A journey through two World Cultural Heritage sites

A route passing by two remarkable World Cultural Heritage sites, familiar yet full of surprises, aiming to open up more diverse tour options and keep visitors engaged longer in local experiences.

A journey through two World Cultural Heritage sites

In terms of geographical location, Thanh Hoa borders Ninh Binh and boasts convenient transportation systems such as National Highway 1 and the Ho Chi Minh Road.

Similar to the general natural features of the northern region, both Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh provinces possess numerous magnificent limestone mountains, dense river systems, vast forests, and mesmerizing landscapes. However, each locality is distinctively attractive with its own unique destinations.

Unfortunately, despite improvements in the road transportation system, and even the recent operation of Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa, facilitating tourism for neighboring provinces, there's been a lack of substantial progress.

However, tour organizers often focus solely on individual routes, within Ninh Binh or Thanh Hoa provinces, compacting them into day trips or, at most, two-day excursions, rather than investing in interconnected tours that link heritage sites with scenic spots and historical relics on both sides, missing out on many opportunities for development.

Thanh Hoa boasts a particularly remarkable historical site, the Ho Dynasty Citadel, built in 1397, a solid fortress with unique stone architecture recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2011. The Lam Kinh historical site was once the land where the hero Le Loi raised the flag of rebellion against the invading Ming army (1418 – 1428).

After Le Loi ascended the throne and took the title Le Thai To, he ordered the construction of the second capital named Lam Kinh or Tay Kinh. This was also the final resting place of the Le kings and the queen mother of the Le dynasty.

Noteworthy is the famous Fairy Fish Stream in Cam Luong commune, nestled at the foot of Truong Sinh mountain, where for generations, special fish herds have thrived in the clear stream, a sign of the peace and prosperity of the Muong and Thai ethnic people in Ngoc village, mountainous Cẩm Thủy district.

In Ninh Binh, every tourist hopes to visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the scenic landscapes of Trang An, Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and the historical relics associated with the four dynasties of Dinh, Le, Ly, Tran, which were honored by UNESCO as a mixed World Heritage Site in 2014, meeting both outstanding cultural and natural criteria.

Another popular destination that attracts numerous domestic and foreign visitors is Phat Diem Stone Cathedral in Kim Son district, built primarily from wood and stone materials, from 1875 to 1898.

It stands as an architectural masterpiece, intricately carved resembling the traditional Vietnamese pagodas, acclaimed as unparalleled in Vietnam.

Beside that, Ninh Binh boasts Cuc Phuong National Park with an incredibly rich and diverse flora and fauna, highlighting the thousand-year-old cinnamon tree and the majestic wildlife species.

Furthermore, the National Park serves as a research center, conserving the genetic resources of various plant species, and rescuing and nurturing rare and precious wildlife species.

A route connecting two World Cultural Heritages will unveil numerous diverse tour options, enriching the knowledge of domestic and international tourists, thanks to the contribution of invested tour companies, expanding and developing.

By Tran The Dung/Tuoi Tre

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