1. Keo Pagoda
Keo Pagoda, also known as Thien Quang Pagoda, is located in Vu Thu, Thai Binh. According to ancient records, Keo Pagoda was built during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, and it has been renovated many times since then. Perhaps there is no temple in our country that covers an area of 57,000 square meters with 107 large wooden chambers (previously 154 chambers), all made entirely of ironwood. Long paths, hundreds of meters in length, paved with green stone slabs nearly 2 meters wide, and 350 large and small ironwood columns, are all placed on large rock platforms, creating a serene ambiance. The architectural organization here is skillful and complex, following the principle of 'first Buddha, then deities'. The temple area in the front and the Nocturnal Worship Hall in the back. The architectural layout seems to break the rules, such as placing the three-tiered bell tower at the end of the architectural complex.
The architecture of the bell tower is magnificent in its massiveness, rich in rhythm and detail, with only three floors measuring 11.06 meters high but impressively grand. The four main ironwood columns rise through two floors, along with a system of eaves columns and convenient railings, cleverly connected. The bell tower's stone columns are pure and shaped like large pedestals, carved with beautiful double lotus patterns. The most unique feature is the flying buttress system, layer upon layer rising to support the roof. The outer ends of the flying buttresses protrude, slanting down along the roofline, increasing the height of the structure. Standing from a distance, it looks like 200 arms of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara extending from the second and third-floor roofs, waving and greeting visitors from all directions. I've seen foreign visitors stop for hours in front of this three-tiered bell tower, marveling at the ancient curved roof layers and thousands of exquisitely carved components, even the most skilled craftsmen invited for renovations couldn't name them all.


2. Bac Trach Church
Bac Trach Church is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks, a pride of the people of Thai Binh. Known as one of the largest churches in Vietnam, Bac Trach attracts a large number of tourists to check in here. After nearly 10 years of inauguration, Bac Trach Church is not only a peaceful place, but also has many Instagrammable corners that tourists love. Photos taken here are often widely shared and admired on social media.
The place is meticulously built with tons of building materials combined with round statues and reliefs. Paintings bring you a vibrant living space. Moreover, you will be impressed by over 100 stained glass windows flashing outside. Featuring unique architecture, with a strong Gothic and Western architectural style, you will get a vintage-style photo when visiting Bac Trach Church.


3. Thai Binh Cathedral
Thai Binh Cathedral was inaugurated in 2007 and is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Vietnam. Situated on a spacious area of 6,201.6 square meters, Thai Binh Cathedral bears the marks of the Bible. The Holy Cathedral is dressed in a bright cream color, the color of alluvium, reminiscent of the rice homeland of the Red River and Tra Ly River basin.
Two 46-meter-high towers are designed like two bright burning candles, supported by two sturdy hands reaching straight to the sky, always shining brightly with colorful lights, along with the echoing sound of 3 bells, calling everyone to come to God. The sanctuary is designed like a bronze drum, with relief sculptures depicting everyday scenes, such as hunting, gathering, or Vietnamese cranes. The relatively spacious sanctuary can serve hundreds of priests simultaneously during important ceremonies. The sanctuary floor is paved with red granite, from a distance, resembling a giant red carpet, demonstrating its majestic and splendid presence, worthy of hosting the Mass.


4. Hoi Weaving Village
Visiting Hoi Weaving Village, tourists will observe the process of making mats by the locals in the most detailed way. From the intricacy of the materials to the selection and mounting onto the loom. Weaving in Hoi Village has been around for many generations, so it holds great cultural significance. Hoi Village is famous for its longstanding weaving craft not only in Thai Binh but also in the Red River Delta region, attracting many tourists.
Hoi Weaving Village is located about 40 km from the city center of Thai Binh. Despite its remoteness, tourists, especially foreigners, love to visit Hoi Weaving Village. You will find yourself returning to the fields of rural memories to reach this destination. The local people here still maintain their passion for the craft, and they continue to spread the reputation of their Hoi mats far and wide.


5. Dong Chau Beach
About 35 km from Thai Binh city, following the provincial road from Kien Xuong to Tien Hai, you will reach Dong Chau Beach located in Dong Minh commune, Tien Hai district. Dong Chau Beach, although not very beautiful, boasts an extremely fresh climate, perfect for recuperation, relaxation, and especially, the seafood here is very affordable and delicious. Due to the sandy mud, the beach is very suitable for aquaculture. Visitors will witness vast clam fields with countless fishing huts, contributing significantly to the uniqueness of Dong Chau.
As it is a seaside tourist area, visitors often come here in the summer. The best time to explore Dong Chau beach is around July and August. This is the time of hot weather, little rain, perfect for swimming, and playing under the sea. Dong Chau Beach also possesses a lot of pristine beauty, creating an impressive and unique experience for visitors. You can also take a boat or motorboat from Dong Chau Beach to Con Thu Beach, Con Vanh Beach for exploration, which is also a very interesting experience. When you come here, you will not only enjoy swimming in a quiet, romantic space but also explore the natural scenery with lush pine forests, vividly beautiful cliffs.


