30 places to discover
Ba Khan Village is a small lakeside settlement in Ba Khan Commune, Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, located on the shore of Hoa Binh Lake reservoir on the Da River. Known for its tranquil valley, limestone karsts and Muong ethnic culture, the village offers homestay accommodation, cycling routes and boat trips. It serves as a quieter alternative to central Mai Chau, combining natural scenery with traditional stilt-house architecture and rural livelihoods.
Binh Son Tower is an 11-storey ancient brick tower located within Vinh Khanh Pagoda in Tam Son Town, Song Lo District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Vinh Phuc). Built during the Tran Dynasty in the 13th-14th century, it is about 16.5 meters high and is one of Vietnam's oldest surviving brick towers. Recognized as a Special National Relic, it is notable for its terracotta brickwork, intricate decorative motifs and well-preserved Tran architectural style.
Chieu Cave (Hang Chieu) is a natural limestone cave located on Pu Phu Hill overlooking Mai Chau Town in Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Reached by climbing about 1,200 stone steps, the cave features two main chambers with stalactites and stalagmites illuminated for visitors. It is notable for its panoramic views over the Mai Chau Valley and surrounding rice fields, and is a popular sightseeing stop for visitors exploring the valley's Thai ethnic villages.
Cuu Thac Tu Son is a nature tourism area centered on a series of nine cascading waterfalls in Tu Son Commune, Kim Boi District, Phu Tho Province, about 60 km southwest of Hanoi. Set within forested hills, the site features natural pools, streams and walking trails connecting the falls. It is notable for its tiered waterfall system, swimming areas and eco-tourism facilities, attracting visitors for day trips, nature sightseeing and outdoor recreation.
Da Bac Cave is a natural limestone cave located in Cao Ram Commune, Luong Son District, Phu Tho Province, about 40 km west of Hanoi. The cave is known for its stalactite and stalagmite formations, spacious chambers and cool interior. Formed over millions of years, it has become a local sightseeing attraction offering cave exploration and photography. The site is set in a rural karst landscape surrounded by hills and villages, accessible by road from Hanoi and Luong Son town.
Dai Lai Lake is an artificial freshwater lake in Ngoc Thanh Ward, Phuc Yen City, Phu Tho Province, about 50 km north of Hanoi at the foot of the Tam Dao range. Created between 1959 and 1963 as an irrigation reservoir, it covers about 520 hectares with an island and surrounding pine forests. The lake is notable for its scenic mountain backdrop, calm waters, and integrated resort area including Flamingo Dai Lai Resort and a golf course.
Go Lao Waterfall (Thac Go Lao) is a natural waterfall located in Go Lao Village, Phuc San Commune, Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam, about 15 km from Mai Chau town. The waterfall is about 20 meters high with water cascading over rocky tiers into a clear natural pool surrounded by forest and limestone hills. It is known for its relatively pristine setting, seasonal flow variation, and as a swimming and photography spot for visitors exploring Mai Chau Valley.
Hang Kia - Pa Co Nature Reserve is a protected limestone mountain forest spanning Hang Kia and Pa Co communes in Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, about 150 km northwest of Hanoi. Established to conserve evergreen and limestone forest ecosystems at 700-1,500 m elevation, it covers over 7,000 hectares. The reserve is notable for its biodiversity, cloud-covered peaks, and traditional Hmong villages within its buffer zone, offering nature and cultural tourism near Mai Chau Valley.
Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant is a major hydroelectric facility on the Da River in Hoa Binh City, Phu Tho Province, about 75 km southwest of Hanoi. Completed in 1994 after 15 years of construction with Soviet assistance, it was once Southeast Asia's largest hydropower plant with 1,920 MW capacity. The site includes a large dam, reservoir, underground turbine hall and memorials, and now functions as both an operational power station and a popular industrial tourism attraction.
Hoa Binh Lake is a large artificial reservoir on the Da River in Hoa Binh City, Phu Tho Province, formed by the construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam between 1979 and 1994. Stretching about 70 km with numerous limestone islands and forested shores, it is one of Vietnam's largest reservoirs and a notable scenic and recreational area northwest of Hanoi.
