Sơn Tây

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Planning a trip to Sơn Tây but not sure what to prepare? This guide to traveling in Sơn Tây from Justfly is exactly what you need—save these tips for your trip!

When to visit?
Where to explore?
Local specialties
From those before you

1. Why choose Sơn Tây for your trip?

  • Convenient location: Sơn Tây is about 60km from Hà Nội, and its well-developed transport network means the journey takes only around 1 hour by road.
  • Majestic natural scenery: Sơn Tây is blessed with an incredibly rich ecosystem. Its varied landscape features mountains, forests, rivers, streams and waterfalls, while the weather remains fresh and cool throughout the year.
  • Fascinating attractions: Sơn Tây is a land with a long cultural history and is home to 3 ethnic groups: Kinh, Dao and Mường. Alongside its beautiful scenic spots, Sơn Tây has many traditional attractions closely connected to the heritage of the Vietnamese people.

2. The best time to visit Sơn Tây

Thanks to its lush natural forests, Sơn Tây is an ideal place to "escape the heat" on sweltering summer days. The best time to visit Sơn Tây is therefore from April to October.
You can also visit Sơn Tây from late October to early November, when wild sunflowers bloom at their brightest and most beautiful.

3. How to get to Sơn Tây

Thanks to its convenient location, Sơn Tây is easily accessible from central Hà Nội by several different routes:

  • First route - via National Highway 32: Depart from central Hà Nội and travel to Cầu Giấy District, then continue straight along National Highway 32 to Sơn Tây.
  • Second route - via Láng Hòa Lạc Road: Travel via Trung Hòa Bridge, then continue toward Láng Hòa Lạc. At the Hòa Lạc junction, turn right toward Sơn Tây.
  • Third route: Again, head toward Trung Hòa Bridge and continue in the direction of Quốc Oai, then turn right toward Thạch Thất Town. Continue toward Gạch Town in Phúc Thọ, then turn left and travel for around 7km to reach Sơn Tây.

4. Famous attractions in Sơn Tây

4.1 Đường Lâm Ancient Village

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A famous cultural attraction in Sơn Tây, Đường Lâm Ancient Village still preserves the artistic heritage and architectural style of an ancient village in the Red River Delta.
At Đường Lâm Ancient Village, visitors can explore many historic attractions, including Mông Phụ Village Gate, the memorial house of doctoral laureate Giang Văn Minh and centuries-old houses…

4.2 Khai Nguyên Pagoda

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Khai Nguyên Pagoda was built in the traditional temple architecture of Northern Vietnam, with clearly separated main worship halls. This sacred pagoda stands amid majestic mountains and forests, with a large lake at its entrance.
The pagoda's highlight is Southeast Asia's largest Amitābha Buddha statue, standing 72m tall for visitors to admire and explore. Khai Nguyên Pagoda also hosts many important Buddhist events.

4.3 Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel

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Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel is closely associated with the heroic history of the Vietnamese people, making it an unmissable attraction when visiting Sơn Tây. Set amid majestic mountains and forests, the citadel was built in the Vauban architectural style with four main gates.
At the ancient citadel, visitors can admire an 18-meter-high tower designed with many striking small windows. It also served as the citadel's flag tower during the Vietnamese people's resistance against foreign invaders.

4.4 Sơn Tây Walking Street

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Sơn Tây Walking Street is a recently emerging attraction. Located beside Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel, the pedestrian street draws large crowds on weekends.
Here, visitors can stroll along the street, admire the scenery and enjoy the fresh air. They can also take part in cultural performances and sample a variety of tempting Sơn Tây specialties on the walking street.

4.5 Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism

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The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is nestled among hills, with a valley on one side and a peaceful lake on the other. It is a wonderful place to admire and experience the scenery of Sơn Tây.
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the distinctive cultural heritage of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups and experience a variety of folk entertainment and cultural performances from Vietnam and abroad.

4.6 Đồng Mô Lake

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  • Located in the Đồng Mộ Tourist Area in Sơn Tây Town

After appearing in the film "Người Phán Xử", Đồng Mô Lake became even better known for its poetic, romantic beauty.

