Tam Dao tourist area is located on the Tam Dao mountain range at an altitude of over 900m above sea level. About 80km from Hanoi capital, including 50 km along Highway 2 and about 24 km along Highway 2B including 13 km of pass. Located in the north of Tam Dao district, Tam Dao is surrounded by Tam Dao national primeval forest, with a clean, cool climate, the average temperature in the year is about 18 ° C. This is a very favorable condition to develop various types of resort tourism, ecotourism,… It has long been a famous resort in the country, each year welcoming hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists to visit. Many groups of young people also choose Tam Dao for fun itineraries every weekend.
Table of Contents
Introduction about Tam Dao
Tam Dao tourist area was discovered and built by the French in the early 19th century. In 1904, a military delegation was assigned by the Governor-General to search in the Tam Dao mountain range, near Hanoi, a location. convenient to book a summer vacation station. The mission reported that at an altitude of 930m there is a rim of land that can meet the requirements of the aforementioned project. In 1906, the Governor-General decided to build that rest station. Much costly research has also been done but unfortunately, implementation of the program was initially delayed and then forced to be abandoned entirely due to war and financial reasons. From that moment on, people were just content to upgrade the road from Vinh Yen to the mountain and continue to extend 400m to 930m altitudes.
Until 1912, in Tam Dao, there were mostly guardhouses, one or two rest houses, and two or three bunkers. Even so, the number of tourists and vacationers coming here every year is increasing and in 1913, a fully equipped hotel with 16 rooms opened, the hotel immediately ran out of space. That is the Hotel – Restaurant de la Cascade (Hôtel – Restaurant de la Cascade d’Argent), the first and largest hotel in Tam Dao. This is a decisive sign of the development of the roadside station. In early 1914, a village was built near the hotel, along with private villas, companies, nursing homes of the Spanish Mission, and a new green fort.
Tam Dao has rich natural conditions, is a place to preserve the treasures of nature with primeval forests, lakes, dams, streams, waterfalls, caves, caves, and high mountains along with famous landscapes such as peaks. Rang, Ma forest, Pineapple pond, Thac Bac, Truong Sinh mountain, Bat Nha stream, Giai Oan stream. Tam Dao National Park with about 2000 species of higher plants, 64 species of rare plants, 42 endemic species of Vietnam and only Tam Dao should be preserved such as humpback, camellia, royal herb,… forest animals with over 1000 species, including 59 rare and precious species such as mongoose, antelope, yellow monkey.
Tam Dao resort is located at an altitude of 900m above sea level, the average temperature in the year is 18ºC is an ideal place for tourists to rest. This whole tourist area lies within the administrative boundaries of Tam Dao town. The name Tam Dao is due to the three highest mountains of the Tam Dao mountain range with the names Thach Ban (1,388m), Thien Thi (1,375m), and Phu Nghia (1,400m) seen rising above the sea of clear clouds. beautiful days.
Which season to travel to Tam Dao?
Tam Dao has a majestic mountain landscape, covering a large northern plain. The climate is cool all year round, the average temperature is 18 ° C – 25 ° C.
- Summer from May to September, when the temperature in the plain provinces is usually hot from about 27 ° C-38 ° C, Tam Dao is an ideal resort with a clear rotation of 4 seasons in a day. This is the best opportunity to come to Tam Dao.
- Every weekend Tam Dao is often crowded with tourists, so if you have free time, go on weekdays. At this time, the price of the hotel room is cheap, the number of tourists is less, suitable for a more relaxing rest.
Guide to Tam Dao
By Private vehicles
By Motorcycle
From Hanoi, go in the direction of Pham Van Dong (or ring road 3 straight up) then go to Thang Long bridge, motorcycles are not allowed on the 2nd floor of the bridge, so you should pay attention to the signboard to go downstairs. 1. Cross Thang Long Bridge, go straight to Noi Bai road to Nam Hong intersection (overpass over), turn left in the direction to Me Linh (Phuc Yen), go straight to this road following the signposts to continue. Go to Vinh Yen. At the beginning of the city, there will be signs to guide you to Tay Thien – Tam Dao.
