July 2024

Coming to Van Long Lagoon, you don’t need to worry about the crowded scene like at Tam Coc or Trang An Wharf. This tourist destination is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta, preserving its pristine natural beauty with endless limestone mountains. It is home to many precious and rare flora and fauna species.
Van Long Lagoon has an area of over 3,000 hectares. Like a watercolor painting with limestone mountains reflecting on the clear blue water. Inside this rocky mountain are 32 caves with typical beauty such as Fish Cave, Bong Cave, Turtle Cave, Chanh Cave, and Thung Doi Cave…

The best time to go to Van Long Lagoon is early morning or sunset. Known as the “bay without waves,” sitting on a rustic boat gently floating on the clear blue water, visitors will feel the water surface here is as calm as a giant mirror bestowed by nature. Visitors will be able to take a boat ride through the cool caves, because the water here is clear blue, so sitting on the ship, visitors can see moss, or beautiful algae-like coral reefs, and admire the beautiful coral reefs. Flocks of white storks and flocks of birds fly back to their nests with all kinds of colors blending into the sunset in the afternoon.
Traveling to Van Long Lagoon, enjoying the fresh air, and immersing yourself in the charming landscape of mountains and water will bring a wonderful experience to those souls who dream of traveling, leisurely and freely. Visitors will have the feeling “I am in a very far away place, where there is no noise from the city. In a dreamlike place…”

Van Long Lagoon eco-tourism area is honored to be recognized by the international Ramsar Convention as Vietnam’s 9th Ramsar site (Ramsar Site No. 2360 in the World).
This is the 9th Ramsar site in Vietnam. Van Long Lagoon is recognized as a place with a unique and rich natural landscape of wetlands, possessing a diverse ecosystem that is home to many rare flora and fauna species. Surrounded by limestone mountains with shapes true to their names such as Meo Cao Mountain, Mam Xoi Mountain, Hom Sach Mountain, Da Ban Mountain, Nghien Mountain, Mo Coi Mountain, Co Tien Mountain…
Owns 2 records of the Vietnam Record Book Center: “Place with the largest number of white-rumped langurs” and “Place with the largest natural picture”.
Known as the “bay without waves,” coming to Van Long, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the comfortable feeling of sitting on a small bamboo boat gliding on the calm, mirror-like water surface, clearly showing the layers of moss below.

In the winter afternoon, leisurely rowing on the clear blue water of the vast lagoon, visitors will be extremely excited if they just wave the oar vigorously, flocks of storks, egrets, teal… are hidden in the grass and trees. The movement will rush away. The long, white wingspans flutter, intertwine, and blend together to create a dance that captivates people’s hearts.
Van Long Lagoon has a rich and unique ecosystem. The isolated limestone mountains in the middle of the lagoon become a shelter for rare animals, among which, not to mention the population of Delacour’s Langur, with a number of more than 40 individuals – the largest in Vietnam today. This is a highly endangered animal, listed in the World Red Book. If you are lucky, you can encounter individual langurs living in rock caves going out looking for food. As for storks, almost every afternoon they fly over the mountains. Mountains with names like Meo Cao Mountain, Mam Xoi Mountain, Hom Sach Mountain, Da Ban Mountain, and Nghien Mountain… still reflect on the calm water surface every day like a giant mirror.

Van Long Lagoon is also home to many landscapes and cultural relics, as many beautiful caves in the mountains such as Fish Cave, Bong Cave, Turtle Cave, and Chanh Cave…, blending with the mountains and clouds to create an amazingly beautiful picture of nature.
The deeper you go into the lagoon, the only space left is the sound of oars and the sounds of birds chirping or the hunting sounds of kingfishers. The boat gently weaves through the grass to take tourists to visit Ca Cave – the largest cave in the Hoang Quyen mountain range. This is the home of many fish species such as catfish, banana fish, and perch… The most suitable time of day to visit Van Long is in the late afternoon. At this time, the sun sets, making the water’s surface sparkle with golden light, creating a feeling of both poetic and peaceful. In the shadow of the sunset that gradually dyes the space of the lagoon, when flocks of foraging birds fly back one after another to find shelter for the night, and also when the silhouettes of bamboo boats taking tourists to the lagoon are gradually decreasing, it is the time Beautiful for photographers who are passionate about wild nature and migratory birds on winter afternoons.

Ninh Bình, with its majestic limestone mountains and tranquil waterways, is capturing the attention of travelers worldwide. Among its destinations, Mua Cave stands out as a unique and fascinating spot, offering an exploratory experience full of wonder.

