We denken een boottocht te doen in Tam Coc, maar ontdekken pas achteraf dat we in Hai Trang zijn :) Geen spijt echter want het is er prachtig: we worden rondgevoerd op een bootje tussen de paarse lelies, door grotten en met bergen op de achtergrond. Tijd om een boek te lezen of gewoon wat te chillen, was er niet en ik merk elke dag dat ik Hoe kom je in Tam Coc? Vanuit Hanoi kun je de trein te nemen die je dwars door de mooie omgeving naar Ninh Binh brengt. Je doet hier ongeveer 2,5 uur over. Vanaf het treinstation is het nog 20 minuten met de taxi naar Tam Coc. Je kunt ook met de bus vanuit Hanoi. Dit duurt ongeveer 3 uur en deze stopt in Tam Coc zelf. Ook vanuit Cat Ba kun je Dus ik ging door met twee anderen, Luc en Mabel. Met wie ik overigens ook erg goed op kon schieten. We gingen naar Tam Coc, Phong Nha, Dong Hoi en we sloten af in Hue. Niemand die je tegen zou moeten houden om te doen wat jij wilt. Leef je droom en maak ze waarheid! In dit boek ga ik mijn jaar beschrijven hoe ik dit heb meegemaakt. Hoe ik 1. Boottocht Tam Coc Tam Coc is een natuurgebied vlakbij Ninh Binh. Maak een tochtje over de Ngo Dong rivier met een traditionele sampang. De bootjes worden bestuurd door locals. Roeien doen ze vaak met hun voeten. Hoe bijzonder is dat?! Je vaart door een prachtig groen landschap met hoge rotsformaties. Tam Coc/Ninh Binh. De reis van Cat Ba naar Tam Coc duurt ongeveer 5 uur. We arriveren tegen het einde van de middag en nemen een verkoelende duik in het zwembad. Noah slaapt nog 2 keer overdag en stiekem vinden wij dat helemaal niet erg. Zo hebben Thijs en ik ook genoeg tijd voor elkaar. Alles gebeurt hier in Tam Coc op de fiets. ê Ú§ ü˜· ^ ¦iüàöö›o¾¹ ͸» âþö ·ß~ïv Ó•­|°è›wµäÉûï¿ {ÇÝÊ¢ R}ð [ÖÚG­ WŒ‡qù ?ßô~º½KØ uµ' 0ÉE þÈ‹hD1ȳ QjPqLu. We vinden het gek, maar vooral jammer, als we horen van mensen die Vietnam zijn geweest, dat ze niet naar Tam Coc zijn geweest. Het is gelegen in werkelijk waar een prachtig landschap. Na je rondreis door Vietnam zal dit één van je eerste herinneringen zijn. Sla het dus zeker niet over. Tam Coc ligt in de provincie Ninh Binh. Het is gelegen in het noorden van Vietnam ongeveer 100 km ten zuiden van Hanoi. Het wordt ook wel het Halong Bay van het binnenland genoemd. Dat komt door het grote karstgebergte. Hiertussen bevinden zich rijstvelden en stroomt er een rivier. Op deze rivier kun je varen om het prachtige landschap te verkennen. Daarnaast maak je in Tam Coc kennis met het plattelandse leven. Er heerst een echt laidback sfeer. Dit in tegenstelling tot de grote steden in Vietnam. Tam Coc hebben mij met een dagtrip vanuit Hanoi bezocht. Tijdens onze rondreis door Vietnam zijn we begonnen in Ho Chi Minh. Vervolgens zijn we naar het midden gegaan naar Da Lat en Hoi An. Daarna zijn we naar het noorden afgereisd en begonnen in Hanoi. Vanuit Hanoi hebben we Tam coc bezocht. Na Halong Bay zijn we naar Sapa gegaan. Hoe kom je er? De meest makkelijke manier om in Tam Coc is vanuit Hanoi. Hiervoor zijn er verschillende opties. Optie 1 de treinEr gaan elke dag drie treinen naar Tam coc vanuit Hanoi. Die doen er ongeveer 2,5 uur. Het is een afstand van ongeveer 115 km en kost ongeveer €13,-. Het adres van het station in Hanoi is 120 Le Duan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. Het adres van het station in Ninh Binh is 01, Hoang Hoa Tham street, Thanh Binh ward, Tam coc city. Optie 2 de busVoor de bus zijn er twee mogelijkheden. Je kan op eigen houtje een bus boeken of je kan een tour boeken bij één van de vele reisbureaus in Hanoi. Als je op eigen houtje gaat dan kost een ticket voor een minivan of een touringcar ongeveer €8,- voor een enkeltje. Er worden verschillen tours vanuit Hanoi aangeboden. Deze variëren van €30 – €60. Hier zit een busreis bij. Vaak is een lunch in Tam Coc ook inbegrepen. Wat te doen in Tam Coc? Er zijn diverse bezienswaardigheden in Tam Coc. Hoe langer je er blijft, hoe meer je natuurlijk kunt zien. Wij hebben zelf een dagtour gedaan en hebben daarmee veel kunnen zien. Het is echter ook mogelijk om in Tam Coc te overnachten. Een boottocht makenDit is iets wat je zeker moet doen. Je vaart tussen de enorme bergen en door grotten. Daarnaast maak je kennis met de prachtige natuur. Let er wel op dat het druk kan zijn. Probeer daarom vroeg in de ochtend of laat in de middag de tour te doen. Boottocht in Tam Coc Een fietstocht makenJe kan ook met de fiets het landschap verkennen. Het landschap is plat waardoor