might take you three hours on your
small boat along the Ngo Dong River ,
beginning at the village
of Van Lam and proceeding
through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karsts towers. The
largest of the grotto is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the
water. This grotto is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of
different shapes and colours that sparkle like gemstones. Now when drifting
along the gentle Ngo Dong River under the Grotto, you can feel the deeply pure
atmosphere with special smell of fresh rivers water and cool air from karsts
mountains when reaching each of the 3 caves in turns.
Among the three caves, Hang Ca is considered the most picturesque one since it is the longest and contains most fascinating natural arts deep inside. It is around 127m long, with a cave mouth of 20m wide. When leaving Hang Ca, just turn back to see it once again, you will feel that it were like a very old white-haired man sitting down for fishing. A Vietnamese legendary tells that this was aHeaven
Land where that fishing
man – a considered fairy one – lived, and flying above within the Heaven was a
flock of fairies in graceful white dresses! You may be so much seduced by the
beautiful fairy landscape that you do not even think of coming back at that
time!
Among the three caves, Hang Ca is considered the most picturesque one since it is the longest and contains most fascinating natural arts deep inside. It is around 127m long, with a cave mouth of 20m wide. When leaving Hang Ca, just turn back to see it once again, you will feel that it were like a very old white-haired man sitting down for fishing. A Vietnamese legendary tells that this was a
Hang
Hai is nearly 1 kilometre far from Hang Ca. This is the second stop-over on
your waterway journey, where can be found a series of colourful sparkling
stalactites falling from the cave ceiling. This cave is about 60m long. The
last but not least cave is Hang Ba, just nearby, is about 50m long, with lower
ceiling than the above two, looking like a plutonic cupola.
Now
getting out the whole grotto, looking out the vast landscape, you can see that
a mighty mountainous and waterways are covering the limitless land. If moving
further 4 kilometres, there comes “Fairy Stream”, a pure mirror-like stream
where you can even see through to the stream-bed to contemplate flocks of fish
swimming and looming in the moss layers. It is said in a fairy tale that
fairies used to land on here to swim, thus it was named “Fairy Stream”.
Bich Dong Grotto
Now
turning in the opposite position, you will soon reach Bich Dong pagoda, which
is situated at the grandiose Ngu
Nhac Mountain .
The Pagoda is divided into three levels: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda
(middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda). On the mountain peak stands
the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at the horizon with the hope of
viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu. Visiting Bich Dong grotto,
tourists have a great chance to turn back to the Post Le Dynasty’s legends.
From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honour of the beautiful pagoda and landscape.
Bich Dong means “Green Grotto” or “Pearl Grotto”, which reveals its magnificent natural beauties. Colours, shapes, and sounds of the shining stalactites converges in such a captivating miracle that no one could refuse to touch, knock and contemplate them in deed. Honourably, amongst the most fascinating caves inVietnam ,
“Fairy Grotto”, part of Bich Dong, is regarded as an “Elysium on Earth”.
"Surrounding mountains full of water during 4 seasons,
Rattan boat lightly drifting,
Covered with mist and clouds, is Pagoda landscape”
are beautiful lines of verse offered to Bich Dong pagoda grotto, a rare natural work of Art.
”Sun Valley ”
– attractive ecological tourism
From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honour of the beautiful pagoda and landscape.
Bich Dong means “Green Grotto” or “Pearl Grotto”, which reveals its magnificent natural beauties. Colours, shapes, and sounds of the shining stalactites converges in such a captivating miracle that no one could refuse to touch, knock and contemplate them in deed. Honourably, amongst the most fascinating caves in
"Surrounding mountains full of water during 4 seasons,
Rattan boat lightly drifting,
Covered with mist and clouds, is Pagoda landscape”
are beautiful lines of verse offered to Bich Dong pagoda grotto, a rare natural work of Art.
”
Here
comes the final destination in your meaningful waterway journey – “Sun Valley ” (Thung Nắng), an ideal ecological tourism
spot for lovers of nature. Inside the valley, there is an ancient limestone
temple with rock-style architecture shown in delicate carvings. Visiting this
valley, you can relax in your small boat, with sun-bathing and sun playing in a
quiet and pure atmosphere.
“Marvellous landscape, considerate service!”, said Ms Mery Luit, a
German tourist, “if possible, I will soon come back to Tam Coc-Bich Dong”.
Tourist activities
·
Taking a boat journey to:
Tam Coc (from Van Lam Wharf on Ngo Dong River ),
Crossing Thuy Dong (through Ngu
Nhac Sown
Mountain range), Thach
Bich-Thung Nang, Thung Nham-Vuon Chim, Linh Coc-Hai Nham, etc.
·
Walking and mountain
climbing: Bich Dong Mount and Pagoda, Tien Grotto, Thien Huong Grotto, Co Vien
Lau ancient houses
Ninh Binh boasts Cuc Phuong National Park, the largest & first
national park of Vietnam , and one of the most important
sites for biodiversity within the country. It is home to hundreds of species of
flora and fauna. Inhabitants of the park include 97 species of mammals, most
notable are the endangered languor; 300 species of birds; 36 reptilian species;
17 species of amphibians; 11 species of fish; 2,000 species of vascular plants,
and thousands of species of insects, most of whom do not bite. A number of
species in the park are listed on Vietnam Red Book of endangered species.
Exploration of Cuc Phuong's many limestone caves makes a rewarding excursion. The cave' include Thang Khuyet Cave, Con Moong Cave, Pho Ma Cave, and Nguoi Xua Cave and the Cave of Prehistoric Man (Dong Nguoi Xua). The Botanical Garden located near the park’s headquarters is good place to take a stroll and get an introduction to the region’s flora. Early in the morning you can hear birds singing, accompanied by perhaps a gibbon or two. The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre is an important rehabilitation centre forVietnam 's critically endangered and
majestic primates. Languor, Loris, and gibbon species are housed at the centre
and include the critically endangered Dilator’s Langur, Golden-Headed Langur, Tonkin
Snub-Nosed Monkey and Black Crested Gibbon.
Tourists coming to Ninh Binh are mostly eager for paying a visit to Cuc Phuong for exploring a pure ecological space of the locality!
Exploration of Cuc Phuong's many limestone caves makes a rewarding excursion. The cave' include Thang Khuyet Cave, Con Moong Cave, Pho Ma Cave, and Nguoi Xua Cave and the Cave of Prehistoric Man (Dong Nguoi Xua). The Botanical Garden located near the park’s headquarters is good place to take a stroll and get an introduction to the region’s flora. Early in the morning you can hear birds singing, accompanied by perhaps a gibbon or two. The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre is an important rehabilitation centre for
Tourists coming to Ninh Binh are mostly eager for paying a visit to Cuc Phuong for exploring a pure ecological space of the locality!