Overview of Thai Nguyen province

Thai Nguyen is a central province located in the Northeast region of Vietnam, with a strategic geographical position as the gateway for socio-economic exchange between the Northern midland and mountainous region and the Red River Delta region. The north of the province borders Cao Bang province, the east borders Lang Son and Bac Ninh provinces, the south borders the capital Hanoi and Phu Tho province, and the west borders Tuyen Quang province.

Provincial location Thai Nguyen on map of Vietnam

With a convenient transportation system, Thai Nguyen plays an important role as a bridge, promoting the overall development of the entire region. The province stands out with its strong industrial potential, the historical value of the "windy capital" ATK Dinh Hoa, and the spectacular natural beauty of Ba Be National Park. The diversity of terrain and culture has created a rich and potential Thai Nguyen, strongly attracting domestic and foreign investors and tourists.

Outstanding destinations in Thai Nguyen

Ba Be National Park & Ba Be Lake

Ho Ba Be

Dubbed the "green pearl" of the Northeast mountains and forests, Ba Be National Park is a unique ecosystem with the center being Ba Be Lake - one of the 20 largest natural freshwater lakes in the world. This complex is a symbolic destination, recognized as an ASEAN Natural Heritage. Tourists coming here are not only overwhelmed by the clear, calm blue lake located between majestic limestone mountains, but also have the opportunity to explore the diverse ecosystem. Can't-miss activities include boating on the lake to visit landmarks such as Ao Tien, Widow Island, exploring the mystery of Puong Cave or admiring the beauty of Dau Dang Waterfall.

Dinh Hoa Historical Relic Area - Safe Zone (ATK)

Dinh Hoa ATK historical relic site 

The ATK Dinh Hoa historical relic site is a destination of special historical significance, known as the "Capital of Thousand Winds" or "Capital of Resistance" of Vietnam during the resistance war against the French colonialists. This is where President Ho Chi Minh and the headquarters of the Party and Government lived and worked. Coming here, visitors will visit historical landmarks such as Tin Keo hill, Khuon Tat shack, exhibition house... and hear heroic stories about a difficult but proud historical period of the nation.

Nui Coc Lake

Nui Coc Lake

Nui Coc Lake is a One of the most famous eco-tourism and entertainment areas in the province, associated with the legendary love story of Cong and Coc. This is a large artificial lake with more than 89 large and small islands and charming landscapes. Visitors to Nui Coc Lake can not only take a scenic cruise and explore the islands, but also participate in many exciting entertainment activities at the water park, animal garden, or explore the "Legend of Palace" area that recreates a touching love story.

Hang Pagoda (Kim Son Tu)

Cave Pagoda

Hang Pagoda is an ancient and unique pagoda, located entirely in a large natural cave right in the city center. With the literal name Kim Son Tu, the pagoda has a beauty that is both sacred and mysterious, attracting a large number of Buddhists and tourists from all over to worship and sightsee. Entering the cave, visitors will feel the cool, peaceful air and admire the natural stalactites blending with spiritual architecture, creating an extremely special space.

Na Dang Waterfall Ecotourism Area

Na Dang Waterfall

Na Dang Waterfall is a destination that still retains the wild and majestic beauty of the mountains and forests. The waterfall consists of 6 large and small levels of water, falling from a height of hundreds of meters, creating white foam among the green space of trees. This is the ideal place for those who love to explore nature and seek peace. Visitors can gently trek to the foot of the waterfall, immerse themselves in the cool water and enjoy the fresh, refreshing air.

Other attractions

In addition to the above outstanding destinations, Thai Nguyen also has many other attractive places:

  • Tan Cuong Tea Hill: Famous for its specialty tea brand, the green, winding tea hills are a beautiful check-in location and a place to learn about the tea culture of Thai Nguyen people.

  • Thai Hai Ecological Ethnic Stilt House Village Conservation Area: A unique cultural space, a place to preserve and recreate the life of the Tay ethnic community with ancient stilt houses and traditional customs.

  • Falling Rain Waterfall: A beautiful waterfall in Vo Nhai district, bringing poetic natural scenery, suitable for weekend picnics.

