Overview of Yen Tu Relics and Scenic Spots

Yen Tu Relics and Scenic Areas is a complex of particularly important historical, cultural and spiritual relics at the national level, known as the "ancestral land of Truc Lam Buddhism in Vietnam", this entire relic area is located in Yen Tu ward. Yen Tu mountain peak belongs to the Dong Trieu mountain range in the Northeast region, 1,068m above sea level, covered with white clouds all year round, creating a mysterious and sacred beauty.

Yen Tu Relics and Scenic Area

Yen Tu is associated with the name of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, the wise king of the Tran Dynasty who renounced the throne to go to the mountains to practice and founded the Truc Lam Zen sect in the 13th century. With a system of dozens of ancient pagodas, temples, and towers (typically Hoa Yen pagoda, Dong pagoda) nestled in the middle of a vast national forest with pine trees and ancient bamboo hundreds of years old, Yen Tu today is a Buddhist pilgrimage and student tourism destination. Top Thai. This place not only attracts millions of visitors during the spring festival season but is also an ideal destination all year round to find peace and conquer the peak amid majestic nature.

Outstanding attractions in Yen Tu Relics and Scenic Areas

Dong Pagoda (Thien Truc Tu)

Dong Pagoda

Located at the highest position on the top of Yen Tu mountain (1,068m), Dong Pagoda is the final and most sacred destination of every pilgrimage, and holds the record for being the largest monolithic bronze pagoda in Asia (weighing more than 70 tons). To touch this pagoda located in the middle of a sea of clouds, visitors must overcome an arduous mountain climb or travel by cable car, but in return, they feel overwhelmed by the majestic harmony of heaven and earth and the overflowing devotion when standing on the top of the sacred mountain.

Hoa Yen Pagoda (Ca Pagoda)

Flower Pagoda Yen

Located at an altitude of 535m, Hoa Yen Pagoda is the main and largest pagoda in the complex, where Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong once practiced, preached and built the Truc Lam sect. Standing out with the majestic Tran Dynasty architecture nestled among rows of 700-year-old giant trees covered in white flowers, the pagoda brings a peaceful, quiet space and is the center of the most important Buddhist ceremonies in Yen Tu.

Statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong

Statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong

In the An Ky Sinh area, the largest monolithic bronze statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in Vietnam (weighing 138 tons) stands tall and majestic among the vast clouds and mountains. The ingenious sculpture depicts the image of the King in a peaceful meditation posture, looking down at sentient beings with compassion, creating a magnificent and solemn scene that makes anyone who comes to worship feel small and touched.

Giai Oan Pagoda & Giai Oan Stream

Giai Oan Pagoda

Located right at the gateway Leading into the relic area (in Yen Tu ward), the pagoda is associated with a tragic legend about the loyalty of hundreds of court ladies of the Tran Dynasty who committed suicide because they could not persuade the king to return to the court. The highlight here is the clear Giai Oan stream gurgling at the foot of the ancient mossy stone bridge, where tourists often stop to wash their faces to wash away the dust and find peace before starting the journey to climb the mountain to worship Buddha.

One Roof Pagoda (Semi Roof Pagoda)

One Roof Pagoda

One Roof Pagoda possesses the most unique architecture in Yen Tu, lying on the side of a steep rocky cliff, with only half of the roof exposed, the other half hidden deep in the cave. Legend has it that this is where King Tran Nhan Tong often sat to read books and compose scriptures, so the space in the pagoda, although small, is extremely sacred, where tourists often stop by to ask for water from stalactites in the cave to pray for health and peace.

Truc Lam Cultural Center (Legacy Yen Tu)

Truc Lam Cultural Center (Legacy Yen) Death)

Located at the foot of Yen Tu mountain, this is a high-class cultural and resort complex (with the highlight being the Legacy Yen Tu resort) designed based on inspiration from the 13th century Tran dynasty's royal architecture. With earthen walls, tiled roofs, Bat Trang tile floors and long corridors, this place perfectly recreates the ancient space, making it an ideal destination for tourists to visit, take photos or experience a meditative retreat without having to pay a visit. must climb the mountain.