je eenvoudig tussen de rijstvelden kunt fietsen. Deze kun je ook bezoeken, zodat je kennis kan maken het plattelandse leven. Rijstvelden in Tam Coc Tempels bezoekenEr zijn diverse tempels te bezoeken in Tam Coc. Voorbeelden zijn Bich Dong Pagode en de Tai Vi Tempel. Bich Dong Pagode is een tempel dat in een rots gebouwd is. Het bestaat uit drie verdiepingen. Ook is er de Hang Mua tempel. Meer daarover hieronder. Hang Mua PeakDe Hang Mua is een grote berg met daarboven een tempel. De tempel zelf is weinig bijzonder, maar des te meer het uitzicht! Bovenop de berg heb je een prachtig uitzicht over Tam Coc. De weg naar boven kan wat zwaar zijn, omdat je 500 treden op moet. Waar te slapen in Tam Coc? Zoals vermeld hebben wij zelf niet geslapen in Tam Coc. Wel hebben we van andere reizigers goede verhalen gehoord over Tam Coc Nature. Hier slaap je op huisjes aan het water midden in, zoals de naam al doet vermoeden, de natuur. Nr. 63 van 526 Boottochten en watersporten in Hanoi Hanoi 100000 Vietnam 2Days-1Night Halong Bay Luxe Genesis Regal Cruises vanaf UAH Ninh Binh-dagtour Kleine groep - luxe transfer vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 1 van 54 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh 350000 Vietnam Luxe limousinetour - Hoa Lu- Tam Coc - Landelijk ... vanaf UAH Ninh Binh 2 Dagen Plattelandsdorpen Fietsen Tam ... vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 1 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Tam Coc Habour, Van Lam Village, Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 7 van 54 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Hele dag Hoa Lu-tempels & Tam Coc-varen - Fietsen vanaf UAH Volledige dag Bai Dinh-Trang An-Mua-grot met ... vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 5 van 54 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh Vietnam Ninh Binh 2 dagen 1 nacht - kleine groepsreis ... vanaf UAH Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Tour met kleine ... vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 1 van 4 Boottochten en watersporten in Ninh Hai Tam Coc dock, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Ninh Hai 10000 Vietnam Nr. 22 van 70 Tours in Ninh Binh Van Lam Tam Coc, Ninh Binh 130000 Vietnam Nr. 8 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Tam Coc Rd, Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 5 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Group 3, Van Lam Hamlet, Ninh Hai 432010 Vietnam Nr. 3 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Tam Coc Rd Văn Lâm, Ninh Hai Vietnam Nr. 7 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Tam Cốc, Ninh Hai 432010 Vietnam Nr. 6 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Doi 2 Van Lam, Ninh Hai Vietnam Nr. 7 van 24 Boottochten en watersporten in Ninh Binh Near the local market, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Nr. 5 van 10 Spa en wellness in Ninh Binh đội 4 thôn văn lâm, Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh 08213 Vietnam Nr. 4 van 10 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Hai Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh Building, Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 2 van 2 Shoppen in Ninh Hai Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 3 van 10 Spa en wellness in Ninh Binh Đội 4 xóm chợ, thôn vân lâm xã ninh hải hoa lư, Ninh Binh 08213 Vietnam Nr. 4 van 8 Nachtleven in Ninh Binh Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Nr. 2 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 1 van 10 Shoppen in Ninh Binh 02 Tam Coc, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Nr. 4 van 11 Spa en wellness in Ninh Hai Đội 2 văn lâm ninh hải hoa lư ninh bình Đội 2 văn lâm ninh hải hoa lư ninh bình, Ninh Hai Vietnam Nr. 4 van 24 Boottochten en watersporten in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh 100000 Vietnam Luxe Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Grot Prachtig uitzicht ... vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 3 van 10 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Hai Tam Coc Road, Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 1 van 1 dingen om te doen in Ninh Thang Tuan Cao Hamlet, Ninh Thang 430000 Vietnam Huur een fiets vanaf UAH 332,50 Alles weergeven Nr. 7 van 10 Outdooractiviteiten in Ninh Hai Ninh Hai 430000 Vietnam Nr. 2 van 11 Eten en drinken in Ninh Binh 8, Tam Coc Tourism