Overview of Bac Ninh province

Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac is famous as an ancient land, a spiritual land with outstanding people, a convergence of the quintessence of Vietnamese national culture. It is a tourist experience destination that domestic and foreign tourists have loved in recent times.  For those who are planning to visit Bac Ninh, immediately save the Bac Ninh travel guide shared below. There will definitely be all the information for everyone to have the most memorable trip! 

Bac Ninh province is located at the northeast gateway of Hanoi capital, the center of the ancient Kinh Bac region. The province is located in the Northern key economic region. The North borders Lang Son and Thai Nguyen provinces, the South borders Hai Phong city and Hung Yen province, the East borders Quang Ninh province, and the West borders Hanoi capital. Bac Ninh province is a harmonious combination between the land of "Kinh Bac" famous for its Quan ho culture, traditional craft villages, historical relics of the Ly dynasty  and the land of "West Yen Tu" with majestic nature, historical relics against the Ming army, and eco-tourism areas.

Province location Bac Ninh on the map

Prominent destinations in Bac Ninh 

Lim Festival and Quan Ho Cultural Tourist Area

Lim Festival is the largest traditional festival of Kinh Bac region, Bac Ninh, taking place on the 13th day of the first lunar month in Lim town, Tien Du district. The festival includes a ceremony with incense offerings and sacrifices and a vibrant festival with Quan Ho folk songs and unique folk games such as human chess, wrestling, cockfighting, and fairy swinging. Lim Festival clearly shows culture and beliefs and is an opportunity for people to connect with the community. 

Quan Ho Cultural Tourist Area: Where visitors can experience the Quan Ho cultural space in ancient villages such as Diem Village (Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh city). Experience listening to Quan Ho singing on the boat, enjoying folk songs that have been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mandarin performance on boat

Do Temple/ Area of ​​Tombs and temples of Ly Dynasty Kings (Tu Son, Bac Ninh)

Area of ​​Tombs and Temples of Kings of Ly Dynasty is historical evidence of the ancient Co Phap village and today's Dinh Bang; It is a relic land, a temple to worship the Ly dynasty kings and is also the burial place of the Ly dynasty's ancestors and royal family. The Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1225), since Thai To (Ly Cong Uan) ascended the throne, moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (1010), went through 8 kings, passed the throne for 216 years, was the period when the feudal state was independent and strong, the people lived in peace and prosperity.

The relic site is a unique architectural work, with the art of stone carving and sculpture. Wood, carving of worship statues, construction techniques are all at a sophisticated level and many intangible cultural heritage values are preserved: worship beliefs, festivals, customs, practices.... The tomb area of the Ly Dynasty kings is also a particularly important archaeological site serving scientific research. The relic has many other names, such as  Den Do, Co Phap Dien/Temple of Ly Bat De and Tombs of Ly Dynasty Kings (Tho Tomb Thien Duc or Son Tomb Forbidden Land); includes 02 main areas: Do Temple and Tombs of Ly Dynasty Kings (Son Tomb Forbidden Land).

             

Do Temple: Place to worship 8 kings of the Ly Dynasty

 But Thap Pagoda (Thuan Thanh Town, Bac Ninh )

But Thap Pagoda is called Ninh Phuc, located in But Thap village (formerly Nhan Thap) But Thap village, Tri Qua ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province, inside the river dyke Duong, about 25 km from Hanoi city center. According to ancient sources, But Thap Pagoda was built in the early Tran Dynasty (13th century) when Zen Master Huyen Quang lived here. In the early 17th century, monk Chuyet Chuyet (also known as Chuyet Cong), when he returned to But Thap, the abbot rebuilt But Thap pagoda according to the Chinese pagoda model and built the Bao Nghiem tower. Zen master Minh Hanh Tai Tai - a disciple of Chuyet Cong, continued the work of expanding and building the pagoda in 1647. In 1876, King Tu Duc changed the name of Nhan Thap village to But Thap, and changed the name of Bao Nghiem tower to But Tower.