Note: You should not take XE GA to Tam Dao if you do not have practical experience because the danger level is quite high. When gearing down a slope, the low gear setting (1-2) is itself a way to slow down quite a bit, but the scooter cannot do that, so the inertia created when downhill is very large, leading to you. heavy use of brakes -> increases the risk of brake fire leading to loss of control and accident. Recently, there have been many accidents caused by riding a scooter while going downhill in Tam Dao, many fatal or lighter cases, broken legs, and a broken arm.
By Car
If you go by car, go in the direction of Nhat Tan Bridge, go to NH2 intersection, turn right to go towards Vinh Yen, then turn to Hanoi – Lao Cai expressway, exit the expressway at IC4 intersection (NH2B intersection) then turn around and run straight along this highway. This is the fastest route to Tam Dao (avoiding many sections through the residential areas of Phuc Yen, Vinh Yen, but the highway toll will be charged).
By Public Transport
In the past, to travel to Tam Dao by public transport, you may have to use many bus routes from Hanoi and Vinh Phuc combined to reach the foot of the mountain, then use a motorbike taxi or taxi to the top. Currently, due to the large number of tourists coming to Tam Dao, there are also many high-quality garages that run the Hanoi – Tam Dao route, respectively.
Commuting in Tam Dao
Rent Motorcycles
Because the central area of Tam Dao road is relatively small, the locations are also far apart, so in case of traveling by bus and wanting to travel conveniently, you can rent a motorbike on a daily basis to have a means of transportation. moved on. Rent can be calculated by hour or by day, depending on you to negotiate with the car rental.
By Taxi
Taxis in Tam Dao are not as popular as at the foot of the mountain, services are mostly used by locals to do business. However, the price of a taxi is very high even for a very short distance, you should only use a taxi in case of a large group (for example, about 6-7 people, enough to sit on a 7-seat car), it will be suitable for sharing. more reasonable.
By Taxi Motorbike
In contrast to taxis, xe om is suitable for you to travel in a single individual form to move between points. However, you also need to agree on the price carefully, avoiding being cut off or arguing after using the service.
Staying in Tam Dao
Hotels or motels
Often these hotels and motels were built in the past, located right around the center of the plaza area and the surrounding streets. The advantage is that you will be quite close to the center, more convenient to travel to. The hotels in these areas are usually priced slightly higher as well.
Villa and Homestay
The number of tourists (especially young people) coming to Tam Dao is high, so the number of forms of accommodation in the form of villa // homestay has also increased rapidly. Places like this will usually be built a bit far from the center (about 1-2km) on spacious lands, beautiful views, many amenities (swimming pools, photo check-in,…). If you are going by private vehicle, then places like this are very suitable.
Sleep Tent
Many of you are often interested in bringing a tent up to sleep overnight, this is relatively interesting in the cold weather of Tam Dao. Previously, you could go up to the sky gate, go into Tam Dao National Park to find vacant land, and build, now, because of the construction inside, this gate has been completely closed, unable to come in again. The area around Tam Dao town is almost empty, the roads are being rebuilt quite dirty so it is difficult to find a comfortable place.
What to play when coming to Tam Dao
These locations are arranged in order from the town center to the surrounding area and down to the foot of the mountain, you can go alternately or as you like.
Center Square in Tam Dao
The heart area of Tam Dao is designed to be a large area with a circular square, the highlight is the highlighted phrase TAM DAO right above, this is where almost every visitor will visit. commemorative photo.
Stone Church in Tam Dao
According to documents, the Tam Dao church was built from 1906 to 1912, located in the center of Tam Dao town, beside the road leading to the top of Thien Nhi mountain. Initially, the French only built models of stilt houses with thatched leaves, until 1937 the church was officially rebuilt in stone and survives until today. Architecturally, Tam Dao church is built of stone on high land in the Gothic architectural model. Works stand majestic, quiet The lower floor of the building is spacious, with many paths next to the large road, the two sides have two stairs leading up to the upper floor. Upstairs there is a large courtyard with curved arches surrounding and airy. Inside is a large church and immediately it is a towering bell tower standing in the sky.
Rock Cafe
Located right next to the church and overlooking the central square, the shop impresses with bold European architectural style and cozy space in each corner. In addition to drinks, you can also enjoy European-style dishes here.
Tam Dao Heaven Gate
This is a high point where you can see the panoramic view of the Tam Dao tourist area. On days when the weather is clear and a bit cold, you can see Tam Dao in the mist. From the church side, you go straight ahead. This is also the place where you can buy tours to explore Tam Dao from the National Park management.