The Hung Kings Temple is a historic temple complex on Nghia Linh Mountain in Hy Cuong Commune, Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, about 80 km northwest of Hanoi. Dedicated to the Hung Kings, legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation, it comprises Lower, Middle, Upper and Well temples amid forested slopes. Recognized as a Special National Relic, it is Vietnam's most sacred ancestral worship site and center of the annual Hung Kings' Temple Festival.
Hung Lo Ancient Village is a preserved traditional village in Hung Lo Commune, Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, about 10 km southeast of Viet Tri center on the Lo River. Notable for its northern Vietnamese rural architecture, including the 17th-century Hung Lo Communal House and dozens of 100 to 200-year-old wooden houses. The village is recognized as a cultural heritage site and a center for Xoan singing, offering an authentic glimpse of Red River Delta village life.
Kim Boi Hot Spring is a natural mineral hot spring located in Kim Boi District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Hoa Binh Province), about 70 km southwest of Hanoi. The spring emerges at 34-36°C with clear, odorless mineral water used for therapeutic bathing. Developed with communal pools and private bath facilities, it is a well-known wellness and relaxation destination set in a valley surrounded by limestone hills and rice fields.
Lac Village, locally called Ban Lac, is a traditional White Thai ethnic village in Chieng Chau Commune, Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, about 135 km southwest of Hanoi. Established over 700 years ago, it is notable for its preserved stilt houses, brocade weaving tradition, and scenic setting among rice paddies and limestone karsts. The village is a center for community-based tourism offering homestays and cultural experiences.
Long Coc Tea Hills is a scenic agricultural landscape in Long Coc Commune, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province, about 125 km northwest of Hanoi. The site features hundreds of bowl-shaped tea-covered hillocks spread across the valley, creating a distinctive undulating pattern. Developed as a major tea cultivation area, it is notable for its photogenic sunrise views, seasonal mist, and traditional tea farming by local Muong communities.
Lung Van Valley is a high mountain valley in Lung Van Commune, Tan Lac District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Hoa Binh Province), about 120 km southwest of Hanoi. Situated at around 700 meters elevation and surrounded by limestone mountains, it is known as the 'roof of Muong Bi' for its sea of clouds, terraced rice fields, and traditional Muong ethnic stilt-house villages. The valley offers scenic landscapes and cultural immersion in a cool, misty climate.
Mai Chau Valley is a rural valley in Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Hoa Binh Province), about 135 km southwest of Hanoi in northern Vietnam. Surrounded by limestone karst mountains and rice paddies, it is known for its scenic agricultural landscape and villages of the White Thai ethnic group. The valley is notable for traditional stilt houses, brocade weaving, and low-impact tourism centered on cycling and homestays.
Mo Luong Cave is a natural limestone cave system located in Mai Chau Town, Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province, in northwestern Vietnam. Situated at the foot of Pu Kha Mountain near the Mai Chau Valley, it comprises four main caverns with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is notable for its karst formations, cool interior, and historical use as a shelter during wartime, and is a popular stop for visitors exploring nearby Thai ethnic villages.
Pom Coong Village is a traditional White Thai ethnic village located in Mai Chau Town, Mai Chau District, Phu Tho Province in northwestern Vietnam. Set in the flat Mai Chau Valley surrounded by rice paddies and limestone mountains, it is known for its well-preserved wooden stilt houses, brocade weaving tradition and community-based tourism. The village offers homestay accommodation and cultural experiences, representing Thai ethnic architecture and rural life.
Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac) is a natural waterfall located in Tam Dao town, Tam Dao District, Phu Tho Province, about 80 km northwest of Hanoi. Situated within the Tam Dao mountain range at around 900 meters elevation, it is one of the town's main natural attractions. The waterfall cascades about 50 meters down forested slopes into a clear pool below, surrounded by dense subtropical forest and accessible via a stone stairway from the town center.