But Thap Pagoda from above

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Tan An Ward, Bac Ninh Province)

Considered the ancestral place of the Truc Lam Zen sect, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has a special position in the history of Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty in particular and the history of Vietnamese Buddhism in general. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (also known as Duc La Pagoda) is located in Tan An ward, Bac Ninh province. Built in traditional pagoda architecture with curved roofs and characteristically shaped buildings. This is an ancient temple considered a "great ancient site" of Vietnamese Buddhism. Recently, the pagoda is one of the relics in the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac relics and landscape complex recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda from above

Tay Yen Tu Spiritual - Ecological Tourism Area (Tay Yen Commune) Tu, Bac Ninh).

Where there is a complex of relics related to Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. Visitors can take the cable car to the top of the mountain, visit Dong Pagoda (the largest Dong Pagoda in Vietnam) and admire the majestic natural landscape. This is an important eco-tourism and pilgrimage destination 

    
West Yen Tu Sunset 

Suoi Mo & Cam Son Lake 

Suoi Mo eco-tourism area - Associated with the legend of Princess Que My Nuong, there are many temples and poetic natural landscapes. Suoi Mo is an ecological and spiritual tourist area of ​​the Northern midlands, about 30km from Bac Giang city center, located in Nghia Phuong commune, Bac Ninh province. 

Cam Son Lake is a beautiful landscape with a large scale. Normally, the lake surface is 2,600 hectares wide, but during the rainy season, there are many floods and high water levels. The lake surface can be up to 3,000 hectares wide at this time. The lake's length is nearly 30km, the width at its widest place is 7km, at its narrowest place is 200m, at its deepest place is 47.5m, the water surface is clear all year round and there are many islands, this is one of the large lakes of Northern Vietnam. Surrounding the lake are high mountain ranges, or in other words, the lake's shores are overlapping mountains, lychee hills and natural forests. Bordering Lang Son, there are limestone mountains. People in the surrounding area are mainly Nung, Tay and Kinh ethnic groups in 4 communes: Son Hai, Cam Son, Ho Dap and Tan Son, traveling mainly by boat, creating very charming landscapes. From 1992 to 1998, the CARE project (Australia) invested in planting protective forests. Cam Son Lake is a famous natural (ecological) landscape in the country that can call for foreign investors to build golf courses and develop forms of tourism such as: boating, excursions, mountain climbing, fishing, relaxation, medical treatment... and return to Khuon Than or go to Tan Son market, go to Bat cave, Gio cave in Dong Mo of Chi Lang district (Lang Son) close to Cam Son. Currently, people in the lake area have many households buying motorboats to transport tourists to visit and there have been many domestic and international tourist groups coming to visit.

Cam Son Lake from above

In addition to the above prominent Bac Ninh tourist destinations, people can refer to other locations such as:

  • Phu Lang Pottery Village (Que Vo) - Famous for its clay pottery, cockroach-brown glaze color.
  • Dinh Bang Village (Tu Son) - Where there is Do Temple worshiping 8 kings of the Ly Dynasty.
  • Khe Ro Ecological Area (West Yen Tu Primeval Forest) - Ideal for trekking and exploring pristine nature.
  • Co Phap Pagoda Sunflower Garden (Tien Du) - Famous check-in spot in late autumn and early winter.
  •  Dong Ho Folk Painting Village: (Song Ho Commune, Thuan Thanh). This is the only place that still preserves the traditional craft of making folk wood carvings, a cultural symbol of Vietnam. Visitors can visit the painting-making process, buy works of art made from papier-mâché paper and natural colors as gifts.

Prominent historical site in Bac Ninh

But Thap Pagoda (Nghiem Quang Tu)

Special National Monument, famous for its unique architecture, especially the largest wooden Statue of Avalokitesvara with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands in Vietnam and the Bao Nghiem stone tower (Thap Pen) bears the mark of 17th century sculpture art.

But Thap Pagoda - An ancient architectural masterpiece in Bac Ninh

Xuong Giang Ancient Citadel.