Silver Waterfall
The path down to Silver Falls is not too long but is steep and steep, designed with steps of greenstone. Due to the open road in the mountain, one side of the mountain on one side of the cliff, the rampart has handrails, there are several spots for visitors to rest. Currently, along the way down the waterfall, especially on weekends, visitors come to visit all the way.
Also along this road, there are many rows of water, you can stop at any time. Here the cool climate, majestic green forest shines. You are no longer strange to see familiar wild birds and squirrels by the road. According to local people, when it rains, the waterfall will be larger and more beautiful. At this time, the waterfall looks white like the hair of a fairy let loose along the cliffs in the middle of the thousand. When it is sunny, the water will flow more gently.
Quán Gió
The cafe is famous for all visitors when coming to Tam Dao because it is built right on the cliffs, has beautiful views, open spaces. The shop has no roof, only uses umbrellas, so on hot sunny days, it will be a bit inconvenient. In addition, the shop does not have many tables, so if you want to find a nice place, remember to come early.
Lady Chua Thuong Ngan Temple
Chua Temple is the temple to worship Ba Chua Thuong Ngan, the most famous place of Tam Dao. According to legend, at the beginning of the 20th century, when the French discovered this beautiful valley, turned it into a resort for their officials, they made the roads. At that time, there was a Vietnamese subcontractor that paid money to build a temple of God.
According to the oral tradition of the local people and some documents, this is the place to worship the Lady of Thuong Ngan. There is a gentle slope, beautiful scenery, famous sacred, and the temple attracts many visitors from all over the world. worship. The most attractive is the first day of the month, the full moon day of every month, the temple has servants. In the drum sound, the sound of the instrument, the flute, the second sound, and the hustle and bustle of Chau Van Ward, there is the voice through the microcomputer with low treble like reciting, the fervent, long-lasting voice of the archer, ladies The beautiful co-lady in splendid clothes performed a very soft and skillful show of incense, flower dance, sword dance, horse riding,…
Tam Dao TV Tower
Located on top of Thien Thi with an altitude of 1,375 m. The road going up is hard but romantic and poetic. Along the way up are orchids, mallow chrysanthemums, and other unnamed wildflowers blooming the path, radiating strange scents, and vibrant colors. To get to the tower, visitors have to climb 1394 gently sloping stone steps, but not as far back as the road to Yen Tu or Huong pagoda, but it is also an interesting journey.
Valley of flowers
About 1km from the center, this area is a valley planted with many types of flowers for photographers to visit. However, you should note that if the season is not in the right season, there will be no flowers to shoot.
Cloudy Studio
Located on the same road as Tam Dao Belvedere Resort, this is one of the hot check-in spots in Tam Dao in recent years. Many beautiful scenes in the midst of nature will be the ideal background for your photos.
Sake Garden
Like Cau May, Sake Garden is also indispensable in the list of must-visit destinations if you want to have beautiful pictures in Tam Dao. Sake Garden is designed with many vintage angles with gentle colors, mixed with nature, and surrounded by hundreds of years old pine forest.
Co La Coffee Shop
The first impression of the shop is that it is designed in a wooden house, with the decor in vintage style. Especially the front yard with a view of the dreamy Tam Dao hills, combined with the beautiful romantic green garden. You can enjoy coffee in the warm indoor space, or enjoy the open, green space outside.
Cau Tay Thien Temple
According to the people, the temple originated as the Truong Sinh slot, where there is a bowl of incense and a stone. It is said that he lived here, gathered, and raised the army before bringing the army to Mau. . The temple was restored by the management and people together in 1993.
Temple of the emperor of the Tran Dynasty
Located at kilometer 18 is Nhi Vi Vuong Co Temple, Tran Dynasty. The main door of the temple has a pair of antelope, recording: “Van the world has been handed down the name. Last year’s fire like Minh Nguyet ”. According to Mrs. Thu Tran Thi Nhu, 64 years old, Temple of Dia Mau, 12 Miss Son Trang, harem worships Co De Nhat and Co De Nhi – 2 daughters of Duc Thanh Tran.
