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Ninh Binh Attractions

Truong Han Sieu Temple: Truong Han Sieu ( of the 12th century) was a native of Phuc Thanh Commune, Yen Ninh District, Ninh Binh Province. He used to be a special guest of General Tran Hung Dao, and then engaged in political affairs during Tran Anh Tong’ reign and the Tran Du Tong's reign. Granted the title “The Great Tutor” and “First of the Prince”. When he died, Truong Han Sieu was worshipped in Van Mieu (Temple of Literature). Being a scholar and warrior, he and Nguyen Trung Ngoan composed the Code of Law, making the legal foundation for the Vietnamese feudal regime. He was also a culturist, opening Vietnam to its first instance of tourism. His temple was built near his grave when he died.

Due to time and wars, Truong Han Sieu Temple was leveled and destroyed. Beginning of 1993, in a house constructing project, people in Ninh Giang Ward discovered some vestiges of the temple like stone votive-tablets, stone steles, pillar bases and stone stairways of the temple which were buried deep at this site. On April 24th 1998, the construction of Truong Han Sieu Temple was started on the land in the south-west of Duc Thuy Mountain.

Truong Han Sieu Temple was built in the “Dinh” shape, including a 3-partitioned front, a 2-partitioned harem. Two levels of the roof are tiled with sword-shaped corners. The two edges of the roof are shaped as an imperial boat. On the top of the temple is the image of two dragons flanking a moon. A big board with the Chinese characters “Truong Thang Phu Tu” is hung on the façade of the temple. The front has the door painting in fresco, incense-tables and two racks to put “bat buu” (means “eight weapons” for ornament). The votive tablet of Truong Han Sieu is placed in the final partition of the harem. Truong Han Sieu Temple is a place cultural and historical importance, it commemorates the pride of Ninh Binh People for the culturist Truong Han Sieu.

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►►► Tours to Ninh Binh

Non Nuoc Mountain
The Non Nuoc mountain, also called Duc Thuy mountain is located in the northeast of Ninh Binh province. The mountain is over 100m high with a relatively flat top that varies in heights between the back and the front. The north-eastern side of the mountain foot has been eroded by ocean waves this has created a steep cliff; the mountain rise to fully reflect the Day river, like an arch shading the river.The Non Nuoc mountain is also a history book recording our national struggle against foreign aggressors for thousands of years. In 1929, a young revolutionary soldier, Luong Van Tuy, deafeted enemies in the area to set up the national flag on the top of Thuy mountain. After the August revolution of 1945, the foot of this mountain was the gathering place of Southward march battalion.

In the resistance war against French colonialism, a blockhouse was built here by French troops and the Non Nuoc mountain was considered a very important place as a key in defending the Red-river Delta region. Furthermore, this mountain is also known as a Poetry Mountain as it is the place of many historically famous poets who came here to enjoy the scenery and to compose poems. There are hundreds of poems carved on cliffs by ancient celebrities like Le Thanh Tong, Truong Han Sieu, Pham Su Manh, Ngo Thi Sy...

In the Ly Dynasty, under the reign of Ly Nhan Tong King, from the mountain foot to the east, a Buddhist pagoda called Non Nuoc pagoda was built. The pagoda was built of stone, with an ached roof with flying dragons. From the top of The Non Nuoc mountain, tourists can see an overall picture of the Ngoc My Nhan mountain, the Kite mountain (Canh Dieu) or they can enjoy a panoramic view of a developing Ninh Binh province.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the stone-walled royal citadel, is located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, and it is 12km from Ninh Binh city. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital used to be the economic, political and cultural center of Dai Co Viet (Great Viet) – the first centralized feudal state in Vietnam which existed from 968 to 1010 C.E.). It is also the native land of 3 royal dynasties: the Dinh, and the earlier Le and Ly dynastys.

The ancient capital covered an area of 300ha, including the Inner Citadel and the Outer Citadel. It was surrounded by rock mountain ranges. In the past, Hoa Lu Royal Capital was adorned with splendid palaces, magnificent temples and shrines. When King Ly Cong Uan transferred the capital to Thang Long (now known as Hanoi), it became the ancient capitall.