Mua Cave is an ideal stop for those wishing to admire the beautiful natural scenery from atop a high mountain.
The most distinctive feature of Mua Cave is Ngoạ Long Peak, also known as Dragon’s Crest, with its towering summit providing a panoramic view of the Ninh Bình countryside. To reach the peak, visitors must ascend a staircase of 486 steps, but this effort is rewarded with views of Tràng An, Tam Cốc, and more, from the heights of the mountain.

At the summit of Ngoạ Long Peak, visitors can immerse themselves in the pristine beauty and grandeur of nature. From here, one can overlook the entire landscape of Ninh Bình, with its lush green rice fields, distinctive limestone mountains, and meandering rivers.
In addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery from above, Mua Cave Tourism Complex offers other attractions such as Mua Cave itself, the Mua Cave Grotto, expansive lotus ponds, flower gardens, and entertainment areas for children.
Mua Cave is nestled within a bell-shaped mountain, covering an area of approximately 800m². The name “Mua Cave” is tied to a legend from ancient times when King Trần relocated the capital to Hoa Lư and established the Am Thái Palace. He often visited the cave beneath this mountain to listen to beautiful court ladies sing and dance, hence the local name “Mua Cave”.

From the foot of the mountain, one can clearly see the white stone steps leading to the summit, resembling a miniature Great Wall. On either side of the stairs, there are meticulously carved decorative motifs of dragons and phoenixes, showcasing exquisite Tran-era stone carving artistry, majestic and finely detailed.
At the peak of the mountain stands a statue of Quan Thế Âm Bodhisattva, looking down upon the vast ancient capital land, with wishes for the country’s peace and happiness.

Hidden in the Tường Mountains (a mountain range in Tràng An, considered a lookout protecting the Hoa Lư Citadel during the reigns of Kings Đinh Tiên Hoàng and Lê Đại Hành), Động Thiên Hà stands nearly 200 meters above sea level as one of the world’s natural and cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, nestled deep within the mountains.
The cave is renowned as one of Ninh Bình’s stunning limestone caves. With a length of 700 meters, it comprises a 200-meter dry cave and a 500-meter water cave.
Starting from the Boat Pier, a boatman navigates visitors along the Bến Đang River. Sitting on the boat, one can admire the winding mountain resembling a dragon’s shape, with endless stretches of lush green rice fields on both sides of the Bến Đang River. Upon reaching the shore, visitors are greeted by traditional stilt houses of the Muong ethnic people.
On the way to the cave entrance, bamboo forests stretch out on both sides, forming a lush green canopy to shelter visitors from the intense sun or sudden rains.
Entering the 200-meter dry cave, visitors experience a cool breeze in summer and warmth in winter, feeling as if stepping into a different world. Natural light filters through towering limestone formations, creating breathtaking natural paintings. Further into the cave, visitors feel as though they’ve entered a silver and gold palace adorned with sparkling colorful stalactites under the sunlight, each unique in shape, stimulating human imagination under the vast, high-ceilinged dome with beautiful veined limestone.
Especially on clear sunny days, shafts of light illuminate the cave, creating a stunning spectacle. Locals refer to this phenomenon as the “Gate to Heaven,” as looking up reveals a deep blue sky with drifting white clouds.

Ninh Bình boasts many beautiful and famous caves, with Động Thiên Hà resembling a seven-colored natural painting, making anyone who visits feel as though they are in the midst of a vast universe.
After marveling at the diverse scenery in the dry cave, visitors proceed through a wide corridor to board a boat into the water cave. The water cave evokes a sense of being in a fairyland paradise. The cavern ceiling reveals countless shimmering limestone stalactites, resembling twinkling stars, including formations named from ancient Ninh Bình legends such as Fairy Flower Island, Mother’s Breast Gourd, and Dragon Turning Fish. All these create an ethereal space often likened to a “Milky Way in the heart of the mountains,” with bands of seawater-colored light shimmering on the limestone walls, making visitors feel as though they are lost in a vast universe. Moreover, with a length of over 500 meters, the natural scenery of the water cave gives the impression of an endless cavern.
With its sparkling and mystical stalactite system, Động Thiên Hà is regarded as one of Ninh Bình’s most stunning through caves.
Exploring Động Thiên Hà, visitors not only breathe in the fresh air but also immerse themselves in a poetic and majestic space with creatively shaped stalactites. Visitors are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, envisioning various whimsical formations.
Near Động Thiên Hà lies Động Thiên Thanh, where while Động Thiên Hà is known as observing the universe from the boat within the cave, Động Thiên Thanh lets visitors view the vast universe’s stone vault from the ground. Here, visitors can witness a Stone Pillar Supporting the Sky, symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth.
According to research by British scientists working in Ninh Bình, Động Thiên Hà constitutes a living cave system. Geological development continues vigorously here, notably reflected in the ongoing formation of limestone formations by dripping water, creating magnificent and magical stalactites. Particularly, the cave retains its pristine beauty with numerous bats inhabiting the area.
Exploring Động Thiên Hà and Thiên Thanh is not just a journey of tourism but also a unique and miraculous spiritual experience. The mystical and serene ambiance of these stone caves will leave an unforgettable impression on visitors who venture to witness the beautiful landscapes of Ninh Bình.