According to legend, De Nhi Vuong Co (Vuong Ba), Dai Hoang Cong Chua Tran Thi Tinh is the second daughter of Tran Hung Dao. Afraid of breaking the Tran’s law (only marrying in the royal family), Duc Thanh let her be adopted, to facilitate Pham Ngu Lao. The ceremony of worshiping the temple on the same day held the ceremony of worshiping Duc Thanh Tran, with a servant of chrome.
Tam Dao National Park
Tam Dao National Park covers the Tam Dao mountain range, a large mountain range over 80km long, 10-15km wide running in the Northwest – Southeast direction. The park spans three provinces of Vinh Phuc (Tam Dao district), Thai Nguyen (Dai Tu district), and Tuyen Quang (Son Duong district).
Currently, Tam Dao National Park has some tourist routes for tourists as follows
Bird watching tour at Tam Dao National Park
– Tam Dao National Park – Dragon Navel – Pine Forest – Mom Cay Stone Beach – Xa Huong Lake
– Tam Dao National Park – Truong Rung – Dragon Dragon – Bear rescue center
– Tam Dao National Park – Tam Dao town – Visit 3 mountain peaks
Bear Rescue Center
Located in Tam Dao National Park (Km13) with an area of about 12 hectares, Tam Dao bears rescue center is the most modern in Asia, under the project of Animals Asia Foundation (AAF). designed to be eligible for lifelong care for about 200 to 250 bears.
The Vietnam Bear Rescue Center is open to visitors on certain opening days of the month. Tours are conducted by educators who directly guide and give presentations in English or Vietnamese. The center does not sell admission tickets, but you can freely donate and buy souvenirs to support bear care. This place is only open a few days a month, if you want to visit, please contact the center in advance via phone number 0211 353 9279.
Trekking Route in the garden
Those who have trekked to Tam Dao must admit that in Tam Dao there are unique roads that are worth exploring, even more, attractive and adventurous than conquering Mount Fansipan. Covering Tam Dao is forests that constantly change with the altitude of the mountain, from pristine humid tropical forests with large trunks, big leaves, tangled vines, to conifers, low trees, and bushes. Low humidity, secondary forest planted acacia and eucalyptus at the foot of the mountain and halfway up the mountain.
Up close to the top of the mountain are immense bamboo forests with small, firm, straight trunks, dense green leaves together. Walking in the bamboo forest, a little fog created by the height gives you a feeling of faintly floating throughout the space … There are many trek groups going back during the day, but some groups will camp overnight. depends on the choice of the trek route. Usually, the camping site is near the mountain peaks (Thach Ban, Thien Thi) because from there you can see the plain at night
Hell Pagoda
Dia Nguc Pagoda is not clear from the time, but according to Le Quy Don’s book Kien Van Tieu Luc described it as a square architectural block, each side is about a staff long, the walls surrounding the pagoda are made of stone. Normally, the two doors are locked with a large iron lock and there is a stone on the premises that clearly states: Hell Temple (ie Temple of Hell).
Truc Lam Tay Thien
You can combine before going to Tam Dao to visit Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery. This is a Zen monastery of Truc Lam Yen Tu located in Dai Dinh commune, Tam Dao district, about 85 km west of Hanoi. Along with Truc Lam Dalat Zen Monastery and Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery, Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Vietnam. Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery is built right next to the ancient Tay Thien ancient monuments (Tay Thien pagoda, Quoc Mau temple Tay Thien Lang Thi Tieu, Co Temple, Cau Temple, Thuong Temple, Silver Waterfall).
Tay Thien Monastery is a training place for Buddhism in a systematic way, creating conditions for Vietnamese Buddhism to develop both in breadth and depth and promoting exchanges with the Buddhist lineages of other countries. If you want to have a vegetarian meal with the temple, you can pre-register with the temple at phone number 0211 3814858. This is one of the most interesting experiences if you have never participated in similar activities before. Vegetarian meal and activities with teachers in about 45 minutes.
What to eat in Tam Dao
Tam Dao Barbecue
With a cool climate, Tam Dao is an ideal place to enjoy all kinds of delicious barbecues. In Tam Dao, it is not too difficult to find a popular barbecue restaurant, dishes such as broccoli, beef rolled with mushroom, beef roll with chayote, grilled quail, grilled chicken, grilled pork skewers, eggs grilled, grilled rice,…
Hot Pot
Hot pot is actually available everywhere, but if it is not winter, it is very hot. Going to Tam Dao is different, with the cold weather every night, you can comfortably eat hot pot, like sitting in the middle of winter in Hanoi.
