• Duc La Pagoda

Location: Duc La Pagoda is located in Tri Yen Commune, Yen Dung District, Bac Giang Province.
Characteristics: Duc La Pagoda was built in the 12th century, was a centre of the Truc Lam Trinity (King Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang monks) who opened a school of Buddhist preaching and established the Truc Lam religious sect.
From the Bac Giang City, a crooked red soil trail runs off Route 13, just past Tan An Commune, let to Duc La Pagoda, also known as Vinh Nghiem Tu (80km north of Hanoi).
The pagoda is situated in an area of rolling hills. In the background is the Co Tien Mountain range and to the left are the batiks of the Luc River. Further away is the Thuong River which converges with the Luc River to form the Phuong Nhon Junction. In front of the pagoda are vast rice-fields dotted with villages and hamlets hidden behind green bamboo groves. Looming in the distance is the 99 Nham Bien Mountain range, wrapped in a poetic and mystical air.
The main architecture of the pagoda lies on a south-west axis and is composed of four principal areas. The first area includes the Pagodas of Ho, Thieu Huong and Buddhist. The interior of the Ho Pagoda is adorned with many statues; at the two gables there are two Thap Dien niches, two colossi as high as the roof, as well as statues of Thien Wong, Dia Tang and Long Than. The Thien Huong Palace is splendidly decorated with three horizontal panels and a gilded door; the first compartment is for bonzes to say prayers, the second is for the display of Buddha statues and statues of Arhats. The Buddhist Temple is a world of Buddha statues bearing many architectural imprints of the Le Dynasty.
A brick yard separates the second area from the first and is an ancestral shrine built in a simple architectural style with wooden planks and cloud - like decorations. The panel is inscribed with the words "Truc Lam ho thuong" (A rendez-vous of the Truc Lam Trinity) in Chinese characters and is seen above the three statues of the Truc Lam Trinity.
The third area is the two-roofed bell tower and the fourth is the second ancestral shrine hosting two statues symbolic of the art of sculpture in the Nguyen Dynasty.
Over 700 years have elapsed but all four architectural structures remain intact. Duc La Pagoda remains a major training centre of Buddhism with wooden shelves for the printing of Buddhist sutras still conserved as evidence of the important role of the pagoda.
The local authorities and people have maintained the complex well, making the area an eternal sanctuary of the Vinh Nghiem Buddhist sect.

• Mo Spring (Suoi Mo) Historical Area

Location: Mo Spring winds through a valley between Huyen Dinh and Yen Tu mountains belonging to Nghia Phuong Commune, Luc Nam District, Bac Giang Province; about 90km from Hanoi and 40km from Bac Giang City.
Characteristics: Due to geological tectonics, there appeared many large stones of different shapes. These stones are placed in tiers to make different levels of slopes within the stream bed, which results in various falls of different sizes. As results, many natural bath tubs have been formed. Along both sides of the stream are luxuriant trees looking into the clear water.
There are Suoi Mo Temples consist of Den Thuong (upper temple), below along the spring are Den Trung (middle temple) and Den Ha (lower temple) which were built during Le Dynasty. The temple has been used for worshiping the Holy Mother of the top mountain called Que My Nuong. It is believed that she was the daughter of the 16th Hung King.
Close to Mo Spring are Ho Bac Pagoda, the area of 3 palaces and 7 foundations, Tran Temple, horse race ground, Xoan Communal House, Cong Xanh and Tro temples. Most special is Mo Spring Festival held annually on the 1st day of the fourth lunar month.
In 1988, Mo Spring was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a historical relic.

• Tho Ha Communal House

Location: Tho Ha Communal House is in Tho Ha Village, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province.
Characteristics: Tho Ha, an ancient communal house built under the reign of King Le Hy Tong is surrounded by many old trees. It was built according to the form of the Chinese character cong.
The praise-giving house is 27m long, 16m wide and stands on a raised ground surrounded by three grey stones steps. The roofs of the Communal House are covered with ancient crescent-shaped tiles curved up like a scimitar sword blade at the four corners and decorated with purple-burned glazed terra-cotta creatures such as lion cubs. There are 22 mighty levers intricately engraved with dragons, clouds, and lion cubs.
The praise-giving house is divided into 7 rooms and is supported by 48 ironwood pillars. The roof frame is engraved with lively scenes. The ladies in long dresses wearing their hair in buns or turbans, riding phoenixes and dragons or dancing over the floating clouds, are remarkable. The floor of the temple is laid with polished blue stones. The wooden entrance of the communal house is engraved and painted in gold, conferring it with a solemn and ancient atmosphere.
The inscription on an old stela, relates that Tho Ha Communal House was built through the material contribution of Tho Ha villagers. Even now, it is clearly still honoured and cared for with pride.

• Xuong Giang Ancient Citadel

Location: Xuong Giang Ancient Citadel is in Xuong Giang Commune, Bac Giang City, Bac Giang Province.
Characteristics: Xuong Giang is the name of the old citadel built by Ming troops in the 15th century.
The remains there show that the citadel has a rectangular shape, the length from the east to the west is about 600m, the width from the north to the south about 450m. The whole area is about 27ha. The walls are made from earth. It has 4 forts at four corners, and wide ditches. Its four main gates are open to the west. This was the place where Lam Son insurgents; attack on September 28th, 1427, the battle against supporting troops on November 3, 1427 took place. In reference to this battle, Le Quy Don stated that: Since Tran Dynasty to that time, apart from the arrest of Tich Le Co, O Ma Nhi, there had never been such a great triumph over the North invaders in our country (according to the Great History of the Great Viet).
In order to celebrate the victory of Lam Son insurgents in Xuong Giang, every year Bac Giang holds a festival for two days on the 6th and 7th days of the first lunar month.
 

2) Scenic Landscapes

• Cam Son Lake

Location: Cam Son Lake is situated in Luc Ngan District, Bac Giang Province.
Characteristics: Ordinarily, the lake covers 2,600ha, but during the rainy season it occupies 3,000ha. The 30km-long lake is 7km at its widest point and 200m at its narrowest.
Given the various tourism projects of the area, it should not be long before the Cam Son Lake area becomes an attractive summer resort. Boating, hiking, fishing, as well as visiting ethnic minority hamlets will be available for visitors.
To get there from Hanoi, drive to Bac Ninh (31km), then to Bac Giang (51km). Continue until the Hoa River (98km) and turn to Cam Son Lake

• Khe Ro Primitive Forest

Location: Khe Ro Primitive Forest is located in An Lac Commune, Son Dong District, Bac Giang Province.
Characteristics: Khe Ro Primitive Forest is a 7,153ha protected forest.
The area boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna, including 236 species of trees, 255 tubers of valuable medical plants, 37 mammals, 73 species of birds and 18 species of reptiles, 7 of which are considered rare and valuable. There are many clear fresh water streams that wind through the forest.
As one of the few remaining wild protected forests, Khe Ro Forest is a fascinating place for visitors to explore.

3) Cultural Travel