Ha Nam - A Notable Spiritual Tourism Destination You Shouldn't Miss

Located about 60km from the center of Hanoi, Ha Nam is a stopover you shouldn't miss. This place is renowned for its unique spiritual architectural works. Let's explore the famous spiritual tourism destinations in Ha Nam through this article from Tien Loc Palace Hotel.

1.When is the best time to experience spiritual tourism?

Ha Nam has a typical tropical monsoon climate with hot and humid summers and cold winters, similar to other provinces in the Red River Delta. This allows for year-round travel, but if you can't stand the heat, autumn or winter would be the perfect choice. If you love vibrant festivals, you can visit from January to March annually. Especially during the full moon of the fourth lunar month, you can participate in the Buddha's Birthday festival at famous pagodas in Ha Nam.

2. Transportation

Ha Nam is situated at the southern gateway to Hanoi. It's only 60km from the capital city. If you have a passion for conquering new routes, you can choose to travel by motorcycle to better experience the roads and scenery. Alternatively, taking a bus to Ha Nam is a safe option, costing VND 50,000 - 80,000 and taking 1.5 to 2 hours. For more privacy and comfort, you can take a limousine for VND 90,000 per ticket.

Few people from afar know that Ha Nam has the Phu Ly railway station on the vital North-South rail line. If you travel from Hanoi to Ha Nam, the ticket costs only VND 60,000 per person. The journey takes over an hour, allowing you to experience the beauty of this land through the train window. The Phu Ly station, where people come and go, is the gateway to a memorable journey in the Ha Nam countryside. From the lush green paddy fields along the railway to the small green roads outside the station, you'll feel the tranquility and get closer to the local culture and life. This becomes an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves being close to nature and local culture.

3. Must-visit spiritual tourism destinations in Ha Nam

If you visit Ha Nam, you certainly can't miss the famous spiritual destinations. Here are the top 3 must-visit spiritual tourism spots that Tien Loc Palace Hotel has compiled for you:

3.1. Phat Quang Pagoda

Phat Quang Pagoda, a symbol of spiritual culture in Ha Nam, has witnessed many historical ups and downs since the 10th century. In 2015, Venerable Thich Thien An renovated the entire pagoda to improve its landscape. With impressive architectural features such as a fish pond, lecture hall, tea house, artificial mountain, ancestral house, Three Jewels, etc., the pagoda covers an area of over 6,000 square meters.

The pagoda's unique feature is that Venerable Thich Thien An personally wrote calligraphy and painted on the pagoda's scenery. The pagoda exudes peace and serenity, with the soothing sounds of bird chirps and rustling leaves, helping you forget worries and troubles from life.

3.2. Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda

Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu Pagoda, formerly known as Đùng Pagoda in the Nom script, was built in the 11th century with over 100 compartments. Its feng shui location sits against a mountain, with two mountain ranges resembling a blue dragon and a white tiger, and many sacred antiques with historical significance. Therefore, it was chosen by King Tran Nghe Tong as a hiding place and by King Tu Duc as a place for prayer.

Unlike other pagodas with brick paths, the path here is entirely covered with white pebbles. White pebbles symbolize meditation, and Venerable Thich Minh Quang wanted to bring peace and serenity to every Buddhist visitor, allowing them to leave their worries behind after a day of life's hustle and bustle. As you venture deeper into the pagoda, you'll see the unique arrangement, with the statue of Earth Store Bodhisattva placed in the middle of a fish pond, exuding solemnity yet bringing blessings.

3.3. Tam Chuc Pagoda

This pagoda, with its back against the mountain and facing the water, is located in Ba Sao Town, Kim Bang District, Ha Nam Province. It's one of Vietnam's famous pagodas and is considered the largest pagoda in the world that you should visit at least once.

The tourism complex is divided into several areas, and you can choose to check-in at the following locations:

Thuy Dinh Guest House

This is where you'll first arrive to get tickets for the boat ride to visit Tam Chuc. While here, you can explore the interior architecture and view photos of the pagoda's scenery. A small note: when getting your ticket, be sure to check the overall map of the Tam Chuc Pagoda tourism complex to avoid getting lost.

Tam Quan Gate

You need to pass through the two Tam Quan gates to enter the center of Tam Chuc Pagoda. The Tam Quan gates, including Tam Quan Noi and Tam Quan Ngoai, are attractive due to their unique architecture and patterns built solidly.

Pillar Garden

After passing through the Tam Quan Gate, you'll reach the Quan Am Palace, where the Pillar Garden is located. It consists of 32 pillars, each about 14m tall and weighing around 200 tons, made of green stone from Thanh Hoa.

The Magnificent Tam Dien of Tam Chuc Pagoda

Tam Chuc has three main halls: Tam The Hall, Phap Chu Hall, and Quan Am Hall. Each hall enshrines a different deity, but they share the common feature of having bas-relief statues crafted from volcanic ash collected in Indonesia.

4. Where to stay when visiting Ha Nam

For convenience in exploring the attractions in Ha Nam, you should choose a hotel near the tourist spots that offers modern amenities like 24/7 room service, a restaurant, and facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, or spa to help you relax after a long day of exploration. Tien Loc Palace Hotel is a suitable choice when traveling to the tourist destinations in Ha Nam.

Located on National Highway 1A in the center of Phu Ly City, the 19-story Tien Loc Palace Hotel features a luxurious and modern design. From the hotel, it's only a 5-minute walk to the bustling Bien Hoa street, and 10-20km to tourist attractions in Ha Nam, such as Tam Chuc Pagoda, Phat Quang Pagoda, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda, and Nui Doi (Twin Mountains).

Notably, all 208 rooms at Tien Loc Palace Hotel have unique and separate designs, furnished with international standard amenities to ensure a comfortable stay during your trip to Ha Nam.

This article has shared experiences and information about spiritual tourism in Ha Nam from Tien Loc Palace Hotel. Hopefully, it has provided you with a better understanding of the climate, transportation, and notable attractions in Ha Nam. If you have any questions about the destinations or want to learn more about Tien Loc Palace Hotel, please feel free to contact us:

Tien Loc Palace Hotel
Address: TS Khu 4, Thanh Chau Ward, Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province
Phone: 02263 82 5555
Fax: 02263 82 5555
HOTLINE: 0986 074 989 - 0334.025.666
Email: tienlocpalace@tienlocgroup.com
Website: http://tienlocpalace.com/