The Vietnamese province of Bac Giang is set in the country’s northeastern part, east of the capital, Hanoi. Around one-third of the mountainous terrain is devoted to agriculture, producing mainly lychee and pineapples. This slightly touristy province is also home to several ethnic groups.
Bac Giang’s capital city of the same name presents some cultural history, including the ancient Xuong Giang citadel that witnessed bloody fights with Minh invaders in the 15th century. Several historic temples and pagodas can be found in the Hiep Hoa and Lang Giang districts, while the Vinh Nghiem Buddhist Center was established on Fairy Mountain in the 13th century.
Forty kilometers (25 miles) from Bac Giang town, Suoi Mo is a beautiful, natural eco-tourist site dotted with numerous waterfalls and pools. The impressive Suoi Mo temple was created in the 15th and 16th centuries to worship Princess Que Mi Nuong, a goddess.
Also 40kms (25 miles) from the provincial capital is Khuon Than lake, enclosed by mountains and pine trees in a vast woodland area where visitors can learn about the individual customs of the diverse ethnic minorities who live here. As a poly-ethnic province, Bac Giang hosts over 300 annual festivals that draw tourists from all over the country.
Bac Giang town offers a range of hotels and guesthouses as well as some fine local restaurants. It is 50kms (30 miles) from Hanoi and can be accessed by rail or by road.