  • Ghenh Che Lake: A peaceful, blue lake in Song Cong city, an ideal destination for camping, kayaking and relaxing activities.

Best time to travel

>Spring (May February to April) is the time when Thai Nguyen province is full of vitality and rich in cultural identity. The spring weather is warm and pleasant, trees are budding, creating fresh scenery everywhere. This is the season of unique traditional festivals such as Duom Temple Festival (Phu Luong), ATK Long Tong Festival (Dinh Hoa), and especially Ba Be Spring Festival (held on the 10th day of the first lunar month) with dugout boat racing activities and folk games of the Tay and Nung people. 

Summer (May to August) is the ideal time to enjoy the cool and fresh green space of Thai Nguyen. The vast Tan Cuong tea hills in this season are the greenest and most vibrant, bringing a majestic scene and a faint fragrance. In particular, traveling to the Ba Be Lake area in the summer is a great choice to avoid the heat. Visitors can take a boat on the clear blue lake, explore Puong cave, Hua Ma cave or kayak and immerse themselves in the cool water, feeling the peace and relaxation amidst pristine nature.

In the fall (September to October), Thai Nguyen puts on a romantic and poetic beauty. The cool weather and gentle sunshine are very favorable for sightseeing and exploration activities. This is the season of ripe golden rice in the valleys and hillsides around Ba Be Lake, creating a brilliant natural picture. A special phenomenon that attracts tourists to Ba Be in the fall is flocks of white butterflies flying everywhere, creating a magical, fairyland-like scene, ideal for those who love photography.

Winter (November to January) brings a quiet, magical Thai Nguyen in the morning mist. The weather is cold, sometimes frost covers the tea hills or quiet lake surface, creating a very different beauty. This is a great time for tourists to relax, gather around a warm fire and enjoy hot local specialties such as grilled buffalo meat, smoked pork sausage, upland sticky rice and sip a glass of leaf yeast wine rich in mountain and forest flavors.

Transportation information

By air

Thai Nguyen province currently does not have a civil airport use. The nearest international airport to the province is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi.

  • Nearest airport: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).

  • Transportation from the airport to the province:

    • About the area Southern center: The main destination is Phan Dinh Phung ward. Visitors can take a taxi, contract car or Limousine companies such as Holland, Danko Travel.

    • About the northern central area: The main destination is Bac Kan ward. Tourists should book in advance the bus companies that have routes through the airport such as Thuong Nga and Khoa Man.

By rail

Thai Nguyen Station

The railway only serves the northern area South of the province (former industrial center), connecting from Hanoi.

  • Route: Hanoi - Quan Trieu railway.

  • Departure station in Hanoi: Long Bien Station.

  • Arrival station in Thai Nguyen:

    • Thai Nguyen Station (Main Station): Located in Phan Dinh Phung ward. This is the main station for passengers to get off to enter the center.

    • Quan Trieu Station (Terminal Station): Located in Quan Trieu ward.

  • Travel time: About 2 - 2.5 hours (usually slower than traveling by car via the highway).

  • Frequency: There are usually 1-2 round-trip trains per day.

  • Reference ticket price: Very reasonable, ranging from 30,000 - 70,000 VND/person.

By road

Road is the main mode of transportation, connecting all communes and wards in the province.

  • Main roads:

    • Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Expressway (QLCT07): Connects Hanoi with the southern wards of the province.

    • National Highway 3: Is the backbone route, running along the province, connecting Phan Dinh Phung ward with Bac Kan ward and other communes and wards.

  • Main bus station:

    • Central bus station: Located in Phan Dinh Phung ward, Thai Nguyen province.

    • Bac Kan bus station: Located in Bac Kan ward, Thai Nguyen province.

Moving within Thai Nguyen province

  • Popular means of transportation:

    • Taxi/Technology vehicles: Grab service is strongly developed in central wards such as Phan Dinh Phung, Song Cong, Pho Yen. Traditional taxis are present in most commune centers and large wards.

    • Inter-commune/ward passenger buses: There are many passenger bus routes running daily on National Highway 3, connecting areas in the province.

