Northern Vietnam, a convergence of long-standing cultural and historical values, has always been an attractive destination for visitors from all over. Today, spiritual tours in Northern Vietnam are increasingly popular, offering opportunities to explore spiritual beauty, return to roots, and pray for good things. Let “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) guide you through the most detailed spiritual travel experiences in Northern Vietnam for a meaningful and fulfilling journey.
A serene landscape in Northern Vietnam, possibly a temple or pagoda surrounded by greenery, representing a spiritual tour destination.
Spiritual tourism is not just a journey to explore religious sites, but also an opportunity for each person to listen to their inner voice, seek peace, and connect with traditional cultural values. This trip not only brings peace of mind but also helps us better understand the history, culture, and people of Vietnam. So, what is so special about a spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam?
What is a Spiritual Tour in Northern Vietnam?
A spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam is a type of tourism that combines visiting scenic spots with visiting spiritual sites such as temples, pagodas, shrines, etc. The main purpose of these trips is to pray for peace, luck, fortune, and relieve worries and sorrows in life. This is a beautiful traditional cultural aspect of Vietnamese people, especially at the beginning of the new year or on major holidays.
A group of people visiting a temple in Northern Vietnam, engaging in spiritual activities like praying or offering incense.
The essence of spiritual tourism is to promote goodness and seek good values in life. The rituals and activities during the trip help visitors feel serenity, peace, and regenerate positive energy to continue their life journey.
The Meaning of Exploring Spiritual Tourist Destinations in Northern Vietnam
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, people often tend to seek quiet spaces to contemplate and rebalance their souls. A spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam is an ideal choice to meet this need.
At the end of the year or the beginning of the new year, after hard working days, many people desire a peaceful time to look back on what has passed. Good things need to be cherished and promoted, while difficulties and obstacles need to be resolved to welcome a peaceful new year. Spiritual tourism helps people find balance, relieve stress, and pray for good things to come.
Spiritual tourism is not just pilgrimage and worship, but also an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature, enjoy fresh air, and learn about the history and culture of pagodas, temples, and shrines. This is also an opportunity for each person to listen to their inner voice, find peace and tranquility in their soul.
A peaceful temple scene in Northern Vietnam, with traditional architecture and lush greenery, conveying a sense of tranquility and spirituality.
In particular, spiritual tourism helps us reconnect with our spiritual roots, release joys, anger, love, and hate, and immerse ourselves in the sound of temple bells and compassionate Buddhist scriptures, helping our souls become more pure and peaceful. Therefore, spiritual tourism is meaningful in guiding people towards goodness, bringing them back to their most original selves.
Choosing Transportation for a Spiritual Tour in Northern Vietnam
Choosing the right means of transportation will greatly affect your experience on a spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam. Here are some suggestions:
Motorbike
For young people who love backpacking and want to explore freely, a motorbike is a great option. The advantage of a motorbike is its high flexibility, helping you easily move to small locations and save costs. However, long-distance motorbike driving requires good health and high concentration. In addition, this vehicle is not suitable for families with young children or elderly people.
A person riding a motorbike on a scenic road in Northern Vietnam, suggesting motorbike travel as a flexible option for spiritual tours.
Car
If you are traveling with family or a group of friends, a car is an ideal means of transportation. Cars offer comfort, safety, and help you be proactive in moving. However, self-driving long distances can be tiring, especially on steep mountain roads in the North. Therefore, make sure to have a driver to take turns or hire a car with a driver to ensure safety for the trip.
A family traveling by car in Northern Vietnam, highlighting the comfort and convenience of car travel for spiritual tours.
Renting a Tourist Car
This is the optimal solution if you want to have a comfortable, safe trip and not worry about driving. Travel companies often provide car rental services with various types of cars, suitable for the number of members in the group.
Ideal Time to Explore Spiritual Destinations in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty. However, the best time to take a spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam is in spring (January – March lunar calendar) and autumn (August – October lunar calendar).
Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan)
At the beginning of the new year, Vietnamese people often have a custom of going to pagodas to pray for luck and peace for their families. Pagodas, temples, and shrines are often very crowded during this time, so you need to be prepared to jostle and wait.
Crowds of people visiting a temple in Northern Vietnam during the Lunar New Year, illustrating the peak season for spiritual tourism.
January (Lunar Calendar)
After Tet Nguyen Dan, January in the lunar calendar is still a suitable time for spiritual tourism. The weather at this time is usually cool and pleasant, suitable for sightseeing and worship activities.
1st and 15th of Each Lunar Month
In addition to major holidays, many people also often go to pagodas on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month to pray for good things.
Suggested Famous Spiritual Tourist Destinations in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has many famous spiritual destinations, attracting a large number of visitors from all over. Here are some suggestions:
Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)
Perfume Pagoda is a cultural and religious complex located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi. This complex includes many temples, pagodas, and shrines, the most famous of which is Huong Tich Cave, where the Bodhisattva Quan Am is worshiped.
Tourists taking a boat ride to Perfume Pagoda in Northern Vietnam, showcasing the scenic river journey to the spiritual site.
When you come to Perfume Pagoda, you will take a boat along Yen stream, admire the poetic natural scenery, and admire the majestic mountains such as Mam Xoi Mountain, Su Tu Phuc Mountain… Then, you can stop at Tro wharf and visit Thien Tru Pagoda, a pagoda built during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong. The final and most important destination is Huong Tich Cave, where you can admire the majestic beauty of “The First Cave of the South” and worship the statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am made of blue stone.
Tam Chuc Pagoda
Tam Chuc Pagoda is a large pagoda located in Ba Sao town, Kim Bang, Ha Nam. This pagoda is famous for its unique architecture, built with thousands of stone paintings, meticulously assembled by talented artisans.
The grand architecture of Tam Chuc Pagoda in Northern Vietnam, emphasizing its scale and artistic stone carvings.
Coming to Tam Chuc Pagoda, you will visit and explore the Kinh Pillars Garden, Quan Am Palace, and Tam The Palace. The final destination of the journey is Ngoc Pagoda, a high and sacred pagoda, where you can admire the panoramic view of Tam Chuc Pagoda.
Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a large pagoda complex belonging to the Trang An scenic complex, Ninh Binh. This pagoda is famous for many records such as:
- The largest bronze statue of Buddha Tathagata plated with gold in Southeast Asia.
- The longest Arhat corridor in Asia.
- The vast Three Worlds and Dharma Lord Palaces.
- The tallest stupa in Asia.
- The largest bronze bell in Vietnam.
- The pagoda with the most Arhat statues in Vietnam.
- The pagoda with the most Bodhi trees in Vietnam.
The impressive scale of Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, highlighting its record-breaking features and grand design.
In addition, Bai Dinh Pagoda is also the venue for many important cultural and political events of Vietnam and the world.
The final destination in the journey to explore Bai Dinh Pagoda is the Trang An tourist area, which is known as “Ha Long Bay on land” with many famous attractions such as Sang Cave, Toi Cave, and Ba Giot Cave…
Yen Tu Pagoda
Yen Tu is a mountain in Quang Ninh province, the birthplace of the famous Truc Lam Zen sect of Vietnam. Coming to Yen Tu, you will visit Hoa Yen Pagoda, the first pagoda in the Yen Tu pagoda mountain complex.
Yen Tu Pagoda nestled on a mountain in Northern Vietnam, illustrating its mountaintop location and spiritual significance.
Next, you will reach Dong Pagoda, a pagoda located on the highest peak of the Yen Tu mountain range. Dong Pagoda is the largest bronze pagoda on a mountaintop in Asia.
In addition, you cannot miss offering incense to the statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong at the Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong square and visiting Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery, where King Tran Nhan Tong practiced.
Spiritual Destinations in Bac Ninh
Bac Ninh is not only famous for Quan Ho folk songs but also the cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism. This place has many ancient and sacred pagodas, an ideal destination for a spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam.