Center, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh 0084229 Vietnam Nr. 3 van 23 dingen om te doen in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Ninh Binh-dagtour van Hanoi naar Hoa Lu, Tam Coc ... vanaf UAH Deluxe Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group ... vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 11 van 23 dingen om te doen in Ninh Binh Van Lam Hamlet Ninh Hai District, Ninh Binh 40000 Vietnam Fietsen naar Tam Coc-grot - Bich Dong-pagode ... vanaf UAH De Ninh Binh e-bike-ervaring van Ninh Binh hotels vanaf UAH Alles weergeven Nr. 1 van 10 Spa en wellness in Ninh Binh 92 Hùng Vương, Nam Bình, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Nr. 1 van 24 Boottochten en watersporten in Ninh Binh Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam Inhoudsopgave Ninh Binh is de hoofdstad van de gelijknamige provincie. Een schitterende omgeving die ook wel het Halong Bay op het land wordt genoemd. Het stadje Ninh Binh is niet echt een gezellige plek. Daarom raad ik aan om in Tam Coc te verblijven. Tam Coc is gelijk ook een van de hoogtepunten van deze is ook mogelijk om Ninh Binh met een tour vanuit Hanoi te Binh highlightsTam Coc en het Hang Mua Viewpoint waren voor mij de hoogtepunten van Ninh Binh, maar er is nog veel meer moois te ontdekken. Tam CocJe kunt in Tam Coc een boottocht doen, maar met een korte wandeling zie je ook schitterende landschappen. Loop hiervoor naar Hang Thien Huong en vervolg je weg. In ongeveer 30 minuten kun je een rondje lopen. Het wandelpad staat niet op Google Maps, maar kun je wel op vinden. Hang Mua ViewpointHet is even klimmen, maar dan heb je ook wat; een spectaculair uitzicht over Ninh Binh. Als je in Tam Coc verblijft, kun je er zelfs op de fiets heen 4 km of pak de scooter. Tip ga met zonsopkomst of aan het eind van de middag, anders kan het er erg druk zijn. Thung Nham Bird ValleyHou je van vogels? Dan mag je de Bird Valley ook wel Bird Garden niet overslaan. Hier zitten onwijs veel ooievaars. Verder is het een mooi park waar je rond kunt wandelen en schitterende uitzichtpunten hebt. Je kunt hier ook een boottocht doen, maar die zijn mooier in Trang An of Tam Coc. Trang An BoottochtAls je een boottocht wilt doen, kun je het beste kiezen voor Trang An. Hier is het rustiger en minder toeristisch dan in Tam Coc. Wel heb je dezelfde prachtige karstbergen om je heen. Overigens hoef je niet per se een boottour te doen om al het moois van Ninh Binh te zien. Bich Dong PagodeZin om wat cultuur te snuiven? Dan kun je de Bich Dong pagode bezoeken. Deze pagode ligt vlakbij Tam Coc, waardoor je er makkelijk heen kunt op de fiets, scooter of zelfs lopend. Wat het vooral bijzonder maakt, is dat de pagode in een hele mooie omgeving ligt. Zeker een aanrader als de lotussen bloeien. Hotspots Tam CocIn Tam Coc heb je genoeg leuke restaurantjes. Dit zijn mijn favorieten Accommodaties Tam CocIk raad om in Tam Coc te verblijven. Dit is een gezellig plaatsje in een prachtige omgeving. Een stuk leuker dan het stadje Ninh Binh. Mijn favorieten zijn Hoe kom je in Tam Coc?Tam Coc is eenvoudig te bereiken via Hanoi en Halong Bay. Kom je vanuit het zuiden, dan kun je vanaf Phong Nha de bus nemen. Let goed op dat je een ticket boeket naar het juiste busstation. Er zijn bussen naar Tam Coc, Ninh Binh en Trang An. Vanuit Hanoi 1,5 – 2,5 uur Vanuit Halong Bay Cat Ba 3,5 – 4 uur Vanuit Phong Nha 8,5 uur nachtbus Hoelang in Ninh Binh blijven?📅 2 – 3 dagenIn Ninh Binh is genoeg te zien om 3 dagen te blijven. Wil je alleen de hoogtepunten zien, dan heb je aan 2 dagen genoeg. Tam Coc literally means three grottos located in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province. Once upon a time this place was full up with flapping sea waves, passing many centuries the waves eroded into the cliffs created different shapes of karst landscapes. The only way to visit Tam Coc by waterway which normally takes about 3 hours. Far from Hanoi about 100 km, Tam Coc is known as the Ha Long Bay on land’ is a great destination for your holiday in north of Viet Nam. In Tam Coc Ninh Binh you’ve got the perfect recipe for calm and impressed on this beautiful countryside. Here below are some tips for you to arrange your trip to Tam Coc Ninh Binh Best time to visit Tam Coc – When to visit Tam CocHow to get to Tam Coc Ninh BinhFrom Hanoi city to Ninh Binh – 2 HoursBy Shuttle busBy Local busBy TrainFrom Ha Long city – 5 Hours Travel guideline in