A special national historical relic, associated with the famous victory against the Ming army of the Lam Son insurgent army (15th century), is a symbol of martial spirit and historical victories. Prominent among them are Chi Lang and Xuong Giang - places that witnessed fierce battles of our army and people. Xuong Giang Citadel today is not only a National Special Historical Site but also an attractive tourist destination - a place to honor the spirit of patriotism and defense of the Fatherland. 

Xuong Giang Ancient Citadel to Ban night

In addition to the above 3 relic sites worth visiting, tourists who love to learn about history and people can refer to 5 other famous historical sites in Bac Ninh, including:

  • Dau Pagoda (Thuan Thanh) - The oldest pagoda in Vietnam.
  • Do Temple (Thuan Thanh) Son) - Worshiping 8 Ly Dynasty kings 
  • Phat Tich Pagoda (Tien Du) - Famous for the largest Amitabha Buddha statue of the Ly Dynasty.
  • Yen The Uprising Relics (Yen The) - Associated with the peasant uprising against the French.
  • Ba Chua Kho Temple (Co Me, Vu Ninh Ward, North Ninh) - Famous for its sacredness, attracting people to pray for good fortune.

Best time to travel

  • Spring (January - March of the lunar calendar): The time when many of the biggest festivals take place such as Lim Festival (January 13), Dau Pagoda Festival, Do Temple Festival. Visitors will be immersed in the unique traditional cultural festival atmosphere.
  • Summer - Fall (May - September): Suitable for ecotourism in areas such as West Yen Tu, Suoi Mo, Bau Tien Lake (former Bac Giang) with cool, fresh air. Especially Luc Ngan lychee season (June - July).

Transportation information

Moving to Bac Ninh

By air

Bac Ninh does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. Tourists from the city. HCM, Da Nang and other provinces/cities can fly to Noi Bai, then travel by taxi, bus or shuttle service for only about 40 - 60 minutes to get to Bac Ninh center.

By rail

There are train routes from Hanoi or northern provinces to Bac Ninh Station or Bac Giang Station. The important train route is the Hanoi - Dong Dang/Lang Son route. For example: Train DD5 (Hanoi - Lang Son) stops at Bac Ninh Station. 

The ticket price of train D55 (Hanoi - Lang Son route) to Bac Ninh Station and Bac Giang Station ranges from 25,000 VND to 105,000 VND, depending on seat type and boarding station. 

By road

Travel from Hanoi to Bac Ninh by different means:

  • Motorbike:

    • Advantages: Freedom, initiative and sightseeing. 
    • Route: From So intersection, go to Khuat Duy Tien street, turn left onto Linh Dam peninsula, get on the overpass and go straight to Highway 1B until you see the Bac Ninh city sign. 

  • Bus:

    • Route 54: From Long Bien transfer point to Bac Ninh city, frequency every 15 minutes/trip, ticket price about 15,000 VND/trip. 
    • Route 203: From Giap Bat bus station to Bac Ninh 
    • Route 212: From My Dinh bus station to Que Vo (near Bac Ninh), frequency about 1.5 hours/trip, ticket price about 10,000-40,000 VND/trip. 

  • Coach:

    • Advantages: More comfortable than buses. 
    • Popular car brands: Kumho Viet Thanh, Phuc Xuyen, Duc Phuc, Cuc Mung, Green Limousine. 
    • Bus station: Depart from major bus stations such as My Dinh, Gia Lam, Nuoc Ngam. 
    • Ticket price: Ranges around 60,000 - 150,000 VND/ticket depending on the bus company. 

  • Taxi/Grab:

    • Advantages: Convenient, private and saves time for large groups or families. 
    • Cost: About 300,000 - 500,000 VND depending on starting point and vehicle type. 
    • Travel time: About 1 hour 30 minutes. 

