Best Thai Nguyen Travel Guide for First-time Traveler

Thai Nguyen is a province in Northeast Vietnam that has beautiful scenery with mountains, green tea hills, and other charming landscapes. If you visit Thai Nguyen, you can explore popular tourist destinations like Nui Coc Lake, Doom Temple, Phuong Hoang Cave, and Mo Ga Stream. You’ll also get to experience the diverse cultures and unique festivals of the many ethnic villages whose people live in the area. With this Thai Nguyen travel guide, we hope to help you make the most on your first visit.

Where is Thai Nguyen?

Thai Nguyen is an important hub for economic and social exchanges between the Northern Midlands and Mountains region and other provinces in the Northern Delta of Vietnam. It holds a strategic position within the Northern Midlands and Mountains region. To its north is Bac Kan province, to its south is the Hanoi capital (which is about 80km away), to its east are Bac Giang and Lang Son, and to its west are Tuyen Quang and Vinh Phuc provinces.

When is the best time to visit Thai Nguyen?

Thai Nguyen is a great destination for eco-tourism and for exploring historical and cultural landmarks. You can visit Thai Nguyen any time of the year depending on your preferences for weather and places to see. 

If you’re sensitive to heat and enjoy visiting historical sites, tea hills, and experiencing national culture, then the best time to visit Thai Nguyen is from September to March of the following year. On the other hand, if you like swimming in streams and waterfalls, then you should plan to visit during the summer months. 

The most beautiful time to experience Thai Nguyen’s natural beauty is from May to August according to the solar calendar.

How to go to Thai Nguyen?

There are several ways to travel from Hanoi to Thai Nguyen. You can ride a motorbike, take a train, or catch a bus. If you’re looking for a short weekend trip and enjoy an active experience, then riding a motorbike is a convenient option. From Noi Bai airport, you can ride along the national highway to Bac Ninh and turn right after 8km, then left to reach Thai Nguyen.

Alternatively, you can take the train from Long Bien station. The train options are QT1 and QT3. If you prefer to travel by bus, you can purchase tickets for the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen route at major bus stations such as My Dinh, Gia Lam, and Giap Bat. The average ticket price ranges from 80k to 150k. Some reputable bus operators to consider include Thanh Thuy, Thanh Ha, Hoang Long, and Trung Hanh.

Tip: We understand that language barriers or difficulty finding the bus station may make some people uncomfortable buying tickets there. Therefore, we recommend booking your bus or private car ticket online for the trip from Hanoi to Thai Nguyen. This will save you time and effort.

How to move around Thai Nguyen?

If you want to explore Thai Nguyen at your own pace and save money, renting a motorbike is a great option. Motorbike rentals in the city are affordable, ranging from 80,000 VND to 160,000 VND per day, depending on the type of bike you choose. All you need to rent a motorbike is your passport and a driver’s license. 

You can rent a motorbike in Hanoi and drive to Thai Nguyen or easily rent one in the city by asking at your hotel or finding a rental shop on the street. To avoid problems, it’s best to rent from a reputable shop. Here are some reliable options:

Rental Shop	Phone Number	Address	Manual Bike Rental Price	Scooter Rental Price
Minh Viet	097 299 71 06	168, Z115, Tan Thinh Ward, Tan Thinh	80,000 VND – 120,000 VND/day	120,000 VND -160,000 VND/ day
Khuong Chuyen	0912 735190	106 Luong The Vinh, Quang Trung Ward	100,000 VND/day	150,000 VND/day
Khanh Duong	0989 447666	322 Quang Trung, Thinh Dan Ward	90,000 VND – 120,000 VND/day	140,000 VND – 150,000 VND/day
Quang Trung	0972 373888	490 Ba Thang Hai, Tan Lap Ward	80,000 VND – 100,000 VND/day	130,000 VND – 140,000 VND/day
Long Khanh	0975 466789	1111 Ba Thang Hai, Phu Xa Ward	80,000 VND – 100,000 VND/day	130,000 VND – 140,000 VND/day

If you’re traveling with children or elderly people, taking a taxi is a more comfortable option. Here are some reputable taxi companies in Thai Nguyen:

Taxi Company	Contact Phone Number
Taxi Mai Linh	0208.6.25.25.25
Royal Taxi	0208.3.867.867
Taxi Dang Quang	0208.3.822.822
Taxi G7	0208.3.65.65.65
Dai Tu Taxi	0208.3.526.526
Taxi Thai Nguyen	0208.3.863.863
Taxi Duc Quynh	0208.3.855.855

What to do for the first time in Thai Nguyen?

Here are some places you should visit on your first time in Thai Nguyen:

Tan Cuong Tea Hill

Experienced backpackers often recommend visiting this spot for its beautiful scenery of tea hills and fresh air. Don’t forget to bring a good camera or smartphone to capture the moment!

Dinh Hoa ATK relic site

This historical site is an important base from the resistance war against the French and showcases many heroic feats of the nation.

Coc Mountain Lake

This famous tourist destination offers many fun activities such as visiting the water park, Fairy Park, zoo, islands, and watching the water music stage. Don’t forget to visit Legend of the Palace to hear the beautiful love story of Coc and Cong.

Nam Rut Waterfall

This waterfall is a must-see attraction in Thai Nguyen. In the rainy season, you can enjoy the white waterfall, and in the dry season, you’ll see green moss on the cliffs pouring into the river.

Linh Son Cave

This beautiful cave is located about 6km from the city center and features two natural rock caves, Thien cave and Dia cave. The stalactites form a pair of dragons hovering in the clouds, welcoming visitors to the magical world.

