1. Overview of Cua Ong Quang Ninh
Overview of Cua Ong Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
1.1. Geographical location and outstanding features
Cua Ong Ward is located at the eastern gateway of Cam Pha city, Quang Ninh province, adorned with the poetic beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay. Thanks to its convenient location, this place becomes a natural connection point with many other famous scenic spots. Tourists can conveniently combine their trip with Ha Long Bay, Co To island, or Quan Lan with just a short travel time.
Synchronized transport infrastructure, with the National Highway 18 route passing through the ward center, Cua Ong port, and a modern bus station, makes the journey here more comfortable. The coastal road connecting Ha Long, Cam Pha to Van Don offers beautiful scenery, making the trip to Cua Ong Quang Ninh an unforgettable memory right from the start.
1.2. Historical - cultural value of Cua Ong
The name of Cua Ong Quang Ninh is associated with the Cua Ong Temple relic site - a Special National Historical Relic known nationwide. This is where deep spiritual cultural values are preserved, honoring Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang - the valiant general of the Tran dynasty, who dedicated his life to protecting the Northeast region.
The tradition of "drinking water, remembering its source" is clearly shown through rituals and stories about national heroes. Cua Ong is not only a prominent spiritual tourism center but also a symbol of patriotism and the resilient spirit of the nation. Each year, numerous tourists come here to pay homage, learn about history, pray for peace, and feel the sacred atmosphere at the seaside.
2. Cua Ong Temple: A symbol of spirituality and history
Spiritual and historical symbol of Cua Ong Quang Ninh. (Source: Collection)
2.1. History and meaning of Cua Ong Temple
Built from the 14th century, Cua Ong Temple was established to commemorate the victories of Tran Quoc Tang and the generals of the Tran dynasty in protecting the Cua Suot sea gate area. The son of Hung Dao Dai Vuong not only inherited military talent but also showed loyalty to the homeland.
The special feature of Cua Ong Quang Ninh Temple compared to other temples is that it fully worships all members of Hung Dao Dai Vuong's family, with 34 exquisitely carved statues. Thanks to this, the temple has become the only spiritual address with this unique feature. Although it has undergone many renovations since the early 20th century, the temple still retains its sacred value and its role in educating patriotic traditions.
2.2. Characteristic architecture and landscape of Cua Ong Temple
Cua Ong Temple is built on a hill 100m high, converging a unique feng shui position "leaning against the mountain, looking at the sea". In front is the vast Bai Tu Long Bay, behind is a deep green ancient forest, creating a picture of harmony between nature and architecture. From here, visitors can gaze out at the entire Northeast sea region, feeling the powerful beauty of creation.
The relic area is divided into three distinct zones. The Lower Temple has a "Nhi" (二) character architecture with three solemn prayer halls and three inner sanctuaries. The Upper Temple is built in the "Cong" (工) character style, notable for its elaborate decorations, where the bronze statue of Tran Quoc Tang is enshrined. Adjacent are the Quan Chau Temple, the preparation house, and the Buddhist temple, all creating a harmonious architectural complex. The ancient trees still stand silently beside, witnessing the historical events over time.
2.3. Transparent management of donations
Cua Ong Quang Ninh Temple stands out with its transparent management of spiritual relics in receiving donations. The reception system is operated professionally, ensuring that all revenues and expenditures are monitored and clearly disclosed. Visitors offering incense can be assured that their contributions will be used for the intended purpose.
This model not only strengthens visitors' trust but also serves as a standard for other historical sites to reference and learn from. Transparency contributes to improving the quality of spiritual tourism services and creates a positive environment for preserving traditional values. Entering 2025, Cua Ong will continue to maintain and perfect this model, affirming its prominent position on the spiritual tourism map of the country.
3. Guide to traveling to Cua Ong Quang Ninh
Guide to reaching Cua Ong Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
3.1. From Hanoi and northern provinces to Cua Ong Quang Ninh
Getting to Cua Ong Quang Ninh from Hanoi is easy with many transportation options. Buses departing from My Dinh or Gia Lam stations have many daily trips, with ticket prices ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per trip. The travel time is about 4 to 5 hours, allowing tourists to rest and enjoy the scenery along the way.
If traveling by private car, the National Highway 18 route through Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Uong Bi, Ha Long to Cam Pha is a popular choice. The distance is 200 km, with a driving time of about 4 hours, suitable for families or groups of friends who desire independence and freedom. Along the journey, tourists can stop to visit attractive landmarks before reaching Cua Ong.
3.2. Intra-provincial travel within Quang Ninh to Cua Ong
In Quang Ninh, buses are a popular choice with routes running between Ha Long - Cam Pha - Cua Ong operating continuously. The travel time is about 1 to 1.5 hours, suitable for those who want to experience public transport and save costs. These bus routes also pass through many famous tourist attractions, facilitating further exploration.
Taxis or motorbike rentals are also ideal suggestions for small groups prioritizing time flexibility. The coastal road connecting Ha Long, Cam Pha, and Van Don is renowned as one of the most beautiful routes in Quang Ninh. Along the way to Cua Ong Quang Ninh, visitors will enjoy the azure sea, majestic limestone islands, and many ideal stops for memorable photos.
4. Experience the Cua Ong Temple Festival in 2025
Experience the Cua Ong Festival in Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
4.1. Organization Time and Main Activities
The Cua Ong Temple Festival is held on the 3rd - 4th day of the 2nd lunar month and the 3rd - 4th day of the 8th lunar month annually, attracting a large number of visitors. In 2025, the festival will take place solemnly with full traditional rituals. The sound of the opening drums echoes, signaling the sacred festival days, creating a solemn atmosphere throughout the area.
