Overview of Cua Ong Temple Historical Relic Site

Cua Ong Temple special national historical site is located on a high hill in Cua Ong ward, Quang Ninh province. With a prime "mountain location facing the water", the temple is majestically located on a low mountain range overlooking the majestic Bai Tu Long Bay. This is a beautiful harmony between mountains and sea, creating a rare and charming mountain and water landscape, while also holding an important strategic position in the defense line of the Northeast coast of the ancient homeland.

Cua Ong Temple

Cua Ong Temple is famous as the most sacred temple in the Northeast, where it mainly worships Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang - the third son of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, and the Tran Dynasty generals who defended the border. The relic complex includes three main areas: Lower Temple, Middle Temple and Upper Temple, built according to traditional ancient architecture with its back against the mountain, facing the sea. Not only is it a spiritual destination for people to worship and pray for peace, Cua Ong Temple also attracts tourists with its majestic architectural beauty, pure space and the Cua Ong Temple Festival, which is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Outstanding attractions in the Cua Ong Temple Historical Relic Area

Thuong Temple

Thuong Temple

Located at the highest position in the relic complex, Thuong Temple is the most sacred place, worshiping Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang and his family and trusted generals. From Thuong Temple yard, visitors can fully admire the majestic and immense beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay with thousands of rocky islands undulating on the blue sea surface. The temple's architecture is in the style of the character "Cong", majestic and ancient, where the most important sacrificial rituals take place during festivals.

Monument of Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang

Monument of Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang

Located on a hilltop higher than the Thuong Temple area, the majestic and majestic statue of Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang is the magnificent highlight of the entire relic site. The statue is cast in bronze, depicting the image of a mighty general, holding a sword, eyes facing the East Sea as if guarding the border day and night, protecting the peace of the country. This is a proud check-in location and where visitors can most clearly feel the heroic Dong A spirit of the nation.

Ha Temple

Ha Temple

Located On the lowest floor right after entering the ruins, Ha Temple is the place to worship Trung Thien Long Mau and the gods who govern the river area. The temple has a cozy, intimate architecture, and is the first stop for visitors to pay their respects and ask permission before continuing their journey to higher temples. This area often takes place exciting folk cultural activities during the festival season and is where tourists pray for good weather and good work.

Central Temple

Central Temple 

Located halfway up the hill, connecting the Lower Temple and the Upper Temple, the Middle Temple is the place to worship Kham Sai Dong Dao Tiet Che Hoang Can - a local general who was instrumental in suppressing the enemy and protecting the villagers. The temple has a quiet, serene beauty under the cool green canopy of ancient trees. Here, visitors can offer incense to commemorate the merits of their ancestors and enjoy a peaceful space, separate from the noise of the city.

Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tomb

Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tomb

Located right behind the Temple Upstairs, the Mausoleum area is said to be the resting place of Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang (according to the legend of his hat drifting here). The mausoleum is solemnly built of green stone, surrounded by shady ancient trees. This is a sacred place, where visitors come to express their deepest respect and pray for good things for their families and themselves.

Cai Bau Pagoda

Cai Bau Pagoda

Located behind the Thuong Temple area, Cai Bau Pagoda is a place to worship Buddha, adding Buddhist spiritual elements to this complex of relics of Mother Goddess and Saint worship. The temple is small but peaceful, where visitors find peace and tranquility in their souls after worshiping the generals. The presence of the pagoda creates harmony in the religious life of "Pre-Buddhist, Later Saint" typical of Vietnamese people.

In addition to the above destinations, Cua Ong Temple relic site and the surrounding area have a number of other attractive places:

  • Coup Tien Temple (Coa Suot Temple): Located right near Cua Ong Temple (across Van Don bridge), worshiping Lady Little Cua Suot, famous for its sacredness and has a freshwater well right next to the coast.

  • Bai Tu Long Bay: From Cua Ong Temple, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the pristine bay, as majestic as Ha Long Bay.

  • Festival square: Large yard area at the foot of the temple, where procession activities are held palanquins and large-scale folk games during the festival season.

  • Martyrs stele house: A place to commemorate the heroic martyrs of the Cam Pha mining area (now part of the newly merged wards), demonstrating the morality of drinking water, remembering its source.

