1. Ha Nam Tourism: An Attractive Destination in 2025
1.1. Geographical Location and Convenient Connection to Key Regions
Old Ha Nam (now part of Ninh Binh province) serves as the southern gateway to Ha Noi, approximately 60 km from the capital center, facilitating exploration for those who wish to discover this land. Traveling to Ha Nam is very easy; it only takes about 1 - 1.5 hours if using a private car or bus.
Ha Nam boasts extremely convenient transportation connections thanks to National Highway 1A, National Highway 21B, and the North-South Expressway running through the province, enabling quick connections with neighboring provinces such as Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, and old Nam Dinh (now part of Ninh Binh province). Notably, the North-South railway also has a stop at Phu Ly station, which is very convenient for those coming from distant provinces. With this location, Ha Nam becomes an ideal stop, perfect for combining into a Northern Vietnam exploration journey.
1.2. Special Attractions: Landscape, Spirituality, and Cultural Intersection
Ha Nam attracts tourists not only with its beautiful natural landscapes but also thanks to the unique intersection of culture and spirituality. The landscapes in Ha Nam are very rich, featuring vast rice paddies, majestic limestone mountains, tranquil lakes, and lush green forests, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The outstanding highlight of Ha Nam is the Tam Chuc Pagoda complex, a large Buddhist area nestled amidst romantic natural scenery, boasting grand architecture and scale. Besides that, Chua Ba Danh pagoda by the Song Day river still preserves the imprint of the Hau Le dynasty, while Den Truc temple at Ngu Dong Son attracts visitors with its lush ancient bamboo forest, creating an impressive spiritual picture.
Ha Nam has many cultural and spiritual tourist attractions. (Source: Business and Marketing Magazine)
Additionally, traditional festivals such as the Ba Dan Pagoda Festival and the Tran Thuong Temple palace procession, held in spring, also attract a large number of tourists. These festivals not only bring a joyful atmosphere but also serve as an occasion for cultural exchange, making Ha Nam more vibrant and full of life.
1.3. Reasons why you should definitely try the Ha Nam tourism experience in 2025
In 2025, Ha Nam tourism has made strong strides with numerous sites being upgraded and invested in more thoroughly than ever before. One of the notable highlights is the launch of Sun World Ha Nam, offering visitors a diverse and attractive entertainment space. Resorts in Tam Chuc are also becoming increasingly modern and internationally standardized, creating an ideal space for relaxation and leisure.
In addition, the service system for tourists has also been significantly improved, from accommodation to rich culinary experiences, meeting all tourist needs. What's special is that now, tourists can combine spiritual tourism, ecological resorts, and entertainment activities in a single trip, providing a rich and complete experience. 2025 is a great opportunity to explore the new and attractive aspects of Ha Nam, opening up an unforgettable travel journey.
2. Suggested best times to travel to Ha Nam in 2025
One of the Ha Nam travel experience interesting is discovering the beauty of this place through the four seasons of the year. Each season brings a unique experience, from the vibrant festival atmosphere of spring to the calm, peacefulness of winter. Each season in Ha Nam has its own highlights, suitable for different types of tourism, promising to bring visitors unforgettable memories.
Spring (February-April) is the best time to participate in festivals, with fresh air and beautiful scenery. This is the season of major festivals in Ha Nam, especially religious activities, praying for luck, and cultural entertainment. The number of pilgrims visiting famous pagodas and temples such as Tam Chuc Pagoda and Ba Dan Pagoda increases, creating a bustling and sacred atmosphere.
Tich Dien Festival recreates the scene of the king plowing in Ha Nam. (Source: Baotintuc)
Summer (May-July) is suitable for those who want to relax amidst lush green nature. Areas like Tam Chuc, Ngu Dong Son with clear lakes and shady trees are ideal places for relaxation. Besides, outdoor activities such as boating on the lake, mountain climbing, or joining nature tours are also very popular with tourists.
Autumn (August-October) is the ideal time to enjoy the romantic scenery of Ha Nam's countryside. When the weather is cool, the rice fields turn golden, and the autumn sky is high, it's a wonderful backdrop for souvenir photos. This is also a suitable time for tours, picnics, learning more about rural life, and natural beauty.
Winter (November-January) brings Ha Nam a tranquil and serene atmosphere, suitable for those seeking peace. This is an ideal time for meditation, visiting historical sites, or exploring the traditional aspects of this land in a quiet space.
