One of attractions in Hanoi – Vinh Phuc that you should visit is Tam Dao. Traveling to Tam Dao is not only a journey to discover a wonderful land but also an opportunity for you to have exciting and unforgettable experiences.
The majestic natural beauty of Tam Dao attracts thousands of tourists to visit every year. Foggy valleys, lush pine forests, and craggy mountain peaks create a magnificent landscape. This place is also famous for its beautiful streams and waterfalls, as well as many other attractive attractions.
With a peaceful, calm space and great entertainment and relaxation activities, Tam Dao has become a popular destination for those who want to get away from the noisy pace of life, find tranquility, and immerse themselves in the world. Beautiful nature. You can participate in activities such as walking, climbing mountains, visiting historical sites, and enjoying the fresh mountain and forest space.
Where is Tam Dao Vinh Phuc?
Tam Dao is a district located in Vinh Phuc province, Northern Vietnam. With an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level, Tam Dao is a famous tourist destination with a cool climate all year round, fresh summers and chilly winters, convenient for relaxation and sightseeing.
Located about 85km from Hanoi, going to Tam Dao, you will go through 50km along National Highway 2 and 24km along National Highway 2B, including 13km of challenging passes. With a history of more than 100 years, Tam Dao was once a resort for the French during the French colonial period in our country, so this place was built with many massive structures.
However, the consequences of the war destroyed many works. Currently, only the ancient stone church remains – a unique historical relic reminiscent of the glorious era of this land.
Attractions in Hanoi – Tam Dao Travel Experience
Which season is the best to travel attractions in Hanoi to Tam Dao?
Tam Dao has its beauty and attracts tourists in every season of the year. However, each season brings different experiences and landscapes. Below are the highlights of each season of Tam Dao.
- Spring (March-May) is one of the great times to come to Tam Dao. The weather this season is calm and pleasant, convenient for exploring attractions and walking among beautiful nature.
- Summer (June – August): with an altitude of over 1000 meters, Tam Dao is the perfect place to avoid the heat for your summer. During this time, you can comfortably enjoy the fresh, airy air and participate in many outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, sports activities,…
- Autumn (September – November): Autumn in Tam Dao brings cool and pleasant air along with brilliant natural scenery of bright yellow colors. Beautiful terraced rice fields and warm yellow pine forests make Tam Dao poetic and charming.
- Winter (December – February): this is the coldest time in Tam Dao, and there is a high chance of fog appearing. It promises to be an extremely suitable time for you to experience cloud hunting.
Guide to Tam Dao Vinh Phuc on your own
Departing from attractions in Hanoi Hanoi
- By personal vehicle: you can travel along North Thang Long Noi Bai road, go towards Vinh Phuc, then continue along National Highway 2 and turn onto National Highway 2B to continue the journey to Tam Dao. Please be careful when driving through the approximately 13 km pass and ensure safety by wearing enough protective equipment and obeying traffic laws.
- By bus: at My Dinh bus station, there are also many bus companies providing transportation services to Tam Dao. You should book tickets in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak times.
- By bus: if you want to travel by bus from Hanoi, there are many buses to Tam Dao. The starting point is My Dinh Bus Station or Gia Lam Bus Station. Many buses are running to Tam Dao during the day, and travel time is about 2 – 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
- By train: you can book a train ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai, get off at Vinh Yen station, and find a taxi or motorbike taxi to get to Tam Dao.
Departing from Ho Chi Minh City
To move to Tam Dao from Ho Chi Minh City, you need to go to Hanoi. Airplane is the means of transportation chosen by many tourists to save time. Currently, there are many flights from Saigon to Hanoi every day for you to select the appropriate time frame.
What Time to Hunt Tam Dao Clouds?
In the early morning, when dawn creeps in, visitors will witness with their own eyes a fascinating natural spectacle: floating clouds covering the town at their feet. Layers of clouds alternate, forming a carpet of clouds like a soft stream. The period from 07:00 to 08:00 is the ideal time for tourists to start the journey of hunting clouds on Tam Dao, like a fairyland.
What’s Beautiful in Attractions in Hanoi – Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc?
Ancient Stone Church
The ancient stone church is a unique architectural feature located in Tam Dao town. Construction began in 1937 during the French colonial period. This is one of four famous stone churches in Vietnam, next to Sapa stone church (Lao Cai), Phat Diem stone church (Ninh Binh), and Nha Trang stone church (Khanh Hoa).
Tam Dao stone church was built in the Gothic style, bearing bold European religious architecture. The entire structure of the church is made from high-quality dark blue stone, creating a special and unique feature. Carved stone columns, high arches, and small but delicate details create solemnity for the space. The overall structure is imbued with religious imprints, allowing visitors to feel the sacred beauty of this place.
The church consists of two floors with a large area. In the church, you can admire the colorful and delicate stained glass paintings containing deep religious meaning. Besides stained glass paintings, the church also has statues of God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and legendary saints. The colors and light through the glass paintings create a cathedral space filled with solemnity and mystery.
Attractions in Hanoi TV tower
Tam Dao TV Tower, located on Thien Thi Peak, with an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level, has become an attractive attractions in Hanoi. With a height of up to 100 meters, the TV tower is genuinely a “challenge” that you have to conquer by climbing about 1,394 stone steps. Although the journey to the top of the tower may be somewhat tricky, in return you will admire the majestic landscape and pristine nature of the high mountains of Tam Dao.
