Buzz
Tam Dao serves as a weekend getaway for Northern residents. With an altitude of over 1000m, it offers a refreshing, cool atmosphere throughout the year, reminiscent of Dalat or Sapa. Located just over 70km from Hanoi, it provides a quick weekend escape. Due to its proximity, many young individuals choose to mark their youth with an exciting Tam Dao adventure.
Car and Motorcycle Options
Traveling to Tam Dao on a motorbike? Not a bit difficult at all! According to many Tam Dao backpacking experiences, from Hanoi head towards Pham Van Dong Street (or straight up Ring Road 3) and then go to Thang Long Bridge. Motorbikes are not allowed on the second floor of the bridge, so pay attention to the signs to go under the first floor. After crossing Thang Long Bridge, go straight on Noi Bai Road to Nam Hong intersection (with a north-south overpass), turn left following the direction to Me Linh (Phuc Yen), go straight on this road according to the signs to continue to Vinh Yen. Right at the entrance to the city, there will be signs directing you to Tay Thien – Tam Dao.
Many people choose a Tam Dao backpacking trip (Photo: ST)
Note: Do not choose an AUTOMATIC SCOOTER for your Tam Dao backpacking trip because the danger level is quite high. When going downhill, with a manual bike, just downshifting (1-2) is a way to reduce speed significantly. Scooters cannot do that, so the inertia created when going downhill is very large, leading to the need for heavy braking, easily increasing the risk of brake failure leading to loss of control and accidents. If you are choosing to motorbike travel to Tam Dao, remember to keep this in mind!
Bus transportation
Catch bus number 58 (Hanoi Bus) to the Mê Linh Plaza stop, then take bus 01 (Vinh Phuc Bus) to Vinh Yen Bus Station and transfer to Vinh Phuc's bus route 07 to Tay Thien. When you board the bus, ask the driver or conductor to help you find the nearest point to go to Tam Dao (Tay Thien – Tam Dao intersection) and then take a motorbike taxi to the Tam Dao tourist area, about 11-12km more.
NEWWAY Bus (Hanoi Tourism Transport Enterprise) has 2 departure points at 32 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, and 122 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi. You can contact them at the phone number 04 35654898 to book tickets.
Tam Dao winding road (Photo: ST)
Alternatively, you can take a Hanoi coach to Vinh Yen from My Dinh Bus Station. Once in Vinh Yen, get off at the turn to Tam Dao, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Tam Dao. Additionally, you can take a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, get off at the train station in Vinh Yen, then take bus 07 to the Tam Dao – Tay Thien intersection and take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the top of Tam Dao.
To assist you conveniently in moving around when renting a taxi in Vinh Yen, I provide contact information for taxi companies in Vinh Phuc:
- Mai Linh Vinh Phuc – 0211.2.262626
- Thien Duc – 0211.3.565656
- Vinh Yen – 0211.3.656565
- Huy Hoang – 0211.3.868686
- Thinh Hung – 0211.6.292929
- Dong Tam -0211.3.696969
Where to stay in Tam Dao?
- Anh Duong Guesthouse
Phone number: 0211.3824225.
When mentioning budget accommodations in Tam Dao, one cannot overlook Anh Duong Guesthouse. Located on the hillside, it offers very affordable rates (200k – 300k, suitable for 6 – 8 people). Inside the guesthouse, the hosts even provide a bonfire for groups of around 50 people and offer karaoke services, although the karaoke quality is not excellent. Your Tam Dao backpacking journey will be much more interesting here.
Anh Duong Guesthouse (Photo: ST)
2. Tu Phuong Guesthouse
Phone number: 098.933.9458
Tu Phuong Guesthouse (Photo: ST)
Tu Phuong Guesthouse is a well-known spot on the list of the most sought-after guesthouses in Tam Dao. Situated at the highest point with a panoramic view of the entire town, Tu Phuong is a highly favored guesthouse in Tam Dao. This guesthouse offers spacious rooms for groups. The owner, Mr. Tu, and the landlady, Mrs. Phuong, are very enthusiastic and attentive. The hosts can cook meals to the standards requested by the guests, with all the ingredients freshly harvested for a delicious experience.
