Safe and attractive destination

The Trang An Landscape Complex is located in Ninh Binh Province near the southern margins of the Red River Delta, about 90 kilometers southeast of Hanoi. The property covers 6,172 hectares within the Trang An limestone massif, and includes the Trang An eco-tourism site, the Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area, the Hoa Lu ancient capital historical and cultural relic site and the Bai Dinh Pagoda spiritual and cultural complex.

On June 25, 2014, the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

With limestone mountains aged about 250 million years, Trang An preserves many ecosystems of wetlands, forests, archaeological sites and historical and cultural sites. The panorama of the eco-zone is a majestic and magnificent mountainous area created by various mountain formations reflected on the meandering waters connecting caves and wild and mysterious valleys. Over 30 lakes and lagoons connected by 48 caves have been discovered at the site, including 2km-long water caves such as Dia Linh, Sinh Duoc and May cave.

Praying for luck

The Trang An traditional festival is usually held on March 18 of the lunar calendar to honor the legendary Quy Minh and Cao Son gods and first kings of the Tran Dynasty who maintained and protected the country, and to pray for a year of favorable weather and bumper crops.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is located to the north of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, about 18km from Ninh Binh City and about 100km from Hanoi. The site has set many records in Asia and Vietnam such as having Asia's largest gilded bronze Buddha statue, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, the highest Buddha relic tower in Asia and the largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia.

The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda dates back to 1136, founded by Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, and includes caves for worshiping Buddha, as well as Vietnamese gods Holy Mother and Cao Son.

Since 2003, based on the foundation of the ancient temple, the Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise has restored and expanded the pagoda to a total area of ​​more than 1,000 hectares. Typical architectural works of the new pagoda today include the Tam Quan Gate, Bell Tower, Quan Am Palace, Giao Chu Temple, Tam The Palace, Bao Thien Tower, the International Convention Center, Tu An Tower, and Arhat Corridor. Many works are still under construction, including a cultural park and a Buddhist institute, the Dam Thi lake area and a green park.

The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is held from January 6 to the end of the third month of the lunar year to commemorate heroes and recognize their contributions to the country, and remember forefathers who established the ancient sacred place and prayed for a prosperous, peaceful nation.

In the first three months of the lunar calendar, the warm spring weather makes the complex an ideal tourist destination and also provides an opportunity to pray for good luck and join in major festivals. Trang An-Bai Dinh is open throughout the year, but long rainy days flood the caves and hamper visits.

According to the Management Board of Trang An Eco-Tourism Area, the site will be open to welcome tourists

from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm every day from February 2, 2022. The board will strictly comply with the

recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the government's instructions on Covid-19 prevention and

control.

Kim Chi & Bui Huyen