Tam Dao (Tam Đảo), a town of Vinh Phu province, is an ideal destination where is favorite by many Northerners. With 1000m (3000ft) high, Tam Dao has a cool weather in all round year like Da Lat and Sapa. In addition, the quite close distance from Ha Noi, just 70km (44miles), has made it become attractive place for Hanoi people in weekends and holidays.
Attractions in Tam Dao
1. Van pagoda (Chùa Vân), the full name is Tam Dao Tinh Vien Van Son, was built in 2009. The distance is 9km (5miles) from Tam Dao town, on the route from Ha Noi– Tam Dao. The pagoda has very beautiful view, you can also take overnight at here, very nice.
2. Telecommunication tower, 93m (270ft) high, is located on the peak of Thien Nhi mountain – 1400m (4600ft) high. Way up to mountain is quite hard but romantic with many kinds of flower: Orchid, Cuc quy and many other wildflowers.
3. Silver waterfall (Thác Bạc), 50m (165ft) high, is the most beautiful waterfall in Tam Dao. To get the fall, from Tam Dao town, you have to go along a trail, down to a deep valley. In the end, you will see the waterfall hiding in mountain.
Thac Bac waterfall
4. Rung Rinh peak (đỉnh Rùng Rình), a ideal destination for adventurers. At here, the nature is beautiful like fairy: many gigantic trees which are covered by orchids and moss, birds chirping in all day, majestic mountains... Further, you can see Tam Dao-2 where was a ideal resort of French near 1 century ago but now, it just remains a place where has beauty of the wild and lonely.
5. Tam Dao ancient church was built in 1937 by French. This’s 1 of many structures that French was built. However, in the war, most of structures were destroyed, the church is only structure has been intact for now. This’s very interesting site with nice view, standing at here, you can see all of Tam Dao nature.
6. Public pool is located at halfway up the mountain, very romantic. The water is very clean, you should bath in noon or early afternoon, the water is very cold in morning and evening ($2.5/ticket). The pool is picked as relaxing place by many tourists.
7. Sky Gate (Cổng Trời). To get there, from Tam Dao you go straight to the church of French, then turn left and just go straight. Standing on the Sky Gate, you will see the panorama and strange beauty of Tam Dao town hiding in sea of cloud.
8. Thuong Ngan princess temple (Đền bà chúa Thượng Ngàn) has many beauty to visit (You have to wear courteous clothes when coming into the temple). When arriving garden statues, I was very surprised by statues of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhat,… were hiding in mist.
9. Stroll around the town. Evening is best time, from 6pm, fog will cover the town, scene will be very romantic and fanciful (Remember wearing warm clothes and hat).
Famous specialties of Tam Dao
1. Chayote (Su su) is the most famous specialty of Tam Dao, you can see this specie at everywhere. They cover large area on mountainsides, at front of houses, in 2 sides of road into the town… Chayote at here is always green and has good resistance. People never use pesticides so they’re very clean and tasty. Chayote can be cooked into many dishes: chayote tops are fried with beef or garlic, the fruit can be boiled and eaten with sesame or fish sauce-chili+garlic…
2. Hill chicken is fed manually (on hillsides) so the meat is solid and very tasty. Hill chicken can be cooked into many dishes: fried with salt, stewed, baked,…
3. Man pig (lợn mán) is also fed manually so very tasty meat. If you travel big group, about 10 people, you can book 1 pig from 6-8kg (13-17.5lb) with price about $15 for 1kg. From 1 pig, they will cook into all dishes as possible: fried, stewed, baked,… They can also organize for your group a campfire party.
Few tips when travelling Tam Dao
Foods in Tam Dao is quite expensive so you should carry some fast foods, drink water for snacks. Doing so you will save a considerable sum. Preparing a hair dryer and mini flat iron because Tam Dao’s weather is usually very wet, especially when having mist. Preparing drugs fully. I walked around the town and saw only 1 small pharmacy.