Due to the ravages of time, Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel no longer exists. Now, there are only some vestiges related to the Dinh, Le and Ly Dynasties. For example there is King Dinh Temple for worshipping King Dinh Tien Hoang and his sons, Le Temple worshipping King Le Dai Hanh, Queen Duong Van Nga and their sons. These relics together with the mountains ranges have stood the test of centuries.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong Tourist Area Tam Coc- Bich Dong is a famous tourist complex. Located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Tam Coc-Bich Dong is 7 km from Ninh Binh town. For a long time of history, these places still keep natural features with many caves, historical and cultural sites that are very famous not only in Vietnam but also in foreign countries, such as Tam Coc, Thai Vi temple, Bich Dong pagoda, Fairy Cave (Tien Cave), and Linh Coc pagoda.

There are also many traditional handicraft villages like Ninh Van stone village and Van Lam lace embroidery village.

Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist complex is also 1 of 16 national tourist complexes that have been invested in infrastructure to develop a beautiful and attractive place.

Van Long Eco-Tourist site is an extremely beautiful tourist site as well as the most flooded nature preserve in the Northern Delta of Vietnam. Mountains and water of Van Long have an area of 2,600 hectares that is located in 7 communes of Gia Vien District.

Visiting Van Long ecological area, rowing a boat at the foot of the mountain tourists can contemplate the mountains having many names like: Meo Cao Mountain (Scratching Cat Mountain), Co Tien Mountain (Fairy Mountain) and Ba Chon Mountain. These mountains have strange beauty due to geological moves. Some goats are gazing on sheer mountain sides that make the picturesque scenery livelier.

Cuc Phuong National Park and Dong Chuong Lake are 45km from Ninh Binh City, in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh province.To get there, you should go along the National Highway 1A from Ninh Binh City to the south, pass Ghenh Crossing and go towards Tam Diep Town near Doi Dai crossroad. Then turn right to go along Road No.12, go to Ria Crossroad and then turn left, go along the street by Dong Chuong Lake.

You should keep going to Ngoc Crossroad and turn right, continue and reach entrance to the park.

Tourists can come to this area by the road to Me Town of Gia Vien District.

Quan Chao temple (Soup-shop temple) is located on Highway No.1, in Bac Son ward, Tam Diep town (Thien Ly road in the past). Due to the expansion of Highway No.1, the temple was rebuilt on a hill where it is today. Its official and full name is Chuc Son Tien tu (Fairy temple of Chao mountain).

The temple worships the Lieu Hanh princess. Legend has it that, Mother Lieu turned out be a mistress of a tea-shop to serve passer-by. When Quang Trung Kinh and his soldiers went to the North to fight against the Man Thanh enemy in the late 1788, she cooked soup to feast soldiers. On his victorious return, the King set up this temple and named it Quan Chao temple (Soup shop temple). There is a steele that was carved on with the time of the temple restoration in the 7th Tu Duc year (1854) by Ninh Binh province chief Ton That Tinh.

Entering the temple, tourists can contemplate the skilfully carved altar that is lacquer trimmed with gold. In the altar, there is Lieu Mother's statute wearing white clothes, with a majestic, kind-hearted and tolerant look.

Dong Thai Lake Dong Thai Lake is 25 Km of southeast from Ninh Binh City, being at the location of Yen Dong and Dong Thai communes, with an area of around 350 hectares, next to the Tam Diep range of beautiful mountains.

The lake is not only an irrigational work for Yen Dong and neighboring communes but also being used for aquaculture with hundreds of tons of fish being produced every year.

Dong Thai lake has very good potentials for eco-tourism. It is very poetic, when tourists sit on a boat on the lake they enjoy green mountains and blue waters. Clear blue lake water reflects cloud shadows and makes tourists feel that they are flying with clouds on the wind.

After passing the lake, tourists will have chance to visit Ma Tien cave.

Phat Diem Town is 28km from Ninh Binh City to the southeast. It is in Luu Phuong Commune, Kim Son District.

To get there from Ninh Binh City, you can go along the district-road No.18 to the Thong crossroad, turn right through Yen Khanh Town. Then you pass through the crossroad of Quy Hau Market, then turn right and go for about 3km, go past Nguyen Cong Tru Temple. When you find the Ngoi Bridge on the left–hand, turn right to reach Phat Diem Stone Cathedral.

You will get to Con Thoi Costal Resort if you go for about 10km more from there.