Top 10 Famous Cultural and Spiritual Tourism Destinations in Ha Nam

Tam Chuc Pagoda is located in Ba Sao town, Kim Bang, Ha Nam. The pagoda boasts an extremely favorable location. Behind the pagoda is the Thất Tinh mountain, and in front is the Luc Nhac lake. Within the lake are six small islands which are believed to be the six bells bestowed by the heavens. Upon entering the tourist gate of Tam Chuc Pagoda, the Tam Bao hall will be the first structure you see. The Tam Bao hall has a very large area of ​​up to 5100 m2 and can accommodate about 5000 people at the same time. Inside the hall are three bronze Buddha statues, each weighing up to 80 tons. Behind each Buddha statue is a gold-plated lotus. Inside this area is a giant Buddha statue weighing 200 tons. This is also the largest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia at the present time. In the Garden of Scriptures, 99 stone pillars are placed. Each pillar here weighs up to 200 tons and is 13.5m high. Each pillar is engraved with scriptures for visitors to admire and recite prayers.

The landscape at Tam Chuc tourist area is very unique and diverse. The Heart Lake in this tourist area has 6 bell-shaped islands, and seven high mountains corresponding to 7 bright stars. This tourist area is a flooded limestone mountain area with many relics such as Vong cave, Co Doi cave, Thien Phuc pagoda, Ba Danh pagoda, Ly Thuong Kiet temple, Lim cave, Dong De Yem, Chua cave... This tourist area is also very close to other famous tourist destinations such as Huong Pagoda (3km away via mountain road), Trang An, Cuc Phuong, Bai Dinh... It is also an important connection point between Huong Pagoda and the conservation area of Van Long, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An, Tam Coc Bich Dong... Tam Chuc Pagoda is currently under construction, so noise and dust cannot be avoided. Therefore, based on the travel experience to Tam Chuc Pagoda, you should bring a mask and a hat. If you bring children, you need to keep a close eye on them and ensure safety. The pagoda usually stays open until 9 p.m. to welcome visitors.

Address: Ba Sao, Kim Bang, Ha Nam.

Lanh Giang Temple, also known as Lanh Giang Spiritual Temple, is located in Yen Lac village, Moc Nam commune, Duy Tien district. This temple worships three deities, including the 18th Hung Vuong dynasty and Princess Tien Dung. Adjacent to Lanh Giang Temple, towards the riverbank, is the temple of Co Bo Thoai Phu (part of the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship). The temple covers an area of about 3,000 square meters, surrounded by lush greenery, water banks, lotus ponds, and the serene ambiance of a sacred land. Facing the temple gate is the Nhị Hà river or the Red River. To the west of the temple, about 300 meters away, lies the green of rice fields, with the faint presence of the temple of King Le. Bordering Moc Nam commune to the north of Lanh Giang are Yen Tu and Moc Bac villages, where the temple of Princess Ngoc Hoa, sister of Princess Tien Dung, stands silently. The triple gate of the temple is built in the style of stacked diem roofs, with curved blade ends resembling dragon heads, adorned with crescent moons and delicately fluttering leaves. In front of the triple gate is a pond with smooth water, resembling a table of jade, adorned with bright red lotus flowers.

In the middle of the pond stands a solemn pagoda connected to the temple by a curved bridge carved in the shape of a dragon's tongue, hidden under the shade of thousand-year-old banyan trees. Lanh Giang Temple is built with both domestic and foreign designs, comprising 3 main buildings, 14 side rooms with guesthouses, worship floors, and surrounded by brick walls on 4 sides. Inside the temple, statues of Princess Tien Dung, dragon house altars, and statues of the 3 generals of the Hung Vuong period are meticulously carved in the style of the Le dynasty. The temple also proudly preserves two dragon-headed pedestal palanquins, a worship table, and many horizontal lacquered boards, couplets, and incense burners. Lanh Giang Temple, also known as Lanh Giang Spiritual Temple, is located in Tu village, Dong Van town, 8km from the junction of Hoa Mac town, turning left 5km to Yen Lenh ferry terminal, crossing the dyke of the Hong River 3km to reach the temple. Presently, the construction time of this temple has not been determined. Through the harsh years of time, the temple has been deteriorating, but it has been rebuilt and worshipped by local people, retaining its grandeur and scale to this day.