Fruits and Vegetables
Tam Dao not only has a cool climate, many attractive tourist attractions, but the soil here is very suitable for growing Su Su vegetables. A special thing is that Su Su grown in Tam Dao town, after processing, retains its natural green color, crispness, sweetness, and aroma, unlike any other Su Su growing region. The same is true of Su Su. Boiled Su Su vegetables and fruits with sesame salt, peanut salt is the favorite appetizer in all the trays whether they are popular or luxury customers. In the menu of restaurants and hotels in Tam Dao, it is impossible not to have fried or boiled Su Su vegetables.
Tam Dao Grilled Chicken
Tam Dao chickens are mainly bamboo chickens, free on the mountain because the weather is cold, so the quantity is not much. So if you are not observant, you can easily eat tender chicken, which is purchased from the bottom and is often sold in the market. Tam Dao chicken is very chewy and fragrant, made into many delicious dishes such as boiled, steamed, roasted, grilled,… The most common ones are grilled chicken coated with aluminum foil and grilled chicken with honey.
Tam Dao Goby Stream
Tam Dao villagers use dams to develop natural goby. Goby selected for cooking is sand goby, finger-large, round, firm, light yellow, or yellow. Nowadays, sand gobies cannot be found everywhere, so enjoying this fish in Tam Dao is a must-have experience for diners from all over the world. Sand goby can be processed into many different dishes, each dish is attractive thanks to the sweet taste of fish meat.
Tam Dao Tourism Schedule
The following schedules are suitable for private car users, for those who use public transport should recalculate the timelines to suit their own schedule.
Tour 1: Hanoi – Tam Dao
Day 1: Hanoi – Tam Dao
Around noon, departing from Hanoi, it takes about 2 hours to reach Tam Dao, at check-in time, so there is no need to wander. After checking in, store your stuff, start going out. On the first day, you can go around Silver Falls, Church, and climb the TV Tower.
Day 2: Explore Tam Dao
Get up in the morning to have coffee, then run up to the Dong Trung Ha Thao area to see the panoramic view of Tam Dao. Next, you can visit beautiful places such as Cau May Studio, Sake Garden,… to take pictures.
Tour 2: Hanoi – Tay Thien – Tam Dao
Day 1: Hanoi – Tay Thien – Tam Dao
From Hanoi, you start early to Tay Thien, this area will have Tay Thien pagoda and Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery. About 2 hours from the departure time, you will go to Tay Thien pagoda, buy cable car tickets to get up. on top for quick. If you have more time, you can climb the mountain to go to the temple and bring food to eat along the way.
An afternoon down the mountain, back from Tay Thien pagoda, back up to visit Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery. Time here, about 1 hour, is relatively comfortable for those who only visit, if you are interested in Buddhism and Zen Zong, you can spend more time learning. From Tay Thien, run straight to Tam Island check-in, and rest. Evening wandering around town to enjoy a barbecue in the cold weather of Tam Dao.
Day 2: Tam Dao – Hanoi
In the morning, have breakfast, stop by Quan Gio, or go to Heaven Gate for sightseeing coffee. Continue to visit Thac Bac Waterfall, Church, if you like to move, you can climb the TV Tower, Lady Chua Thuong Ngan Temple. Lunch, check out the hotel, and depart back to Hanoi.
*Note when going to Tam Dao
- There are a few small notes for you when traveling in Tam Dao, these notes are collected and drawn from the previous members/groups, you do not have to follow but should read for reference.
- If you plan to go on the weekend, you should book 3-4 days in advance so you do not have to rent a room at a high price.
- Check or maintain the car carefully before going, most importantly, the two brakes must be in good working order.
- Do not ride a scooter unless you are sure and can secure yourself when going downhill. Recently, Tam Dao has often had many accidents due to the loss of brakes when the vehicle goes downhill.
- Have enough cash available because there are no ATM systems available on Tam Dao, if you need money you have to go down the mountain to withdraw.
Related Article: Traveling experience in Ban Gioc Waterfall that tourist should know
Let start your trip to Tam Dao with us! If you have any feedback or need help, please send an email through vietnamreviewer.contact@gmail.com!