The most beautiful time to travel

Ideal and exciting time The most popular time to go to Cua Ong Temple is in the spring, from January to March of the lunar calendar every year. This is the season of the Cua Ong Temple Festival (the main festival usually takes place on the 3rd day of the second lunar month), attracting tens of thousands of tourists from all over to offer incense, worship and participate in the procession of the sacred Monsignor palanquin. The weather at this time is cool and pleasant, the trees are budding, very convenient for climbing over hundreds of stone steps to reach Thuong Temple and enjoy the panoramic view of Bai Tu Long Bay in the spring weather.

On the contrary, if visitors want to find peace, calmness and avoid crowded scenes, visit the temple on weekdays or at the end of the year (from September to December). At this time, the temple space becomes unusually quiet and quiet, combined with the blue autumn sky and bright yellow sunshine to create a beautiful, charming landscape of mountains and water. Summer (May to August) is often quite hot, visitors should go to the ceremony in the early morning or late afternoon, then can combine visiting the neighboring beaches in Van Don.

Transportation information

By air

Travelers from the South or Central region can fly to 03 nearby airports, then connect by Road to Cua Ong Temple (in Cua Ong ward, Quang Ninh):

  1. Van Don International Airport (VDO): This is the nearest airport, only about 15-20 km from Cua Ong Temple.

    • Flight route: Pick up domestic flights (HCMC, Da Nang, Can Tho) and international flights.

    • Airline: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways.

    • Moving from VDO to Cua Ong Temple: Very convenient by taxi or free airport bus (drop off at Cua Ong), travel time is only about 20-30 minutes.

  2. Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) - Hai Phong: About 90 km from Cua Ong Temple.

    • Transportation: Take a taxi or Limousine from Hai Phong - Mong Cai (passing through Cua Ong), travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

  3. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) - Hanoi: About 190-200 km from Cua Ong Temple.

    • Transportation: Take Limousine companies specializing in the Hanoi - Van Don/Mong Cai route, travel time is about 3 - 3.5 hours (via the highway).

By road

Cua Ong Temple is located right on National Highway 18, traffic is extremely convenient. Passenger cars and Limousines often drop off passengers right at the Temple Gate or nearby Cua Ong Bus Station.

  • Popular route:

    • Hanoi → Cua Ong: About 200 km, go the entire Hanoi - Hai Phong - Van Don highway (down to Cam Pha or Van Don intersection). Station).

    • Ha Long → Cua Ong: About 40 km, travel time 45-50 minutes along National Highway 18.

  • Reputable car company (Limousine & Passenger car):

    • Kumho Viet Thanh: The largest car company running the route My Dinh - Cam Pha - Cua Ong.

    • Van Don Xanh, Trung Thanh Limousine, Cua Ong Limousine: Luxury car companies, pick up and drop off at the door or at the temple gate.

    • Phuc Xuyen: Prestigious car company of Quang Ninh, there are many trips a day.

  • Reference ticket price:

    • Hanoi ↔ Cua Ong: about 250,000 - 300,000 VND/person (limousine) or 150,000 - 200,000 VND/person (seat car).

    • Ha Long ↔ Cua Ong: about 50,000 - 70,000 VND/person (bus) or 300,000 - 400,000 VND/trip (taxi).

  • Bus drop off point:

    • Cua Ong temple gate (Limousine cars usually drop off here).

    • Cua Ong bus station (about 500m from the temple).

Moving in the Cua area Ong

The Cua Ong Temple relic site is located isolated on a hill, tourists mainly visit on foot. To move from the accommodation to the temple or to nearby destinations, visitors can use:

  • Popular means of transportation:

    • Taxi: Very popular in this area. Reputable companies: Mai Linh Taxi Cam Pha (☎ 02033 736 736), Taxi Cam Pha (☎ 02033 861 861), Taxi 766 (☎ 02033 766 766).

    • Tram (at the Temple): In the temple grounds, there is a tram service to help take visitors from the parking lot to the foot of the temple (especially useful for the elderly).

    • Motorbike taxi: Operates a lot at the temple gate area and Cua Ong intersection.

  • Motorbike rental:

    • In the Cua Ong ward area, there are few shops specializing in renting motorbikes like in Ha Long. Tourists often rent directly at the hotel/motel where they stay.

    • If staying in Van Don or Ha Long, tourists should rent a car there and then move to Cua Ong.

  • Address for renting a car / tourist car (verified in the surrounding area):

    • Kumho Viet Thanh bus company: Specializes in transporting passengers on fixed routes and contracts. | ☎ 1900 6779

    • Van Don Xanh Taxi: Has airport shuttle service and sightseeing contract. | ☎ 02033 991 991

  • Note: If you travel by private car, Cua Ong Temple has a very spacious and well-planned parking lot right at the foot of the temple (with a parking fee according to regulations).