3. Thang Loi Tam Dao
Address: Zone 1, Tam Dao Town, Tam Dao District, Vinh Phuc
Room rates: ranging from 377k/room/night
Accommodation at Thang Loi Hotel (Photo: ST)
Thang Loi Tam Dao is a smart choice for travelers seeking accommodation for their Tam Dao backpacking trip. The hotel premises include a restaurant and free private parking. Located in the central Zone 1, Thang Loi is often chosen by many travelers for its good pricing among the list of guesthouses in Tam Dao, along with its beautiful and convenient location.
4. Anh Minh
Room rates: From 500,000 VND/room/night
Anh Minh Hotel offers pet-friendly accommodation in Tam Dao town. There is a bar on-site for guests to enjoy drinks, and free private parking is provided within the premises.
Bedroom at Anh Minh Hotel (Photo: ST)
3. What to do in Tam Dao?
Van Pagoda: Van Son Monastery Tam Dao, located in Ho Son commune – Tam Dao District (9km from Tam Dao, turn right from the asphalt road about 200m, with very clear directional signs). This pagoda began construction on 04/03/2009 and has completed the frame; it will take a few more months to finish the decoration. The road is still covered with gravel. When entering, you will see a large open area, on the left is the ongoing construction of the pagoda. Turn right (easily visible as the scenery is very open) to the Main Hall in the middle of the pine and fir forest (77 red brick steps leading to the platform).
Television Tower: 93 meters high on top of Thien Nhi with an altitude of 1,375 meters. The way up is challenging but romantic and poetic. Along the way are orchids, chrysanthemums, and various unnamed wildflowers blooming along the path, spreading a strange, fragrant aroma, with vibrant colors... Your Tam Dao backpacking trip should visit this place, as here you will encounter various colorful butterflies on the leaves and flowers, fluttering around visitors like messengers welcoming guests. At the top, open your eyes to the vast sky, land, wind, and clouds in all directions.
Stone Church Tam Dao (Photo: ST)
Silver Waterfall: From the center of Tam Dao town, turn right along the trail, descending into a deep valley. Silver Waterfall hides within the mountains, mysteriously cascading down with white, sparkling water reflecting the colors of the rainbow in the sunlight. A small stream, falling 50 meters from above, rushes down with the sound of the stream, the forest, and the leaves echoing against the rock walls, creating a deep resonance like the sound of ancient times...
Rung Rinh Peak: If you enjoy adventure, venture a bit further and mark your Tam Dao backpacking trip with a visit to Rung Rinh Peak. Here, the beautiful fairy-tale-like scenery with towering trees and mountains is complemented by large trees covered in orchids, the melodious chirping of birds, and butterflies fluttering in the sky. Beyond this is Tam Dao 2, a place that was once an ideal French-era tourist destination but is now abandoned, possessing a wild and desolate beauty.
Silver Waterfall (Photo: ST)
Heaven's Gate: A Tam Dao adventure without visiting Heaven's Gate is truly incomplete. From Tam Dao town, head straight up to the French church, then turn left and continue straight to reach Heaven's Gate. Standing on Heaven's Gate and looking down at the misty town of Tam Dao in the midst of the sudden arrival and departure of the fog, you will see the uniquely enchanting beauty of Tam Dao. Clouds cling tightly around you, and the wind from the lush green pine forest can give you chills on a summer day.
'In our youth, let's walk shoulder to shoulder... From morning till night.' Let's shoulder our backpacks together and go, let's embark on a Tam Dao adventure to mark our youth right now!
Explore more: What to eat in Tam Dao throughout the 4 seasons of tourism?
