Just around 45 minutes from Hanoi, the Ha Nam area of the newly expanded Ninh Binh province is emerging as an attractive choice for short trips in Northern Vietnam. Convenient transport connections, new leisure and entertainment offerings, together with long-standing scenic, cultural and spiritual landmarks, have shaped a journey rich in experiences, ideal for families, groups of friends, business travelers and weekend explorers looking for a refreshing change of scenery.
In the past, Phu Ly was often seen as a stopover on the way to Ninh Binh or the southern provinces. Today, the city has many more reasons to encourage visitors to stay longer. During the day, travelers can enjoy water parks, join sports activities, explore heritage sites or visit well-known spiritual destinations. As night falls, the atmosphere becomes more vibrant with water music shows, fireworks, festival squares and relaxing moments by the Day River.
Thanks to its location on a key transport route, Phu Ly city center has also become a convenient base for those who wish to combine rest, recreation and discovery across multiple destinations in one journey.

Easier Travel from Hanoi to Ha Nam - Ninh Binh

One of the factors helping Ha Nam - Ninh Binh attract visitors this summer is its increasingly flexible connectivity. The opening of the Phu Thu and Liem Son interchanges on the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh Expressway from June 1, 2026 makes the journey from Hanoi to Phu Ly, Ha Nam and nearby tourist attractions more convenient.
With a short travel time, visitors can easily plan a 2-day-1-night getaway, or even a short day trip. Travelers may leave Hanoi in the morning, arrive in Phu Ly by noon, spend the afternoon enjoying leisure activities or sightseeing, then watch the water music show and fireworks in the evening before staying overnight in the city. This itinerary is especially suitable for families with young children, groups of friends who do not want to travel too far, or business travelers seeking a gentle break after work.
From central Phu Ly, access to new entertainment areas, industrial parks, spiritual sites and famous scenic destinations is relatively convenient. For this reason, many visitors choose to stay in the city instead of spending the whole day moving from one place to another.

A New Meeting Point for Sports Lovers

This summer, Ha Nam - Ninh Binh offers a notable new highlight for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. Sun Sports City Ninh Binh, a multifunctional sports park located within the Sun Urban City mega-urban area, provides a spacious setting for a wide range of outdoor and indoor sports.
Visitors can experience pickleball, football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, badminton, jogging and many other activities suitable for different age groups. With modern sports facilities, green spaces and an energetic atmosphere, this sports complex is becoming a fresh choice for families, young groups, sports clubs and corporate teams looking to organize bonding activities.
 
Today’s travel trends have expanded beyond simple rest and relaxation. Many travelers are looking for movement, wellness, community connection and a taste of local life. The arrival of large-scale sports spaces has therefore added a fresh and dynamic layer to the journey to Ha Nam - Ninh Binh.

Sun World Ha Nam Water Park - A Refreshing Summer Escape

For families and groups of friends, Sun World Ha Nam Water Park is a fitting choice to cool down on hot summer days. The space draws inspiration from the traditional water puppetry of Northern Vietnam, creating a distinctive cultural touch within a modern entertainment complex.
With water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers and play zones for various age groups, the park has become a lively daytime destination. Thrill-seekers can try high-speed rides, children have their own dedicated play areas, while adults can still find relaxing corners by the cool water.
 
As operating schedules may vary during peak periods, visitors should check the official opening hours and activity calendar before departure. After hours of fun, staying overnight in Phu Ly will make the trip more relaxing, especially for families with children or elderly members. Instead of rushing back to Hanoi at night, travelers can enjoy dinner, take an evening stroll and rest before continuing their journey the next day.

Phu Ly by Night: Water Music and Fireworks

When night falls, the summer atmosphere in Ha Nam - Ninh Binh reveals another side of its charm. Times Square at Sun Urban City is gradually becoming a new entertainment hub with water music shows, lighting displays and weekend fireworks.
Along King Le Canal, the water music show takes place every evening, creating lively movements of sound, light and color. This experience appeals to many types of visitors, from families with young children and couples to groups of friends and local residents looking for a weekend leisure space.
Fireworks are held at 9:30 PM every Friday and Saturday, expected to continue until the National Day holiday on September 2. Although each display is not too long, the moments when Phu Ly’s night sky lights up are enough to make a short trip feel more memorable.
 
