Tam Dao, the green gem of the Northern mountains, is renowned for its year-round cool climate, making it an ideal summer escape. However, few know that Tam Dao in winter offers a different kind of beauty, captivating and enchanting. If you’re familiar with the vibrant, fresh Tam Dao, try exploring this misty town in winter to experience its tranquility, ethereal charm, and heart-stirring romance. This article will be your detailed Tam Dao winter travel guide, helping you have a complete and memorable trip.
Where is Tam Dao Located?
Tam Dao is a small town in Vinh Phuc province, nestled in the majestic Tam Dao mountain range. With an average altitude of 1000m above sea level, Tam Dao is likened to “Da Lat of the North” due to its cool climate and poetic natural scenery. From Hanoi, it only takes about 2-3 hours by car or motorbike to reach Tam Dao, very convenient for weekend or short trips.
Tam Dao located in the high Tam Dao mountain range, a limestone range in Northeast Vietnam
The Beauty of Winter in Tam Dao – Why You Should Visit?
If you think Tam Dao is only beautiful in the summer, you’ve missed out on a breathtakingly beautiful winter Tam Dao. Winter in Tam Dao offers a completely different experience, no longer the hustle and bustle of summer, but instead, tranquility, peace, and the ethereal beauty of fog and clouds.
Misty Pathways, Scenery Like a Fairyland
The hallmark of winter in Tam Dao is the dense fog. The small town seems to sink into a sea of mist, everything becoming blurred, unreal. Fog covers all roads, treetops, and roofs, creating a romantic, mysterious scene like in a fairytale. Walking in the mist, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairyland, all worries and troubles disappearing.
Chilly Climate, Experiencing Winter in its True Sense
Temperatures in Tam Dao in winter often drop quite low, sometimes below 10 degrees Celsius, especially at night and early morning. The cold of the high mountains brings a true winter atmosphere, quite different from the dry cold in the city. This is a great opportunity to fully experience the cold of the North, wrap yourself in warm coats and scarves, and enjoy cozy winter activities.
Cloud Hunting Paradise, Admiring the Scenery from Above
Winter is also the ideal cloud hunting season in Tam Dao. With its mountainous terrain, Tam Dao is often covered in clouds, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Standing at high points like Sky Gate (Cổng Trời), Television Tower, you can admire the vast white sea of clouds, embracing the entire town and the surrounding mountains. The majestic, magnificent scenery of Tam Dao’s sea of clouds will surely overwhelm you and be unforgettable.
A misty townscape of Tam Dao covered in fog, interspersed with mountains and green trees.
Exploring Tam Dao in Winter – What to Do and Where to Go?
Winter in Tam Dao not only has beautiful scenery but also many interesting activities for you to explore. Here are suggestions for must-visit attractions and activities when coming to Tam Dao in winter:
Tam Dao Ancient Stone Church
Tam Dao Ancient Stone Church is one of the most famous tourist symbols of the town. Built during the French colonial period, the church features ancient Gothic architecture, with mossy gray stone walls, soaring arches, and stained glass windows. In winter, the fog covering the stone church makes it more mysterious and somber, bringing a classic, romantic beauty like in Europe. This is a must-check-in spot for all visitors to Tam Dao.
Tam Dao Stone Church
Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple
Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple is a sacred temple located on a high mountain peak, dedicated to Mother Thuong Ngan, the goddess who governs the mountains and forests. To reach the temple, you have to climb hundreds of steep stone steps, but in return, you will admire the majestic natural scenery and feel the peaceful, sacred atmosphere of the temple. Especially in winter, when fog covers it, the temple becomes even more ethereal and sacred. This is a spiritual destination not to be missed when traveling to Tam Dao.
Tam Dao Sky Gate (Cổng Trời)
Tam Dao Sky Gate is a beautiful scenic spot, located at an altitude of over 1000m above sea level. From the Sky Gate, you can get a panoramic view of Tam Dao town and the surrounding rolling mountains. Winter is the best time to visit the Sky Gate for cloud hunting. The white sea of clouds beneath your feet will be an unforgettable experience. In addition, the Sky Gate is also a popular check-in spot for many young people.
Tam Dao Sky Gate
Tam Dao Square
Tam Dao Square is the center of the town, where many entertainment, recreational, and shopping activities take place. The square is beautifully designed with unique architectural works, such as the Tam Dao symbol, fountain, children’s play area… In winter, the square becomes more shimmering and magical with warm yellow lights in the mist. You can stroll around the square, take photos, enjoy coffee, or participate in entertainment activities.
Tam Dao Square
Tam Dao Television Tower
Tam Dao Television Tower is located on the peak of Thien Nhi Mountain, the highest point of Tam Dao. To conquer the tower peak, you have to climb about 1400 stone steps, but the reward for your effort is the spectacular view from the mountaintop. From here, you can see the entire Tam Dao in a sea of clouds, feel the majesty of nature and the smallness of humans. This is an interesting and memorable experience, especially in winter.
Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) Tam Dao
Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) Tam Dao is a beautiful and famous waterfall, hidden deep in the forest. The path down to the waterfall is quite steep and rugged, but when you arrive, you will admire the pristine, majestic beauty of the waterfall cascading down from above, spraying white foam. In winter, Silver Waterfall has a quieter, more somber beauty, the sound of water flowing gently in the peaceful space of the mountains and forests will bring you a feeling of relaxation and comfort.
Tam Dao Winter Cuisine – What to Eat to Warm Up?
Traveling to Tam Dao in winter is incomplete without experiencing the unique cuisine. The winter cold makes hot, flavorful dishes even more appealing. Here are some Tam Dao specialties that you should try in winter:
Tam Dao Chicken Hotpot (Lẩu gà Tam Đảo)
Tam Dao Chicken Hotpot is a famous dish, not to be missed when coming to Tam Dao. Tam Dao hill chicken is famous for its firm, sweet meat and crispy skin, made into a delicious, nutritious hotpot. A hot, steaming pot of chicken hotpot, with rich broth, tender chicken meat, served with fresh green vegetables and vermicelli, will be a great choice for you to enjoy in the chilly weather of Tam Dao.
Grilled Chicken, Ri Chicken
Besides chicken hotpot, grilled chicken and ri chicken dishes are also very popular in Tam Dao. Chicken is grilled over charcoal, retaining its natural sweetness, crispy skin, and fragrant aroma. You can enjoy grilled chicken with bamboo rice, sticky rice, or sip with some warm wine.
Grilled Dishes from Forest Meat
Tam Dao is famous for specialties from forest meat such as porcupine, wild boar, forest birds, deer, and muntjac. Forest meat is processed into many attractive grilled dishes, such as skewers, slabs, and whole grilled. These grilled dishes have a distinctive flavor, fragrant, delicious, and very suitable for enjoying in the cold winter.
Tam Dao Chayote Shoots (Ngọn su su Tam Đảo)
Tam Dao chayote shoots are a famous green vegetable specialty, widely grown in this land. Chayote shoots have a sweet, cool, and crispy taste, processed into many attractive dishes such as stir-fried chayote shoots with garlic, boiled chayote shoots, chayote shoot salad… In particular, stir-fried chayote shoots with garlic is a familiar dish, indispensable in meals in Tam Dao.
Hot grilled dishes made from wild animal meat such as porcupines, chicken, geese, ducks, hemibagrus, and sturgeon.
Side dish of stir-fried or boiled chayote shoots, very delicious.
Delicious forest bamboo shoots.
Some good restaurants in Tam Dao you can refer to:
- Phuc Huong Vien Restaurant: Km 11 + 600, QL2B, Tan Long village, Tam Dao.
- Hai Dang Restaurant: Tam Dao slope, Tam Dao town.
- Pho Nui Restaurant: Near the gate of Hop Chau Commune People’s Committee, Tam Dao.
- Pho May Restaurant: Tam Dao town, Tam Dao District.
- Family Restaurant: Tam Dao slope, right at Tam Dao square.
- Thien Cam Restaurant: QL2B, Hop Chau, Tam Dao.
Suggested 2-Day 1-Night Tam Dao Winter Itinerary
To have a complete Tam Dao winter trip, you can refer to the 2-day 1-night itinerary below:
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive in Tam Dao, check into the hotel and rest.
- Afternoon: Visit Tam Dao Ancient Stone Church, Tam Dao Square, Tam Dao Sky Gate.
- Evening: Have dinner at a restaurant, enjoy Tam Dao specialties. Stroll around Tam Dao town at night.
Day 2:
- Morning: Conquer Tam Dao Television Tower or visit Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) Tam Dao.
- Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant.
- Afternoon: Buy souvenirs at Tam Dao market and depart for Hanoi.
Winter in Tam Dao is perfect for outdoor activities, cloud hunting, and sightseeing.
Notes When Traveling to Tam Dao in Winter
- Weather: Winter in Tam Dao is very cold, you need to prepare enough warm clothes, scarves, hats, and gloves to keep your body warm.
- Transportation: The road to Tam Dao is quite steep and has many bends, if you go by motorbike, you need to drive carefully to ensure safety.
- Room booking: Winter is the peak tourist season in Tam Dao, you should book a hotel room in advance to avoid running out of rooms or high prices.
- Bring suitable shoes: If you plan to hike, visit waterfalls, bring sports shoes or hiking shoes for easy and safe movement.
- Ask for prices before buying: To avoid being ripped off, you should ask for prices before buying any products or services in Tam Dao.
Conclusion
Tam Dao in winter is an ideal destination for those who want to find a peaceful, romantic space and experience winter in its true sense. With the ethereal beauty of fog, chilly climate, unique cuisine, and many interesting activities, Tam Dao in winter will surely bring you a memorable trip. Plan and explore Tam Dao in winter today to feel the unique and charming beauty of this misty town!