Khuon Tat Waterfall

Located in the middle of wild and quiet mountains, this waterfall is surrounded by old trees and has seven floors. Local legend says that wild animals used to come here to drink and live. Don’t miss this place full of wild beauty when visiting Thai Nguyen.

In addition to these popular destinations, there are many more places to explore if you have extra time. You can find the full list of tourist attractions in Thai Nguyen to discover more places to visit.

What to eat in Thai Nguyen?

If this this your first time in Thai Nguyen, you have to try these iconic dishes from their cuisine:

Thai Nguyen Cooc Mo Cake

This cake is made from glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves or dong leaves without any filling. It’s sweet, fragrant, flexible, and can be eaten without feeling bored.

Bo Dau Banh Chung

The sticky rice used to make this type of Banh Chung is a delicious kind of sticky rice found in the Dinh Hoa area. The cake is wrapped in dong leaves taken from the mountains of Dinh Hoa and Cho Don. The ingenuity in wrapping and boiling the cake in clear and sweet well water makes Bo Dau Banh Chung particularly delicious.

Dai Tu sour spring rolls

Unlike other types of spring rolls, Dai Tu spring rolls need to be grilled with charcoal or rolled over a pan before they can be eaten. They are made from lean butt meat, garlic, wine, pepper, roasted rice, and guava leaves. Each spring roll is carefully wrapped with banana leaves and can be kept for several days.

Uc Ky sticky rice paste

The rice paste is made from glutinous rice kernels with a sweet and rich taste that visitors won’t forget.

There are many more dishes to explore on Thai Nguyen’s culinary map if you have more time. Check out the list of Thai Nguyen cuisine for more options.

Hotels in Thai Nguyen

Thai Nguyen has recently been promoting tourism, and finding the right accommodation for your stay is not difficult. Below are some hotels that we have stayed at and think are good options:

Dong A Plaza Hotel (May Plaza)

Address: Phan Dinh Phung, Group 11, Dong Quang Ward

Dong A Plaza Hotel has 146 rooms that can accommodate up to 300 guests at the same time. It’s located in the center of the city, which is convenient for visitors to explore the neighborhood’s many restaurants, souvenir shops, tourist services, and public works. The hotel is also close to historical, cultural, and scenic sites. This place ensures your best experience for the first time in Thai Nguyen.

Hoang Mam Minh Cau Hotel

Address: Minh Cau, Phan Dinh Phung

Hoang Mam Minh Cau Hotel is located in Thai Nguyen and offers a children’s playground, a spa center, and a fitness center. The hotel has flat-screen cable TVs, kettles, and private bathrooms with free toiletries for guests’ comfort. It also provides free Wi-Fi and free private parking on site. The hotel reception is open 24 hours.

Kim Thai Hotel

Address: Hoang Van Thu Street

Kim Thai Hotel is located in the center of the city, near the Cau River, the Museum of Vietnam Ethnic Minorities, and the administrative offices of the province. The hotel has 58 rooms with apartments equipped with amenities according to international standards. The hotel also has conference rooms and seminars with a capacity of up to 150 people.

Nam My Van Homestay

Address: Dong Tien, Pho Yen

Nam My Van Homestay is a pet-friendly accommodation. It offers free Wi-Fi and free use of bicycles to explore the area. The rooms are equipped with kettles and private bathrooms with free toiletries. Guests can also use the shared kitchen. Cycling and hiking are popular activities in the area.

How long should you stay in Thai Nguyen?

Based on our travel experience, Thai Nguyen is best for a short weekend trip as it is located very close to Hanoi. A 2-day (even 1-day) trip is enough to explore some of the good things in this area. However, we always welcome the idea of staying for a few more days to fully explore all that this place has to offer, as it boasts many other cultural and hidden attractions waiting to be discovered. Alternatively, you can make it a part of your larger trip to other northern provinces like Bac Kan, Lang Son, Bac Giang, and so on.

ATM and Money Exchange in Thai Nguyen

Thai Nguyen is a developed city, so finding ATMs is easy. Many banks have ATMs located in the city center and other important areas, so you won’t have trouble withdrawing cash. If you need to exchange foreign currency, it’s better to do it beforehand in Hanoi. But if you have to do it, go to an authorized bank branch.

Local Emergency Contact for Tourists in Thai Nguyen

To better manage the tourism environment and provide information to tourists, the Thai Nguyen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has set up a hotline at the Tourism Promotion Information Center. The hotline’s details are as follows:

• Address: No. 19, Nha Trang street, Trung Vuong ward, Thai Nguyen city
• Landline number: 02803656825; Mobile number: 0917301181.
• Website: www.thainguyentourism.vn
• Email: [email protected].

Other helpful contacts:

• Emergency Rescue: Dial 112
• Police: 113
• Fire Department: 114
• Ambulance and Medical support: 115
• Remember to save your hotel/homestays phone number in case of emergency

Other notes to ensure a safe trip beside of this Thai Nguyen travel guide

Here are some tips to consider before embarking on your first time in Thai Nguyen:

• Pack extra clothes: If you plan on taking a dip in Nui Coc lake or Mo Ga stream, be sure to bring a change of clothes.
• Bring your own food or buy food: Food at tourist areas can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to bring your own food or be prepared to purchase it.
• Pack an umbrella and hat: Thai Nguyen’s weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to bring an umbrella and hat to protect yourself from the sun or rain.
• Bring a flashlight: If you plan on visiting caves, remember to bring a good flashlight since it can be quite dark inside.
• Consider getting a Viettel SIM card: In areas like the tea hill, phone signals can be weak. Having a Viettel SIM card can provide better coverage. Check out our complete guide to picking a Vietnam SIM card for travelers for more information.