Hanoi (VNA) – The northern province of Ha Nam, located about 65km from Hanoi, said to be a must-visit place for those who love exploring layers of local cultural heritage, is hopeful of becoming a leading emerging tourism destination in Asia.

This year, Ha Nam has been nominated for the 31st World Travel Awards (WTA) for the Asia and Oceania region in two prestigious categories, Asia's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination and Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination.

In 2023, Ha Nam surpassed many renowned global destinations such as Gjirokastër (Albania), Kathmandu Valley (Nepal), and Oaxaca (Mexico) to be honoured as the “World's Leading Regional Cultural Destination” voted by the World Travel Awards.

It is no coincidence that this destination, with a reputation somewhat 'modest' compared to top names in Northern Vietnam like Ha Long or Sa Pa, caught the eye of an award known as the Oscars of the global tourism industry. The rich and unique layers of cultural and historical heritage, set against the backdrop of tranquil and unspoiled nature, are what create the soul and distinctive allure of Ha Nam, making it unlike any other place.

Ha Nam is home to many thousand-year-old pagodas with a peaceful and serene beauty, embodying the essence of the spiritual and cultural life of the northern region which attract millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.

The Long Doi Son Pagoda complex in Tien Son commune, Duy Tien town, is one of the renowned scenic spots with a long history that reflects a prosperous period of Buddhism in the nation's history. Despite the many ups and downs of history, the pagoda has retained its ancient, sacred charm, with deep imprint of the architectural and artistic style of the Ly Dynasty. It also serves as a valuable historical archive, with the Sung Thien Dien Linh stele recognised as a national treasure.

Located in Ninh Trung village, Liem Son commune, Thanh Liem district, Dia Tang Phi Lai pagoda (whose ancient name is Dung pagoda), around 70km from Hanoi, is famous for housing many sacred and historical artifacts.

The pagoda leans against the mountain and its two sides are mountain ranges. It is hidden among pine forests, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. According to Eastern feng shui, the location can be interpreted as having a dragon to the left, and white tiger to the right.

The nearly 1,000-year-old pagoda has become one of the most popular destinations in Ha Nam after its restoration.

Another renowned spiritual destination in Ha Nam is the Tam Chuc tourist area, often called a 'terrestrial Ha Long Bay' for its beauty. It features ancient and serene architecture set amidst majestic mountains and clear blue lakes.

Another unmissable cultural and spiritual destination in Ha Nam is the 140-year-old So Kien Basilica. It is an interesting architectural work with massive and East-West convergent architectural style. This is one of the four churches honoured with the title of Minor Basilica - the special designation given to certain churches or sanctuaries in Rome or around the world, in terms of antiquity, historical importance, and spiritual significance.

Visitors are sure to be overwhelmed by the space enveloped in ancient and peaceful beauty, reminiscent of a magnificent and romantic European street.

Ha Nam is also home to numerous temples and pagodas with centuries-old histories, such as Ba Danh pagoda, Phat Quang pagoda, Lanh Giang temple, Tran Thuong temple, Bau pagoda, Dang Xa pagoda, Trinh Tiet pagoda, Tien Pagoda, and Bat Canh Son, which once had eight pagodas and a shrine dedicated to local deities, all arranged according to the principles of the Eight Trigrams and Five Elements.

Besides its cultural and spiritual sites, Ha Nam is also renowned for its pristine landscapes, showcasing the beauty of mountains, rivers, and lakes. Must-see destinations include Ao Dong, with its majestic natural scenery formed by towering mountains and forests; Hang Luon (Luon cave), where visitors can drift on a boat to admire the unique shapes of the stalactites; Phuc Long cave; Ngoc mountain, among others.

Beyond being a prominent cultural and spiritual destination, Ha Nam is set to elevate its tourism with numerous large-scale projects in collaboration with the Sun Group.

Covering an area of 420ha, the Sun Group - invested “Era City" - Sun Urban City Ha Nam project, has a total investment of 35 trillion VND (nearly 1.4 billion USD). It features numerous tourism facilities in Ha Nam, such as a Sun World Park, a cultural park, an ecological park, a sports park, and a festival park.

꧒ Sun Urban City offers a suburban resort-style urban model with 1,001 amenities, where elderly people and families receive comprehensive healthcare through nursing homes and specialised hospitals. It features expansive spaces for walking, recreation, and entertainment, along with top-level service amenities, promising to give a facelift to Ha Nam. The province will soon become a top destination not only for cultural tourism but also high-class entertainment and investment at the gateway to Hanoi./.