    • Renting a motorbike/car: Is the most ideal choice to freely explore destinations such as:

      • Famous tea area in La Bang commune and Tan Cuong commune.

      • Ba Be National Park in Ba Be commune.

      • Nui Coc Lake tourist area, located in Tan Cuong commune.

  • Reputable motorbike rental address:

    • In the southern central area (Phan Dinh Phung ward):

      • Rent motorbike from Anh Dung: ☎ 0974 695 555

      • Minh Duc motorbike rental: ☎ 0988 786 111

    • In Ba Be tourist area (North): Motorbike rental service is often available at homestays and motels in Ba commune Ba or Cho Ra commune. Guests should contact the property in advance to reserve a car.

Accommodation information

Luxury (4–5 stars)

High-class, luxurious hotels are mainly concentrated in the southern central wards of the province, providing classy services and modern amenities.

Habana Hotel

Habana Hotel

Habana Hotel

Located in the most prime location of the province center, Habana Hotel is an outstanding 5-star hotel with luxurious architecture and professional services. The hotel offers a system of high-class rooms, Asian and European restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool and a large-scale conference center. This is the ideal choice for both tourists and businessmen who want to enjoy a comfortable and luxurious vacation. According to booking pages, prices at Habana Hotel range from 1,500,000 - 3,000,000 VND/night.

  • Address: No. 1, Phan Dinh Phung Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province

May Plaza Hotel

May Plaza Hotel is a 4-star hotel with exquisite design and cozy space. The hotel owns a diverse system of rooms, fully equipped with modern amenities. In addition, May Plaza also has a restaurant serving local specialties and international dishes, a gym, and relaxing spa services, meeting all visitors' needs during their stay. Reference room price is about 1,000,000 - 2,000,000 VND/night.

  • Address: No. 655, Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province

If you want more options for a luxury vacation at the center province, you can consider other quality hotels:

  • Dong A Hotel - No. 142, Hoang Van Thu Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward - Price about 800,000 - 1,500,000 VND/night

  • Sunny House Hotel & Residence – Quyet Thang Ward, Thai Nguyen Province - Price about 700,000 - 1,200,000 VND/night

  • The King Hotel - Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province - Price about 900,000 - 1,600,000 VND/night

Resort (Resort, Villa)

Resorts and villas are often located in areas with beautiful natural landscapes such as around Ba Be Lake and Nui Coc Lake, providing a peaceful experience of immersion in nature.

Legendary Nui Coc Lake

Located in the Lake Tourist Area complex Nui Coc, this is a luxury resort with beautiful views overlooking the lake. The resort offers luxury villas and rooms, a harmonious combination of modern architecture and fresh natural space. Guests can enjoy services such as swimming pools, spas, restaurants and participate in recreational activities on the lake. Room prices here usually range from 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 VND/night.

  • Address: Tan Cuong Commune, Thai Nguyen Province

For diverse options for tourists who love nature and want to find a peaceful space, you can refer to a number of resorts. Other:

  • Saigon - Ba Be Resort – Ba Be Commune, Thai Nguyen Province – Price from 1,200,000 – 2,800,000 VND/night

  • Dong A 2 Hotel & Resort – Tan Cuong Commune, Thai Nguyen Province – Price from 800,000 - 1,800,000 VND/night

  • Ba Be Lakeside Bungalow - Pac Ngoi Village, Ba Be Commune, Thai Nguyen Province - Price from 900,000 - 1,600,000 VND/night

Experience experience (2–3 stars, Homestay)

This segment is very diverse, from comfortable hotels in the center to homestays with stilt houses rich in cultural identity in the northern region of the province.

Thai Nguyen Trade Union Hotel

As a 3-star hotel located right in the center, Thai Nguyen Hotel offers clean, comfortable and modern rooms. With a convenient location, this is a reasonable choice for business travelers or tourists who want a quality getaway at an affordable cost to explore the surrounding areas. The average room price is about 600,000 - 900,000 VND/night.

