Spiritual day tour to the Buddhist capital of Vietnam, discover Buddhism in the deep forest

Yen Tu, a sacred mountain in Quang Ninh province, is the "Buddhist capital of Vietnam" with a history of more than 700 years associated with the Truc Lam Zen sect.

Only about 130km from Hanoi, Yen Tu is an ideal destination for a pilgrimage or a day trip to explore nature. With an altitude of 1,068m, this place not only brings a peaceful spiritual space but also has majestic mountain and forest scenery.

This article provides a detailed itinerary, practical experience and cost-saving tips for a 1-day Yen Tu tour, suitable for both beginners and experienced travelers.

Why choose Yen Tu for a 1-day trip?

Yen Tu is not only a spiritual destination but also a place for you to immerse yourself in nature with ancient pine forests, clear Giai Oan stream and floating clouds.

This is where King Tran Nhan Tong gave up the throne to practice Buddhism, founded the Truc Lam Zen sect, leaving behind unique cultural and architectural heritages such as Dong Pagoda, Hoa Yen Pagoda, and Hue Quang Tower.

With just 1 day, you can visit the highlights, pray for peace and enjoy the fresh air. Is one day enough to explore Yen Tu? The answer is yes! With a reasonable schedule, you will fully experience the main destinations. Let's explore the detailed plan below!

Prepare before Yen Tu trip

To make your trip go smoothly, careful preparation is essential. Here are some specific steps:

• Ideal timing:From January to March of the lunar calendar is the Yen Tu festival season, attracting many tourists with exciting activities. However, if you want peace and quiet, go in other months (April to December) to avoid the crowds. The cool, pleasant weather from October to December is also very suitable.
• Transportation:From Hanoi, you can take a bus (VND 100,000-150,000/way), limousine (VND 200,000/way), or motorbike/private car via Highway 18 to Uong Bi (about 2.5-3 hours). If you go on a package tour, the price ranges from VND 590,000-1,390,000/person, including shuttle bus and lunch.
• Finance:Estimated cost is about 500,000-1,000,000 VND/person if you are self-sufficient (including transportation, meals, entrance tickets, cable car). Package tours save time with cost from 590,000 VND/person.
• Clothing and luggage:Wear polite, modest clothing (long-sleeved shirt, long pants) to respect the spiritual space. Wear soft-soled sneakers or hiking shoes for easy movement. Prepare a small backpack with drinking water (2 bottles of 500ml), snacks (bread, sticky rice, 50,000 VND), bandages, cold medicine, and cash (500,000 VND/person).
• Offerings:Prepare incense, fresh flowers, sticky rice, sweet soup or vegetarian food from home to save costs (buying on the spot costs 2-3 times more, about 50,000-100,000 VND/set of offerings).
• Supported applications:Google Maps for navigation, Traveloka or Klook to book bus tickets or tours at discounted prices.

Detailed 1-day Yen Tu tour itinerary

A day at Yen Tu lasts about 8-10 hours, including traveling, sightseeing and resting. Below is a detailed schedule, combining the cable car and walking to save time while still ensuring a full experience.

5:30: Depart from Hanoi

Depart from Hanoi Opera House or Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem) by bus, limousine or private car. If you go by bus, take the Hanoi - Uong Bi/Ha Long route at My Dinh station (price 100,000-150,000 VND/way). The bus stops in Hai Duong for about 30 minutes for breakfast (bread, noodles, price 30,000-50,000 VND/person). Arrive at the foot of Yen Tu mountain (Uong Bi, Quang Ninh) around 8:30-9:00.

9:00: Visit Trinh Pagoda and Giai Oan Stream

From the parking lot, cross the 10m long blue stone bridge to reachGiai Oan Stream, a place associated with the legend of concubines committing suicide to express their loyalty to King Tran Nhan Tong. Continue toTrinh Pagoda, the gateway to the Yen Tu journey, built during the Later Le Dynasty with a unique Nhat-shaped architecture. Burn incense to pray for peace and take souvenir photos here (entrance ticket 40,000 VND/person).

Note:Dress modestly, avoid short skirts or off-shoulder tops. Bring a bamboo stick (VND 5,000) if you plan to hike to help you move.

10:00: Take the cable car to Hoa Yen Pagoda

From Trinh Pagoda, take the electric car (10,000 VND/trip) or walk 1km to cable car station 1 (Giai Oan Pagoda - Hoa Yen Pagoda). The round-trip cable car ticket for stage 1 is 200,000 VND/person, one-way is 120,000 VND. Hoang Long cable car (POMA - France) meets European safety standards, allowing you to admire the ancient pine forests and majestic mountains from above.

InHoa Yen Pagoda, you will visit the tomb towers of Zen masters of the Tran and Le dynasties and learn about the history of the Truc Lam Zen sect. This area also hasHue Quang Tower, where the relics of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong are kept. Visiting time is about 1 hour.

Tips:If you walk instead of taking the cable car, the route from Giai Oan Pagoda to Hoa Yen Pagoda takes about 1.5-2 hours, suitable for people in good health. Bring water and snacks to replenish your energy.

