Thanh Hoa, a land of exceptional people and resources, is not only famous for its long beaches and majestic mountains but also a place that preserves invaluable historical and cultural values of the nation. Among them, Lam Kinh, the second capital of the Later Le Dynasty, carries golden stories of a glorious dynasty. A Lam Kinh historical site tour is not just a journey to explore ancient architectural works but also an opportunity for us to journey back in time, learn about the history, culture, and people of Thanh Hoa.
Lam Kinh, also known as Tay Kinh (Western Capital), is located in Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province, and is the resting place of the Le So kings and queens, a dynasty that made great contributions to restoring and building the country after the Northern domination period. Coming to Lam Kinh, visitors not only admire the majestic and ancient beauty of tombs and temples but also immerse themselves in the quiet, sacred space, feeling the soul of the mountains and rivers, and the heroic spirit of the nation.
Discover Lam Kinh: Golden Imprints of the Le So Dynasty
The Lam Kinh historical site tour often begins with exploring the tomb area of King Le Thai To, the meritorious founding king of the Later Le Dynasty. King Le Thai To’s tomb, also known as Vinh Lang, is built on a large area, surrounded by majestic mountains and green forests. Stepping through the tomb gate, visitors will be amazed by the majesty and magnificence of the tomb architecture. From the mossy stone steps, the towering ironwood columns to the sophisticatedly carved patterns, everything exudes ancient and solemn beauty.
A special highlight of King Le Thai To’s tomb is the Vinh Lang stele, a unique stone sculpture, recording the merits of King Le Thai To and the history of tomb construction. The Vinh Lang stele is not only a precious historical relic but also a masterpiece of art, showing the talent and dedication of ancient artisans.
Continuing the journey to discover Lam Kinh, visitors will admire the tombs of the kings and royal family of the Later Le Dynasty. Each tomb has its own beauty, reflecting the architectural style and concept of the spiritual world of each period. Besides the tombs, Lam Kinh also has Ngoc well (Jade Well), an ancient well with clear, cool water, rumored to have healing abilities. The “Smiling Guava Tree”, an ancient guava tree with a unique shape, is also an interesting destination in the Lam Kinh relic site.
Lam Kinh Special National Historical Relic Site
Ben En National Park: “Ha Long Bay on Land” of Thanh Hoa
After exploring the historical and cultural values at Lam Kinh, the Lam Kinh historical site tour will take visitors to Ben En National Park, a “Ha Long Bay on land” of Thanh Hoa. Ben En, with a large area of over 16,000 hectares, is a biodiversity nature reserve with rich flora and fauna and beautiful natural landscapes.
Coming to Ben En, visitors will take a boat trip to explore the vast lake, admiring 21 large and small islands with unique shapes, likened to emeralds in the heart of the lake. Each island has its own beauty, some islands are home to wild animals, others are covered with green forests.
During the journey to explore Ben En, visitors cannot miss Doi cave (Bat Cave), a mysterious cave with shimmering stalactites and stalagmites. Doi cave is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a shelter for thousands of bats, creating a wild and wonderful natural scene.
Ben En National Park is not only an ideal destination for those who love nature and exploration but also a place for visitors to relax, immerse themselves in the peaceful and fresh space, forgetting the worries and anxieties of everyday life.
Thanh Hoa Cuisine: Unforgettable Rich Flavors
An indispensable part of every Lam Kinh historical site tour is experiencing local cuisine. Thanh Hoa is not only famous for its scenic spots but also known for its rich and diverse cuisine, imbued with the typical flavors of Thanh Hoa land.
During the journey to explore Lam Kinh and Ben En, visitors can enjoy famous Thanh Hoa specialties such as Thanh Hoa fermented pork roll (Nem Chua Thanh Hoa), a famous snack with a unique sour, sweet, and crispy taste. Tu Tru Gai cake (Banh Gai Tu Tru), a traditional cake with a delicious, soft, and fragrant flavor of sticky rice, green beans, and gai leaves. Shrimp paste patties (Cha Tom), a specialty dish with a rich flavor of fresh shrimp and special spices.
In addition, visitors can also enjoy fresh seafood at restaurants along the Thanh Hoa coast, or enjoy rustic, homeland-flavored dishes at local eateries. Thanh Hoa cuisine is sure to be an unforgettable experience on the Lam Kinh historical site tour.
Suggested Itinerary for a 1-Day Lam Kinh Historical Site Tour
To help visitors have a complete and meaningful Lam Kinh historical site tour, here is a suggested itinerary for a day exploring Lam Kinh and Ben En National Park:
Morning:
- 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Car and tour guide pick up the group in Thanh Hoa city center, depart for Lam Kinh.
- 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit Lam Kinh Special National Historical Relic Site:
- Tomb of King Le Thai To (Vinh Lang).
- Vinh Lang Stele.
- Tombs of kings and royal family of the Later Le Dynasty.
- Ngoc Well (Jade Well).
- “Smiling Guava Tree”.
Noon:
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy Thanh Hoa specialties.
Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Travel to Ben En National Park.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit and explore Ben En National Park by boat:
- Ben En Lake and islands.
- Animal island, plant island (optional).
- Doi Cave (Bat Cave) (optional).
- 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Car takes the group back to Thanh Hoa city, ending the Lam Kinh historical site tour program.
Note: The itinerary can be flexibly adjusted according to the time and preferences of visitors.
Useful Travel Tips for Lam Kinh & Ben En
To make your Lam Kinh historical site tour and Ben En trip more complete, visitors should note a few small tips:
- Ideal time: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Lam Kinh and Ben En. The weather at this time is cool and pleasant, very suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
- Dress code: Should choose polite and discreet clothing when visiting Lam Kinh relic site. When coming to Ben En, you should bring comfortable and dynamic clothes, suitable for outdoor activities.
- Footwear: Should choose sports shoes or flat shoes for convenient movement and sightseeing.
- Personal items: Should bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, drinking water and some other necessary personal items.
- Book tour in advance: To ensure a smooth trip and save costs, visitors should book a Lam Kinh historical site tour in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
Lam Kinh historical site tour is not only a journey to explore scenic spots but also an opportunity for us to learn about the history, culture, and people of Thanh Hoa. Come to Lam Kinh and Ben En to feel the beauty of nature, the majesty of history, and the unique culture of Thanh Hoa.