Nam Dinh Province
Introduction
Nam Dinh, a coastal province in the southern Red River Delta is the sacred land of the Viet people and the native land of the Tran Kings and national hero Tran Hung Dao, the spirit of Tran Dynasty.
Currently, Nam Dinh has nearly 4,000 historical cultural sites including 77 national, 216 provincial ones; many typically historical, cultural, architectural monuments are Keo Hanh Thien pagoda, Ngoi bridge, Luong temple, Nam Dinh flagpole.
Nam Dinh is also the native place of Tran dynasty which was the most prosperous in the history of Vietnam feudal era with remains tytified by King Tran Relics, Thap temple, Co Le Pagoda, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda, Phu Day Temple, ect.
In addition, there are historical and cultural monuments associated with famous men like Nguyen Hien (the first doctoral candidate), Luong The Vinh (famous for measuring and intelligence, a sense of humor), Tu Xuong poet memorial house of Nguyen Binh, the memorial site of Truong Chinh, the late General Secretary.
Along with the historical and cultural heritages, Nam Dinh preserved and developed over 70 traditional villages with the industries and products such as the wood carving village of La Xuyen, baamboo lacquer Cat Dang, Tong Xa copper casting village (Y Yen district), Vinh Hao baamboo and rattan village (Vu Ban district), Vi Khe floriculture and ornamental plants (Nam Truc district).
Nam Dinh preserved cultural heritages including typically over 100 traditional festivals held every year. Many unique and great festivals attract tourists such as Phu Day Festivals (national intangible and cultural heritage), the seal opening ceremony at the Tran temple, Vieng fairs, etc.
Tourist destinations in Nam Dinh
Thinh Long Beach
Thinh Long is a new beach in Hai Hau, Nam Dinh that has only recently become popular. The beach is 3km of soft sandbanks and Casuarina forest that frames an inlet of sparkling blue ocean.
Thinh Long Beach
The scenery at Thinh Long is unequalled by other beaches on the coast of Northern Vietnam, due to its untouched beauty and clean waters. Thinh Long is lucky in that it isn’t affected by the infamous hot winds from Laos, so the weather is cooler with a light but pleasing breeze bringing relief from the hot Sun. There are also some big but gentle waves, which makes Thinh Long an excellent spot for the beginner surfer. If you like to be more active than just working on your sun tan, you can also hire a canoe to ride round the seashore and explore rock islands off the coast. There are professional fishing villages at each end of the beach which are happy to welcome you and show you their way of life. Don’t forget to taste the special dishes here because this place has wonderfully diverse and delicious seafood, and as fresh as it gets!
Xuan Thuy National Park
Xuan Thuy National Park is located in a 12,000ha area of Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh. This park is 160km from Hanoi, and is the perfect destination for those who want to explore the wild nature of northern Vietnam and its amazing biodiversity. Additionally, the place caters to visitors with a multitude of tourist packages and attractions such as community trips or to cultural sites in the surrounding area.
The peaceful beauty of Xuan Thuy National part - Photo: sharingvietnamtravelexperiences.blogspot.com
It could be said that Xuan Thuy is one of the best places in the world to see animals in their native habitat, especially birds. Scientists estimate there are over 100 species of migratory birds which stop within Xuan Thuy to rest during their migration, usually in massive flocks. Besides these migratory birds, there are also 215 species of birds living in its forests and mangrove swamps all year round, including several rare types such as the Pelican, Spoon-bill Stork and Saunder’s Gull. Under the waters of Xuan Thuy is a magical habitat of approximately 500 kinds of sea creatures like the Sea Cat, Sea Fox, and many colorful species of crab, shrimp and fish. Moreover, this park contains huge numbers of medicinal and edible plants, including rare kinds of algae and seaweed. The exceptional biodiversity of Xuan Thuy coupled with its pristine landscapes make for breathtaking views; the kind usually only seen through the lens of a nature documentary.
Vieng Market
Held in Nam Truc and Vu Ban Districts, Nam Dinh Province, Vieng market festival is launched on the annual 8th day of the first lunar month, only once in a year, when people have just finished their Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
Vieng market is actually typical to an agricultural countryside that is rich in natural products, a kind of radiant open-air “fair” produced by the local farmers, especially ornamental plants, speciality crops, subtle craft articles, utensils, bronze and iron-made tools, etc. This spring market displays handicraft products, antiquities and false antiquities, utensils, tools for agriculture production, and many kinds of ornamental plants. Specialities are barbecued beef and “bánh dày” (sticky rice cake).
