Bac Ninh beyond the day trip: eleven stops in the cradle of Kinh Bac
Ancient pagodas, royal temples and villages of woodcarvers, bronze-casters and bamboo weavers — all within an hour of Hanoi.
17 September 2026
Bac Ninh is often squeezed into a half-day from Hanoi, but the old region of Kinh Bac — birthplace of the Ly dynasty and of Quan Ho folk song — rewards a slower look. Here are eleven places worth the detour.
Temples and pagodas
1. The Tomb of Kinh Duong Vuong sits quietly beside the Duong River and honours the legendary forefather of the Vietnamese people.
2. Dau Pagoda in Thuan Thanh is considered the oldest in Vietnam, founded when Indian monks first brought Buddhism here around the 2nd century.
3. Tieu Son Pagoda, on a wooded hillside in Tien Du, is where the future King Ly Cong Uan spent his childhood.
4. Do Temple honours the eight Ly kings who founded Thang Long (Hanoi) in 1010. Its courtyards and lakes are lovely, and Quan Ho singers perform during festivals.
5. Dinh Bang Communal House, in the same village, is an 18th-century masterpiece of ironwood and carving.
6. Phat Tich Pagoda stands on a hill with views over the countryside and the Duong River — a pleasant bike ride from Do Temple.
7. But Thap Pagoda, close to Dau Pagoda, is among the most beautiful in Vietnam, its 17th-century buildings arranged with great care.
Song and crafts
8. Quan Ho folk song is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Hear it at Do Temple or Tam Tao Communal House, especially around the spring festivals.
9. Dong Ky village makes traditional carved wooden furniture.
10. Xuan Lai village weaves bamboo furniture that ends up in luxury resorts and on Ha Long Bay cruise boats.
11. Dai Bai village has cast bronze for generations, from altar pieces to decorations.
Making a day of it
Hire a car and driver from Hanoi, start early at Dau and But Thap pagodas, have lunch near Do Temple, and finish in the craft villages. In February and March, festival season, the whole region comes alive.