From the TV tower, you can see the entire landscape of Tam Dao, the green tea hills of Thai Nguyen, and the majestic Nui Coc Lake,… The feeling of standing on top of the tower and admiring the scenery, along with the immensity of this vibrant land, is a memorable experience. Come here to escape the noisy urban life and immerse yourself in the wild natural beauty of Tam Dao.
Silver waterfall
Silver Waterfall is one of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in Tam Dao. The waterfall is about 50 meters high, creating a strip of white water. The most suitable time to visit Silver Waterfall is from May to October, when the rainy season comes with abundant waterfall water, creating the most beautiful waterfall landscape. During this time, you will have the opportunity to watch the water from the top of the waterfall flowing strongly with white foam, creating a picturesque scene.
Silver Waterfall is not only a place to visit but also an ideal attractions in Hanoi to experience recreational activities. You can bathe in the cool water, relax and enjoy the wild nature, or camp in the area around the waterfall. For those who are passionate about climbing and exploring, conquering the top of the waterfall is also an exciting and memorable challenge.
Attractions in Hanoi Xa Huong Lake
An artificial lake in Tam Dao built in 1984, Xa Huong Lake has an area of about 83 hectares, creating a beautiful “water tank” amidst the mountainous landscape of the area.
One of the highlights of Xa Huong Lake is the blue watercolor, creating a unique and peaceful scene. The sunlight shining on the clear blue water highlights the lake’s wonderful natural beauty, giving you a feeling of peace and relaxation as you watch.
Xa Huong Lake is surrounded by high mountains, creating a majestic and lyrical natural picture. When you come to Xa Huong Lake, you can walk around the lakeside to admire the beautiful scenery and relax in a peaceful space. It is also the ideal place to take beautiful photos and preserve wonderful moments during your trip.
Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple
Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple, also known as Thuong Tam Dao Mother Temple, is a famous spiritual structure located in Tam Dao. The temple was built around the twentieth century and is one of the attractive attractions in Hanoi for tourists who want to explore the culture and religion of this area. To get to Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple, you need to climb more than 300 steps.
The architecture of Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple was built in the Eastern style with Tho Ha tiled roof. The temple area includes many important works, including Thuong Mau Temple and Quoc Mau Temple, both of which are places of worship and religious activities. In addition, this place also has the Golden Pagoda and the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, which serves as a religious cultural symbol at the temple.
Tam Dao Square
The square is an attractive tourist destination located in the center of Tam Dao town. This location stands out with the giant words “Tam Dao,” which has become a famous check-in point in the area.
Not only is it an ideal place to take photos, but Tam Dao Square is also an ideal stop for tourists who want to relax and enjoy public space in Tam Dao. With many seats arranged around, you can sit back, relax, enjoy the peaceful area, and observe local life.
Attractions in Hanoi Truc Lam Tay Thien
Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery, also known as Tay Thien Pagoda, is an essential spiritual structure located on the slopes of Thach Ban Mountain, Vinh Phuc Province. Considered one of the three largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam, Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Construction began in 2004; Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery has unique architecture. The main hall is the focal point of the monastery, with an area of up to 675 square meters. On the left of the main entrance is Lau Chuong, and on the right is Lau Trong; behind is the Patriarch House worshiping the statue of Truc Lam Tam To, a place to honor and commemorate the three founders of the Truc Lam school.
Tam Dao Night Market
Going to the Tam Dao night market is an exciting and unique experience that you should not miss when coming to this land. Here, you can enjoy street food as well as shop and learn about local culture through handicrafts, clothes, souvenirs, and many other goods. You can freely choose and shop for unique, stylish items as souvenirs or to give to relatives and friends.
The night market is also a place for you to enjoy a comfortable, fun, and vibrant atmosphere. You can participate in games and entertainment activities and enjoy live music and unique local performances.
Tam Dao Vinh Phuc Specialties You Can’t-Miss
Tam Dao is famous for its specialty dishes such as chayote tops, black sticky rice, banh cuon, Vinh Tuong molasses cake, grilled hill chicken wrapped in clay, stream goby, sturgeon,… These dishes not only satisfy the taste buds but also demonstrate the culinary quintessence and culinary cultural diversity of Tam Dao.
You can refer to some restaurants suggested by Yourvietnam.org, such as:
- Hai Dang Restaurant; Address: Area 1, Tam Dao town
- Pho May Restaurant; Address: Highway B2, Tam Dao town
- Quan Nga Chinh; Address: near Thac Bac gate
- Xuan Lua shop; Address: Area 1, Tam Dao town
- Su Su BBQ; Address: Area 1, Tam Dao town
Suggested Tam Dao Tour Schedule 2D1D
On day 1, you will start your itinerary from Hanoi early in the morning and move to Tam Dao. After checking in and having lunch, you can begin your journey to explore Tam Dao by visiting the sky gate, ancient stone church, and Ba Chua Thuong Ngan temple. In the evening, go to the Tam Dao night market and stroll in the square to end the first day of the tour.
Day 2, the new day, will start with breakfast at the hotel or local eateries. Next, prepare your belongings for the trip to explore Silver Waterfall, Rung Rinh Peak, and Hell Pagoda. After more than half a day of exploring, you need to prepare to return to Hanoi and end your 2-day-1-night Tam Dao tour with memorable experiences in this land.
Located not far from Hanoi, Tam Dao is an ideal destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to find peace. Nature in Tam Dao still retains its wild beauty and has become one of attractions in Hanoi each year.
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