In addition to the above destinations, Yen Tu Relic Area has many other sacred and attractive places:

  • Hue Quang Kim Thap (Tot Tower): The place where the relics (jade bones) of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong are kept, located right near Hoa Yen pagoda.

  • Bao Sai Pagoda: The pagoda is located precariously on the cliff, where in the past the Buddha's trusted disciples practiced.

  • Van Tieu Pagoda: Hidden in the mountain clouds, stands out with the Vong Tien Cung tower.

  • Yen Tu National Forest: Primeval forest with rows of trees. The 700-year-old "Xich Tung" tree is a precious natural heritage.

  • Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery: A training place for great monks, located in the Lan Giac area at the foot of the mountain.

The most beautiful time to travel

A vibrant and sacred time The best time to go to Yen Tu is in the spring, from January to March of the lunar calendar every year. This is the Yen Tu Spring Festival season (usually opening on January 10), attracting tens of thousands of tourists from all over to make pilgrimages and worship Buddha to pray for good luck at the beginning of the year. The weather at this time is often chilly, with drizzle and dense fog, creating a magical, worldly scene like a fairyland, very suitable for a solemn spiritual atmosphere.

However, if you want to find the true purity of a Zen place and avoid crowding and overcrowding, go to Yen Tu in the fall (from September to November of the solar calendar) or on weekdays of the year. At this time, the weather is dry, the sky is clear and sunny, which is very favorable for mountain climbing and panoramic views of the majestic Northeast mountains and forests from above. This is the ideal time for tourists to enjoy the peaceful, relaxing space, admire the ancient beauty of the pagodas and take beautiful "cloud hunting" photos at Dong Pagoda.

Transportation information

By air

Yen Tu relic site is located in Yen Tu ward (Quang Ninh province), located quite convenient to connect from northern airports:

  1. Cat Bi International Airport (HPH) - Hai Phong: This is the closest airport to Yen Tu, about 40-45 km away.

    • Transportation: Visitors can take a taxi (Mai Linh, En Vang) to travel via Highway 10, only about 1 hour.

  2. Van Don International Airport (VDO): About 90-100 km from Yen Tu.

    • Transportation: From the airport, tourists follow the Ha Long - Van Don highway, then turn to Highway 18 to return to Yen Tu ward.

  3. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) - Hanoi: About 125-135 km from Yen Tu.

    • Transportation: This is the most popular route. Visitors can rent a private car or take Limousine buses running the Hanoi - Quang Ninh route (with drop off at Yen Tu).

By road

Road is the main and most convenient means of transportation to get to Yen Tu (located right near Highway 18).

  • Popular route:

    • Hanoi → Yen Tu: Car goes in the direction of Bac Ninh - Pha Lai or Hanoi - Hai Phong highway (exit to NH10 intersection) to get to Highway 18. Travel time is about 2.5 - 3 hours.

    • Ha Long → Yen Tu: About 40 km, go back towards Hanoi on National Highway 18.

  • Reputable bus company (Passenger car/Limousine):

    • Kumho Viet Thanh: Runs My Dinh - Cam Pha route, with drop-off stop at the intersection 3 Doc Do (entrance to Yen Tu).

    • Phuc Xuyen Limousine: High quality car service, pick up and drop off at Doc Do.

    • Ka Long: Sleeper bus runs Mong Cai route, passing through Yen Tu.

  • Get off point: Tourists traveling by bus often get off at Doc Do Junction (Gate to Yen Tu Relic Area, Yen Tu Ward). From here, you need to take a taxi or motorbike taxi about 10km further to reach the foot of the mountain (Yen Tu - Giai Oan area).

  • Reference fare:

    • Regular passenger car: 100,000 - 150,000 VND/person.

    • Limousine: 200,000 - 300,000 VND/person.