12:00: Lunch at Tung Lam restaurant

Have lunch at Tung Lam restaurant or local restaurants such as Hai Phuong, Tinh Thuong (price 100,000-150,000 VND/meal, menu includes bamboo shoots, hill chicken, sticky rice). If you want to eat vegetarian food, inform the restaurant in advance or bring vegetarian food from home (sticky rice, sweet soup, price 50,000 VND/meal). Rest for 30 minutes to regain strength to continue the journey.

Tips:Book vegetarian meals through a travel agency if you are on a package tour to save time. Avoid buying food on the mountain because it is expensive (water 20,000 VND/bottle, bread 30,000 VND/piece).

13:00: Conquer One Roof Pagoda and An Ky Sinh statue

Continue the journey by cable car stage 2 (Hoa Yen pagoda - An Ky Sinh statue, round trip ticket price 200,000 VND/person). Walk 200m from the cable car station to reachOne Roof Pagoda, a small wooden temple perched precariously on the cliff, where the Buddha King once read books and composed sutras. Then, visitAn Ky Sinh statue, a 3m high green stone statue, said to be a fairy or Zen master facing the West, symbolizing luck and peace.

Note:The road from One Roof Pagoda to An Ky Sinh statue has some steep sections, so be careful. If walking, it takes about 1 hour from Hoa Yen Pagoda.

14:30: Climb to the top of Dong Pagoda

From An Ky Sinh statue, walk about 200m or continue by cable car (if buying a 4-way ticket, 380,000 VND/person) to go up.Bronze Pagoda, located at an altitude of 1,068m. Dong Pagoda is the highest point of Yen Tu, famous for its sophisticated architecture and the misty scenery like a paradise. Burn incense to pray for peace and enjoy the panoramic view of the Northeast region, with glimpses of Ha Long Bay and Bach Dang River.

Note:The road to Dong Pagoda has no stone steps but a path, so be careful, especially during the crowded festival season. Avoid taking photos in areas with prohibited signs to ensure safety.

16:00: Visit Nuong Village and shop for specialties

Return to the foot of the mountain by cable car or on foot (takes 1-1.5 hours). SightseeingNuong Village, an area that recreates traditional craft villages with products such as wild honey (200,000 VND/liter), Yen Tu plum wine (150,000 VND/bottle), dried bamboo shoots (100,000 VND/kg). Enjoy traditional music performances or experience herbal foot baths (150,000 VND/time) to relax.

Tips:Negotiate the price when buying specialties, preferably buying late in the afternoon to get a good price. If you pass through Hai Duong on the way back, buy green bean cakes (50,000 VND/box) as a gift.

17:00: Depart for Hanoi

The car picks you up at the foot of the mountain, stops in Hai Duong for about 30 minutes to buy specialties or drink tea (at your own expense, about 20,000 VND/person). Arrive in Hanoi around 20:00-20:30, ending the journey.

Tips:If traveling by private car, check the cable car hours (closes at 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 p.m. during holidays) to avoid getting stuck on the mountain.

Compare package tours and self-guided tours

To choose the right form, below is a comparison table between package tours and self-guided tours:

Tips to save money when traveling to Yen Tu

To optimize costs, apply the following tips:

• Book early:Book bus, limousine or tour tickets 7-14 days in advance to receive preferential prices (10-20% discount).
• Choose the right cable car:If you are in good health, buy only the cable car ticket for the first leg (200,000 VND) and walk the second leg to save 180,000 VND/person.
• Eat economically:Bring snacks (bread, sticky rice) and drinks from home to avoid buying them on the mountain (prices are 2-3 times higher).
• Go in groups:Share the cost of tram, cable car and offerings to reduce personal expenses by 20-30%.
• Smart shopping:Negotiate prices for specialties at Lang Nuong, priority given to buying in bulk to get discounts.

Frequently asked questions when traveling to Yen Tu

1. What is special about Yen Tu?

Yen Tu is the center of Vietnamese Buddhism, famous for Dong Pagoda, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Hue Quang Tower and majestic natural scenery, bringing serenity and positive energy.

2. Is one day enough to explore Yen Tu?

Enough if you use the cable car and have a reasonable schedule. Combining the cable car and walking saves time and still visits the main attractions.

3. How much does the trip cost?

About 500,000-1,000,000 VND/person if traveling on your own, or 590,000-1,390,000 VND/person if going on a package tour.

4. Are there any special preparations needed when climbing?

Bring sneakers, bamboo stick, water, snacks and an offering from home. Dress modestly.

5. What to do if you encounter crowds during the holiday season?

Go early (5:00-6:00), use the cable car to avoid crowds and keep your personal belongings safe.

Yen Tu 1 day tour is not only a sightseeing trip but also a journey to find peace of mind, connect with nature and the history of Vietnamese Buddhism.

With detailed itineraries, practical experiences and cost-saving tips shared, you are ready to explore this “Buddhist homeland”. Pack your bags, book your tickets and start your meaningful trip today!