Van Trinh Grotto

Huge Buddhist complex, the largest in Vietnam, with the largest pagoda tower of Vietnam (100 m high, has elevator). Most of it was built between 2003 and 2010, so it's in exceptionally good shape. A visit can easily take 4 hours due to the sheer size of the complex. At night, most buildings are lit up, creating absolutely magnificent sights. Access is free but notoriously difficult without taking a shuttle e-mobile from the parking lot, because the parking lot is 3 km from the entrance, at the completely opposite end of the precincts. For the shuttles, there are several options.
If you want to see the best building sights or came mainly for the large tower, take option 2 for 150,000 dong (option 1 for 100,000 dong if you don't want to go up the tower) to the northern main gate and walk counterclockwise around the walls. After 15-30 minutes you will have seen the best views and be at the tower. From there you can continue to the Buddha on the hill or to the absurdly large main hall if desired. Once you have seen enough, return to the west of the main gate and the shuttle will bring you back to the parking lot.
If on the other hand you come here for the cultural and religious value of the site, or want to walk as little as possible, take the hop-on-hop-off bus with option 3 for 250,000 dong, bringing you clockwise around the interior of the complex. On the mountain in the back you can visit the original ancient temple buildings.

The ancient capital during Dinh (968-80) and Le dynasties (980-1009). Little remains from this period, but there are a few large temples and monuments built from the 1600s on: the temple of Dinh Tien Hoang, the temple of King Le Dai Hahn, Nhat Tru Pagoda, and on top of a hill, Dinh Tien Hoang's tomb. Consider a guide, as there is little interpretive information (or even useful maps) onsite. There are also boat trips on the river to Xuyen Thuy cave, less spectacular than other caves in the area.

It was built by the animal welfare organisation Four Paws opened for visitors in 2019. It covers 5.5 ha, and plans to expand to 10 ha and open an education centre. Different from other sanctuaries, visitors will not be able to enter the whole sanctuary. A path leads the visitors above some enclosures to allow them to observe the bears from a distance.