Alongside its captivating natural setting, Đồng Mô Lake offers visitors a range of activities, including golf and camping...

4.7 Mía Pagoda

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Mía Pagoda is a famous spiritual attraction that you should visit at least once while in Sơn Tây. The pagoda features ancient architecture, including adjoining three-entrance gate structures arranged in the shape of the Chinese character Mục.
Mía Pagoda is also home to many remarkable Buddha statues, each distinctive in both form and meaning. At the beginning of each Lunar New Year, the pagoda welcomes large numbers of visitors who come to explore and pray for good fortune.

5. Unmissable experiences in Sơn Tây

Camping

If you visit Sơn Tây in summer, camping is a wonderful activity. Sơn Tây is surrounded by majestic mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, so even when the summer weather is sweltering, the atmosphere here remains very pleasant. You can camp overnight at Đồng Mô Lake, a destination with picturesque views of the water and mountains.

Discover the history of King Ngô Quyền

Sơn Tây is closely associated with the history of King Ngô Quyền. Many famous attractions still preserve traces of his legacy and have shrines dedicated to him, which you can visit and learn about, including Đường Lâm Ancient Village and the Ngô Quyền Mausoleum...

Enjoy the local cuisine

A trip to Sơn Tây would be incomplete without enjoying its diverse cuisine. Be sure not to miss tempting local specialties such as thịt quay đòn, Phú Nhi bánh tẻ, Mía chicken, goat meat and chè Lam...

6. Famous specialties of Sơn Tây

6.1. Traditional village meals

  • Reference price: 50.000 - 150.000 VND
  • Addresses:
  1. Cơm quê Hải Lợi - Xóm Hậu, Mông Phụ, Đường Lâm, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Cơm quê Hùng Mạnh - Làng cổ Đường Lâm, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  3. Cơm nhà cổ bà Điền - Số nhà 19, xóm Đình, thông Mông Phụ, xã Đường Lâm, thị xã Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
Đường Lâm Ancient Village is not only a place for sightseeing and check-ins, but also a destination for delicious local cuisine. Here, visitors can experience and enjoy home-style meals filled with the flavors of the countryside, served amid the simple surroundings of an ancient Vietnamese village.

6.2. Mía chicken, a “royal tribute specialty”

  • Reference price: 200.000 - 350.000 VND
  • Address:
  1. Dũng Béo - Cơm & Đặc Sản Gà Mía - Phố Mía, Đường Lâm, Thị Xã Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Cơm quê Hùng Hạnh - Làng Cổ Đường Lâm, Thị xã Sơn Tây, Hà Nội

Raised free-range in gardens, Mía chicken has fragrant meat, crispy skin, and a tender, sweet taste. It was once considered a prized dish reserved as a tribute to the king.

Today, Mía chicken is often prepared for important celebrations throughout the year. It can be cooked in many ways, including boiling, grilling, roasting,... and is delicious however it is prepared.

6.3. Spit-roasted pork

  • Reference price: 150.000 - 400.000 VND
  • Address: 1.Thịt quay đòn Lương Hương - Thôn Dông Sàng, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  1. Nhà Hàng Vườn Hoa Đường Lâm - Thôn Mông Phụ, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội

Spit-roasted pork is one of Sơn Tây's specialties and requires an elaborate preparation process. Fresh pork is marinated in a rich blend of seasonings, wrapped tightly around a bamboo pole, and roasted for around 6 hours.

Once roasted, the pork has crisp golden skin while remaining tender and juicy inside. Its distinctive flavors of guava leaves and húng lìu spice make the dish even more appealing and unique.

6.4. Wild boar

  • Reference price: 180.000 - 200.000 VND/kg of meat
  • Address:
  1. Nhà Hàng Lá Cọ Minh Hoa - Ngã 3 Chợ Xuân Khanh, xã Xuân Sơn, thị xã Sơn Tây, Hà Nội

Tây Sơn wild boar is fragrant, with thick meat, tender skin, and especially little fat. As a result, dishes made with this wild boar never feel greasy.

