In recent years, many foreign tourists have been attracted to the ancient communal houses and pagodas of Bac Ninh. These "living museums" preserve memories spanning centuries, allowing visitors to reconnect with their roots and explore the region's spiritual and cultural heritage.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Son introduces international guests to the wooden blocks of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda.

A prime example is Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, a central hub of the Truc Lam Buddhist Zen sect, which houses 3,050 wooden blocks engraved with Buddhist scriptures, medical texts, and monastic codes.

The pagoda has been recognised as a documentary heritage under the Memory of the World programme for the Asia-Pacific region in 2012

Visitors to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda are immersed in its sacred and tranquil atmosphere, where they can pay homage to the national treasure - the set of statues of Truc Lam founders - explore the unique architecture of ancient structures, and even experience woodblock printing to learn about the distinctiveness of the site’s heritage.

Hynek Kmonicek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Vietnam, expressed his admiration, saying that he is particularly impressed by the ancient and distinctive beauty of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, the birthplace and development centre of Truc Lam, a Zen sect that deeply embodies the Vietnamese spirit.

Another notable heritage site is Bo Da Pagoda in Van Ha ward, a favorite destination for international tourists. With its unique architecture, moss-covered earthen walls, ancient tower gardens, and peaceful atmosphere, the pagoda offers visitors a sense of calm and serenity.

Recently, both Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and Bo Da Pagoda, along with 10 other cultural sites in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, were officially recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This recognition affirms the enduring vitality and global significance of the Kinh Bac cultural heritage, solidifying Bac Ninh’s place as an essential destination for any journey through Vietnam.

In addition to these well-known pagodas, Bac Ninh is home to numerous other spiritual landmarks that draw pilgrims and sightseers alike. These include Phat Tich Pagoda (Phat Tich commune), Dau Pagoda and But Thap Pagoda (Tri Quoc ward).

The exploration of Bac Ninh extends beyond religious landmarks. Tourists can also visit ancient villages and traditional craft communities, such as Dong Ho Village, famous for its folk paintings; Tho Ha Village with its simple yet rich history; and Phu Lang Village, known for its pottery. These sites offer a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and craftsmanship.

In the land of Quan Ho (love duet) folk singing, Bac Ninh also boasts 35 eco-tourism sites that have become popular with visitors, especially those seeking a balance of cultural exploration and relaxation.

The beautiful natural landscapes, long-standing cultural traditions, and rich tangible and intangible heritage make Bac Ninh an appealing destination for those wanting to experience a diverse cultural and tourist landscape.

International tourists visit the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Centre.

Many experts agree that Bac Ninh's authenticity and preservation of local traditions have made its heritage particularly compelling. The province currently boasts nearly 1,400 recognised historical sites, many of which are of national and international stature.

Notably, the recent UNESCO recognition of Vinh Nghiem and Bo Da Pagodas as World Heritage Sites opens up significant opportunities for Bac Ninh to promote its image on the global stage.

With its abundant potential, Bac Ninh aims to develop a unique heritage destination and green experience as part of its tourism strategy for the coming years.

This will connect its rich heritage with the modern era, differentiating it from other major tourism centres in the country.

The goal is to attract 12-15 million visitors by 2030, including 1.5-2 million international tourists, with an increase in tourism revenue contributing significantly to the local economy.

Bac Ninh sets sights on tourism as strategic economic pillar

BAC NINH - On July 1, 2025, the official merger of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces marked the formation of a new administrative unit: Bac Ninh province. More than an administrative shift, this merger opens up a golden opportunity to turn tourism into one of the province’s strategic spearhead sectors.

Linkage fuels Bac Ninh’s tourism to take off

BAC NINH- Before the merger, both Bac Giang and Bac Ninh are potential for development of cultural and ecological tourism. Bac Ninh, the home to Quan ho folk songs, an intangible heritage of humanity, is a sacred land with talented people preserving thousands of historical and cultural relics and unique folk festivals such as Lim festival, Do temple, Dau pagoda, Phat Tich pagoda and Ba Chua Kho temple festivals.

Bac Ninh gets more opportunities to develop agricultural, rural tourism

BAC NINH- Merging the 2 northern provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh into the new Bac Ninh province is not only a turning point to build a super-industrial province but it also opens up more opportunities for agricultural and rural tourism development, a “non-smoke industry”, which is a modern and sustainable trend. 

Bac Ninh adds two more free weekend tours

To facilitate and add more experiences on the weekends for tourists participating in the free tour "Bac Ninh Cultural Quintessence - Heritage Colours", the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh has decided to increase the number of free weekend tours.

Bac Ninh launches two free tours starting March 8

Bac Ninh Province offers two free tourist tours from today, March 8, allowing residents and visitors to explore traditional craft villages, historical and cultural landmarks, and renowned tourist attractions.