For those staying in central Phu Ly, the evening schedule is also easy to arrange. After dinner, visitors can travel to the square, enjoy the water music show, watch the fireworks on weekend nights, then return to the hotel to rest. This rhythm brings together the excitement of summer and the relaxed feeling needed for a short getaway.

A Journey into the Land of Heritage

Beyond modern leisure products, Ha Nam - Ninh Binh continues to hold its own appeal through a rich system of historical sites, scenic landscapes and spiritual destinations. This land is home to many pagodas, temples, mountains, rivers and cultural spaces connected to Vietnamese history, beliefs and spiritual life.
From Phu Ly, visitors can easily connect to familiar destinations such as Tam Chuc Pagoda, Long Doi Son Pagoda, Ba Danh Pagoda, Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu, Lanh Giang Temple, Tran Thuong Temple, Doi Mountain and the famous landscapes of Ninh Binh. Each place carries its own beauty: some are grand and majestic, some peaceful and contemplative, while others evoke the familiar charm of Northern Vietnam’s countryside.
 
The blend of heritage and a new urban rhythm has created an interesting character for this journey. Travelers may start the day with a peaceful pagoda visit, spend the afternoon at the water park, then enjoy the water music show and fireworks in the evening. The itinerary is not too far and not too packed, yet still offers many layers of experience.

Suggested 2-Day-1-Night Itinerary in Phu Ly

Thanks to its close distance from Hanoi, a 2-day-1-night itinerary is a suitable way to explore Ha Nam - Ninh Binh during the summer.
On the first day, visitors can depart from Hanoi in the morning, arrive in Phu Ly before noon, have lunch and take a short rest. The afternoon can be spent at the water park or joining sports activities around Sun Urban City. In the evening, Times Square is an ideal place to walk around, watch the water music show and enjoy fireworks when visiting on a Friday or Saturday night.
On the second day, the journey can take on a gentler pace with cultural and spiritual destinations around Phu Ly, such as Tam Chuc Pagoda, Long Doi Son Pagoda, Dia Tang Phi Lai Tu or Tran Thuong Temple. After lunch, visitors can return to Hanoi without spending too much time on the road.
With this itinerary, choosing accommodation in central Phu Ly will make the trip more convenient. Travelers can easily arrange time for sightseeing, dining, resting and moving around without feeling overloaded.

A Convenient Stay in the Heart of Phu Ly

During a journey through Ha Nam - Ninh Binh, Tien Loc Palace offers a suitable accommodation choice for travelers who wish to stay in central Phu Ly. Located on National Highway 1A, the hotel provides convenient access to entertainment areas, industrial parks, the city center and many well-known destinations in the region.
 
The hotel features a modern design with comfortable guest rooms, a restaurant, café, high-floor gym, convenience store and event services. Families can choose Tien Loc Palace as a place to rest after a full day of activities. Business travelers will find it easier to move around and meet partners. For groups of friends or tour groups, the hotel’s supporting facilities also help make the itinerary more flexible.
Sometimes, the true value of a stay does not lie in anything overly extravagant, but in the comforting feeling of returning after a long day. A clean room, a satisfying meal, a gentle cup of coffee and attentive support from the service team can make the entire journey feel more complete.

Ha Nam - Ninh Binh: A Summer Destination Worth Experiencing in Northern Vietnam

The arrival of new leisure products is giving Ha Nam - Ninh Binh stronger appeal on the tourism map of Northern Vietnam. Water parks, sports parks, water music shows, fireworks, festival squares and heritage destinations have created a colorful summer picture with many different moods.
Here, visitors can find the energy of sunny days, the sparkle of weekend nights, the calm of spiritual landscapes and peaceful pauses in the heart of the city. With its close distance from Hanoi, easy travel planning and many fresh experiences, Ha Nam - Ninh Binh deserves to become a meeting point for short summer getaways.
For those looking for a place to have fun, rest and explore without traveling too far, Phu Ly and the Ha Nam - Ninh Binh region are well worth adding to the travel calendar.
And throughout that journey, a convenient, well-prepared and warmly welcoming place to stay will help make the trip even more complete. Tien Loc Palace is always ready to welcome guests for accommodation, dining, meetings with friends or simply a peaceful pause after the lively experiences of summer.
Contact Tien Loc Palace for room consultation and itinerary suggestions for your upcoming Ha Nam - Ninh Binh journey.