  • Address: Hoang Van Thu Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province

>Ba Be Lake View Homestay

Located at Pac Ngoi village, this homestay has a prime location overlooking the romantic Ba Be Lake. The homestay is built according to the traditional stilt house architecture of the Tay people, providing a rustic and cozy space. Visitors can experience local life, enjoy local cuisine and relax amid the charming landscape. Room prices range from 400,000 - 800,000 VND/night.

  • Address: Pac Ngoi village, Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province

For travelers who love a cozy space, reasonable cost but still fully equipped, the following places are worthy choices. try:

  • An Duong Hotel – Bac Kan Ward, Thai Nguyen Province – Price from 500,000 – 800,000 VND/night

  • Mr.Linh's Homestay – Cho Ra Commune, Thai Nguyen Province – Price from 450,000 – 750,000 VND/night

  • Ba Be Jungle Houses – Pac Ngoi village, Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province – Price from 700,000 – 1,200,000 VND/night

Local festival cuisine and culture method

High-class restaurant

Minh Cau Restaurant - Minh Cau Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province

Minh Cau Restaurant is one of the largest and most prestigious culinary and wedding complexes in the center of the province. Luxurious, spacious space with many private rooms, suitable for important family meals, parties and partner receptions. The menu is diverse from local specialties such as hill chicken and river fish to high-end seafood, meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. Food quality and professional service are the restaurant's strengths. Average price is from 250,000 - 600,000 VND/person.

Duc Cuong Goat Restaurant – No. 118, Minh Cau Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province

Duc Cuong Goat Restaurant

When it comes to goat cuisine in Thai Nguyen, Duc Cuong Goat is a famous and well-known brand. The restaurant space is simple but always crowded, specializing in serving special dishes made from fresh goat meat. The menu is extremely rich with grilled goat with lemon, grilled goat, steamed goat, goat hot pot... Ingredients are carefully selected, ensuring freshness and unique flavor. Average price is 200,000 - 450,000 VND/person.

Some other high-class culinary places you can refer to in Thai Nguyen:

  • Hai Yen Restaurant - Bac Kan Ward, Thai Nguyen Province - Famous for local dishes, price about 150,000 - 400,000 VND/person.

  • Ben Oanh Restaurant - Ben Oanh Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward - Riverfront view, price about 200,000 - 500,000 VND/person.

  • Suoi Mo Ga Restaurant – Song Cong Ward, Thai Nguyen Province - Ecological space, price from 250,000 VND/person.

Local cuisine

Tin Cuong Tea

Tan Cuong tea is not only a drink but also the "soul" and pride of Thai Nguyen cuisine. Grown on land with special soil, when Tan Cuong tea buds emerge, they have small, firm, curly wings and a characteristic moldy green color. When brewed, the tea has a golden green color, a mild initial taste and a deep sweet aftertaste that lingers in the throat. Enjoying a pot of hot Xinjiang tea is an exquisite cultural experience not to be missed.

  • Suggested address:

    • Xinjiang Tea Culture Space - Xinjiang Commune: Tourist destination, display and introduction of tea culture.

    • Hao Dat Tea Cooperative - Tan Cuong Commune: Reputable brand, you can visit and buy products.

    • Tan Cuong Green Tea Cooperative - Tan Cuong Commune: One of the big and long-standing brands in the locality.

Ba Be Sour Shrimp

A unique and indispensable specialty when mentioning the northern region of the province is Ba Be Sour Shrimp. Shrimp is caught from the lake, fermented with sticky rice, galangal, garlic, chili and spices of the Tay people. The dish has a sour, spicy taste and a very unique aroma. Sour shrimp is often eaten with boiled meat, raw vegetables and vermicelli, creating an extremely attractive and unique dish. This is also a gift that tourists often buy after the trip.

  • Suggested address:

    • Specialty stores in the center of Bac Kan ward and Duc Xuan ward: Specializing in selling canned local specialties, ensuring quality.

    • Bac Kan Central Market - Bac Kan Ward: Where to sell sour shrimp made by local people.

    • Homestays in Ba Be commune: Serve sour shrimp in daily meals, original flavor.