Address: Moc Nam, Duy Tien, Ha Nam.

Bà Đanh Pagoda, also known as 'Bao Son Nu,' is located on a land in Danh Xa village, Ngoc Son commune, Kim Bang district, Ha Nam. The pagoda covers an area of about 10 hectares, considered one of the most beautiful and ancient pagodas in Ha Nam province in particular, and in the North in general. Mentioning Ha Nam, many people may know the village that gave birth to 'Chi Pheo - Cu Ba Kien' and is the homeland of the late writer Nam Cao, poet Nguyen Khuyen... But few know that a famous place called Ba Danh Pagoda with the folk saying 'Desolate like Ba Danh Pagoda,' is also located in Ha Nam. Bà Đanh Pagoda covers an area of about 10 hectares, considered one of the most beautiful and ancient pagodas in Ha Nam province in particular, and in the North in general, because the pagoda is situated in a picturesque natural landscape. The pagoda complex consists of many artistic architectural structures with nearly 40 large and small houses.

Like many other pagodas, Bà Đanh Pagoda worships Buddha statues, but in addition to the Bodhisattva statue, there are also statues of the Southern Deity, Northern Constellation, Supreme Old Man, and statues of the Four Palaces, a Vietnamese folk belief. Regarding the name Bà Đanh Pagoda, according to local legend, the pagoda worships a sacred goddess who controls the rain and wind, helps people prevent floods, brings favorable weather conditions, and abundant harvests, so it is called the Đức Bà (Holy Mother) Pagoda of Danh village, abbreviated as Ba Danh Pagoda as it is known today. Nowadays, Bà Đanh Pagoda with the Truc Temple, Ngũ Động Thi Sơn (Forbidden Mountain), Tam Chuc eco-tourism area (Ba Sao), Fairy Scene, along with the system of long river wharves along the Day River from the Hong Phu junction, Phu Ly city will form a 'picturesque land' tourism route between waterway and roadway, quite attractive to domestic and international tourists.

Address: Ngoc Son, Kim Bang, Ha Nam.

Bát Cảnh Mountain is a historical site located in Tượng Lĩnh commune, Kim Bảng district, Ha Nam province, and partly on the Huong Tich range, Ha Tay province (now part of Hanoi), forming a unique river-shaped mountain. With this unique river-mountain shape along with ancient and dignified temples and pagodas, this place has long been considered a scenic spot of Son Nam precinct. The Bát Cảnh Mountain complex includes the Tiên Ông Temple (Ông Temple), Ong Pagoda, Tam Giáo Pagoda, Kiêu Pagoda, Bà Pagoda, Cả Pagoda, Vân Mộng Pagoda... With its fascinating natural landscape and ancient relics, the Bát Cảnh Mountain complex is being studied for investment in construction to soon become an attractive eco-cultural tourism destination of Ha Nam. According to the Book of Administrative Records (Part Dư Địa Chí) by Phan Huy Chú, in the 16th century, Trịnh Doanh's envoy visited here and likened Bát Cảnh Mountain to the Tiêu Tương Mountain in China and set up a palace to visit and admire the scenery.

In the past, there were 8 temples and a shrine worshipping earth gods decorated and built according to the theory of eight diagrams and five elements, hence the name Bát Cảnh Mountain. However, unfortunately, due to time and war destruction, the beauty of Bát Cảnh Mountain has been greatly damaged. Among the 8 temples and shrines, only 3 temples remain intact, namely the Tiên Ông Temple, Tam Giáo Pagoda, and Ong Pagoda. From Kiêu Pagoda, crossing the mountain pass and steep slopes is Vân Mộng Pagoda, where it is said that Zen master Nguyễn Minh Không once practiced meditation and served as an abbot. Legend has it that a king of the Lý dynasty suffered from an incurable eye disease. Hearing that at Vân Mộng Pagoda, there was a monk named Quỷ Cốc who was wise about heaven and earth, the king came to seek help. Quỷ Cốc monk believed that the king's eye disease was caused by a dragon vortex at a bend in the Hong River, and it required a sacrifice to cure the king. Later, there were Mr. and Mrs. Vũ Phục who jumped into the river, and indeed, the king's eyes were healed. The temple has also been recorded in the writings of Lê Quý Đôn in Vân Đài Loại Ngữ.