Tam Dao Hill Station is a mountain resort town in Tam Dao District, Phu Tho Province, about 80 km northwest of Hanoi. Situated at around 900 meters elevation in the Tam Dao mountain range, it was developed by the French in the early 20th century as a cool-climate retreat. Notable for its temperate climate, French colonial ruins, stone church, forested landscapes within Tam Dao National Park, and panoramic viewpoints, it serves as a popular weekend getaway from Hanoi.
Tam Dao National Park is a protected nature reserve centered on the Tam Dao mountain range about 80 km northwest of Hanoi, now within Phu Tho Province after administrative merger. Established in 1996 covering about 36,883 hectares, it preserves subtropical evergreen forest, high biodiversity and cloud-capped peaks up to 1,300 meters. Notable for cool climate, French-era hill station remains, waterfalls and trekking routes, it serves as a major ecotourism and conservation area near Hanoi.
Tam Dao Stone Church is a historic Catholic church located in the center of Tam Dao town, Tam Dao District, Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Originally built in 1906 and rebuilt in stone in 1937 during the French colonial period, it features Gothic architecture with stone walls, arched windows and a bell tower. Perched on a hillside overlooking the town, it is a prominent landmark and symbol of Tam Dao hill station, attracting visitors for its architecture, history and scenic setting.
Tay Thien is a large religious and scenic complex on the slopes of the Tam Dao mountain range in Dai Dinh Commune, Tam Dao District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Vinh Phuc). Centered on worship of National Mother Lang Thi Tieu and Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, it comprises historic temples, pagodas, a Zen monastery and forested pilgrimage routes. Notable for its annual spring festival, cable car access and mountain landscape, it is one of northern Vietnam's major pilgrimage destinations.
Thac Bo Cave is a natural limestone cave located on Hoa Binh Lake in Cao Phong District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Hoa Binh Province). Situated on the Da River reservoir, it is accessible only by boat. The cave is known for its extensive stalactites and stalagmites, large chambers, and Buddhist shrine inside. It forms a combined visitor complex with nearby Thac Bo Temple and is a prominent stop on Hoa Binh Lake boat tours.
Thanh Thuy Hot Spring is a natural hot mineral spring located in Bao Yen Commune, Thanh Thuy District, Phu Tho Province, about 65 km northwest of Hanoi. The spring water emerges at 37-43°C and contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Developed into several resort complexes, it is notable as one of northern Vietnam's main mineral hot spring destinations for bathing, wellness and relaxation.
Thung Khe Pass, also known as White Rock Pass, is a mountain pass on National Highway 6 between Tan Lac and Mai Chau in Phu Tho Province, northwestern Vietnam. Situated at about 1,000 meters elevation, it is notable for its white limestone cliffs, frequent cloud cover, and panoramic views over Mai Chau Valley. The pass is a popular roadside stop for travelers between Hanoi and Mai Chau to enjoy scenery, photography, and local market stalls.
Thung Nai is a scenic valley and tourist area on Hoa Binh Lake (Da River Reservoir) in Cao Phong District, Phu Tho Province, about 110 km northwest of Hanoi. Created after the Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam flooded the Da River valley in the 1980s, it features limestone karsts, forested islands and floating villages. Often called 'Ha Long Bay on land', it is notable for boat cruises, Muong ethnic villages and the sacred Thac Bo Temple.
Truc Lam Tay Thien Monastery is a major Zen Buddhist monastery of the Truc Lam Yen Tu school located in the Tay Thien scenic area in Dai Dinh Commune, Tam Dao District, Phu Tho Province (formerly Vinh Phuc). Built on the slopes of the Tam Dao mountain range, it is one of the three largest Truc Lam monasteries in Vietnam and serves as a center for Zen practice, pilgrimage and sightseeing amid pine forests.
Xuan Son National Park is a protected natural area in Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province, about 120 km northwest of Hanoi. Covering about 15,048 hectares at the southeastern end of the Hoang Lien Son range, it features primeval forest, limestone karst mountains and extensive cave systems. Notable for its rich biodiversity, waterfalls and Muong and Dao ethnic villages, it was designated a nature reserve in 1986 and a national park in 2002.