Movement at Yen Tu Relic Area

Due to the steep mountainous terrain and strict conservation area, visitors will use special means to travel from Parking lot at the foot of the mountain and to the top:

Cable car to Yen Tu

  • Electric car (Tung Lam): From Ha Kieu parking lot to the foot of the mountain (cable car station/Giai Oan pagoda), visitors are required to travel by electric car.

    • Fare price: Approx. 15,000 - 20,000 VND/turn.

  • Yen Tu Cable Car: Modern cable car system helps visitors save energy, including 2 stages:

    • Part 1 (Hoang Long): From the foot of the mountain (Giai Oan Pagoda) to Hoa Yen Pagoda.

    • Stage 2 (Bach Long): From Hoa Yen Pagoda to the An Ky Sinh Statue area (near Dong Pagoda).

    • Round-trip ticket price (2 routes): About 350,000 VND/adult (can change according to festival season).

  • Trekking: For tourists in good health who want to experience mountain climbing through larch and bamboo roads (total road length is about 6km, takes 4-6 hours both going and returning).

Accommodation information near Yen Tu Relics and Scenic Area

Luxury (4–5 stars)

Legacy Yen Tu

Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery is located right at the foot of the mountain, in Yen Tu ward. This is the most famous 5-star resort here, designed by famous architect Bill Bensley. Inspired by the 13th century Tran Dynasty royal architecture combined with the quintessence of the Truc Lam Zen sect, Legacy Yen Tu offers a luxurious, quiet space but full of modern amenities with a swimming pool and Tue Tinh Am health care center. According to booking pages, room prices here range from 3,000,000 - 6,000,000 VND/night, depending on room type and time.

Resort (Cultural Area, Pilgrimage Village)

Nuong Yen Tu Village (Yen Tu Village) is located in the same complex of Truc Lam Cultural Center with Legacy, in Yen Tu ward. This is a 3-star standard resort, designed to simulate the architecture of ancient Northern villages with mud walls, tiled roofs and Bat Trang brick road. Nuong Village offers a diverse system of accommodations from private rooms (sleeping cocoons) to clean, cozy dorms, very suitable for pilgrims or meditation and meditation courses. Reference room prices range from 500,000 - 1,500,000 VND/night.

If you want to look for other ecological resort spaces near this area, you can refer to:

  • Legacy Riverside: Streamside villas are located in the complex, bringing the feeling of maximum closeness to nature.

Experience (2–3 stars, Homestay, Central hotel)

Luffy Hotel located in the central area (now in Uong Bi ward), about 10-15km from Yen Tu. This is a modern hotel, highly appreciated for its cleanliness, youthfulness and reasonable price. This location is convenient for tourists who want to combine visiting Yen Tu during the day and experiencing cuisine and entertainment at the center in the evening. Average room price is about 400,000 - 700,000 VND/night.

Luu Gia Homestay is located near Doc Do Junction (entrance to Yen Tu), in Yen Tu ward. This is a popular choice for young people or "travelers" who want to save money and stay close to the relic site for early climbing. The homestay has a large garden space, basic rooms and affordable dining. Room prices range from 300,000 - 500,000 VND/night.

For travelers who love convenience and cost savings in the surrounding area, the following places are worth a try:

  • Thu Ha Hotel - Doc Do area, Yen Tu ward - Price from 350,000 – 500,000 VND/night.

  • Thanh Binh Guesthouse – Near Highway 18, Uong Bi Ward – Price from 250,000 – 400,000 VND/night.

Festival cuisine and culture 

Famous restaurants

Tho Quang Restaurant

Tho Quang Restaurant

  • Address: Inside Legacy Yen Tu resort, Yen Tu ward.

Tho Quang restaurant is the most classy culinary highlight in Yen Tu, located in the unique royal architectural space of Legacy Yen Tu. The restaurant specializes in serving Royal Rice set menus and macrobiotic and vegetarian dishes prepared from clean local agricultural products. The space here is luxurious and quiet, using mainly wood and copper materials, bringing a culinary experience that is both sophisticated and nostalgic. Reference price is about 400,000 - 800,000 VND/person.