3. Getting to Ha Nam and convenient transportation within the province
From the capital Hanoi, visitors can easily travel to Ha Nam by bus from Giap Bat, My Dinh stations, with prices ranging from 100,000 - 360,000 VND and a travel time of about 1.5 hours. If you prefer the train, you can choose the route from Hanoi station to Phu Ly station, taking about 2 hours and ticket prices from 41,000 - 147,000 VND. For those traveling by private car or motorbike, you can take National Highway 1A through Kim Bai, Phu Xuyen, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or via National Highway 21B through Ha Dong, Chuong My, suitable for those who want to enjoy the scenery along the way.
For visitors coming from Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces or the Central Highlands, you can choose a flight to Noi Bai Airport. From here, taxi or limousine services on the Hanoi - Ha Nam route will take you to your destination in about 1.5-2 hours. If you want to be proactive with your schedule, you can rent a self-drive car at Noi Bai Airport with prices ranging from 490,000 - 1,100,000 VND per day, depending on the car type you choose. Additionally, ride-hailing taxi companies like Grab and Be also serve trips to Ha Nam at competitive prices.
Flying from Sai Gon to Ha Noi is the most convenient and time-saving option. (Source: Bamboo Airways)
When in Ha Nam, you can rent a motorbike in Phu Ly center for VND 120,000 to 200,000/day to easily travel to tourist attractions. Taxis in the city also have prices ranging from VND 10,000 - 20,000 for short distances. Interprovincial buses cost VND 35,000 - 70,000/ticket, with a bus departing every 15 - 30 minutes.
If you are traveling in a group or want more convenience in your itinerary, you can rent a private car or a shared car with a driver-cum-guide from travel agencies. Hopefully, this is some useful Ha Nam travel experience, helping you get to Ha Nam quickly, save time, and fully enjoy your trip.
4. Suggested accommodation and resorts suitable for visiting Ha Nam
4.1. High-class hotels and resorts in the Tam Chuc area
The area around Tam Chuc gathers many lakeside resorts and hotels, with beautiful views of rivers and mountains, offering visitors an impressive resort experience. Tam Chuc Lake Resort is highly rated for its modern design, spacious rooms with balconies overlooking Tam Chuc Lake, providing a wonderful relaxing space. Double rooms here cost VND 900,000/night, while family rooms cost VND 1,755,000/night. These prices are quite reasonable, suitable for those seeking convenience, comfort, and a quiet resort space during their trip.
Another option is Legend Valley Hotel, which has over 200 high-class rooms with a luxurious modern 5-star style. This hotel is fully equipped with top-class amenities, offering a wonderful experience for visitors. Each room boasts an ideal view of the swimming pool or the 36 holes of Thien Duong Golf Course, providing a relaxing space and beautiful scenery.
Enjoy a luxurious and classy resort space at Legend Valley Hotel. (Source: Legend Valley Hotel)
Inside the hotel, there is also a luxurious restaurant, serving a diverse menu with dozens of Asian-European dishes, as well as exquisite, fresh seasonal local delicacies. This is an ideal place to enjoy a delicious meal after a day of sightseeing. Double room rates at Legend Valley Hotel range from VND 600,000 to VND 1,600,000 per night, suitable for those seeking a comfortable and luxurious holiday.
4.2. Accommodation choices in the center of Phu Ly
Right in the center of Phu Ly, visitors can easily find many hotel options to suit every budget. If you want to experience the local atmosphere, you can choose traditional homestays like Lang Que Homestay or Binh Minh Guesthouse, offering a cozy and intimate feeling. The central location of these accommodations allows easy access to unique eateries and many attractive attractions of Phu Ly.
5. Must-visit attractions and experiences when traveling to Ha Nam
5.1. Tam Chuc Tourist Area
Located in Tam Chuc ward, Ninh Binh province, Tam Chuc Pagoda is currently the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam with an area of 5,100 hectares. Entering 2025, this place becomes even more attractive thanks to Tam Chuc – Trang An tourist combos and environmentally friendly electric vehicle services, helping visitors explore the entire campus comfortably and conveniently.
Not only a spiritual destination, Tam Chuc also 'pleases' young visitors with many new photo spots. The majestic mountain and lake scenery combined with vibrant seasonal flower gardens create extremely eye-catching landscapes, making this an unmissable check-in spot in 2025.
The price for an electric car tour is VND 50,000/person, and the price for a boat tour on Tam Chuc Lake ranges from VND 100,000 - 320,000/person. Children under 1m tall are free, children from 1m to 1.3m are charged 50% of the ticket price, and children over 1.3m will be charged the full ticket price. The pagoda is open from 6 AM to 9 PM daily, so visitors should arrange their visit time according to their schedule. This is one of the Ha Nam travel experiences that visitors cannot miss, offering a wonderful spiritual experience and helping you feel the tranquility and peace amidst majestic nature.