Experiential cuisine

Pac Ngoi village – Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province

At Pac Ngoi village, visitors can experience traditional meals of the Tay people right in ancient stilt houses. The meal is made from fresh ingredients caught from the lake or grown in the garden such as grilled Pac Ngoi fish, sour shrimp, stir-fried spinach with garlic, pork on the stove... Enjoying cuisine in the indigenous cultural space, next to the romantic Ba Be Lake is an unforgettable memory.

Hao Dat Tea Cooperative – Tan Cuong Commune, Thai Nguyen Province

This place offers a one-day tour to experience being a tea artisan. Visitors will be able to pick young tea buds by themselves, learn how to brew tea manually with the people and finally brew themselves a delicious pot of tea to enjoy right in the vast tea garden.

Culture & Festival Experience

Ba Be Long Tong Festival

Long Tong Ba Be Festival

Taking place on the 9th and 10th of the first lunar month every year in Ba Be commune, Long Tong Festival (Festival down to the fields) is the biggest and most unique festival of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups living around Ba Be Lake. The ceremony is solemn with the ritual of worshiping the God of Nong, praying for a year of favorable weather and good harvests. The festival is extremely exciting with unique folk games such as tossing shuttlecocks, pushing sticks, blindfolded goat catching, and especially dugout boat racing on the lake.

Hang Pagoda Festival

Held from the 19th to 21st of the first lunar month in Linh Son ward, Hang Pagoda Festival is one of the largest spring festivals in the province. The festival attracts tens of thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over to worship and pray for peace. Besides the solemn Buddhist rituals in the cave, the festival also has many cultural activities, arts and traditional folk games, creating a bustling atmosphere on the first day of the year.

Other cultural festivals in Thai Nguyen:

  • Duom Temple Festival - January of the lunar calendar in Phu Luong commune: Commemorating hero Duong Tu Minh.

  • Xuan Duong love market - At the end of the third lunar month in Xuan Duong commune: Unique cultural features of the Nung and Dao people.

  • Golden Thac Mau Temple Festival - Lunar January in Cho Moi commune: Festival for good luck and blessings at the beginning of the year.

Amusement area

>Walking space and Song Cau Night Market

Located in a central location along the banks of the romantic Cau River, Located in Phan Dinh Phung ward, Walking Street and Song Cau Night Market are the most modern and vibrant nightlife and entertainment highlights of the province. On weekend evenings, this space becomes extremely bustling, attracting a large number of locals and tourists. Visitors can leisurely walk, participate in cultural activities, street art, shop for diverse items and especially explore a rich street food paradise with countless attractive snacks. This is the ideal destination to feel the modern pace of life and relax after a day of exploration.

Thai Nguyen province also has many other attractive places to visit and experience, suitable for all ages and interests, from exploring wild nature to learning about history and culture:

  • Nui Coc Lake tourist area - Tan Cuong commune, Thai Nguyen province: The province's most famous eco-tourism complex, with lake landscapes, water parks, animal gardens and diverse entertainment games.

  • Ba Be National Park - Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province: a place known as the "green pearl" of mountains and forests, an ASEAN Natural Heritage. Visitors can take a boat on the lake, explore Puong Cave, Dau Dang Waterfall and experience indigenous culture.

  • AtK Dinh Hoa historical relic site - Phu Dinh commune and Dinh Hoa commune, Thai Nguyen province: "Resistance capital" where President Ho Chi Minh and the headquarters lived and worked during the resistance war against the French colonialists.

  • Museum of Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups - Phan Dinh Phung ward, Thai Nguyen province: one of the largest national museums, where thousands of precious cultural artifacts of 54 ethnic groups are displayed.

Suggested tour

Tra Tan Culture Experience Tour Cuong 

Tan Cuong Tea Village

  • Itinerary: Phan Dinh Phung Ward Center - Tan Cuong Commune (Visit the tea hills, experience tea picking with the people) - Tan Cuong Tea Cultural Space (Learn the drying process, enjoy the tea ceremony) - Lunch with local specialties - Shop for authentic tea.

