Thai Vi Temple located in Van Lam hamlet, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, the Temple belongs to Tam Coc – Bich Dong complex, which is famous for its unique architectural features and quiet romantic scenery. It is home to worship Kings of the Tran Dynasty, namely King Tran Thai Tong, King Tran Nhan Tong, King Tran Thanh Tong, King Tran Anh Tong along with Generals such as Tran Quang Khai, Tran Hung Dao and Queen Thuan Thien.
Visiting Thai Vi temple, visitors will have a great opportunity to recall the heroic historical landmarks of the Tran feudal dynasty and admire the architecture, folklore and special arts of Thai Vi temple. It is definitely an unforgettable experience for first time visitors.
How to get to Thai Vi Temple
Thai Vi Temple is located inside the Tam Coc – Bich Dong complex. Therefore, it is very easy to walk from Tam Coc to Thai Vi Temple; the way is only about 1.5 km.
- By walking, you will have great experiences to admire the scenery and take a deep breath of fresh air on the way to Thai Vi temple.
- Other transportation to get to the temple from Tam Coc is a bicycle or motorbike. For renting, ask at your accommodation or hotels nearby. You can also ride a motorbike from the center of Ninh Binh city to Thai Vi temple.
- Depending on the starting point and where you choose to stay, you can choose the appropriate transportation to Thai Vi temple.
- For example, you can come from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train, bus or car. After coming to Ninh Binh city, you can catch a motorbike taxi, taxi or rent a car to go to Thai Vi temple.
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By organized tour
There are many tour companies that organize daily tours in the Ninh Binh area and include the Thai Vi Temple in their itinerary. You just need to choose the tour that suits your budget and time. You may check out 6 Best Ninh Binh Travel Agency to get Best Deal. Below are a few examples:
- Tour by Hanoi Explore Travel
- Tour by Hang Mua Ecolodge
More about nearby attractions:
- Ninh Binh must see attractions – click here
- Hang Mua Peak – a view to remember in Ninh Binh – click here
- Tam Coc boat tour – a relaxing ride in Ninh Binh – click here
- Bich Dong Pagoda – a Ninh Binh must see – click here
- Trang An boat tour – Ninh Binh – click here
Some interesting facts about Thai Vi Temple
History and Special features in architecture
Thai Vi Tam Coc Temple has unique cultural and historical values with a main temple built of stone.
When constructing Thai Vi temple, the craftsmen used monolithic green stones to make worshiping items, tombs and altars, which created unique features and created a solid and magnificent posture in Thai Vi temple. It has become one of the impressive points of Thai Vi temple in Ninh Binh that attracts many domestic and foreign tourists.
From the two-story bell tower, looking in the opposite direction, you can see the 4-sided stele tower built in 1926. On both sides of this tower are 3 steles showing you the information about the years of restoring and repairing. The stele also shows the names of the people who contributed to the construction of the temple.
Entering Thai Vi Temple in Ninh Binh, you will see the Dragon courtyard of about 40 square meters in a garden full of trees with 2 blocks of Vong houses on both sides. Going further, tourists will be amazed at Dai Bao – 5 great entrances with 6 rows of parallel stone pillars, carved with dragon-shaped art overlooking the mausoleum.
The stone blocks on the courtyard are also carved with two dragons. Inside Thai Vi temple are 3 compartments with two parallel rows of stone pillars including 4 dragon-carved pillars.
Stepping inside, you will see 5 main compartments with 8 stone pillars carved beautifully and exquisitely. All pillars in Thai Vi are made of blue stone and carved smoothly and elegantly. The statues of King Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong and Queen Thuan Thien are placed in the incense.
Discovering the unique architecture and art of Thai Vi temple is the best thing not to be missed when you have the opportunity to visit Ninh Binh. Besides, the festive atmosphere and beautiful natural scenery also attract tourists to visit Thai Vi Temple once.
The best time to visit Thai Vi temple
You can visit Thai Vi temple at any time of the year. That depends on your schedule and time. However, according to locals, the best time to visit Thai Vi temple is when the temple organizes the festival.
Thai Vi Ninh Binh Temple Festival is held annually on the 14th – 17th of the first lunar month. During this time, people will perform rituals to commemorate the merit of the first four kings of the Tran Dynasty.
Join Thai Vi temple festival, tourists will have a great opportunity to participate in some folk games such as dragon dance, lion dance, wrestling, chess or boat racing. Immersing themselves in such joyful festive atmosphere is definitely an unforgettable experience when tourists come to the temple on this occasion.
Where to stay when visiting Temple?
If you have come to Tam Coc Bich Dong, you should visit Thai Vi temple. And it is also great to combine a visit to Thai Vi Temple with Tam Coc Pagoda and Bich Dong Pagoda in the same schedule of your visit. In this area, there are many homestays and hotels for you to stay overnight such as:
Chez Loan hotel is only 0.7 km from Thai Vi temple. Located in Dam Khe, Ninh Hai and Hoa Lu villages, this 3-star hotel has many rooms, free WiFi, LCD TV and nice view balcony. It takes you only 10 minutes to drive to this hotel from Thai Vi temple. The restaurant here can serve local cuisines, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available.
The next option is Amira Homestay located in the village of Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, about 2.2 km from Thai Vi temple. This homestay offers a complimentary breakfast serving local cuisines, free parking and a restaurant. The homestay also offers bike rentals.
In Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, there is Tam Coc hotel. You will take a 15-minute drive from this hotel to Thai Vi temple. There are also other addresses near Thai Vi temple with good quality, great service, clean and convenient rooms like Tam Coc Serene, Tam Villa, Tam Coc Riverside Homestay …
Specialties in Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area
There are some specialties you should try in Ninh Binh. Scorched rice is a traditional dish in this province, which is very popular there, representing the ingenuity and simplicity of the local food culture.
Another famous dish is goat meat. Ninh Binh goat meat is low in fat and has an attractive aroma. This dish is often eaten with other specialties of Ninh Binh such as mountain vegetables, Nho Quan wine, Kim Son wine and Ninh Binh scorched rice.
You can enjoy these dishes at many famous restaurants near Thai Vi temple such as Cha Cooking Restaurant, Gia Minh Bear Garden, Thu Toan Restaurant, Spice Garden Tam Coc Restaurant, etc.
Tips for a visit at Thai Vi Temple Ninh Binh
- Make sure you wear formal clothes since Thai Vi Temple is a solemn place to commemorate kings who had a great contribution to Vietnam.
- Besides historical value, Thai Vi Pagoda is also attractive with picturesque scenery, so don’t forget to bring a fully charged camera to take different memorable photos.
Above are the experiences of traveling to Thai Vi Ninh Binh temple. Hopefully you will find this useful for your trip. If you would like more information or have any additional questions, please contact us. We are always at your service!