Address: Tượng Lĩnh, Kim Bảng, Hà Nam.

Trúc Temple lies within an ancient bamboo forest dating back to the Ly Dynasty, built around 1069 when Ly Thuong Kiet returned victorious from the Chiem Thanh campaign. The temple sits beside the gentle flow of the Day River, surrounded by the forbidding Cam Mountain. From the gate, it appears humble, but as you step onto the straight path beneath the lush green bamboo, you'll feel its warmth and tranquility like a celestial realm. Inside, two dragon pillars flank the central courtyard, facing the river. The inner sanctum exudes majesty with white horses and bronze horses. Two ancient bodhi trees provide cool shade in the courtyard paved with red brick. Even before stepping onto the grounds, you'll hear the warm call of the Elder Tu. The entire Trúc Temple is serene, adorned with moss under the canopy. The main hall venerates Ly Thuong Kiet, while the rear hall pays tribute to the Mother Goddess and Princess. Behind the shrine are two Dragon Fathers guarding a stone basin nearly 1000 years old. Trúc Temple is profoundly sacred, so visitors should approach with sincerity to receive spiritual blessings.

Ngũ Động Thi Mountain comprises five interconnected caves. The geological formations of limestone mountains over millions of years have created unique and fascinating sculptures. In the first cave, there is an altar with unicorn and eagle guardians. Through an iron gate, a path leads to the smaller and more challenging second and third caves. The fourth cave is the largest, capable of accommodating thousands of people. At the highest point is the mysterious altar of Amitabha Buddha. With imagination, one can see countless natural masterpieces such as: a mother's breast, an open rice cooker, an elephant, a turtle... Colors, textures, and lusters vary. Some gleam deep in the darkness, while others sparkle under the glow of light like pearls. Some resemble drums lying down, hung up, or forming ensembles, producing extraordinary sounds when struck. During the resistance against the French, Ngũ Động Thi Mountain was used as a military base and storage facility for weapons and supplies.

Address: Quyển Sơn, Kim Bảng, Hà Nam.

Tiên Phong Stone Temple venerates Princess Nguyet Nga - the female general of the Trung Sisters, one of the few temples made entirely of stone that remains intact to this day. Visitors will marvel at the intricately carved artistic panels, giving the temple a soft, vibrant, and captivating appearance. The temple is dedicated to Princess Nguyet Nga, the female general of the Trung Sisters. Her real name was Nguyen Thi Nga, from An Mong village. Because she refused to become a concubine for To Dinh, who was cruel and ruthless, her parents were murdered. Driven by patriotism and vengeance, she recruited soldiers and established a military base in her homeland. There is still a field called Binh Dong in An Mong, located in the silt plain, traditionally believed to be her former stronghold. In 40 AD, she and several thousand volunteers joined the Trung Sisters in resisting the Han dynasty's rule. After securing victory, the Trung Sisters honored her as Princess Nguyet Nga and appointed her as an official in Ly Nhan Prefecture. Returning home, she held a celebratory feast, erecting a stone altar by the river for future worship. The land of that stone altar still exists today in the riverside hills of Chau. She also taught the locals to grow mulberries and weave silk, earning her the title of the mother of silk craftsmanship.

Tiên Phong Stone Temple is one of the few temples made entirely of stone that has survived to this day. The temple required the use of hundreds of large and thick stone blocks to create five rows of columns, six beams, and numerous crossbeams, pillars, and foundation stones. What is remarkable about the stone parts, which might feel heavy, are the intricately carved artistic panels, giving the temple a soft, lively, and enticing appearance. The front hall of the temple stands out with a system of large stone pillars designed in a soft lotus bud style. Decorative couplets on the sides, at the top, or at the bottom feature stylized floral patterns such as lotus ponds, longevity oranges, dancing phoenixes, or vibrant cherry blossoms and pomegranate clusters. Each couplet also features raised bat motifs, with open wings as if biting into the verses with beautiful content, offering blessings for the homeland. The four main pillars in the middle of the main hall are adorned with raised dragon and water patterns, with graceful curves, natural tree branches, along with hair, water streams swallowed into the mouths, images of swimming carp naturally flowing. The master craftsmen have skillfully harmonized between the base and the decorative, carving and trimming each detail meticulously. The two military columns have a diameter of 35cm, designed with artistic stylized leaf bands.