Accommodation information

Luxury

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh - Group 5, Area 9B, Quang Hanh ward - price from 3,500,000 VND/night Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is the first Japanese standard hot spring resort in Vietnam, located about 10km from Cua Ong Temple towards Ha Long. The resort stands out with luxurious wooden villas (Washitsu), natural hot mineral baths and high-class sauna and spa services. This is the perfect choice to combine a spiritual journey with health care and deep relaxation in the middle of a cool green valley.

This is an international 5-star hotel/resort with a prime location on the banks of Bai Tu Long Bay. Wyndham Garden Sonasea has modern design, more than 200 beautiful ocean-view rooms, an infinity pool and a private beach. This location is very convenient for families who want to go to Cua Ong Temple and enjoy a luxurious beach vacation.

Resort

Mai Quyen Resort (Bai Dai Ecotourism Area) - Bai Dai Area, Ha Long Commune, Van Don Special Zone - price from 800,000 VND/night. Located right on the romantic Bai Dai beach (about a 20-minute drive from Cua Ong Temple), Mai Quyen Resort is the oldest and most famous resort in this area. The resort owns a large campus filled with green trees, suites and bungalows facing the sea, along with a restaurant system and private beach. The space here is peaceful, close to nature, very suitable for groups of families who want to find a relaxing place to rest after going to church.

Paddy Home (Farmstay & Garden) - Group 3, Area 9B, Quang Hanh ward - price from 600,000 VND/night. Paddy Home is a green resort space located in Quang Hanh ward (near Yoko Onsen and Cua Ong road). Not a beach resort, this is a quiet ecological garden with beautiful small bungalows, gardens and lakes. This is the ideal choice for tourists who want to find a feeling of relaxation, "healing" and away from the noise and dust, but still very close to the main road to go to church.

Other experiences (Comfortable hotel)

Hai Yen Hotel - Group 1, Area 4B, Cua Ong ward - price from 500,000 VND/night. Hai Yen Hotel is located right in the center of Cua Ong ward, just a few hundred meters from the temple gate, very convenient for walking to the temple. The hotel is quite large in size, the rooms are modernly designed, clean and fully equipped (elevator, air conditioning, wifi). This is a familiar and prestigious place to stay for many pilgrims coming to Cua Ong.

Duc Thinh Hotel - No. 288 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Cua Ong Ward - price from 350,000 VND/night. Located right on busy National Highway 18, Duc Thinh Hotel is an affordable, safe and convenient choice for transportation. The rooms here are simple but always clean and airy, suitable for single travelers or small families who want to save money. From here, visitors can also easily move to Cua Ong market or bus station.

In addition, if you want more options for your vacation near Cua Ong Temple, here are a few other accommodation suggestions worth considering - suitable for many different styles and budgets:

  • Royal Hotel - Thanh Nien Street, Cam Ward Pha

  • Cao Son Hotel - To Hieu Street, Cam Pha Ward

  • Diamond Hotel Van Don - Thong Nhat Urban Area, Van Don Special Zone

  • Tuan Ngoc Hotel - Cua Ong Ward (Near the temple)

  • Hung Vuong Guesthouse – Road to Cua Ong Temple

Cuisine and festival culture

Famous restaurants

Hai Yen Restaurant (In Hai Yen Luxury Hotel) at group 1, Area 4B, Cua Ong ward is the most convenient and prestigious choice located right near the gate of Cua Ong Temple (about 500m away). This place has a luxurious, clean space with spacious parking, specializing in serving groups of pilgrims and tourists. The menu at the restaurant is very diverse, from affordable pilgrimage meals to fresh seafood dishes and local specialties. Reference price is about 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person.

Hai Yen Restaurant

Quang Hien Restaurant - No. 283 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cua Ong Ward Quang Hien Restaurant is the oldest and most famous seafood brand in the Cua Ong area (formerly in Cam Thinh area). This place is famous for its high-quality "swimming" seafood sources such as crabs, shrimp, grouper fish, snails... processed to retain the natural sweetness. With spacious, polite space and clearly listed prices, Quang Hien is an ideal destination for family parties or receiving guests. Reference prices range from 250,000 - 500,000 VND/person.

Local Cuisine

Hung Tuyen Seafood Vermicelli (Cu Ky Vermicelli) – Thanh Nien Street, Cam Pha Ward Coming to the mining area, you cannot miss the famous seafood vermicelli, especially vermicelli. Cu Ky. Hung Tuyen Restaurant is a familiar breakfast address for local people, famous for its rich sweet broth simmered from seafood shells, firm, fragrant meat and fresh texture. A hot bowl of vermicelli served with raw vegetables and chili bamboo shoots is the perfect start to a new day. Reference price is from 40,000 - 60,000 VND/bowl.