Some Sơn Tây specialties made with wild boar that you can try include: wild boar braised with five spices, stir-fried wild boar with coconut milk, wild boar grilled with fermented tofu...

7. Famous eateries/restaurants in Sơn Tây you should not miss

7.1. Nhà Hàng Baly

Contact information

  • Opening hours: 07:30 – 22:00
  • Reference price: 200.000 – 1.500.000 VND
  • Signature dishes: European cuisine
Nhà hàng Baly features a spacious, elegant setting with eye-catching modern French architecture. At Baly, visitors can enjoy a range of European dishes prepared with fresh seafood, quality American beef,...

7.2. Nhà Hàng Ngọc Phượng

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  • Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00
  • Reference price: 200.000 – 1.000.000 VND
  • Signature dishes: country-style dishes, seafood
Every dish at Nhà hàng Ngọc Phượng is prepared with fresh ingredients and authentic traditional country flavors. Here, visitors can choose from a varied menu of more than 200 tempting dishes inspired by the cuisine of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam.

7.3. Nhà Hàng Phương Kha

Contact information

  • Opening hours: 09:00 – 23:00
  • Reference price: 50.000 – 150.000 VND
  • Signature dishes: catfish, free-range hill chicken, mountain goat
Phương Kha specializes in affordable, home-style meals. With reasonable prices and a varied menu, the restaurant serves a full range of authentic Sơn Tây dishes such as catfish braised with green bananas, grilled free-range hill chicken, grilled goat...

7.4. Bếp làng Đường Lâm

Contact information

  • Opening hours: 09:00 – 20:00
  • Reference price: 100.000 – 450.000 VND
  • Signature dishes: rustic country dishes

Bếp làng Đường Lâm is known for its peaceful atmosphere and design inspired by a traditional old-fashioned kitchen. The tiled thatched roofs, wood-fired stove... are all authentically arranged. Here, visitors can enjoy an authentic country-style meal that is simple yet wonderfully rich in flavor.

7.5. Nhà hàng 1985 - Trung Sơn Trầm

Contact information

  • Opening hours: 08:00 – 22:00
  • Reference price: 70.000 – 150.000 VND
  • Signature dishes: hot pots, porcupine, bamboo rat, fresh beef/buffalo...
Nhà hàng 1985 specializes in hot pots made with fresh ingredients such as beef, crab, buffalo meat... What makes Nhà hàng 1985 special is that every hot pot comes with a plate of rice paper wrappers and mixed vegetables, including shredded green banana, sour star fruit, pineapple, and cucumber.

8. Quality accommodation in Sơn Tây

Tourism in Sơn Tây is now thriving, giving visitors a wide range of accommodation options. You can book a room at a homestay, villa, or hotel right in the city center, making it easy to get around and visit the area's many attractions. Take a look at some of the quality places to stay compiled by Justfly below!

9. What souvenirs should you buy when visiting Sơn Tây?

9.1. Bánh tẻ Phú Nhi

  • Reference price: 5.000 - 10.000 VND
  • Address:
  1. Bánh Tẻ Gia Truyền Bình Dụ - Số 22 Phú Nhi, P. Lê Lợi, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Bánh Tẻ Trung Phượng - Ngõ Đình 2, Số 38 Phú Nhi, P. Ngô Quyền, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  3. Bánh tẻ Thanh Bình - Ngõ 134 Phú Nhi, P. Ngô Quyền, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
One specialty worth taking home for family when visiting Sơn Tây is bánh tẻ Phú Nhi. This simple, delicious dish is made from plain rice, pork, and wood ear mushrooms, and you can easily find it at many shops throughout Sơn Tây.