Address: Tiên Phong, Duy Tiên, Hà Nam.

The historical site of Nguyen Khuyen Avenue is located in Vi Ha village, Trung Luong commune (formerly Yen Do commune), Binh Luc district, Ha Nam province. It is approximately 15km from the center of Phu Ly city (Ha Nam) to the southeast along Highway 21A. The Nguyen Khuyen Avenue site was recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1991. Regarding the background and career of 'Tam Nguyen Yen Do' - Nguyen Khuyen, he was born in 1835 and passed away in 1909. Originally named Nguyen Thang, with the courtesy name Que Son and the pseudonym Mien Chi. He was born in his mother's hometown, Hoang Xa village, Y Yen district, Nam Dinh province, but grew up and mainly lived in his father's hometown, Yen Do village, Binh Luc district, Ha Nam province. Born into a poor Confucian family (his father passed the regional examination three times and taught), Nguyen Khuyen was intelligent, studious, and excelled in his studies. In 1864, he passed the Hương examination (First laureate) at Nam Dinh school, and in 1871, he passed the Hội examination and continued to pass the Đình examination. From then on, he was referred to as 'Tam Nguyen Yen Do' (meaning the person who passed the top three examinations in Yen Do village).

Address: Trung Luong, Binh Luc, Ha Nam.

Liêm Cần Commune today, in the land of Bao Thai, was once the site of early military activities of Le Hoan. This is not only the land of his beginnings but also his homeland. The deepest mark of this recognition is now evident in the history and the revered figures at Lăng Village Shrine, now in Ngũ Cõi village, Liêm Cần commune (Thanh Liêm). The shrine is located at the foot of Lang mountain. Locals have folklore that in the midst of Lang mountain, there is a flat land which was the house foundation of Le Loc - Le Hoan's grandfather and also where Le Hoan returned to his hometown to establish schools, seeking like-minded individuals. After Le Hoan's passing, the locals built a shrine in his honor, called the Middle Shrine. During the time of recruiting talents, General Dinh Bo Linh also came to the ancient Bao Thai region to establish a base, recruit soldiers, and train troops. After ascending the throne, the peak of Lang mountain became his birthplace and later the people built a shrine to worship the king on the peak of Lang mountain, called the Upper Shrine. The Middle Shrine and the Upper Shrine no longer exist, only the Lăng Shrine or the Lower Shrine located at the foot of the mountain. The shrine worships 4 kings: Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Dai Hanh, Le Trung Tong, Le Ngọa Trieu, 2 military officials: General Nguyen Minh and his wife, Mrs. Nhữ Đê, advisor to Dinh Bo Linh to suppress the rebellion, and a celestial being: Thien Cuong Dai Vuong.

As an important relic in the system of worshiping kings of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, Lăng Shrine has a wide influence in the provinces of ancient Ha Nam Ninh. This relic cluster has been researched, preserved, restored, and promoted for spiritual needs and tourism development. Currently, the conservation project, restoration of the Lăng Shrine; restoration of the Middle Shrine and the Upper Shrine for preservation, embellishment, and restoration of the Dấu Tomb in Phase I of the detailed planning project for the Historical Monument of the Lăng Shrine tourist spot is being implemented by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Among the relics, the Dấu Tomb has been fairly well repaired and restored. This is the tomb of Le Loc, Le Hoan's grandfather, mistakenly killed by a white tiger, which was thought to be a thief. According to folklorist Nguyen Dinh Loi (former official of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), the term 'Dấu' here, according to the ancient Vietnamese folk belief, refers to the site where the tiger was buried - tiger burial, and when someone dies and the grave is filled up higher than usual, it is considered a 'Dấu' tomb. The Dấu Tomb, with its meaning deeply rooted in the stories of Bao Thai village, signifies the beginning of the development of the Pre-Le dynasty. In this sense, the behavior of the white tiger is no longer a concealment of wrongdoing but rather brings good fortune to the nature of Bao Thai, or symbolizes the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers here.

Address: Liêm Cần, Thanh Liêm, Hà Nam.