Moving within the city

  • Taxi: Popular in the city area. Bac Ninh and City. Bac Giang, convenient and safe. Companies: Mai Linh Taxi, Thanh Cong Taxi.
  • Public buses: Bus routes connecting districts and main tourist destinations, cheap.
  • Motorbikes: Can be rented at hotels or motorbike rental shops to actively explore craft villages and suburban relics.
  • Motorbike taxi/Grab: Popular in the inner city.

Information saved accommodation

Luxury (4–5 stars)

 Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh: (Km 1+200, Tran Hung Dao Street, Kinh Bac Ward, Bac Ninh City).

Located in the heart of the civilized and dynamic Quan ho land, Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh pioneers in providing a 5-star accommodation experience with a rich cultural imprint. From the design inspired by bamboo and rattan art, the cozy and luxurious resort space, to the sophisticated culinary journey and modern meeting system, every experience here is skillfully "woven" between Vietnamese identity and international standards - ideal for business travelers, MICE travelers and exploring local culture. Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh is also the perfect choice for tourists and locals looking for a complete short vacation or a space to hold intimate parties, classy birthdays... With a system of outstanding amenities - from restaurants, bars, indoor swimming pools, relaxing spas to modern gyms - opening a series of top-class resort experiences in the heart of the city. According to Booking.com, room prices at Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh range around 2,800,000 - 5,500,000 VND/night, depending on room type and time of booking.

 Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh

Muong Thanh Grand Bac Ninh(February 3 Square, Song Khe Ward, Bac Giang City, Bac Ninh Province)

Muong Thanh Grand Bac Ninh has brought a new standard of service to Bac Ninh province. In addition to 195 rooms meeting 4-star international standards, spacious and modern amenities with panoramic views of Bac Giang city, a system of restaurants, meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 800 guests and a full range of additional services such as swimming pool, karaoke, fitness center, spa & massage promise to bring a wonderful and convenient resort space for your business trips. The harmonious combination of the culture of Northwest Vietnam with the luxury and modernity of European architecture will bring you completely new experiences. According to Agoda.com, room prices at Muong Thanh Grand Bac Giang range from 815,000 - 2,580,000 VND/night, depending on room type and time of booking

Phone: 0824601333 – 0945793737

Muong Thanh Grand Bac Ninh

Resort (Resort, Villa)

 Phu Son Resort Bac Ninh (Wu Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh).

 Is the first 4-star resort in Bac Ninh with modern French architecture, but still has unique ancient Vietnamese architecture in the restaurant and other areas. The resort has full amenities such as massage, sauna, tennis court and outdoor swimming pool.  

Experience (2–3 stars, Homestay, Co hotel)

 Ong Ngoc Homestay: (Diem Village, Bac Ninh City) Experience staying in the traditional Quan Ho village, close to the local culture. Homestay provides comfortable accommodation with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and serves a variety of Bac Ninh specialties. Guests can contact via phone number 094 7964962 or 0912442944. Room price at Ong Ngoc Homestay:

- Friday, Saturday price 550,000/1 night/1 family of 4 guests. From the 5th guest, the surcharge is 50,000/1 person.

– Sunday to Thursday, the price is 500,000/1 family of 4 guests. Surcharge from the 5th guest is 45,000/1 guest.

Tay Yen Tu Homestay/Bungalow: (Tay Yen Tu, Luc Nam, Bac Giang area). Stay close to nature, ideal for those who love trekking and mountain air. Located in the West Yen Tu tourist area, convenient for visiting Dong Pagoda and Heaven Gate. This homestay is located in Binh Son commune, Luc Ngan district and tourists because it is located entirely in the Tay Yen Tu tourist area - one of the most beautiful and interesting destinations in Bac Giang. Tay Yen Tu homestay's team is professionally and methodically trained and always meets the needs of customers. The motto of this Bac Giang homestay is "please come guests, please leave guests", so that explains why this homestay is rated as one of the most professional homestays in Bac Giang. Price  from 200,000 VND to 600,000 VND/night depending on room and time of booking.