Vieng Market - Photo: news.zing.vn
The cheapest things at Vieng would be flowers and trees, which bring both the buyer and seller happiness and luck. From around 2a.m, deals are done under the light of candles or flash-lights. Deals are agreed quickly, as people believe, to keep the luck. From 6a.m, local people bring farming tools such as hoes and sickles to sell, which relate closely to their lives. Buyers believe that the tools will bring them health and richness. Vieng market also is also a place to relax. Lovers would find themselves or their happy future here.
Above all, everyone visiting the market just wish to buy the burnt veal at any cost, which is considered the indispensable gift from the market and bliss from fair of the Vieng market-goers.
If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Nam Dinh province, you should take part in crowed atmosphere of Vieng Market Festival.
Tran Temple
Tran Temple in Nam Dinh is a famous destination, where kings of the Tran Dynasty and their mandarins are worshiped. The structure of this place has three main buildings, comprised of the Thien Truong Temple (Up Temple), Trung Hoa Temple (Center Temple), and Co Trach Temple (Down Temple). Thien Truong Temple was established from the base of Trung Quang Palace in which the former King lived and worked.
Tran Temple - Photo: lichvansu.wap.vn
The first aisle of the temple has the altars and plaques of the Tran Dynasty’s mandarins. The other two aisles in the back are devoted to worshipping the Tran Kings and their ancestors, and the altars of their queens are located at the sides of the interior. Co Trach Temple is devoted to Tran Quoc Tuan, one of the most famous generals in the history of Vietnam, who had three epic victories for the Tran Dynasty against Mongol invaders. His family and most reliable assistant are memorialized, along with many other mandarins such as Truong Han Sieu and Pham Thien Nhan. Trung Hoa Temple is a new building built in 2000 by the local authorities. This temple is used to worship all fourteen Kings of the Tran Dynasty along with their most respected mandarins.
If you visit here on January 15th (lunar calendar) don’t miss the Tran Temple Festival, which celebrates the Tran Dynasty and its famous resistance against three Mongol invasions. This event is also a chance for people to pray for good fortune in their lives, and especially in business.
Pho Minh Pagoda
Pho Minh Pagoda is in Tuc Mac Village, 4km north of Nam Dinh City and 94km south of Hanoi. The pagoda had been built when the Ly Dynasty was still ruling Vietnam, but was expanded in 1262 and later by the Tran Kings.
The architecture and decorations of the pagoda still show much of those in Vietnam in the Tran Dynasty's times: lotus flower pond, lotus-flower decorations at the foot of the pillars, the Tran-styled dragon sculptures, the stone candle holders...and the Pho Minh Tower. Pho Minh Tower, which was built in 1305, is just in front yard of the pagoda. Pho Minh Tower is 19 meters high and with 14 storeys. On top of the tower, there is a gourd-shaped decoration which is kind of talisman to catch the elite energy from the universe. The tower is believed to connect the Earth and the Universe.
Pho Minh Pagoda - Photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
Pho Minh Pagoda as well as other tourist attractions in Nam Dinh Province are seldom visited by the foreign travellers to Vietnam. The pagoda is mostly visited by the Vietnamese Buddhist Pilgrims and tourists, especially in festival times (Mid January – February, September-October). Paradissa offers homestay tours and volunteer trips to Nam Dinh, which include visits to Pho Minh Pagoda and The Tran Kings' Temple.
Co Le Pagoda
Co le pagoda - ancient pagoda with Ly Dynasty architecture was built by Buddhist Monk Nguyen Minh Khong. it has unique architecture with Cuu Pham Lien Hoa Tower,9,000-kg bell moulded, Thich Ca Buddha ... It is said that Co Le Pagoda was built by Buddhist Monk Nguyen Minh Khong during the Ly dynasty.
Co Le Pagoda - Photo: mytour.vn
Buddhist Monk Pham Quang Tuyen rebuilt the existing Co Le Pagoda in November 1920. In front of the pagoda is the 12-storey Cuu Pham Lien Hoa Tower built in 1926. The octagonal base of the tower sits on the back of a turtle facing the pagoda. In the tower, there is a huge staircase spiraling to the top of the tower. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the entire area. A bridge leads to Phat Giao Hoi Quan, a Buddhist meeting place, built in 1936. In addition to this bridge, the main pagoda can be reached by two other bridges in the mountains. In the center of the pagoda is a large 9,000-kg bell moulded in 1936. In the upper temple is the statue of Thich Ca Buddha; it is made of red lacquer trimmed with gold. Several rare relics, such as a great red bell and bronze drums dating from the Ly dynasty, are kept in this pagoda.
If tourists in Vietnam Travel have chance to visit Nam Dinh province, Co Le pagoda is a must-see place that should not be missed!
Source: Internet