Pho Hien

Nguyễn Thanh Quang · CC BY-SA 3.0

A once-bustling trading port immortalized by the saying 'First the Capital, second Pho Hien,' now a complex of ancient relics.

Pho Hien was once the most flourishing trading port of Dang Ngoai (the northern realm) in the 17th century, where merchant ships from China, Japan, and Holland thronged the banks of the Red River. The folk saying 'First the Capital, second Pho Hien' has etched this land's standing into the Vietnamese consciousness. Wandering through the old town of Hung Yen today, visitors rediscover traces of the past at May Temple, Chuong Pagoda, Xich Dang Temple of Literature, and the moss-covered Mau Temple. Each summer, the fragrance of the royal-tribute longan wafts through the streets, evoking the golden age of an ancient town rich in the blend of East and West.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Pho Hien?

July to August (longan season)

How long do you need at Pho Hien?

1 day

What are the opening hours of Pho Hien?

07:00 - 18:00

Did you know

Once the most bustling international trading port of Dang Ngoai in the 17th century.
The Pho Hien relic complex comprises more than 100 relics large and small.
Famed for its longan, once presented as tribute to the king.
Xich Dang Temple of Literature is a symbol of the region's love of learning.

Travel tips

Tour the relic cluster by bicycle to explore the old town fully.
Come in summer to enjoy authentic Hung Yen longan.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ph%E1%BB%91_Hi%E1%BA%BFn

Updated: 2026-08-06