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In 2014, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. The entire 12,252-hectare area of the Heritage Site is a majestic mountainous region formed by numerous rock towers, sinkholes, and valleys, interconnected by streams, creating year-round flooded caves and a pristine ecosystem of flora and fauna. Adding to this unspoiled landscape are the solemn, moss-covered, and ancient pavilions, temples, and shrines nestled at the foot or halfway up the high mountain ranges.
Trang An boasts a picturesque landscape of rivers and mountains, along with the moss-covered, ancient charm of its temples and shrines bearing the imprint of history.
Eleven years after UNESCO officially inscribed the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex on the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites – the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia – Trang An still retains its pristine natural beauty. The trees, plants, and river water blend together in a vibrant green, soothing the hearts of visitors during the hot summer days.
Visitors can purchase tickets at the counter for 250,000 VND per person, with 4 people per boat, to experience a 3-hour Trang An cruise. During the trip, visitors will explore 9 caves and 3 historically significant spiritual sites nestled amidst a picturesque landscape.
The 3-hour boat ride allows visitors to admire and explore the full beauty of Trang An.
The wooden boat glides downstream, taking visitors to explore the first spiritual site – Trinh Temple, also known as Phu Dot. Located at the foot of a mountain in a "mountain-backed, water-facing" position, the temple has existed for over a millennium. In 2003, it was restored using precious hardwoods (ironwood, lim, sến, táu), following the "Dinh" shaped architectural style. The temple is a place of worship for the "four pillars of the court" – four founding national heroes who played a key role in suppressing the rebellion of the 12 warlords and establishing the Dinh Dynasty: Ngoai Giap Dinh Dien; Dinh Quoc Cong Nguyen Bac; Do Ho Phu Si Su Luu Co; and Trinh Tu.
Trinh Temple, also known as Phu Dot Temple, is over 1000 years old and is a place of worship for the "four pillars of the court" during the reign of King Dinh Tien Hoang.
The central altar is dedicated to the community of generals and soldiers of the Dinh Dynasty, while the main hall houses altars to Ta Thanh Tru and Huu Thanh Tru, two supervising generals who carried the six-year-old child, Dinh Toan, into the mountains and forests to escape persecution by the Le Dynasty during the court rebellion of 979. When Empress Dowager Duong Van Nga bestowed the imperial robes and crown upon the Ten-Commandment General Le Hoan, the two generals refused to surrender and committed suicide here. Trinh Temple is considered one of the historical relics of the upheaval between the Dinh and Le dynasties.
The incense burner outside the central altar is dedicated to the community of generals and soldiers of the Dinh Dynasty.
After a 20-minute visit to Trinh Temple, tourists continue by boat through the Wine Brewing Cave, approximately 250 meters long, lined with thousands of red-capped wine jars along both sides of the cave walls. Legend says there is a well inside the cave, more than 10 meters deep, with clear and sweet water, used by ancestors to brew wine. The wine was distilled and aged right inside the cave, absorbing the essence of the earth and sky. Later, during the dredging and renovation of the cave, many jars, pots, and tools used in the wine brewing process were found and some are displayed inside.
Passing through the Wine Brewing Cave, visitors arrive at Tran Temple, located in the heart of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, the very heart of the Heritage site. Also known as Noi Lam Temple, the temple is situated in the forest and is dedicated to Quy Minh Dai Vuong and his wife, Hoang Phi Quy Nuong. According to legend, Quy Minh was a general of King Hung, entrusted with guarding the Son Nam border.
The temple is located halfway up the Trang An mountain range. From the boat dock, visitors spend about 20 minutes climbing 175 winding stone steps, amidst a tranquil and sacred atmosphere, to reach the summit, then descend to enter the temple.
Passing by Tran Temple, the boatman's oars carry visitors through a series of caves: Ba Giot Cave, Seo Cave, Son Duong Cave, and Khong Cave before reaching Khong Palace. The cave entrance is no more than 3 meters high, but inside it opens up a whole world. Rugged, protruding and receding rock walls form a winding path with nearly 90-degree turns. On the cave ceiling, yellow lights illuminate the boatman's path, while simultaneously reflecting the shimmering, sparkling light from the stalactites onto the water's surface.
Hang Ba Giọt leaves visitors with a lasting impression of its stalactites, also known as "buddha trees," growing from the cave ceiling and pointing downwards. These colorful stalactite columns in the cave are not dry but soaked with water, continuing the process of erosion over time to create new shapes and colors.
The wooden boat weaves through natural caves, where visitors can touch the cool, damp limestone slabs.
After passing through Ba Giọt Cave, visitors continue through Seo Cave (100m long) and Son Duong Cave (250m long) to reach Thung Khong, which covers an area of approximately 92,567m2 and is home to Khong Temple.
Phu Khong is a shrine dedicated to seven loyal ministers of the Dinh Dynasty who personally embalmed Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang before committing suicide, concealing the secret of his final resting place. A general guarding the southern border of the capital during the Dinh Dynasty, known as Dinh Cong Tiet Che, was moved by their loyalty and erected an incense burner and planted a persimmon tree beside it. Later, the local people jointly built the shrine to commemorate these loyal ministers. The persimmon tree still stands there on a rocky mound, its roots intertwined and deeply embedded in the soil, clinging to the rock. It typically bears fruit in mid-August, coinciding with the anniversary of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang's death.
Phu Khong is located beside an ancient persimmon tree, established by the people to commemorate the merits of loyal officials.
After visiting Khong Palace, and venturing further in to cross to the other side of the river, visitors will pass Bao Hieu Pagoda. This pagoda was built by the people of the ancient capital to worship the spirits of soldiers and compatriots who sacrificed for the people and the country, for the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and for the homeless souls who have no place to rest and seek refuge in Buddhism, receiving incense offerings year-round.
Bao Hieu Pagoda was built by the people of the ancient capital to worship and offer incense to the spirits of soldiers and compatriots.
Leaving Phu Khong, visitors can explore Tran Cave and Quy Hau Cave before returning to the boat dock. Choosing other boat tours offers the opportunity to visit other locations such as Dot Cave with its 1 km long stalactite formations, making it the longest cave in Trang An; Dia Linh Mountain, standing majestically like a pen tower in the middle of the river; Cao Son Temple – the southern citadel of Hoa Lu capital in the 10th century, later the capital of the Tran dynasty's resistance against the Mongol invaders in the 13th century; Vu Lam Royal Palace – where King Tran Nhan Tong first entered monastic life before establishing the Truc Lam Zen sect; or Phoenix Mountain – the iconic symbol of the Trang An Heritage Site.
Cruising on the Trang An River is a popular experience for both domestic and international tourists visiting this historical ancient capital.
Located on the southern edge of the Red River Delta, about 90 km from the capital Thang Long - Hanoi, most of the historical relics, architectural works, and scenic spots in the Trang An scenic complex have been identified and ranked at the provincial level (26 relics) and the national level (20 relics). Here, visitors can not only relax amidst the picturesque landscape but also admire relics that bear the imprint of Vietnam's feudal dynasties, preserved amidst nature through thousands of years of change.
