Northern Vietnam (2008) - Son Tay and Vicinity (Part IV) - Ba Vi National Park

The highlight of the visit to Son Tay was the trip to Ba Vi (Three Peaks) National Park comprising King Peak (highest at 1,296m), Tan Vien Peak (1,227m) and Ngoc Hoa Peak (1,131m).  On King Peak, there is a temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh.  To escape the unyielding of the summer, the French colonialists had built some resorts in the area and some vestiges are still visible now.

To see the temples on the mountains, visitors need to negotiate about 1,000 steps up to the temple.  Although tiring, the views are breathtaking.

Souvenir shop at the bottom of the climb to the Ho Chi Minh Temple




Thuong Temple (Đền Thượng) also known as Đức Thánh Tản Viên Sơn to worship the Mountain God. First of two temples on the mountain.

Lookout point on the way to the top

Almost at the top, route to the Ho Chi Minh Temple

While at Ba Vi, we also made a side trip to see a waterfall within the national park.

Northern Vietnam (2008) - Son Tay and Vicinity (Part III) - Tan Da Spa Resort

We stay overnight at the Tan Da Spa Resort outside of the Ba Vi National Park.  The accommodations are tastefully decorated in old Vietnamese style.    

Apart from recreational activities, the resort also offered spa treatment in huts located beside a small reservoir.  

The resort also offers a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes.  

Northern Vietnam (2008) - Son Tay and Vicinity (Part II) - Duong Lam Ancient Village

Another popular tourist destination is Duong Lam ancient village or commune which consists of a cluster of smaller hamlets.  The key focus of Duong Lam is the hamlet of Mong Phu.  Visitors to the hamlet would be welcomed by the village gate.  Besides the many old houses, visitors can also see the Mong Phu Communal House and also Chua Mia (Mia Pagoda).

Duong Lam is also famous for its ties to key rulers and political movers of Vietnam’s feudal times.  More photographs of Duong Lam Ancient Village [external link - haepotos].  Satellite photo of Duong Lam.

Mong Phu village gate









Mong Phu communal hall (in Vietnamese, known Dinh Mong Phu)















Unidentified prayer hall

Chua Mia is known for its large collection of Buddha statues, 287 in all - six bronze, 107 wooden and 174 earthenware.  Photographs of Chua Mia (Mia Pagoda) in Duong Lam [external link].

Northern Vietnam (2008) - Son Tay and Vicinity

Son Tay, located about 40km west of Ha Noi, has a significant number of military training facilitates but is also known as a convenient nearby getaway location.  It has a rich historical heritage and visitors can choose from a selection of options: visit a traditional Vietnamese village, see the remnants of a citadel, trek up a hill resort hailing from the French colonial period or indulge at a spa cum resort. 

The first place of interest is the Son Tay ancient citadel which was built in 1822.  The local authority has taken efforts to upkeep the historical site but there are signs of its ancient history with at least 100 years old trees surrounding the walls and gates.  Another write-up on the citadel by Viet Nam News.  Satellite picture of Son Tay ancient citadel.

Son Tay citadel flag tower

Kinh Thien Palace





Altar inside Kinh Thien Palace





Old photographs of the citadel

Northern Vietnam (2008) - Chua Huong AKA Perfume Pagoda

Asked any Hanoian which temple attraction they would recommend to a foreigner, the answer is likely to be Chua Huong.  Just why?  Perhaps the renowned religious complex is located nearest to Hanoi, sited in My Duc district in the former Ha Tay province, about 70km south from the capital.  Chua Huong, or Perfume Pagoda in English, can be assessed through My Duc town by small boats.  If travelling by road, there is an alternative land route to the temple.  Generally, all tour would use the river route.  The riverside temple complex in the Huong Tich mountains is located upstream on the Yen stream (Suoi Yen).  This is a tributary feeding into the Red River (Song Hong).