Nestled amidst An Nhien mountain, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda boasts an incredibly picturesque space resembling a scene from a movie. Those who have set foot here surely cannot forget the poetic and magical scenery. The pagoda not only has beautiful architecture but also evokes a sense of serenity and detachment that anyone visiting here can feel. Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda (also known as Đùng Pagoda in Nom script) is located in Ninh Trung hamlet, Liem Son commune, Thanh Liem district, gradually becoming a highlight of spiritual tourism in Ha Nam. In terms of scale, the pagoda has Three Jewels, ancestral houses, places of worship for the Buddha and the saints; residential areas, lecture halls, guest houses, and accommodations for Buddhists. The entire complex of the pagoda hides and is protected among the pine forests. The pagoda has both beautiful architecture and evokes a sense of serenity and detachment that anyone visiting here can feel. Currently, the pagoda regularly attracts numerous tourists who come to admire the scenery and to rediscover peaceful moments in the depths of the soul amidst the tranquil mountainous landscape...

According to the elders in the hamlet, Đùng Pagoda was built in the 11th century with a scale of over 100 apartments. There was a period when King Tran Nghệ Tông chose Đùng Pagoda as a hiding place, and King Tự Đức also chose this place to pray. Through the ups and downs of history, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda, leaning against the mountain, with the mountain bearing the throne, flanked by the blue Thanh Long - the white Bạch Hổ, surrounded by countless pine shadows, moss-covered millstones seemingly forgotten, severely degraded. First-time visitors to the pagoda will be surprised because the yard leading to the pagoda is all paved with white stones, instead of red bricks like other pagodas. The arrangement of the pagoda is different from other pagodas. In front of the Ancestral Hall area, 12 circles are painted on the white stone floor, symbolizing the 12 human connections. White stones symbolize meditation. Strolling in the pagoda's precinct, looking at the pure white stones, makes one's heart become serene.

Address: Liem Son, Thanh Liem, Ha Nam.

Tran Thuong Temple worships Quoc Cong Tiet Che Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. The temple was built on Mieu hill with the motto 'Human shape worships the General' in 1783 with architecture imbued with national tradition. It is rumored that this place was once the granary of the Tran Dynasty and the site of fierce battles during the resistance war against the Yuan army in the 13th century. This is the temple worshiping Tran Hung Dao, the most majestic in Ha Nam province, a work of historical, cultural, and scientific value of Ha Nam province in particular and of the Vietnamese people in general. Tran Thuong Temple has a two-story eight-roof stacked candlestick architecture with curved corners, an outer gate with 3 doors: the main door (large) in the middle and two side doors (small) on either side. The lower floor of the main door is curved like a rolled vault, decorated with lotus and chrysanthemum patterns... The upper floor also curves like a rolled vault but smaller, with a bell placed inside. The two side gates have beautiful relief horses. Besides its distinctive architecture, Tran Thuong Temple still preserves many valuable worship items such as incense tables, stone worship tables, ancestral tablets, altar, incense burners, bowls, plates, pedestals... especially a silver sword with a rare antler sheath. The sword is carefully preserved and only brought out for worship on special occasions.

According to the sequence from outside the temple to inside, the first hall is the Third Hall, where the Common Board and the Five Tigers are worshiped, and it also serves as a guesthouse. The Third Hall is built in the style of stacked walls, with two ends built as penthouses, the roof covered with southern tiles, and the front is a row of carved wooden doors. In the middle of the hall hangs the large self-portrait 'Cultured Virtue, Martial Arts.' Next is the Second Hall, worshiping the martial arts talents Tran Trieu and the Tran Dynasty family, with the left and right sides worshiping the Northern Constellation and the Southern Constellation. The Second Hall consists of five compartments, built higher than the Third Hall, with a tiled roof like the Nguyen dynasty palace, the two ends of the roof are decorated with two large dragons, the middle of the upper and lower roofs has squares with Han characters carved on them. The last hall is the First Hall (also known as the Forbidden Hall). Worshiping Tran Hung Dao in the middle, with the left and right sides worshiping the great maternal and paternal grandparents. This hall has a tiled roof, the door set is made up of three doors painted with gold and silver gilt.

Address: Nhan Dao, Ly Nhan, Ha Nam.