Local festival cuisine and culture

Cuisine

High-class restaurant

MM Bac Ninh - Restaurant: (90 Ly Nhan Tong, Ninh Xa Ward,  Bac Ninh). Luxurious space, serving a variety of Vietnamese and International dishes. Price per person: 200,000-300,000 VND/person

Dung Cua Seafood Restaurant: (21C4 Tran Quoc Toan, Ninh Xa Ward, Bac Ninh). Specializing in serving fresh seafood with spacious space. Dung Cua Restaurant in Bac Ninh is a familiar destination for seafood lovers. With a long period of operation, this restaurant has a significant number of 'fans'. A special feature of the restaurant is the quality of seafood, carefully selected. Fresh seafood is raised in filter tanks at the restaurant, ensuring all 3 criteria: "delicious - safe - quality". Price from 1000,000 VND/person

Some culinary locations Other high-end products you can refer to in Bac Ninh:

  • Tung Xeo Bac Ninh Restaurant - 108 Lac Long Quan, Dap Cau Ward, Bac Ninh - Price about :220,000 VND/person

  • Kinh Bac Chicken Restaurant - Ba Huyen Street, Khac Niem Ward, Bac Ninh - Price about :50,000 VND - 250,000 VND.person

  • Trau Ngon Restaurant - 388 Tran Phu, Dinh Bang, Tu Son, Bac Ninh - Price around : 100,000 VND – 300,000 VND/person

  •  Nhat Tam Vegetarian Restaurant - 443 Nguyen Trai Street, Vo Cuong, Bac Ninh - Price around : 35,000 VND – 70,000 VND/person

Local cuisine

Ke rice cake (Bac Ninh): Famous for its characteristic, crispy flavor. Often sold at local markets and as souvenirs. This type of cake is famous for its characteristic crispy, fatty flavor of peanuts and sesame combined with the sweetness of rice, handcrafted through many meticulous steps. Today, Ke rice paper is not only a rustic dish but also recognized as an OCOP product and exported abroad. 

Bac Ninh multiflora pancake

 Nem Bui Ninh Xa (Thuan Thanh): A specialty dish made from pork and pork skin, wrapped in banana leaves, often served with fig leaves and polyscias fruticosa leaves. 

Nem Bui Bac Ninh

Experiential Cuisine

 Lang Van Wine: is a famous wine in Kinh Bac, originating from Van Xa village, Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, not Tien Du, Bac Ninh. The wine is made from yellow flower sticky rice, esoteric yeast and fresh well water, famous for its mellow, pure taste, and characteristic "dreamy" drunken feeling

. Van village wine specialties

Phu The Dinh Bang Cake: A traditional cake, often given as a gift. In the land of Quan Ho, every time Tet comes, people eagerly prepare delicious cakes for husband and wife with the hope of a prosperous and happy life in the new year.

Banh Phu Hire

Experience Culture & Festivals

  • Singing Quan ho on a boat: An experience not to be missed at Diem Village or performance areas during festivals.

Lim Hoi Traditional Festival

  • Visit Traditional Craft Villages: Visit Dong Ho Painting Village, Phu Lang Pottery Village, Dai Bai Bronze Casting Village. Tourists coming here can experience painting their own pictures or making ceramic products as gifts...

Dong Ho painting "Rat Wedding" 

  • Participate in Festivals: If you go on the right occasion, participate in major festivals such as Lim Festival (Quan Ho singing), Dau Pagoda Festival (rain festival), Tay Yen Tu Festival.

Lim Festival is a festival held periodically every January

Amusement and experience area

Play area

  • Children's play area: Happy Kids, SOZO (Bac Ninh).

Happy Kids - Amusement park in Bac Ninh for children 

  • Eco zone - Relax: Nguyen Van Cu Park, Van Mieu Lake (Bac Ninh), Ho Bau Tien Ecological Area (Lang Giang, Bac Ninh).

Bau Tien Lake Ecological Area

  • Museums: Bac Ninh Museum, Bac Ninh Museum Giang, Nam Hong Royal Museum.

