Discover Thung Ui – A New Scenic Wonder in the UNESCO Trang An Landscape Complex

Thung Ui Ninh Binh – a new Ninh Binh travel destination – has recently attracted increasing attention from travelers thanks to its distinctive limestone valley scenery and architectural structures recreating historical settings associated with the Hoa Lu ancient capital period.

Dragon’s Eye Lake at Thung Ui, a scenic limestone valley located within the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in Ninh Binh.

Located within the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO-recognized World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, Thung Ui Ninh Binh is considered by many visitors as a new option when exploring tourism in Ninh Binh.

A Wonder Within a Wonder

Thung Ui is located about 2 km from Bai Dinh Pagoda and approximately 95 km from central Hanoi, making it convenient for day trips or combined journeys with popular destinations such as Trang An, Tam Coc, the Hoa Lu ancient capital, or Van Long Nature Reserve.

Situated amid the characteristic limestone mountain region of Ninh Binh, the area features a closed valley landscape surrounded by steep karst mountains and natural lakes, forming a striking limestone valley Ninh Binh environment.

During the recent Lunar New Year holiday, images of Thung Ui Ninh Binh were widely shared on social media, showcasing ancient-style photography settings, stone bridges and architectural works recreating historical scenes.

As a result, the location quickly became a Ninh Binh travel destination that attracted the interest of many young travelers. Some visitors compare the atmosphere here to ancient Chinese towns due to the combination of natural scenery and traditional-style architecture.

According to local historical legends, the Thung Ui area is believed to be the place where Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang established the Dan Kinh Thien (Heaven Worship Altar) to conduct rituals to heaven and earth and proclaim himself emperor in 968 when founding the state of Dai Co Viet.

This event marked an important historical period when the Hoa Lu region became the first capital of a centralized feudal state in Vietnam.

From this historical story, several structures in the area have been reconstructed to recreate ancient ritual and spiritual spaces. Among them are three main structures: Dan Kinh Thien, Dan Kinh Dia, and Dan Kinh Nhan, symbolizing the Eastern philosophical concept of “Heaven – Earth – Humanity”.

A central ceremonial structure at Thung Ui recreates the ritual space associated with Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and the founding of the Dai Co Viet kingdom.

These structures are built on the natural landscape of the valley, creating a space that is both spiritual and designed for sightseeing within the Trang An UNESCO heritage region.

At the center of the tourist area lies Ho Muc Long, also known as Dragon’s Eye Lake Ninh Binh. The lake sits in the middle of the valley, surrounded by limestone mountains that form a relatively enclosed and tranquil environment.

The calm water reflects the surrounding mountains and architectural structures, creating distinctive views typical of the Ninh Binh karst landscape.

Visitors take traditional-style photographs on a bamboo raft beneath a stone bridge inside the Thung Ui tourism complex.

The Moc Hoan Valley area is where many sightseeing activities are concentrated. Along the valley are walking paths, stone bridges and rest stops where visitors can enjoy the scenery or take photographs.

Several structures are designed in traditional architectural styles with tiled roofs, stone railings and decorative elements intended to recreate the historical atmosphere of the Hoa Lu ancient capital.

Bamboo boat ride through the lake to admire the Thung Ui wonder

Visitors to Thung Ui Ninh Binh can experience a variety of activities. One of the most popular experiences is taking a bamboo boat experience in Ninh Binh on Ho Muc Long (Dragon’s Eye Lake) to observe the entire valley and the surrounding limestone mountains.

From the water, visitors can clearly see the distinctive geographical structure of the Trang An karst landscape, characterized by towering cliffs and narrow valleys.

Visitors row boats through a narrow canal and stone bridge while exploring the scenic valley landscape of Thung Ui.

In addition, many travelers choose to visit and offer incense at Dan Kinh Thien, which is considered the central structure associated with the legend of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. The space is designed in an open layout combining ceremonial courtyards, stone steps and worship areas.

Another activity favored by many young visitors is taking historical-style photographs within the traditional architectural setting of the tourism area. Here, visitors can rent costumes such as ao dai, giao linh robes, or ao tac ceremonial attire to take photos among stone bridges, ancient gates and limestone valley landscapes.

An aerial view of Thung Ui showing Dragon’s Eye Lake and the surrounding limestone mountains typical of the Trang An karst landscape.

Besides the natural scenery and reconstructed historical structures, the area also introduces activities for learning about local culture. Visitors can explore the cultural space of the Muong ethnic community, a long-established population living in the mountainous regions between Ninh Binh and Hoa Binh.

According to plans, Visit Indochina will include Thung Ui Ninh Binh in its travel programs introducing destinations to international visitors.

The combination of natural landscapes, historical elements and cultural experiences is expected to help the area become a new attraction in northern Vietnam travel itineraries.

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