  • Method of transportation: Car

  • Reference tour price: 800,000 VND/person

  • Organizing unit: Vietravel - Thai Nguyen Branch

Adventure tour - discovery

>Ba Be National Park trekking tour 2 days 1 night

  • Itinerary: Bac Kan ward center - Ba Be National Park - Trekking through the forest to explore the ecosystem - Visit Tay ethnic villages - Dinner and overnight at a homestay Pac Ngoi – Day 2 take a boat to explore Ba Be Lake and Puong Cave.

  • Transportation: Car + Trekking + Boat

  • Reference tour price: 1,850,000 VND/person

  • Organizing unit: Mr. Linh's Adventures

Tour to explore Na Dang Waterfall - ATK Cho Don 1 day

  • Itinerary: Bac Kan Ward Center - Nghia Ta Commune (Conquer Na Dang Waterfall) - Cho Don Commune (Visit ATK Cho Don historical site) - Picnic lunch - Cultural exchange Localized.

  • Transportation: Car

  • Reference tour price: 950,000 VND/person

  • Organization unit: Vietnam Discovery Travel (Viptour)

Family tour

Historical Tour "The Windy Capital" ATK Dinh Hoa 1 day

  • Itinerary: Museum of Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups (Phan Dinh Phung ward) – Phu Dinh Commune (Visit Tinh Hill Keo, Khuon Tat shack) - Dinh Hoa Commune (Visit ATK Exhibition House) - Lunch with resistance cuisine - Return.

  • Transportation: 16–29 seat tourist car

  • Reference tour price: 600,000 VND/person (included) sightseeing tickets and lunch)

  • Organizer: Thai Nguyen Tourist

Eco-tourism

Ba Be Lake eco-tour 2 days 1 night

  • Itinerary:

    • Day 1: Provincial center - Ba Be Lake (check in to homestay at Ba Be commune) - Cruise on the lake to visit Ao Tien, Ba Goa Island - Dinner, enjoy Tay cuisine.

    • Day 2: Visit Puong Cave, Dau Waterfall Canoe – Kayaking (optional) – Lunch and return.

  • Transportation: Car + Boat

  • Reference tour price: 1,950,000 VND/person

  • Organizer: PYS Travel

Shopping and Souvenirs

Thai Market (Thai Nguyen Trade Center)

Thai Market

Thai Market, located in the center of Phan Dinh Phung ward, is the largest and busiest market in the province. This is an important trading hub, where a full range of goods from modern consumer goods to rustic local products converge. Visitors can find typical agricultural products such as black canarium, cooc mo cake, wild bamboo shoots... and especially many stalls selling genuine Tan Cuong tea. The market atmosphere is always bustling, imbued with the breath of life of local people.

Kun Minh Dong Vermicelli Craft Village

In Kun Minh commune, Dong Dong vermicelli craft village is the place that preserves the traditional method of making vermicelli from arrowroot roots. The vermicelli threads are produced entirely by hand, dried under natural sunlight, have a characteristic gray color, are chewy, crispy and have a cool, sweet taste. This is a famous specialty of the northern region of the province, reflecting the ingenuity and diligence of the people. Kunming Dong Mi noodles are rustic, quality hometown gifts that tourists can buy to use or give as gifts.

Support information and other information

>Thai Nguyen Provincial Police

  • Phone number: 0692.666.109

  • Emergency phone number: 113

  • Functions: Ensuring security and order, protecting the safety of residents and tourists, providing support in emergency situations related to security.

Thai Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen

  • Phone number: 0208.3851149 

  • Function: Providing official tourism information, supporting tourists about destinations, services, cultural events and solving tourism-related issues in the province.

>Thai Nguyen Central Hospital

  • Emergency phone number: 0208 3855 125

  • Function: Is the largest special-class general hospital in the area, providing 24/7 emergency medical services, medical examination and treatment and high-quality health care for residents and tourists.

These agencies are always ready to support tourists 24/7 in all situations, from needing directions, travel advice to emergency requests. If you have problems such as losing something, getting lost or needing medical assistance, don't hesitate to contact the nearest phone number. Thai Nguyen province always ensures safety and timely support for all tourists.

Wish you a wonderful trip, full of exciting experiences and discovering the diverse beauty of Thai Nguyen!