Serving as the capital of a mountainous province, Thai Nguyên lies directly north of Hanoi in Vietnam’s north-east. It is one of the country’s most recognised tea-growing regions and also provided a setting for the Thai Nguyên uprising. This 1917 rebellion is widely considered to be the largest anti-colonial activity in French Indochina.
Things to do in Thai Nguyen
Sprawling west of Thai Nguyên is Nui Coc Lake, a man-made reservoir created with the damming of the Công River. Its dozens of islands and surrounding tea plantations are associated with a folk legend of star-crossed lovers, “Coc” and “Cong”. Nui Coc Lake is an idyllic destination for boat cruises and boasts a family-friendly water park, together with a dinosaur-themed attraction.
Cascading over a forested limestone cliff is the Nam Rut Waterfall, which translates as “rainfall” in the local Tay language. It plunges into an emerald stretch of the Than Sa River and is particularly impressive during the rainy season. After stopping at the Nam Rut Waterfall, continue to the archaeological site of Hang Nguom where ancient stone artefacts have been uncovered.
Thai Nguyên is famed for its photogenic tea plantations, which terrace the rolling hills surrounding the city. While tea was grown in the area prior to 1882, it was French colonists who established large-scale plantations in the late 19th century. On a guided tour, you can observe the pickers at work before sampling the specialty Tan Cuong tea that is grown here.
Getting around Thai Nguyen
Thai Nguyên is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Hanoi and one hour from Noi Bai International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Inter-city trains connect to the Thai Nguyên railway station and buses travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.