Com Que Restaurant (Lang Nuong Yen Tu)

  • Address: Lang Nuong Area, Truc Lam Cultural Center, Yen Tu Ward.

Located in the Lang Nuong area with an open space typical of the Northern countryside, Com Que Restaurant is the ideal choice for tourists who want to enjoy rustic, traditional dishes. The menu here stands out with hill chicken dishes, crab eggplant soup, and country cakes. The atmosphere at the restaurant is always bustling, cozy, affordable and suitable for families or large groups of pilgrims. Reference price from 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person.

Local cuisine (Specialties as gifts)

Yen Tu bamboo shoots: This is the most typical natural gift of this sacred mountain region. Yen Tu bamboo shoots are small, elongated but very firm. When boiled or stir-fried, they have a very unique sweet and slightly bitter taste. Visitors can enjoy bamboo shoots stir-fried with beef at restaurants at the foot of the mountain or buy fresh bamboo shoots from local people selling them along the road to the relic (bamboo shoot season is usually in full bloom in spring and summer).

Yen Tu apricot wine: The Yen Tu mountain region is famous for its yellow-feathered apricots, small fruits, and passionate aroma. Yen Tu Apricot Wine (especially the Quang Vinh Apricot Wine brand) is carefully soaked, has a beautiful amber color, has a sweet taste and is good for health. This is a famous OCOP specialty that most tourists buy as gifts or to enjoy during family meals.

Cuisine discovery experience

Countryside Market (Yen Tu Nuong Village): Right at the communal house square in the Nuong Village area, visitors can experience the atmosphere of an old countryside market with stalls selling snacks. Here, you can enjoy on the spot dishes such as banh te, banh gio dipped in honey, sweet soup, hot tapioca water... This is an interesting stop to gently recharge before or after sightseeing.

Area of ​​popular restaurants at Ha Kieu Bus Station: The parking area and the cable car entrance have many popular restaurants serving pilgrims quickly. Popular dishes are pho, vermicelli, rice dishes with clearly listed prices, serving the basic dietary needs of mass tourists.

Experience festival culture

Yen Tu Spring Festival: This is one of the largest and longest festivals in the North, usually opening on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasting for 3 spring months. in Yen Tu ward. The solemn ceremony includes rituals of incense offering, palanquin procession, and Yen Tu sacred seal; The festival is exciting with folk games such as shuttlecock throwing, cockfighting, and traditional martial arts performances.

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Yen Tu Spring Festival

Journey "Follow the Buddha's Footsteps": Not only during the festival season, the pilgrimage activity of mountain climbing (trekking) to conquer Dong Pagoda is also a unique cultural feature. People believe that each step climbing to the top of the sacred mountain is a time to exercise the will, cleanse the body and mind and show respect towards the origin. This activity takes place all year round, attracting both the elderly and young people who are passionate about exploring.

Suggested tours

Experience tours

Hanoi - Yen Tu - Ba Vang Pagoda 1 day tour

  • Itinerary: Hanoi - Yen Tu ward – Take the cable car to visit the pagoda system (Hoa Yen Pagoda, Dong Pagoda, An Ky Sinh Statue) – Have lunch at Com Que restaurant – Move to City. Uong Bi visited Ba Vang Pagoda - Hanoi.

  • Transportation: Car + Cable car

  • Reference tour price: 750,000 - 990,000 VND/person (Full car package, lunch, cable car ticket)

  • Organizer: PYS Travel / Hanoi Tourist

Adventure tour - discovery

Yen Tu Trekking Tour - Following Buddha's footsteps for 1 day

  • Itinerary: Khai Tam Gate (Yen ward) Tu) - Trekking across Giai Oan stream - 700 year old Tung Street - Hoa Yen Pagoda - One Roof Pagoda - Conquering the steep cliff to Dong Pagoda (1,068m peak) - Descending the mountain by road or cable car.

  • Transportation: Car + Trekking

  • Reference tour price: Self-sufficient cost of scenic tickets (40,000 VND) + Meals. If you hire a guide: about 500,000 - 800,000 VND/group.