Minh Ha Bread Shop (Mining Bread) - No. 506 Tran Phu Street, Cam Pha Ward This is the address for you to find and buy and enjoy the legendary "Mining Bread". This type of bread is dense, soft and fragrant with buttermilk, which was originally a dietary supplement for mine workers, but has now become a specialty sought after by tourists. The cake is best when eaten hot, dipped in Mr. Tho's condensed milk, with a simple but unforgettable flavor. Reference price from 5,000 - 20,000 VND/piece.

Cuisine discovery experience

Blue Sea Restaurant (Ben Do Area) – Bai Tu Long Street, Ben Do Urban Area, Cam Pha Ward Located in the busy Ben Do sea reclamation area, Blue Sea Restaurant offers a liberal culinary experience with a beachfront location and beautiful views of Bai Tu Long Bay. Visitors coming here can enjoy deliciously prepared fresh seafood and enjoy the brisk sea breeze. This is a very popular dining and sightseeing place in Cam Pha. Reference price is about 200,000 - 450,000 VND/person.

Co Phuong Yogurt - No. 38 Bai Tu Long Street (Hon Mot Area), Cam Pha Ward The "legendary" snack shop is always crowded with customers every evening. The restaurant's famous dish is sticky yogurt served with pearls cooked in hot coconut milk and crispy dried coconut. The mild sourness of yogurt blends with the fatty taste of coconut milk to create a unique, extremely cooling dessert. Reference price ranges from 15,000 - 35,000 VND/person.

In addition to the restaurants mentioned above, people can refer to some other famous restaurants such as:

  • Yen Yen Restaurant - No. 574 Ly Thuong Kiet, Cua Ong Ward.

  • Cua Ong Market - Cua Ong Ward (Buy dried seafood: shrimp, squid, sea worms).

  • Cu Ky Noodle Shop 268 - Ba Trieu Street, Cam Pha Ward.

  • Gia Vien Restaurant – Nam Son 2 Area, Cam Pha Ward (formerly known as Cam Son).

Cultural experience at Cua Ong

Cua Ong Temple Festival (National Intangible Cultural Heritage)

Cua Ong Temple Festival

Places: Main festival on the 3rd - 4th day of the second lunar month every year (Festival lasts 3 spring months), in Cua Ong ward. This is the largest and most sacred festival in the Northeast, commemorating the merits of Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang. The festival stands out with the extremely majestic and majestic procession of the Monsignor's palanquin to the safe area with the participation of thousands of people in colorful festival costumes. In addition to the ceremony, visitors can also participate in unique folk games such as human chess, ceremony preparation competition, and blindfolded pot smashing.

Some other cultural experiences in the area:

  • Visit Nai Pass Coal Mine (contact needed): Learn about the heroic coal industry history of the mining area.

  • Walking the Ha Long - Cam Pha coastal road: The most beautiful coastal route in Vietnam with majestic bay and limestone mountain landscapes.

Amusement area

Cua Ong Temple Square & Coastal Park

Location: Right at the foot of Cua Ong Temple, Cua Ong ward. This is the largest and most beautiful public space right at the relic site. After the temple ceremony, tourists often come here to walk and relax. This area has a large lawn, a colorful seasonal flower garden and a direct view of Bai Tu Long Bay. In the evening, this is where a large number of local people and children gather to play, fly kites, and enjoy the sea breeze. This is a "0 dong" check-in point but brings a wonderful feeling of relaxation right after the pilgrimage. Ticket price: Free.

Some other suggestions within a close radius (under 2km):

  • Van Don Bridge: The bridge connecting Cua Ong and Van Don. In the evening, go up to the bridge to enjoy the breeze and admire the beautiful and cool night view of the coal port and sea.

  • Pairy Fairy Temple (Temple of Cua Suot): Dong Xa Commune (Van Don), only about 2km across the bridge from Cua Ong Temple, there is a freshwater Fairy Well right next to the edge of the sea, very strange.

Suggestive tour Italy

Experience tour 

Hanoi Tour – Cua Ong Temple – Cai Bau Pagoda 1 day

  • Itinerary: Hanoi – Cua Ong Ward (Offering incense at Cua Ong Temple, Couple Tien Temple) – Lunch at restaurant – Transfer to Van Don Special Area – Visit Cai Bau Pagoda (Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery) with beautiful bay view - Seafood shopping - Hanoi.

