Things to do in Gia Van

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh Province

Trang An Landscape Complex

Chang'an ecotourism zoneLocated in the heart of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, the Trang An scenic complex, this area is a favored destination for travelers visiting the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Situated in the northeastern part of Ninh Binh Province, just 4 km from the southern ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the area spans thousands of hectares, featuring dozens of caves and a 10-km-long river winding from north to south. The Trang An cave ecotourism zone covers 2,168 hectares, surrounded by layered limestone formations, lakes, and 48 waterfall caves, forming a magnificent natural view. The Trang An cave ecotourism zone still preserves traces of prehistoric human life and is hailed as the "land of Ha Long Bay on land" and an "open-air geological museum." The Trang An ecotourism area is an ideal destination where history, culture, and ecology blend perfectly, offering travelers a splendid place to enjoy the beauty of mountains and waterways. Recognized by UNESCO The Trang An scenic complex is located in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, approx. 90 km southeast of Hanoi. This heritage site covers a total area of over 12,000 hectares, spanning 20 communes and wards across Hoa Lu City, Gia Vien District, Nho Quan District, Yen Mo District, and Ninh Binh City. The entire area is divided into four main functional zones: the Bai Dinh Pagoda cultural and spiritual tourism area, the special conservation area of Hoa Lu ancient capital, the Hoa Lu special-use forest, and the Trang An-Tam Coc ecotourism area. Surrounding these core zones is a buffer zone of 6,026 hectares, primarily consisting of rice fields and featuring 40 recognized historical, architectural, and scenic relics, including 18 provincial-level relics and 20 other heritage sites. On June 25, 2014, at the meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, the Trang An Landscape Complex was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming Vietnam's mixed World Heritage site of both cultural and natural significance, as well as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Trang An was recognized for its three outstanding universal values: cultural value, aesthetic value, and geological-geomorphological value. As part of the core area of this UNESCO World Heritage site, the Chang'an ecotourism zone covers 2,168 hectares and is renowned for its magnificent natural views: towering limestone peaks reflected in winding waterways that connect hundreds of mysterious caves and pristine secluded valleys, forming a uniquely captivating natural panorama. The unique value of Chang'an 1. Cultural value Chang'an was the "cradle" of ancient Chang'an people, nurturing one of Vietnam's earliest human communities to explore and utilize marine resources. Early residents pioneered activities such as stone tool making, stone carving, pottery production, and wetland valley agriculture here. This region resembles a precious archive of human development, documenting millennia of human adaptation to natural environmental changes and interactions with the environment. 2. Aesthetic value Chang'an is a magnificent masterpiece of natural art, boasting breathtaking karst landscapes that include 48 water caves, 31 valleys, and 50 dry caves. Here, the spectacular peaks and waters blend with the region's rich cultural traditions and long history, forming a uniquely charming natural and cultural view. 3. Geological-geomorphological value Chang'an is hailed as an "open-air geological museum," featuring unique crescent-shaped limestone mountains surrounded by wetland ecosystems. This distinctive geological structure has created a rare karst landform pattern of significant scientific importance in the world. 4. Humanistic value In Chang'an, travelers can not only enjoy breathtaking natural scenery but also experience the warmth and hospitality of local boatmen. They are not just ferrymen for travelers but also on-site guides who love and preserve cultural heritage, making every journey full of human warmth. More sustainable tourism and heritage protection 1. Tourism development and heritage protection go hand in hand Since its establishment, Chang'an has always regarded more sustainable tourism development as its core concept, ensuring all tourism activities are coordinated with nature conservation efforts. For example: The itinerary exclusively uses non-motorized boats to avoid impacting the ecological environment; Daily removal of aquatic plants to maintain the cleanliness and pristine state of the water environment; Plant trees along the Chang'an tour route to carry out greener activities and create scenic views. Through these measures, Chang'an has effectively protected the natural and cultural values of the world heritage while promoting tourism development. 2. Rich biodiversity – plant and animal resources Ninh Binh Trang An eco-tourism area boasts exceptionally rich biodiversity, forming a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. Through surveys and research, it has been confirmed that the area is home to 577 plant species, 10 of which are listed in Vietnam's Red Book as rare plants requiring priority protection. Additionally, Trang An possesses abundant medicinal plant resources, with 311 species available for use in traditional medicine. Meanwhile, 76 plant species from 31 different families are cultivated as ornamental plants. In terms of precious timber plants, such as ironwood (Đinh), rosewood species (Sến), padauk species (Lát), and Kiềng Kiềng, many belong to rare species that typically grow in remote and hard-to-access areas. These trees hold significant ecological value and are particularly precious in limestone mountain environments, being extremely rare. Additionally, some plants with lower economic value but ecological importance also thrive in more secluded areas. These abundant plant resources collectively form the unique and vital ecosystem of Chang'an, providing a valuable foundation for scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and more sustainable development. 3. Habitat of the endangered Delacour's langur After more than two years of adaptation and breeding on Ngoc Island, a group of critically endangered Delacour's langurs relocated from the primate rescue center of Cuc Phuong National Park has successfully reproduced, giving birth to two offspring in October 2021 and September 2022 respectively. This achievement is a significant milestone in biodiversity conservation, helping to re-establish a more sustainable population of this rare primate. The Delacour's langur has been listed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN, and Ngoc Island is now considered an ideal sanctuary for the protection and long-term preservation of the species.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh Province

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda sits in the 700-hectare Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province. Visitors can enjoy views of Vietnam's bronze statues, bronze bells, and one of the country's largest jade wells. At the entrance of Bai Dinh Pagoda, you can find six sarira beads preserved in Vietnam. This is a place for spiritual purification and experiencing sanctity.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh Province

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is nestled among limestone karst peaks in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, and was once the capital of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. The site selection for Hoa Lu Ancient Capital involved unique considerations. The capital was surrounded by towering limestone mountains, forming a natural defensive barrier, and the moats utilized the surrounding river systems. The capital's ruins feature an outer and inner city structure, with the surviving Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and Le Dai Hanh Temple, both of which are religious structures rebuilt in the 17th century. The stone foundation ruins of the palace and some stone-carved lintels remain to this day. The ancient capital also preserves multi-layered architectural deposits from the Dai La, Dinh, and Early Le dynasties. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is surrounded by a karst landscape. Lush green rice paddies and winding waterways weave through the area, where mountains and water complement one another. The ancient capital ruins are adjacent to the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong scenic area, together forming a vast natural and cultural landscape.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh Province

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc - Bich Dong and Ha Long Bay share similar eroded limestone landscapes, with a winding river snaking through to present a serene countryside scene. The surrounding rural area is stunning, featuring golden rice paddies with hints of green. Visitors can take a small boat ride along the river, flanked by rice paddies.

Tuyet Tinh Coc

Hoa Lu Old town

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Temple of Emperor Đinh Tiên Hoàng

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Trang An Departure Boat Ticket