Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Bich Dong

Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu was the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Ding Dynasty (968-980) and Le Dynasty (980-1009). Hoa Lu consists of three areas: Thanh Ngoai, Thanh Noi and Thanh Nam.

Thanh Ngoai Palace was where King Dinh Tien Hoang erected a flag. Thanh Noi was the residence of the children and servants of the Royal. Thanh Nam is surrounded by high mountains, like the ramparts at the south of the ancient city.

Ma Yen Mountain is in front of the Palace. It provides a scenic backdrop for Hoa Lu’s two remaining temples of the Dinh and Le Kings built in 12th centuries and restored in 17th century. The tombs of the two Kings can be seen from the Ma Yen Mountain.

Hoa Lu is approximately 100km south of Hanoi.

Tam Coc

Tam Coc means three caves. A rowboat trip on Ngo Dong River will take you through three caves of Hang Ca (the first cave with 127m long), Hang Giua (the second cave with 70m long) and Hang Cuoi (the third cave with 40m long). You can enjoy very peaceful surroundings during about three-hour boat trip.Tam Coc is also called “the Terrestrial Halong Bay”. It is 5km from Hoa Lu

Bich Dong

About 2km past Tam Coc is Bich Dong Pagoda, a combination of three pagodas on the Lower, Middle and Upper levels of a pretty mountain. You will need to climb a little bit till you get to the top of the Upper pagoda and your eyes catch the overall panorama of the paddy fields between Truong Yen mountain. All the pagodas, or lean upon a cliff, or simply have some statues inside a large grotto, deserve the name “Bich Dong” (emerald-like grotto). A scene of the popular French movie “Indochine” had been completed here in 1991, remarking a rush of the French-speaking tourists to Vietnamc. Bich Dong is easily get either by river or road