  • Transportation: Tourist car

  • Reference tour price: 750,000 - 950,000 VND/person (Full meal package) lunch, shuttle bus).

  • Organizer: PYS Travel / Antamtour

Family tour

Cam Pha tour – Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh – Cua Ong Temple 2 days 1 night

  • Itinerary:

    • Day 1: Hanoi/Ha Long – Quang Hanh Ward – Experience Japanese hot mineral bath at Yoko Onsen (meals included) – Overnight at a nearby resort or hotel.

    • Day 2: Move to Cua Ward Grandfather - Cua Ong Temple Ceremony, sightseeing of Bai Tu Long Bay - Specialty shopping - Return.

  • Transportation: Limousine / Self-driving family car

  • Reference tour price: 3,500,000 - 5,000,000 VND/person (High cost mainly due to Onsen tickets and resort rooms).

  • Organizer: BestPrice Travel / Authorized Yoko Onsen ticket agents.

Eco-tourism & Discovery

>Interline Tour of Cua Ong Temple – Quan Lan Island 3 days 2 nights

  • Itinerary:

    • Day 1: Hanoi - Cua Ong Ward (Temple ceremony, praying for peace during the sea trip) - Ao Tien port - Speedboat to Quan Lan island.

    • Day 2: Swimming at Minh Chau beach, Quan Lan - Visiting relics on the island.

    • Day 3: Seafood shopping - Speedboat to shore - Hanoi.

  • Transportation: Car + Speedboat + Tuk-tuk on the island.

  • Reference tour price: 2,800,000 – 3,200,000 VND/person.

  • Organizer: Vietravel / Vietnamese Desire (Kavo Travel).

Shopping and Souvenirs

Located right on Ly Thuong Kiet street, in Cua Ong ward (only about approx. 500m), Cua Ong Market is the most prestigious and busiest shopping address in the area. This is known as the "dry food paradise" of Quang Ninh with outstanding quality. Tourists coming here often buy dried squid (thick body, pink powder), dried shrimp and especially dried sea worms (rare specialty used to make broth or soak in wine) as gifts. The traders at the market are very familiar with tourists, and the goods are neatly vacuum-packaged, convenient for long-distance travel.

Dried Sa Sung

Some other specialties and souvenirs:

  • Cam Pha black canarium: Cam Pha is famous for black canarium (braised or soaked in fish sauce). In the fall (July-9th month of the lunar calendar), you can see people selling a lot of these fruits fresh or prepared in jars at the temple gate area or Cua Ong market.

  • Fresh seafood: If you have a short trip, you can buy fresh green crabs, mantis shrimp, and mantis shrimp at Cua Ong Market (remember to ask for ice foam boxes).

  • Spiritual souvenirs: At kiosks along the way to Thuong Temple, visitors can buy items such as wooden bracelets, car hangings, lucky scented bags that have been asked for blessings from the Saint to pray for peace.

Support information and other information

Cua Ong Temple Special National Relics Management Board

  • Address: Area 9A, Cua Ong ward, Quang Ninh province (Located right inside the relic site).

  • Function: Agency directly manages, protects and promotes the value of the relic. This is the place to receive merit, guide visitors to live a civilized lifestyle and assist in handling problems that arise during worship and festivals.

  • Phone number: 0203 3865 052

Cam Pha Regional General Hospital

  • Address: Cua Ward Ong, Quang Ninh province (about 2km from the temple).

  • Function: This is the largest and most modern medical facility in the vicinity of the temple, capable of receiving first aid and general treatment. With a location very close to the relic site, this is a reliable medical address to quickly handle health incidents for tourists (such as high blood pressure, heat stroke, accidents...) during the pilgrimage.

  • Emergency phone number: 0203 3862 248

Cua Ong Ward Police

  • Location Address: Group 48, Area 4B, Cua Ong Ward, Quang Ninh Province (about 1km from the temple).

  • Function: Ensuring security, order and traffic safety in the ward and festival area. Support tourists in cases of lost loved ones, loss of property or related administrative procedures.

  • Telephone number: 0203 3865 264

With its majestic "leaning on the mountain facing the water" position and long-standing sacred historical and cultural values, Cua Ong Temple is not only a solid spiritual fulcrum for the people of the Northeast coast but also a A peaceful destination for worship and sightseeing, bringing moments of serenity and luck to tourists from all over every time they visit.