6. Bách Thuận Garden Village
Located in Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province, Bách Thuận Village is a rich garden village with lush ornamental and fruit trees. The outskirts of the village are fertile alluvial grounds where sugarcane, bananas, and strawberries are grown to feed silkworms. Visiting Bách Thuận Village, one might feel like stepping into a miniature park with rows of lush bamboo, fresh greenery lining both sides of the village roads. Nature has generously endowed Bách Thuận with excellent conditions for developing traditional gardening. Here, visitors will find all kinds of fruits such as jackfruit, bananas, oranges, pomelos, sapodillas, lychees, lemons, plums, custard apples, apples…
Alongside the fruit orchards are ornamental gardens, bonsai trees that can captivate any visitor. Each type of ornamental plant here carries a unique appearance with different names depending on how the owner prunes them. Visiting Bách Thuận Village during the flood season, tourists will have extremely special memories as the village roads are flooded, transforming into small rivers. Moving from one house to another requires the use of boats. It will be a very interesting experience to sit on small boats, exploring each garden patch, picking and enjoying clusters of sweet fruits.


7. Eco-Tourism Area Cồn Vành
Cồn Vành is located in the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO since 1994 and is one of the unique destinations in Vietnam that preserves its ecosystem and pristine beaches, attracting nature enthusiasts. Cồn Vành is situated 7 km from the mainland in Nam Phu commune, Tien Hai district. With a prime geographical location, Cồn Vành is located at the mouth of the Ba Lat River, where the Red River flows into the sea, creating a picturesque and tranquil natural landscape.
Cồn Vành is now a favorite destination for tourists who enjoy exploring the diverse mangrove ecosystems, fishing villages with friendly and hospitable coastal residents. In the early morning, as the sun rises, fishing boats arrive on the shores of Cồn Vành with fresh catches. Tourists can visit a boat to buy fresh seafood such as crabs, shrimp, clams, mussels, and jellyfish… These seafood specialties are sold by the local fishermen at very affordable prices compared to the market. What's more interesting is that tourists can visit the rustic stalls of Cồn Vành to have the seafood boiled and enjoy it in the fresh sea breeze. A trip to Cồn Vành is suitable for a 2-day getaway.


8. Đồng Xâm Silver Engraving Village
Existing for over 500 years, Đồng Xâm Silver Engraving Village is renowned for its exquisite products with high artistic value. The silver products from Đồng Xâm stand out compared to those from other places due to their unique shapes, delicate decorative designs, and balanced, splendid appearance that clearly conveys the main theme... showcasing the talent of the artisans of Đồng Xâm passed down through generations. Perhaps it's because of this that many people seek out Đồng Xâm Silver Engraving Village to learn more about this craft village.
Today, the products of the silver engraving village are trademarked, possess intellectual property rights, and have successfully built collective brands for the craft village such as Đồng Xâm, which is very rare. Therefore, to maintain and develop the craft villages, essential support policies are needed - to create jobs for the people while preserving the unique cultural traits of the localities.


9. Eco-tourism Area Cồn Đen - The Most Beautiful Coastal Sandbank in the North
Cồn Đen is situated 3 km away from the mainland in Thái Đô commune, Thái Thuỵ district, Thái Bình province; 15 km south of Diêm Điền Town and approximately 40 km west of the city center of Thái Bình. With relatively flat terrain, stretching for about 3 km in length, its widest point measures around 700 m and its narrowest point about 450 m; it was formed by the sedimentation of alluvial mud and sand from the Trà Lý River. Cồn Đen was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve in 2004, and to this day, the natural scenery on the sandbank remains pristine, with many considering it the most beautiful coastal sandbank in the North due to its picturesque landscape consisting of smooth sandy beaches and areas for clam farming.
With its extensive sandy beaches, gentle slopes, and calm waves all year round, Cồn Đen is also a great place for swimming every summer. Visitors can also enjoy picnics and beach activities such as fishing and beach volleyball after playful moments with the waves. Walking along the stretches of green pine forest on the sandbank, exploring the pristine vegetation, and the unique mangrove ecosystem (with mangrove trees, bulrush, sedge, sea morning glory, coconut trees...) merging into the vast oceanic space, one can truly savor the salty taste of the sea.


10. Dong Bang Temple
Another destination worth considering when visiting Thái Bình is Dong Bang Temple. This place is a beautifully preserved wood sculpture art museum that the people of Thái Bình have cherished for many years. The entire historical and scenic site is a vast complex, tinted with the colors of time from the outside gate to the inner courtyard. The beauty of the temple lies not only in the architectural charm of ancient features but also in the exquisite carvings left by past artisans.
Dong Bang Temple is located beside the ancient Mai Diem River, amidst expansive rice fields in the area of Đào Động, Tổng Vọng Lỗ commune, Phụ Phượng district, now part of Đồng Bằng village, An Lễ commune, Quỳnh Phụ district, Thái Bình province. The temple still preserves many artifacts from the Ly to Nguyen dynasties. Its unique wooden architectural works such as scrolls, horizontal lacquered boards, couplets, and ancestral tablets... With its rich history, Dong Bang Temple will evoke indescribable emotions during your visit.