  • Organizer: Trekking clubs (such as Viettrekking - seasonal) or Local guides at the relic gate.

Family tour

Yen Tu Nuong Village Resort Tour 2 days 1 night

  • Itinerary:

    • Day 1: Hanoi – Check-in Nuong Village (Yen Tu ward) – Experience making handmade products (bamboo dragonflies, conical hats) – Dinner Countryside rice & watch the Festival Night village.

    • Day 2: Take the tram and cable car to pray for Buddha's peace - Free to roam, take photos in ancient costumes - Check out and return to Hanoi.

  • Transportation: Limousine shuttle + Local tram

  • Reference tour price: 1,500,000 - 2,200,000 VND/person (Including room, shuttle bus, cable car ticket)

  • Organizer: BestPrice Travel / Elite Tour (Strategic agent of Yen Tu)

Buy Shopping and Souvenirs

Yen Tu bamboo shoots

Yen Tu bamboo shoots

This is the most famous "gift of the forest" that almost every tourist who comes to Yen Tu buys. Unlike the usual large bamboo shoots, Yen Tu bamboo shoots grow naturally on rocky mountain slopes, with small, elongated stems but very firm flesh. Bamboo shoots have a characteristic sweet taste mixed with a slight bitterness. When stir-fried with beef or boiled with sesame salt, they are very delicious. Visitors can buy fresh bamboo shoots (in spring - summer) or chili-soaked bamboo shoots, or dried bamboo shoots at local stalls along the entrance to the relic (Giai Oan Bus Station area, Yen Tu ward).

Yen Tu apricot wine (Quang Vinh brand)

Yen Tu is the land of rare yellow-feathered apricots, small fruit but fragrant. passionate and sour taste. Yen Tu apricot wine (the most famous is the Quang Vinh apricot wine brand - the province's 5-star OCOP product) is soaked according to a strict process, has a beautiful amber color, sweet taste, easy to drink and good for health and digestion. Visitors can find genuine products at OCOP booths in the Truc Lam Cultural Center area or restaurants in Yen Tu ward.

Some other specialties and souvenirs can be purchased in Yen Tu:

  • Nuong Village handicraft products: Conical hats, bamboo dragonflies, Dong Ho prints sold in the Nuong Yen Village area Tu.

  • Tai cage eep cake: A specialty cake of the San Diu people in Quang Ninh, dark brown in color, with a strong sweet taste of molasses and ginger, often sold at roadside stalls.

  • Yen Tu wild honey: Natural wild flower honey, has a bright yellow color and a strong aroma featured.

  • Buddhist paintings and statues: Spiritual cultural publications, wooden Buddha chanting bracelets are sold at kiosks around the Hoa Yen Pagoda area.

Support information and other information

Yen National Forest and Relics Management Board Tu

  • Address: Doc Do area, Yen Tu ward, Quang Ninh province.

  • Function: Direct state management agency at the relic site, responsible for conservation, security and order and management of festive activities.

  • Phone number: 0203 3854 118

Yen Tu Tourist Support Center (Tung Lam Development Joint Stock Company)

  • Address: Ha Kieu Bus Station area, Yen Tu ward, Quang province Ninh.

  • Function: Operator of the cable car system and tourism services in Yen Tu. Support information about cable car tickets, trams, accommodation and searching for lost items for tourists.

  • Support hotline (24/7): 1900 988 998 or 0203 366 1166

Vietnam - Sweden Hospital Uong Secret

  • Address: Tue Tinh Street, Uong Bi Ward, Quang Ninh Province (about 12km from Yen Tu).

  • Function: The largest central general hospital in the region, where to receive emergency medical care for tourists in case of health incidents while climbing mountain.

  • Emergency phone number: 0203 3854 038

With the magical interaction between the majestic nature of the sacred mountain and the depth of Truc Lam Buddhist culture, Yen Tu is not only a destination for sightseeing but also a journey to return to the spiritual origin, to find peace of mind. soulful, worthy of being an experience that must be had once in the life of every Vietnamese person.