Kinh Bac - the land of wonderful specialities

Kinh Bac - the cultural identity of Bac Ninh province.

Bac Ninh, once was Kinh Bac area, located in the north of Red river, has the terrain of great and sacred mountains and rivers. It is also the place where converges quintessence from the nature… Due to these, it has become an ideal region for the very early settlers in Viet Nam and also been the cradle of talents and heros for this country.

Many characteristically cultural features here include studious tradition, spirit of loving the country, and especially the folk musical style- which makes Kinh Bac, Bac Ninh well-known more and more.

“Banh Phu The” is a Vietnamese sweet cake with a jelly-like texture made of tapioca flour, pandan, mung bean paste, sugar, sesame seeds and coconut milk. It is very unique with a leaf covering that looks like a tiny square box, made from coconut leaves. The reason it is called Banh “Phu The” is because of how it is wrapped: a box on the top fits perfectly with the box on the bottom. If tourists in Vietnam travel would like to know how to make this special cake, they can visit Dinh Bang - a famous Vietnamese village in Bac Ninh province. “Banh phu the” is a lot more interesting in texture and flavor. In the real one, the cake has it green color and flavor by being steamed inside its box...

But Thap Pagoda is situated on the dike of the Duong River, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province. The pagoda was built in the 17th century, during the late Le dynasty. Its founder was Chinese Buddhist Priest Zhus Zhus, who died in 1644. Queen Mother Trinh Thi Ngoc Truc requested that Lord Trinh Trang enlarge the pagoda in 1646. The pagoda was built according to "Noi Cong Ngoai Quoc "architectural style, and includes 10 buildings spread over 100 meters, from the three-entrance gate to the bell-tower and back house. Two 13-m towers, Ton Duc and Bao Nghiem, are made of white rock, making the pagoda seem higher, more majestic and peaceful. Some remains of the 17th century are kept here such as statues, valuable donations, Nine-Story Lotus Tower, Tuyet Son statue, Bao Nghiem tower, and Xa Ly tomb. The last renovations of the structure were carried out in 1992.

Many things else which can’t be mentioned completely in this guide contribute to the uniqueness but diversity of a simple, natural and peaceful land. All are carefully conserved to develop the tourism potential of Bac Ninh province in particular and Vietnam tourism in general.