Important spiritual activities include incense offering to commemorate, worshipping Lord Tran Quoc Tang, worshipping Saint Mother, and offering incense to Trung Thien Long Mau according to traditional rituals. The festival part is no less exciting with folk games such as tug of war, pole wrestling, human chess, and blindfolded ball hitting. Additionally, there are offerings competitions, art photo exhibitions, and folk art performance segments, creating a vibrant and community-bonding atmosphere.
4.2. Spiritual Significance and Tourist Attraction
The Cua Ong Festival is a typical cultural event and also a spiritual symbol of the Northeast region's residents. Since 2016, the festival has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reflecting its profound historical and cultural values. This is an occasion for everyone to express gratitude to their ancestors and educate future generations with patriotic traditions.
The festival's appeal is demonstrated by the number of visitors reaching over 100,000 during the 2025 festival season. This shows that tourists pay special attention to spiritual and cultural tourism. The festival is a bridge between traditional values and modern life, where people collectively embrace the cultural beauty of the nation.
5. Experience Activities and Tourism near Cua Ong, Quang Ninh
Experience and tourism activities in Cua Ong, Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
5.1. Combining spiritual, sea and island tourism with scenic check-ins
Cua Ong, Quang Ninh is an excellent starting point for a journey to explore the famous Bai Tu Long Bay with its wild and romantic beauty. Visitors can combine temple visits with unique sea and island activities, creating a diverse itinerary. Bai Tu Long Bay still retains its pristine charm, with clear waters and many uniquely shaped limestone islands.
Islands such as Van Don, Cai Bau, and Quan Lan are within convenient travel distance from Cua Ong. Visitors can take a cable car for aerial views, stroll along the piers, swim in the sea, or enjoy fresh seafood. The majestic bronze statue of Tran Quoc Tang in the temple grounds, along with the breezy seaside photo spots, are notable check-in locations. Nearby, Cai Bau Pagoda offers a serene meditation space amidst the picturesque distant island scenery.
5.2. Cuisine and specialties to try when visiting Cua Ong
The cuisine of Cua Ong is highlighted by its sea flavors through fragrant grilled milk oysters with scallion oil. Seafood such as sea cucumbers, snails, and fresh clams are prepared in various ways, offering diners many appealing taste experiences. Seafood noodle soup, nem chao, and squid cake are also must-try dishes when visiting this place.
Cam Pha seafood market and Cua Ong are ideal places for those who love fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Crabs, mantis shrimp, and seafood hot pot are prepared right at the seaside eateries, ensuring their freshness and characteristic flavors are preserved. Additionally, visitors should try specialties from the Northeast region such as Gat Gu cake and Tai Long Diep cake – traditional cakes that showcase the refinement of the local people.
6. Cua Ong Travel Experience 2025: Notes and Useful Tips
Travel experience in Cua Ong Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
6.1. Tips on attire and etiquette when visiting Cua Ong Temple
When visiting Cua Ong Quang Ninh, visitors should prioritize polite, modest attire to show respect for the spiritual space. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are suitable suggestions; avoid short clothing or overly bright colors. Gentle colors such as white, light blue, and beige will help create a harmonious and serene feeling in the sacred space.
During rituals, maintain a solemn attitude, turn off phone sounds, and limit loud conversations. When offering incense, follow the sequence from the Lower Temple to the Upper Temple to show reverence. For easy movement within the Cua Ong Temple grounds, choose low-heeled shoes or sandals with back straps for convenient travel on the stairs.
6.2. Photography tips and must-not-miss check-in spots
The best times for photography at Cua Ong Quang Ninh are from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM. At this time, the gentle sunlight highlights the beauty of the temple architecture, while also creating natural shadow effects. Visitors can choose angles from the hill, capturing the distant sea view behind with the prominent statue of Tran Quoc Tang.
Impressive photo spots include the ancient stone gate, the tiered steps leading to the Upper Temple, and the ancient garden behind the temple. The exquisite bronze statues within the grounds are also ideal backdrops for commemorative photos. When taking photos in the worship area, visitors need to maintain order and avoid offensive poses to show respect for the sacred place of Cua Ong.
7. Suggested itinerary for exploring Cua Ong Quang Ninh in 1 day
Suggested itinerary for exploring Cua Ong Quang Ninh. (Source: Collected)
Departing from Hanoi or Ha Long at 07:00, visitors will arrive at Cua Ong Quang Ninh around 09:30. This is a favorable time to start the sightseeing journey while the weather is still cool. The first two hours are suitable for visitors to visit Cua Ong Temple, attend a peace prayer ceremony, learn about the notable figures worshipped, and explore the three temple areas: Lower, Middle, and Upper.
At 11:30, enjoying lunch with fresh seafood at Cua Ong market or a seaside restaurant is an interesting choice. In the afternoon from 13:00, visitors can visit Bai Tu Long Bay, take photos with the statue of Tran Quoc Tang, and enjoy the cool atmosphere by the sea. The journey concludes with a gentle stroll along the beach, buying local delicacies as souvenirs, and departing at 16:00, concluding a memorable day of experience at Cua Ong Quang Ninh.
Cua Ong Quang Ninh in 2025 is a destination that fully converges cultural and historical values with the hundreds-year-old Cua Ong Temple, unique spiritual experiences through traditional festivals, and the beautiful island scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay. Plan and prepare for your exploration of Cua Ong to personally feel the sacred beauty and historical significance of this proud Northeast land!
