Explore the special national relic Tam Chuc Complex

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has just signed Decision No. 1959/QD-TTg dated September 11, 2025 on ranking special national relics (phase 18, 2025) for 04 relics.

Among the relics recognized this time is the Tam Chuc Scenic and Archaeological Complex (Tam Chuc Ward, Ninh Binh Province). For a long time, the Tam Chuc complex has been likened to "Ha Long Bay on land", with its immense lake landscape, majestic limestone mountains and diverse ecosystem.

“Ha Long Bay on land”

Tam Chuc is one of the most prominent scenic spots in the Red River Delta, a place with both beautiful landscapes and unique spiritual values. The Tam Chuc complex covers an area of thousands of hectares, including a system of overlapping mountains, immense lakes and majestic pagodas, demonstrating a harmonious combination of nature and traditional architecture.

Arriving at Tam Chuc, visitors will be immediately captivated by Tam Chuc Lake stretching as far as the eye can see with its clear blue water embracing the undulating limestone mountains, creating a spectacular landscape. On the lake, there are small islands and undulating rocky mountains, reflecting in the clear water, creating a magical scene that evokes a feeling of both reality and dream. This beauty reminds anyone of Ha Long Bay. But instead of the constantly turbulent ocean waves, the calm water of Tam Chuc Lake brings a more peaceful feeling, suitable for those seeking peace of mind.

The Tam Chuc complex includes a system of overlapping mountains, immense lakes and majestic pagodas, demonstrating a harmonious combination of nature and traditional architecture. Photo: Cong Dat/Vietnam Pictorial.

In that natural setting, Tam Chuc Pagoda - one of the largest pagodas in the world today - appears majestic. The pagoda was built on the foundation of an ancient pagoda from more than a thousand years ago, now restored and expanded on a grand scale. The entire pagoda complex includes many majestic structures such as Tam The Palace, Phap Chu Palace, Quan Am Palace, Ngoc Tower... The pagoda's architecture is designed in a traditional and modern style, highly symbolic, both expressing the beauty of Buddhist culture and honoring human creativity in harmony with nature.

One of the memorable experiences when coming to Tam Chuc is the boat trip on the lake. Amidst the vast waves, visitors can admire the panoramic view of the pagoda, mountains and clouds blending together, like a vivid ink painting. This is also the way many people choose to fully experience the beauty of "Ha Long Bay on land", where all senses are awakened by the pure and peaceful nature.

Tam Chuc is not only a tourist destination but also carries within it a rich culture and history. According to legend, the ancient Tam Chuc pagoda appeared during the Dinh Dynasty, but due to time and historical changes, the construction gradually became ruins. The restoration and development of the pagoda complex today is both a way to preserve ancient values and contribute to making Tam Chuc a major Buddhist center, associated with many international events. Notably, in 2019, Tam Chuc hosted the United Nations Vesak Festival, gathering thousands of delegates from around the world, affirming its position in global religious life.

Not only is it a prominent tourist attraction in Ninh Binh province, Tam Chuc also plays a connecting role in the spiritual and ecological tourism route of the North. From here, visitors can easily travel to other famous tourist destinations such as Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An scenic spot in Ninh Binh or Huong Pagoda in Hanoi, to Con Son - Kiep Bac Hai Phong and Yen Tu scenic spot in Quang Ninh. This contributes to making Tam Chuc an important link in the journey to explore the cultural and natural heritage of the region.

Today, Tam Chuc Complex attracts millions of tourists every year, not only as a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists but also as a place where many people come to enjoy a quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of life. The majestic mountain landscape, vast lake, majestic temple architecture and sacred atmosphere make Tam Chuc a famous tourist destination, as well as a destination rich in historical, cultural and spiritual significance.

Priceless archaeological treasure

The Tam Chuc complex is not only the largest cultural and spiritual work in the country but also contains many archaeological values, reflecting traces of human habitation and activities in the past. The discovery of relics and archaeological traces here further clarifies the rich cultural history of Ha Nam land, which is the intersection of many civilizations of the delta plain.

In the Tam Chuc area, archaeologists have discovered many important traces, including human remains and three burials (including double burials and reburials) dating back about 10,000 years - clear evidence of early human habitation. In addition, many cultural artifacts were found such as Dong Son-era pottery pieces, small stone tools of the Hoa Binh culture, and sea mollusk shells and stream snails - showing that this area was once a place where ancient residents lived, exploited and used natural resources.

Ancient human remains were excavated in cave pit 4, the core area of Tam Chuc complex. Photo: Minh Duc / Tien Phong Newspaper.

According to researchers, the terrain of Tam Chuc with limestone mountains, caves and lakes created favorable conditions for ancient residents to settle and develop. Caves here are believed to be places of residence, living, and even places associated with the primitive beliefs of humans. The presence of cultural sediment layers in the caves has provided clear evidence of the evolution of the ancient Vietnamese community, making an important contribution to the study of human history in the Southeast Asian region.

Not only stopping at single artifacts, archaeological discoveries in Tam Chuc also show cultural exchanges between residential communities. Many types of pottery and tools have similar characteristics to relics in Hoa Binh and other areas in the Northern Delta, proving that Tam Chuc was part of a large cultural exchange network from very early times. This is an important scientific basis to affirm the role of Tam Chuc land in the process of formation and development of ancient Vietnamese culture.

The archaeological value of Tam Chuc not only helps to recreate the life of prehistoric residents but also creates a deep historical foundation for a land that is well known for its spiritual aspect. The combination of natural landscapes, a large Buddhist center and archaeological treasures has turned Tam Chuc into a comprehensive cultural space, where the past and present intersect, contributing to affirming the identity and historical depth of the Vietnamese people.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/kham-pha-di-tich-quoc-gia-dac-biet-quan-the-tam-chuc-post2149056887.html