- Dau Pagoda: The oldest pagoda in Vietnam, built in the 3rd century.
- But Thap Pagoda: A pagoda with unique architecture, harmonious with nature.
- Phat Tich Pagoda: A pagoda famous for the legend of Tu Thuc meeting fairies.
- Do Temple: A place to worship and commemorate 8 Ly Dynasty kings.
Ancient pagodas in Bac Ninh, Vietnam, showcasing the region's rich Buddhist heritage and traditional architecture.
Tay Thien Pagoda – Tam Dao
Tay Thien Pagoda is an ancient pagoda located in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc. This pagoda is considered one of the earliest places of origin of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Tay Thien Pagoda in Tam Dao, Vietnam, depicting its serene mountain setting and historical importance to Buddhism.
Coming to Tay Thien Pagoda, you will visit Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery, one of the earliest places of origin of Vietnamese Buddhism. In addition, you can also conquer the peak of Tay Thien by cable car and visit works such as Co Chin Temple, Mau Dia Temple, and Thuong Quoc Mau Temple…
Important Notes When Going on a Spiritual Tour in Northern Vietnam
To have a complete and meaningful trip, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Dress code: Dress politely and discreetly, avoid wearing revealing clothes.
- Attitude: Maintain a respectful and reverent attitude when visiting spiritual sites.
- Behavior: Do not speak loudly, make noise, or disturb order.
- Words: Use polite and gentle language.
- Actions: Do not touch Buddha statues, worship objects, or other sacred items.
- Photos: Do not take photos in places where photography is prohibited.
- Littering: Do not litter indiscriminately, maintain general hygiene.
A sign displaying rules and etiquette for visitors at a spiritual site in Northern Vietnam, emphasizing respectful behavior.
- Do not stand with your back to the Buddha statue: If you want to take a photo in front of the Buddha statue, make sure you are facing the statue.
- Do not show Buddha tattoos: Cover these tattoos when visiting spiritual sites.
- Do not touch monks: Avoid physical contact with monks.
- Remove shoes before entering the temple: This is a sign of respect.
- Avoid intimate and affectionate actions: These actions are usually not accepted in sacred places.
- Do not make noise or be rude: Keep your voice low and do not run or push.
Visitors observing etiquette at a temple in Northern Vietnam, showcasing respectful attire and behavior.
Ideal Vacation at Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy Tourist Area
After completing your spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam, you can choose a place to rest and relax to regenerate energy. Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy is a great suggestion.
This is the first hot mineral spring resort in the North, famous for its natural hot mineral spring source containing many rare minerals, good for health.
Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy resort in Vietnam, highlighting its modern facilities and relaxing hot spring pools.
Coming to Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy, you will experience hot mineral bath services, mineral mud baths, spa, massage… In addition, the resort also has many other amenities such as swimming pools, children’s play areas, restaurants, and bars…
Guests relaxing in hot spring pools at Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy resort, showcasing the resort's wellness and relaxation offerings.
Various facilities at Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy resort, including pools and recreational areas, suggesting a comprehensive resort experience.
Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy Resort Experience Tips
- Suitable time: You can come to Lynn Times Thanh Thuy any season of the year. However, you should check the weather forecast before going to be best prepared.
- Service price: Carefully refer to the service prices before using them to avoid being overcharged.
- Personal items: You should bring personal items such as towels, toothbrushes…
- Eating and drinking: Do not bring food into restaurant and dining areas.
- Mineral bath: Have a light meal before bathing and do not eat too much.
People enjoying hot spring baths at Wyndham Lynn Times Thanh Thuy resort, emphasizing the health and relaxation benefits of the mineral springs.
Conclusion
A spiritual tour in Northern Vietnam is a meaningful journey, helping you explore cultural and historical beauty and find peace in your soul. Hopefully, the information in this article will help you have a complete and memorable trip. Wish you a journey to explore the North full of joy and meaning!