Suggested tour

Experience tour

Quan ho Culture & Craft Village Tour 2 days 1 night:

  • Itinerary: Hanoi/City. HCM - Do Temple - Listen to Quan Ho Singing at Diem Village - Dong Ho Painting Village - But Thap Pagoda - Phu Lang Pottery Village - Back to Hanoi/City. HCM

  • Transportation: Car

  • Reference tour price: 2 days 1 night tour: Combining historical sites, craft villages and specialty cuisine (price: 1,500,000 - 2,300,000 VND/person).
  • Organizer: NVK Travel

Adventure – discovery tour

Khe Ro Trekking & Ecological Tour 2 days 1 night: is a nature discovery journey that combines trekking activities and ecological experiences, with highlights that may include conquering mountains, exploring wild waterfalls and learning about local culture

Itinerary:

  • Day 1:
  • Trekking into the forest and exploring ecological destinations such as streams and waterfalls.
  • Experience camping or staying in villages to learn about local culture.
  • Participate in activities such as sightseeing, photography, relaxing at hot springs
  • Day 2:
  • Continue trekking to a new destination, maybe a mountain peak or another scenic spot.
  • Enjoy local cuisine and admire the scenery.
  • End the journey and return. 
  • Reference tour price: About 2,000,000 VND/person.
  • Organizer: Vietrekking

Family tour

West Yen Tu Spiritual & Ecological Tour 2 days 1 night

  • Itinerary: Hanoi/City. HCM - Visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda - Visit Xuong Giang Citadel - Take the West Yen Tu cable car - Suoi Mo picnic.

  • Reference tour price: 2,500,000VND / 01 person  . Weekends Friday and Saturday surcharge 200,000 VND/person (room)

  • Organizer: sinhtour.vn

Eco-tourism

Suoi Mo eco-tourism area, Dong Thong ecological area, Ven Xanh village (Bac Ninh).

Shopping and souvenirs

  • Culinary specialties: Dinh Bang dumplings, Bui Ninh Xa spring rolls, Ke rice cakes, Chu noodles (Bac Ninh), Luc Ngan lychee (in season), Yen The forest honey (Bac Ninh), Lang Van wine.
  • Traditional products: Dong Ho folk paintings, Phu Lang ceramic products, Dai Bai bronze casting products, Traditional silk.

Notes when traveling

Travel experience in Bac Ninh 

  • Diverse planning: Combine Quan ho cultural sites (former Bac Ninh) with ecological and historical sites (former Bac Giang) for a comprehensive experience.
  • Festival travel: If you go in the spring, you should book services early and prepare for crowds in festival areas. like Hoi Lim.
  • Explore craft villages: When visiting craft villages, you should spend time chatting with artisans to better understand the process and cultural values.

Notes

  • Respect Culture: When visiting religious relics, temples, you need to dress politely and discreetly; Keep order and do not touch artifacts.
  • Movement: The new area is quite large, so carefully check the travel distance between attractions to optimize the schedule.
  • Security issues: Carefully preserve personal belongings, especially in crowded festival areas.

Support information and contact agencies

Bac Ninh Provincial Police

  • Phone number: 0692690999
  • Emergency phone number: 113
  • Function: Ensuring security and order, supporting tourists in emergency situations.

Bac Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism  Address: 8th, 9th, 10th Floor – Building A, inter-agency area – Square 3/2- Bac Giang ward - Bac Ninh province

Bac Ninh Tourism Promotion and Information Center

Tourism Support Phone: 02223.822.532

Consumer Support

(Contact when there is a dispute about services or prices) Phone number: 1080 or local market management agency.

These agencies are always ready to support tourists 24/7 in all situations, from needing directions, travel advice to emergency requests. If you have problems such as losing something, getting lost or needing medical assistance, don't hesitate to contact the nearest phone number. Bac Ninh always ensures safety and timely support for all tourists.

Wish you a wonderful trip, full of exciting experiences and discovering the heritage journey, experiencing the quintessence of Kinh Bac!

 

 

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