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Phu Tho, the cradle of Vietnam's history, is home to Hung Kings Temple, lush parks, and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Just 90 km from Hanoi, it combines nature, culture, and legend. Discover its magic with Asia King Travel, your trusted guide to unparalleled tours of Vietnam.
This place combine nature, culture and legend
Phu Tho is a province where daily life, history, and culture converge. Visitors can stand atop Nghia Linh Mountain, which was the court of the ancient kings, walk along the Red River, or enjoy a mountain village rustic specialty meal. The simplicity of the journey from Hanoi, combined with its festivals, legends, and diversity of cuisine, makes the province one that will be remembered.
For travelers seeking beyond images, there is this place that reveals a deeper Vietnam, where myth becomes history, where rivers mark a life, and where customs are alive in every market, every song, and every banquet.
Phu Tho where a journey to history of Vietnam begin
Phu Tho province covers over 3,500 square kilometers. It lies in the north of Vietnam's Red River Delta, adjacent to Tuyen Quang and Yen Bai to the north, Son La and Hoa Binh to the west, Hanoi to the south, and Vinh Phuc to the east.
Three large rivers, the Red, the Lo, and the Da, traverse the province, shaping it and supporting agriculture, industry, and daily life. Fertile and scenic, a unique transition zone from delta to mountains, it is a land of plains, hills, and river valleys.
Location of Phu Tho
In June 2025, Vietnam's National Assembly unitedly voted through a comprehensive reform to consolidate its provincial level administrative areas from 63 to 34. As part of this reform, Phu Tho province was expanded through consolidation with the neighboring provinces of Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh to create a much larger and more cohesive provincial territory.
This new Phu Tho began operation on July 1, 2025, with the new two-tier governance that abolished district-level units and rationalized local administration.
Phu Tho reform with Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh to make a larger province territory
Phu Tho is commonly referred to as the cradle of the Vietnamese nation. It was the site where Phong Chau, the capital of Van Lang, the ancient Vietnamese state, once stood. A hundred children had been born here, legend has it, to the mother figure Au Co, representing the birth of the Vietnamese people.
The Hung Kings Temple complex on Nghia Linh Mountain remains the province's most important historic and sacred site. Thousands of visitors attend the Hung Kings Festival annually, a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, to celebrate the country's founders with rituals, processions, and folk arts.
History of Phu Tho
It is conveniently less than 90 kilometers northwest of Hanoi, which places it as one of the most accessible from the capital. It can be traveled by car or bus in less than two hours owing to national highways and the recently completed Tuyen Quang–Phu Tho Expressway in late 2023.
Its provincial capital Viet Tri can be accessed by road and rail from Hanoi with ease. Buses run there often from My Dinh Bus Station, and trains from Hanoi main station are also convenient. Those traveling even further north to places like Yen Bai or Lao Cai find Phu Tho a good stopping point along the way.
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The province has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Summers are hot, rainy, and humid, while winters are cool and dry. The average temperature goes from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the summer often go up to 35 to 36 degrees, while winter temperatures go down to around 15 degrees.
Rainfall is on the heavy side, from 1,600 to nearly 2,000 millimeters per annum. The wettest month is typically July, with daily showers and high humidity. The dry season from November to April is cooler and more settled and is a good time to go.
Weather in Phu Tho
Phu Tho's most sacred site and Vietnam's most important cultural symbol is the Hung Kings Temple complex at Mount Nghia Linh. It is used to worship Hung Kings, who are the legendary founders of the Vietnamese state. It has a series of temples such as Ha Temple, Trung Temple, Thuong Temple, and the Hung Kings Mausoleum, situated among pine trees.
Each year, thousands of pilgrims make a pilgrimage to the Hung Kings Festival in March (lunar calendar) and has been inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Hung Kings Temple Complex
Ao Chau Lagoon, popularly known as the "Ha Long Bay on land of Phu Tho," is a broad freshwater lake of more than 300 small green islands. Located in Ha Hoa district, the lagoon is about 300 hectares broad and renowned for its transparent water and peaceful atmosphere. Travellers can enjoy boat rides, fishing, and taking pictures as they enjoy the surrounding hills. With its unspoilt beauty, Ao Chau Lagoon is becoming more of a sought-after eco-tourism destination for those seeking peace.
Ao Chau Lagoon
Approximately 80 kilometers north-northeast of Hanoi, Tam Dao is referred to as the "Da Lat of the North" because of the cool climate and lush hilltop vistas. The park has over 900 plant species and 200 animal species, nature lover's paradise and trekkers' paradise. Tam Dao town nearby has French villas, pagodas, and lookout points.
Tam Dao National Park in Vinh Phuc
Located on the flank of Tam Dao Mountain, Tay Thien is northern Vietnam's premier Buddhist center. Pilgrims come to worship the Mother Goddess Lang Thi Tieu and indulge in the picturesque trekking paths to the pagodas.
Tay Thien Pagoda Complex in Vinh Phuc
Famously known as the "Ha Long Bay of the mountains," this colossal artificial lake was formed by the Da River hydropower project. It is nearly 100 kilometers long, dotted with hundreds of islets and surrounded by limestone mountains. Boat cruises, homestays, and cultural trips with the Muong and Thai ethnic groups are the highlights.
Stunning view of Hoa Binh Lake
A picturesque valley of rice fields, stilt towns, and rolling hills. Mai Chau is famous for its traditional Thai ethnic culture, folk dances, brocade production, and homestays. It is suitable for trekking, cycling, and community-based tourism.
Mai Chau Valley in Hoa Binh
This is a specialty consisting of minced pork mixed with roasted rice powder, garlic, and chili and then fermented for a slightly sour taste. Rolled in guava leaves, it has a cool scent and unique flavor that is tangy and savory. It is usually eaten as a beverage accompaniment or used during celebrations.
Thanh Son Sour Meat
Originating in Lam Thao district, this rural dish combines steamed rice rolls and fried spring rolls, tofu, and barbecued meatballs with aromatic herbs. The pride and joy is the dip sauce, made from pickled papaya, turnip, and carrots, mixed with sweet and sour. Cheap but filling, Lam Loi rolled cake is a favorite among locals and visitors.
Lam Loi Rolled Cake
Phu Tho people love eating Banh Tai, which is made from rice flour, pork, and spices formed into the shape of an ear. The cake is steamed to make it soft and fragrant, with chewy texture and palatable filling. It is served with sweet-and-sour sauce, and so it is a must-try for travelers.
Banh Tai Phu Tho
Phu Tho is not merely a destination, but the start of Vietnam's history, where nature greets culture. If you are going to the Hung Kings Temple, trekking Xuan Son National Park, or trying out Vietnam's local dishes, this province is the place to experience Vietnam the way it should be. For a trouble-free North of Vietnam tour, rely on Asia King Travel as your official Vietnam travel guide, bringing you closer to the soul of Vietnam. Start your journey today and experience the true Vietnam spirit.
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