5.2. Ba Danh Pagoda
Ba Danh Pagoda is located by the Day River, an ancient pagoda with architectural features characteristic of the Later Le Dynasty. It stands out with its ancient triple gate, main hall, and many precious wooden statues. The pagoda is also famous for its sacred legends, closely associated with the spiritual life of the local people.
The pagoda is open to visitors from 6 AM to 6 PM. The entrance fee is VND 10,000/person, while children under 6 years old are free. The ideal time to visit is during the early year festival season (2nd - 3rd lunar month), when many traditional cultural activities take place. When visiting, tourists should wear modest attire and prepare a small offering for incense according to custom.
5.3. Truc Temple and Ngu Dong Son
Truc Temple is nestled amidst a lush ancient bamboo forest, exuding a peaceful and ancient beauty, associated with the legend of Ly Thuong Kiet. Notably, this area also features the Ngu Dong Son system with five natural caves and unique stalactites, creating an attractive exploration space.
This is an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts and those interested in ancient architecture. The entrance fee for the tourist area including the Temple, Caves, and mountain is VND 30,000/person. Visitors should bring a flashlight and wear sports shoes when exploring the caves for safety.
5.4. Sun World Ha Nam
Sun World Ha Nam is a large entertainment complex, including a water park, modern thrill rides, and a diverse safari zoo. The water park here features an artificial wave pool, large-scale water slides, and dedicated areas for children.
Ticket prices range from VND 200,000 - 300,000 per person. The park is open from 9 AM - 6 PM (Monday to Friday) and from 9 AM - 7 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays). However, ticket prices may vary depending on promotional programs, time of year, and policies for different customer groups. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visitors should regularly follow the official website or communication channels of Sun World Ha Nam.
Family combo packages often offer attractive discounts, especially during peak weekend seasons. Traveling to Ha Nam from Hanoi is incomplete without the experience at Sun World, creating joyful moments with family and friends.
Enjoy exciting games at Sun World Ha Nam. (Source: Ninh Binh Tourism)
5.5. Participate in festivals, blend into local traditions
Annually, in the second lunar month, falling around the 9th to 11th, 15th to 17th, or 20th to 22nd, the Ba Danh Pagoda hosts the Ba festival, attracting widespread attention. This is a time for activities such as palanquin processions, lion dances, Chau Van singing, and folk games, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
Additionally, the Tran Thuong Temple Festival takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month and the 20th day of the eighth lunar month, with solemn palanquin processions and a lively atmosphere, attracting many locals and tourists. Participating in these festivals, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural flow of Ha Nam, helping you retain rich and meaningful travel experiences of Ha Nam, both spiritually and emotionally, regarding the local people.
6. Experience the culinary essence of Ha Nam through unique specialty dishes
6.1. Vu Dai Braised Fish
Vu Dai village braised fish is a specialty dish, prepared from fresh black carp, braised in an earthenware pot for 10 to 12 consecutive hours. This braising process softens the fish bones, allowing the meat to absorb rich flavors, resulting in a distinctive taste.
Families in Nhan Hau village, Ly Nhan district, each have their own secret recipes for mixing fish sauce, adjusting the flame, and the braising time to achieve perfection. This braised fish dish is not just food but also a part of Ha Nam's culinary culture. After braising, the fish is vacuum-sealed and can be preserved for 6 months under normal conditions.
Vu Dai braised fish - Essence of Ha Nam cuisine. (Source: Collected)
6.2. Phu Ly steamed rice rolls
Phu Ly steamed rice rolls are notable for their thin, pure white, soft yet chewy bánh cuốn, without filling. When enjoyed, the bánh cuốn are rolled, cut into small pieces, and dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce mixture. Accompanying the bánh cuốn are thinly sliced grilled pork sausage, fresh herbs like mint, banana blossoms, and cucumber, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
Additionally, Ha Nam is also famous for many other attractive specialties such as the rich-flavored Binh Luc fermented shrimp paste, crispy and fragrant Kien Khe rice crackers, and Lang Voc wine, brewed from 36 types of Northern traditional medicine. These Ha Nam travel experiences regarding cuisine will help you better appreciate the richness and uniqueness of Northern Delta cuisine.
Ha Nam in 2025 converges all the excellent conditions for every tourist to have a memorable trip. From rich nature, sacred spiritual spaces, to a vibrant cultural picture and unique culinary flavors, all create a perfect destination. Hopefully, the Ha Nam travel experiences above will help you explore deeper the interaction between culture, nature, and people here. Plan your trip, share your experiences, and let every trip to Ha Nam become a journey to preserve memorable moments.