9.2. Tương Đường Lâm

  • Reference price: 35.000 - 100.000 VND
  • Address
  1. Gia đình ông Hà Hữu Thể - xóm Sui, thôn Mông Phụ, xã Đường Lâm, Tây Sơn, Hà Nội
  2. Gia đình ông Hà Hữu Thể - xóm Sui, thôn Mông Phụ, xã Đường Lâm, Tây Sơn, Hà Nội
With its approachable aroma and rich, nutty soybean flavor, tương Đường Lâm also makes a fitting souvenir from Sơn Tây. You can also use tương Đường Lâm as a dipping sauce for Sơn Tây specialties to make them even more flavorful.

9.3. Chè lam

  • Reference price: 15.000 - 20.000 VND
  • Address:
  1. Quán Chè Ngon - Chợ Tre, số 2, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Quán nước Cô Vân - cổng làng cổ Mông Phụ, Đường Lâm, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
Chè lam is a traditional treat that is an essential part of every Tết celebration in Sơn Tây. Chè lam is made from sticky rice, combined with the sweetness of malt candy and the gentle warmth of ginger.

9.4. Kẹo lạc Đường Lâm

  • Reference price: 15.000 - 20.000 VND
  • Address:
  1. Chợ Sơn Tây - Số 74 Hoàng Diệu, Phú Thịnh, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Chợ Kim Sơn - ĐT 416, Kim Sơn, Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
Sơn Tây's kẹo lạc Đường Lâm dates back to the 16th century. That is why this traditional peanut candy is one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of souvenirs from Sơn Tây. Kẹo lạc Đường Lâm has a sweet, nutty flavor from malt and peanuts.

9.5. Ba Vì dairy products (Yogurt, milk cakes…)

  • Reference price: 35.000 - 44.000 VND
  • Address:
  1. Cửa hàng Sữa Ba Vì - Cổ Đông, Thị Xã Sơn Tây, Hà Nội
  2. Grocery stores in Sơn Tây
Products made from Ba Vì milk are also a good choice if you are wondering what souvenirs to buy for family in Sơn Tây. Some options include Ba Vì milk cakes, Ba Vì yogurt, Ba Vì milk candy...

10. Suggested Sơn Tây sightseeing itinerary

To make it easier to explore all of Sơn Tây, take a look at the 3-day, 2-night itinerary below!

Day 1: Hà Nội - Đường Lâm Ancient Village - Khai Nguyên Pagoda - Đông Cung Đền Và

  • 07:00 - Depart from central Hà Nội
  • 09:00 - Visit Đường Lâm Ancient Village
  • 11:00 - Check in and have lunch
  • 14:00 - Visit Khai Nguyên Pagoda and Đông Cung Đền Và
  • 17:00 - Return to your accommodation to rest and have dinner

Day 2: Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel - Sơn Tây Walking Street - Đồng Mô Lake

  • 09:00 - Explore Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel and stroll around Sơn Tây Walking Street
  • 14:00 - Visit Đồng Mô Lake, take Instagram-worthy photos, and choose to camp here overnight

Day 3: Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism - Mía Pagoda - Ngô Quyền Mausoleum

  • 09:00 - Visit the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism and take part in activities here
  • 14:00 - Discover the beauty of Mía Pagoda and pray for good luck
  • 16:00 - Learn about and pay respects at Ngô Quyền Mausoleum
  • 17:00 - Return to the hotel and check out

11. Things to note when visiting Sơn Tây

Every memorable trip begins with good preparation, so keep these Sơn Tây travel tips handy!

  • Read reviews beforehand Read honest reviews in online groups and on websites about attractions, places to stay, and local food so you can choose the destinations that suit you best
  • Book your hotel room To avoid rooms selling out during busy travel periods such as public holidays, Tết, and weekends, book in advance through a reputable online website!
  • Clothing Pack clothing suited to the weather and the places you plan to visit. Dress respectfully at historical, cultural, religious, and spiritual sites. If you plan to hike or camp, choose comfortable, lightweight clothing. You should also bring essential items, mosquito repellent,...
Every destination and local specialty in Tây Sơn offers something unique and appealing to experience during your visit. Justfly hopes these tips for traveling in Sơn Tây will help make your family trip one you will “never forget”.
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