Being endowed with a beautiful landscape, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province in Northern Viet Nam is called as an “Ha Long Bay on land” with numerous caves, mountains, valley, trees and historic relics.
Trang An is a beautiful combination of nature and culture, where untouched landscapes coexist with local civilization. On June 23, 2014, Trang An was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as Vietnam’s first mixed natural and cultural heritage site.
Located within Ninh Binh Province of North Vietnam near the southern margin of the Red River Delta, the Trang An Landscape Complex (Trang An) is a mixed cultural and natural property contained mostly within three protected areas; the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest. Trang An landscape complex covers an area of 6,172 ha in Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, Nho Quan districts, Tam Diep town, and Ninh Binh city, about 90km southeast of Hanoi’s capital. Trang An Landscape Complex covers an area of more than 2,000 hectares, mostly comprising karst hills, mysterious and majestic grottos, paddy fields and dozens of historical and cultural relics such as pagodas and temples.
With a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs, Trang An Eco-tourist Site is considered as an outdoor geological museum because it is entirely surrounded by bow shaped limestone mountain ranges lying on a delta wetland area.
In addition to the 1.6 km tourist route through three passes (Can Pass, Vai Pass, and Tran Temple Pass), visitors to Trang An eco-tourism area can also choose a waterway route combined with climbing on a closed route. Departing from the central wharf, the first stop is the Trinh temple. Next, visitors take a boat through Dia Linh caves, Dark caves, Sang caves, and Nau Ruou cave, then go ashore and climb nearly 500 stone steps to visit the Tran temple. After that, visitors get off the boat and go through Sinh cave, Si cave, Ba Giot cave, Seo cave, Son Duong cave, and visit the Khong palace. They then continue the route to Khong cave, Tran cave, Quy Hau cave, and return to the starting point, ending the trip.
Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, is located in the Trang An eco-tourism site in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien District. It is set to become a major Buddhist center in the region. In addition to Trang An, the Tam Coc-Bich Dong landscape and Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel are also located in the core zone of the heritage site. These areas are known for their natural beauty, unique architecture, and ancient pagodas and caves such as Tam Coc, Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong Pagoda, Tien Cave, and Mua Cave.
Trang An was not only the birthplace of ancient Vietnamese civilization, but also the site of the old capital of Vietnam’s feudal and independent state, Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, more than 1,000 years ago. Hoa Lu is a national relic associated with the three dynasties of Vietnam’s feudal history (Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries). This area includes defensive earthen walls, palaces, temples, and shrines that create a magnificent fairy-tale scenery. According to historical records, in 968, after defeating twelve armies of rebels and unifying the country, Dinh Bo Linh became King Dinh Tien Hoang and established the capital at Hoa Lu, naming the country Dai Co Viet. From 968 to 1009, six kings of the Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties ruled from Hoa Lu. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (Hanoi). Since then, Hoa Lu has remained the ancient capital.
Trang An was not only the birthplace of ancient Vietnamese civilization, but also the site of the old capital of Vietnam’s feudal and independent state, Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, more than 1,000 years ago. Hoa Lu is a national relic associated with the three dynasties of Vietnam’s feudal history (Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries). This area includes defensive earthen walls, palaces, temples, and shrines that create a magnificent fairy-tale scenery. According to historical records, in 968, after defeating twelve armies of rebels and unifying the country, Dinh Bo Linh became King Dinh Tien Hoang and established the capital at Hoa Lu, naming the country Dai Co Viet. From 968 to 1009, six kings of the Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties ruled from Hoa Lu. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (Hanoi). Since then, Hoa Lu has remained the ancient capital.
Tam Coc-Bich Dong is a popular tourist area in Ninh Binh province, along with Trang An eco-tourism area. Tam Coc means “three caves,” which are Ca cave, Hai cave, and Ba cave. Visitors can take a boat tour to admire the majestic sky, clouds, rivers, and mountains. Each season has its own beauty, and Tam Coc always attracts visitors to see the natural beauty of the area. Bich Dong, or “green cave,” is also known as “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong.” Bich Dong and Bich Dong Pagoda are ancient and dignified works of art integrated into the green and tranquil natural setting, contributing to the perfect panorama of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.
When visiting Trang An, visitors can participate in unique experiences such as kayaking, sightseeing, or taking a helicopter tour of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. They can also enjoy local specialties such as goat meat and burnt rice…
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is a unique example of human history, not only for Vietnam but also for the region. It has both natural and cultural value.
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