Metal sheet boat at My Duc



First Stop - Den Trinh (Trinh Temple)

Sights along the stream on the way to the main complex of Chua Huong.

Chua Huong is a popular pilgrimage destinations for Vietnamese during the Lunar New Year period and is usually flooded with many visitors.  This period generally lasts from the middle of January to the middle of March.  The temple complex is consisted of a series of main structures namely Den Trinh, Thien Tru Pagado, Giai Oan Pagoda and finally the centre of the complex, Chua Trong (literally Inner Temple) at the summit.  Chua Trong is actually located in a limestone grotto, Huong Tich Cave.  The climb up is about 4km but it could also be assessed by cable car. 

First stop at base of complex - Thien Tru Pagoda




Hopping on to the cable car for the main pagoda of Chua Huong at the summit











Staircase down to the grotto where Chua Trong is sited

From the summit, we decided to walk down to the pier for our journey back to My Duc. Along the way, we came across other structures scattered along the mountain side.

Northern Vietnam (2008) - Stopover at Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant on the way back from Mai Chau

On way back to Hanoi from Mai Chau, we decided on a sidetrip to see the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant.  It was then the largest hydropower plant in Vietnam, reportedly providing about 30 percent of Vietnam’s power output.  The plant was built in the 1970s and was financed by the then Soviet Union.  Construction of the dam over Song Da (or Da River) for the powerplant took 15 years.  

Another interesting sight at the dam is an enormous statue of Ho Chi Minh on a hill next to the giant complex.   

Sights of Northern Vietnam (2008) - Mai Chau (Part II)

Besides being known for its beautiful mountainous scenery, visitors to Mai Chau can also immerse in the local lifestyle, culture and tradition.

When we visited, we were “treated” to lunch consisting of Thai dishes and locally brewed rice wine called ruou can (pronounced in Vietnamese as “zee-wood ke-urn”. As with tribal communal living, ruou can is drank from a single container using long elongated straws. We were also entertained by the Thai cultural performance which included the popular Xoe dance.

Drinking Ruou Can (rice wine) before our departure

Some sceneries of Mai Chau and other sights on our return to Ha Noi after a great day of discoveries.

While we rented a 12-seater for our day trip to Mai Chau, the more adventurous - not recommended if you do not speak Vietnamese - can travel by local transportation. There are direct buses from Hanoi (Ha Dong and My Dinh bus stations) to Mai Chau. Given the road and traffic conditions in Vietnam, the journey to Mai Chau takes about three hours.

Sights of Northern Vietnam (2008) - Mai Chau

Had the opportunity to stay in Vietnam, Hanoi to be précise, for nine months from 2007 to 2008.  During that time, I was fortunate enough to have a colleague to show me and my fellow friends some of the sightseeing locales near the capital.  The first of such visits was to Mai Chau district in Hoa Binh province.  The district is about 135 km to the west of Ha Noi and about 65 km from Hoa Binh city.  

Sights along the way to Mai Chau:

Are we there yet?



New Year 2008

Mai Chau is nestled in a valley in the mountainous region of north western Vietnam where many ethnic groups inhabit.  The main group in Mau Chau consists of the ‘Thai people’ - White and Black Thais and they speak a dialect similar to the Thai language.  The Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau live in stilt houses made out of bamboo and timber, which serve as a "refuge" from flooding and also served as a shelter for their live stocks.  Although our group was on a day trip to Mai Chau, the more adventurous could opt for a homestay at the village, sans amenities like modern toilets.  Conditions, however, appeared to have improved as more companies seized the opportunity to provide better accommodations to cater to the growing tourist interests in Mai Chau.  

First sighting of Mai Chau from lookout point in the egress to the town

Group photo at lookout point

While waiting for lunch, we explored the village.  Apart from cultivating rice, the villagers also supplement their earning by selling handicrafts.

Apart from the wooden stilt houses, the surrounding scenery gives a sense of peace and tranquillity.

After exploring around the village, we returned to our host, who also offers homestay services.