Ninh Binh – Vietnam
- What is it?
Hoa Lu was the capital of Viet Nam from 968 – 1005, In the late 10th century, Hoa Lu was the capital of economic as welll as political and cultural of Dai Co Viet (name of Vietnam in that time), founded in 968 A.D by the local warlord Dinh Bo Linh –is considered as the firt Emperor in Vietnam. After Dinh Bo Linh’s death, Dai Co Viet became crumbling by civil war and a violent secessionist until Le Hoan diposed of the third son of Dinh Bo Linh and annouced hisself as the second Emperor of the country. So Hoa Lu was the native land of the first two imperial dynasties of Vietnam: the Dinh is found by Dinh Bo Linh and the Early Le is found by Le Dai Hanh. The area is of ricefields inserted by picturesque limestone moutains. Hoa Lu is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Ninh Binh province as Bai Dinh pagoda, Trang An, Cuc Phuong, Phat Diem cathedral.
- Location
It lies in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province and besides Hoang Long river. It’s approximately100 km down south of Hanoi. It takes about 2 hours and a half to get there from Hanoi old quarter.
- Why to come?
The remain of accient capital covered an area of 3 km2, including both the Inner and Outer citadel, temples and shrines which surrounded and protected by limstone mountain. Nowaday, the accient citadel is no longer exists but few vestiges of 10th century still remain. Visitors can see 2 temples with old architecture. The first one is Dinh Temple which dedicated Dinh Bo Linh – the first emperor. The second one is Le Temple which worshiping for Le Dai Hanh – the second emperor. Local people come to this temple normally in new moon day or full moon day to pray lucky, healthy, wealthy for family. Those temple are peafully embraced by villages. Visit the accient capital, you will fully enjoy beautiful scenery of limestone and the old temples.
- How to go?
To go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is quite easy, you should go to Giap Bat bus station and ask the bus to Ninh Binh. The locals will show you the bus. In addition, you could rent scooter from Hanoi to get there.
- Activities:
Visit those temple, you could walk to there and rent bicycle to ride through some village arrond or pedal to Tam Coc and Trang An.
Tam Coc – Ninh Binh
- What is it?
Tam Coc is complex of cave, ricefield, river and historic relic such as: Thai Vi Temple, Tam grotto, Bich Cave pagoda, Tien Cave, Linh Coc pagoda…
The zone is featured with a tropical climate, with 2 seasons. The cold and rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from Novermber 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 kilometers.
- Location
Tam Coc Grotto – Bich Cave is a famous ancient spot, belonging to Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh province; it is far from ha nọi about 100 kilometers to the South.
- Why to come?
Tam Coc complex is stunning beautiful in yellow rice season. Going through rice field by local boat , the tourists will see three cave name Hang Ca , Hang Hai and Hang Ba. Stalactite and Stalagmit is still growing inside the caves and twinkle under sunshine. Visitors also have opportunities to pedal bycicle around the local village see deeper life of villagers.
- How to go?
To go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is quite easy, you should go to Giap Bat bus station and ask the bus to Ninh Binh. The locals will show you the bus. In addition, you could rent scooter from Hanoi to get there.
- Activities:
Enjoy boat trip, Cycling around village, visit temple , pagoda inside cave.
