Conquering the "Roof of Indochina"
For over 10 years, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Huyen (from Lao Cai province) left her hometown to study and work in Hanoi . For her, the Lunar New Year is not a time to worry about choosing a faraway destination or searching for new and exciting experiences, but rather a time to eagerly return home to celebrate New Year's Eve with her family, gather around the New Year's Eve dinner table, and enjoy the warm atmosphere of the early spring days.
This year, during the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday, Ms. Huyen proactively planned a family trip to some of the local famous tourist destinations. “My parents are over 60 years old and still in good health, and the children are grown up, so the family planned to conquer Fansipan peak on our first trip of the year. The whole family is very excited; we’ve arranged the itinerary, prepared mentally and physically, and bought nice clothes to create beautiful memories on the trip,” Ms. Huyen shared.
In recent years, Fansipan has become a popular destination for many tourists, especially during the Lunar New Year. At 3,143 meters high, this mountain, known as the "roof of Indochina," is not only attractive for its majestic scenery but also for its unique cultural and spiritual atmosphere, with attractions such as Bich Van Pagoda, the Great Amitabha Buddha statue, Kim Son Bao Thang Temple, and the Arhats' Path amidst the clouds. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure and services, the journey to conquer the summit is now very convenient and safe. From the cable car cabin gliding through the swirling clouds, you can gaze out at the panoramic view of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. After climbing the 600 stone steps to the summit of Fansipan, you must take a memorable photo. Tourists can choose to go for a day trip or stay overnight to have more time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and experience the spring atmosphere in the high mountains.
Discover Thung Ui - a new destination in Ninh Binh.
Regarding celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) with his family in Ninh Binh, Mr. Tran Phuong Tuan said that after the reunification, the locality has gained many more famous destinations, especially suitable for a spring trip at the beginning of the year. After consulting with Ms. Dao Thi Kim Lan (Royaltour), Mr. Tuan decided to choose a 2-day, 1-night tour. On the first day, the family visited Tam Chuc Pagoda (located in the former Ha Nam province), and spent the night at Tam Chuc Resort - Tam Chuc Hotel, which is part of the pagoda complex.
Ms. Dao Thi Hien Luong (Sales Department, Tam Chuc Hotel) said that the accommodation meets 3-star standards, including double and family rooms, ranging from standard to premium categories, with prices ranging from approximately 900,000 to over 1.5 million VND per night. The space blends seamlessly with nature, providing a peaceful and relaxing retreat, convenient for tourists to visit, sightsee, and worship within the temple grounds.
When booking a room, in addition to the buffet breakfast, guests also enjoy discounts on services such as entrance tickets to attractions and boat tours. The accommodation not only welcomes Vietnamese guests but also attracts many international visitors. Bookings are increasing daily, especially during the peak season at the beginning of the year.
From Tam Chuc, it takes about an hour to reach Bai Dinh Pagoda. This was the second day's destination for Mr. Tuan's family. At the beginning of the year, the Thung Ui Tourist Area, located about 3 km from Bai Dinh Pagoda, had just opened.
Covering an area of approximately 270 hectares, Thung Ui boasts many typical architectural structures, most notably the Altar of Heaven, Altar of Earth, and Altar of Man, where feudal dynasties performed important sacrificial rituals. With its lake surrounded by rocky mountains, visitors can choose to explore the paths, steps, and stone bridges amidst the lush green valley by boat or on foot. Often described as a setting for historical dramas, Thung Ui is a popular check-in spot among young people today. This destination also recreates the traditional living space of the Muong people through its stilt houses, cuisine, folk games, religious beliefs, and traditional costumes.
According to the Thung Ui management board, during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, this new tourist destination in Ninh Binh will be open regularly, and is expected to welcome a large number of tourists to visit and admire the scenery.
Visit Pho Hien and admire the Golden Pagoda.
Living in the Ecopark area (Hung Yen), Ms. Le Vu Diep's family will spend Tet this year traveling, exploring, and checking in at the local spiritual destinations to gain a better understanding and appreciation of Hung Yen after the merger.
The trip can last 1 to 2 days, beginning with a visit to Phuc Lam Pagoda, famous for its gold-plated architecture. Situated amidst a peaceful rural setting, Phuc Lam Pagoda is over 100 years old. After 5 years of restoration and renovation, the structure has become magnificent and majestic, yet still retains its original solemnity. The golden architectural details stand out against the sky and green trees, creating a scene that is both vibrant and serene.
Leaving Phuc Lam Pagoda, the journey can continue to Nom Pagoda. This is one of the typical ancient pagodas of the Northern Delta region. The pagoda is notable for its ancient stone bridge spanning the Nguyet Duc River leading to the main gate, along with a system of more than 100 terracotta statues of exceptional artistic value. The moss-covered, tranquil atmosphere of Nom Pagoda evokes a sense of nostalgia, suitable for tourists who want to find the old-world charm and serenity during the early days of the year.
The next stop is the Pho Hien National Special Historical Site, once the busiest trading port in Northern Vietnam. Within this complex, Hien Pagoda is a representative structure, built during the late Ly Dynasty. After hundreds of years of preservation and restoration, the pagoda still retains its ancient charm with its exquisitely carved wooden architecture, valuable Buddha statues, and stone steles. The pagoda's tranquil and solemn atmosphere allows visitors to slow down and appreciate the cultural depth of this historically rich region.
By connecting these destinations, visitors can combine a visit to the Mother Goddess Temple, the Chuong Pagoda, a stroll around the Crescent Lake, or enjoy local specialties, visit the Cao Thon incense-making village, and the Long Thuong bronze casting village.
According to Ms. Bui Thi Luong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hung Yen province, after the merger, the province now has more than 3,700 relics, including 6 special national relics and relic clusters, more than 280 national relics, over 880 provincial relics, and 10 national treasures. In addition, the locality possesses 29 national intangible cultural heritage sites, more than 1,150 traditional festivals, and 257 active craft villages.
These abundant resources provide a foundation for the province's tourism product structure to become more diverse and rich. Cultural and spiritual tourism continues to be identified as the core product, playing a leading role in attracting tourists, especially during the early spring. Simultaneously, the province focuses on developing craft village tourism linked to experiences, eco-tourism, community tourism, and river tourism, gradually forming interconnected routes and destinations. Through this, Hung Yen not only extends the length of stay but also offers tourists more choices and a wider range of experiences when visiting this land rich in cultural traditions.
Each province and city in Vietnam has attractive tourist destinations for people to visit and experience during the first days of the Lunar New Year. There's no need to travel far; a journey back to one's hometown is enough to open up a complete travel experience, with familiar landscapes, unique cultural heritage, and vibrant festivals rich in cultural identity.
With flexible itineraries, customizable destinations, and the ability to choose accommodation, cuisine, and suitable experiential activities, "returning home tours" have become a popular choice for many families to relax, reconnect generations, rediscover traditional values, and refresh their emotions. These "reunion trips," filled with love and hope for a peaceful new year, thus become a meaningful journey for everyone during the Lunar New Year.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/ve-que-an-tet-du-xuan-20260215092531794.htm
![[Photo] Coc Ly market bustling on the eve of Tet](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/402x226/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/02/14/1771062261424_baolaocai-br_img-6457-jpg.webp)
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