48 hours in Phu Tho

Phu Tho boasts numerous hot springs, historical sites, and delicious local cuisine, making it an ideal weekend getaway.

Phu Tho is located nearly 100 km from Hanoi , about an hour and a half's drive. The province lies in the transitional zone between the northern mountainous region and the Northern Delta, boasting famous rivers such as the Thao, Lo, and Da rivers, and is near Tam Dao and Ba Vi mountains. There are many convenient routes from Hanoi to Phu Tho.

During the cool autumn and winter months, Phu Tho is an ideal destination for experiencing hot spring baths and relaxation. This 48-hour itinerary in Phu Tho is based on advice from the Provincial Tourism Promotion Center and the reporter's experience.

Day 1

Thanh Thuy Hot Spring Bath

Thanh Thuy District is a popular destination in Northern Vietnam for hot spring bathing. From Hanoi, visitors can take Highway 3 (Lang - Hoa Lac Expressway) and then travel another 35 km to reach Thanh Thuy. The district offers many hot spring bathing options, ranging from budget-friendly to high-end, including Japanese-style onsen. Ticket prices range from approximately 100,000 VND to one million VND per person.

Japanese-style hot spring bath area. Photo: Provided by the artist.

Visitors can choose from several options such as: Tre Nguồn eco-tourism area, Dao Ngoc Xanh mineral bath, Ohayo Onsen & Spa (Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy), and Thanh Lam Resort.

Visitors should have a full breakfast and drink plenty of water before and during the hot spring bath and sauna. Those with cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure should take note or consult their doctor before using the service.

The hot spring resorts offer lunch services.

Check into your accommodation at the hot spring resorts.

The aforementioned hot spring resorts all offer overnight accommodation. Visitors can choose from high-rise hotel-style rooms or villas and resorts. Room rates range from 300,000 VND to over two million VND per night.

Watching the sunset over the tea hills.

From Thanh Thuy, a 45-minute drive will take visitors to the large tea hills of Phu Tho such as Long Coc or My Thuan, in Tan Son district. These places are most beautiful at sunset.

My Thuan tea plantation in Phu Tho at sunset. Photo: Trung Nghia

The tea hills, nestled close together, look like giant, inverted bowls from above, lush green and undulating like waves. These tea hills have long been famous for their peaceful beauty and the cultural characteristics of the Muong and Dao ethnic groups, expressed through tea picking activities, festivals on the tea hills, and the traditional clothing of the people.

To capture the perfect sunset moment, visitors should arrive before 5 PM and check the weather forecast.

Enjoy a dinner featuring local specialties.

Around the hot spring bathing areas in Thanh Thuy, there are many local restaurants such as Dung Rau, Huong Que, Vu Gia, and Thanh Cong. Recommended dishes include free-range chicken, river fish, and ethnic dishes.

Day 2

Visiting the Hung Temple historical site.

After breakfast at the hotel, visitors travel from Thanh Thuy towards Viet Tri city, a distance of about 33 km, to visit the Hung Temple complex. The Hung Kings' Commemoration Day takes place on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month every year. If visiting outside of a holiday, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the peaceful natural scenery without crowds.

Hung Temple is usually quiet and peaceful. Photo: Phuong Anh

Hung Temple has four main attractions: the temple dedicated to the national ancestor Lac Long Quan on Sim Mountain, the temple dedicated to the ancestral mother Au Co on Van Mountain, the Hung Vuong Museum, and the temple dedicated to the Hung Kings on Nghia Linh Mountain (Hung Mountain). Visitors will climb approximately 500 steps to reach the final point, the Upper Temple. Along the way, there are many other attractions such as the ancient well, Thien Quang Pagoda, the oath-taking stone pillar, and the Hung Vuong mausoleum.

Remember to choose comfortable flat shoes for easy movement, and bring your own water. A visit to Hung Temple takes approximately 4-5 hours.

Lunch: Viet Tri catfish

When visiting Viet Tri, you can't miss the restaurants serving snakehead fish, one of the local culinary prides. Snakehead fish has firm, sweet meat with few bones, so it was once offered to the king. Dishes made from snakehead fish include salad with shallots, grilled with galangal and fermented rice, grilled with betel leaves, sour bamboo shoot hotpot, and steamed fish with soy sauce. In addition, visitors can enjoy braised snakehead fish served with hot rice, a dish that was once listed among Vietnam's top specialties (according to VietKings).

Recommended addresses: Da River catfish restaurant in Viet Tri, Long Gia Quan, Hac Tri fish restaurant - Tien Hung restaurant, Hoa Cau restaurant - Viet Tri river fish restaurant.

Alternative options: May Waterfall (Thanh Son district), Au Co Mother Temple (Ha Hoa district), Khe Pass (Tan Son district).

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/48-gio-o-phu-tho-3328601.html