Located within the complex of the Tam Cốc – Bích Động tourist area, the Thái Vi Temple is situated in the area of Văn Lâm village, Ninh Hải commune, Hoa Lư district, Ninh Bình province. Here, kings and generals of the Trần Dynasty are worshipped. In the 13th century, one of the most powerful and prosperous dynasties of feudal Vietnam flourished. During its 175 years of existence and development, the Trần Dynasty achieved significant accomplishments in various aspects, most notably their three victories over the Yuan-Mongol armies.

To commemorate the Trần kings, the people of Văn Lâm village established the Thái Vi Temple on the site where the Thái Vi Pavilion, known as “Thái Vi Từ,” once stood after their passing. It is called Thái Vi because it was where the Trần emperors retired from worldly affairs.
The Thái Vi Temple venerates King Trần Thái Tông, Trần Thánh Tông, Hiển Từ Empress, and also pays tribute to King Trần Nhân Tông, Trần Anh Tông’s father. Legend has it that the Thái Vi Temple was built on the foundation of the Vũ Lâm Royal Palace of the Trần kings.

Set amidst natural landscapes like a painted picture, the Thái Vi Temple follows the architectural style of “inner work and outer realm.” All columns inside and outside the temple are made of solid blue stone, meticulously carved with elegant and intricate floral patterns, rivaling wood carvings in sophistication. In front of the temple is a jade well also built from blue stone, maintaining a green hue throughout the year. Behind the temple lies the majestic and rugged Cấm Sơn mountain range. Inside the temple, there are numerous valuable ancient statues, stone tablets, and ancient bells. The memorial stone tablets record the merits of those who contributed to the temple’s construction and paid respects.
Upon entering the temple, you will encounter a large dragon courtyard, approximately 40m² in size, paved with blue stone. Both the main path and the dragon courtyard are paved with blue stone. On either side are two rows of Vọng houses, where elders used to discuss ritual matters. Additionally, the Thái Vi Temple features the Ngũ đại môn with its impressively carved architecture. Stone columns outside are engraved with prominent Chinese couplets, surrounded by intricately carved stone eaves depicting dragons and moon motifs.
From the dragon courtyard, stepping up the 1.2m-high stone steps, you reach the main entrance with six rows of parallel round stone columns, each intricately carved with dragon motifs facing the main façade. The outer faces of the stone columns are also carved. The stone eaves are similarly carved stone, featuring ornate carvings.
Today, the Thái Vi Temple Festival has become a village festival, held from the 14th to the 17th of the third lunar month. According to local beliefs in Tam Cốc, after defeating the Yuan-Mongol invaders, the 15th of March is the day when the kings returned to Thiên Trường in Nam Định to pay homage to their ancestors and celebrate victory. Thus, this festival is a celebration of the kings’ triumph and a tribute to the brave sacrifices of the soldiers who gave their lives for the nation. The Thái Vi Temple Festival is a comprehensive village festival. On the afternoon of the 14th of March, villagers of Văn Lâm village open the temple, carrying holy incense to the temple of the Ancestors. Locals believe this was where officials reported before entering the Vũ Lâm Royal Palace and also where they paid respects to the Trần kings. On the morning of the 15th of March, villages from the former Vũ Lâm district will parade the saintly procession representing their villages to the Ancestral Temple to perform ritual ceremonies.

After completing the rituals at the Ancestral Temple, Văn Lâm village, the heads of the ritual procession lead the procession to the Thái Vi Temple to worship the Trần kings. After the rituals, there is a performance of Ca Công singing. Ca Công singing involves a musician playing a lute, accompanied by a woman dressed in a flowing áo dài with a red sash and a green sash, singing praises to the merits of the Trần kings.
During the festival, there are also dragon and lion dances, spinning tops, chèo singing, blindfolded goat-catching, dumpling stuffing, three sticks game, shrimp net game, etc.
Attending the Thái Vi Temple Festival is an opportunity to visit the scenic landscapes, admire the vast mountains and waters, and a chance to release worldly worries to return to the origins, commemorating the achievements of the Trần kings.