Tam Coc Ninh BinhAccommodationNearby AttractionsWhat To EatA Tip for Tam Coc Tour Itinerary Best time to visit Tam Coc – When to visit Tam Coc Stunning Ngo Dong River In all seasons in one year you totally can plan your time to explore Caves and Ngo Dong river. But the prettiest period of time is in the spring from January to April in Viet Nam, this time will be preferred because of the comfortable weather and fresh air. Another best time to visit is from May to July when all rice fields are in harvest season. The beauty of Tam Coc now looks like a young lady’s long, soft, bright and yellow hair. The other is the harvest time of wet rice ranging from September to October. Biking on golden rice field Besides enjoying the view full of the yellow color of ripe rice fields in Tam Coc Bich Dong Complex, tourists can also seek a chance to watch the fabulous forest of lotus in here. It can be said that lotus and waterlily are omnipresent in every part of Ninh Binh, especially in Tam Coc Grotto. Floating along the stream to Tam Coc Grotto, tourists seem to turn back the significant history of Le Dynasty. Best time to visit Tam Coc – Bich Dong to watch lotus is June, in which the perfume of lotus flowers pervades the surrounding air. For lovers of flower, it’s the best time to enjoy the flavor of lotus and involve in the natural beauty of this mountainous regions. Generally visitors will come to Ninh Binh from Hanoi or Ha Long city so I will suggest some ways to go to Ninh Binh as below From Hanoi city to Ninh Binh – 2 Hours By Shuttle bus It gets easier for you to buy a bus ticket from Travel Agency in Hanoi or get one from your hotel. If you just use the shuttle bus to transfer to Ninh Binh then spending 1 day or few days you can buy 1 way tick or 2 ways tickets. In case you book a day trip Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Cave Tour the price includes transportation By Local bus Some visitors are interested in experiencing as a local to save their cost for transportation a bit. So it is possible for you to catch a bus from Ha Noi to Ninh Binh province. You can go to Giap Bat bus station and find many bus companies with route to Ninh Binh. But, they will not drop you off in Tam Coc directly but stop at Ninh Binh bus station. From there you should take a cab to go to Tam Coc with the cost is not much expensive than motorbike. This way is not highly recommended for you because it’s complicated or you may receive poor service from public transportation. You may read more this post to get more useful about Bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh By Train Ninh Binh Train Station Everyday there are some train from Ha Noi to Ninh Binh station. The earliest one usually starts at 600 am. One day in advance you should buy your train ticket at Ha Noi station Read More Tam Coc Boat Tour – Let’s Ride Your Trip to Ninh Binh Now Is Tam Coc Ninh Binh Easy To Travel by your own? >> Deluxe Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Cave Tour is a tremendous chance to explore the ancient beauty of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and stunning scenery in Tam Coc, Hiking to peak of Mua Cave >> Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Cave Tour is a tremendous chance to explore the ancient beauty of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and stunning scenery in Tam Coc, Hiking to peak of Mua Cave The provided information above is enough for you to prepare for a trip to Tam Coc Ninh Binh. If you need any further support, feel free to contact us. We are always be here to assist your special vacation in Viet Nam as well as in Tam Coc Ninh Binh! >>> GET FREE ITINERARY PLANNING FOR TAM COC TRIP <<< The spectacular karst mountains near Ninh Binh are sometimes called the Ha Long Bay on land’. While not at sea, these limestone peaks are set amid bright green rice fields, beautiful wetlands, and many ancient temples. It is well worth making a stop — ideally for a couple of nights! Most guides to Ninh Binh or the town of Tam Coc seem to mention the same tips, often based on a day trip or one-night stay. While you can see some of the highlights on a quick trip, I stayed in Ninh Binh for 4 days, letting me get a complete picture. In this guide, I’ll share some tips you won’t find elsewhere. While the scenery of Ha Long Bay may be more impressive in an objective sense, I enjoyed exploring the Ninh Binh area a lot more. There’s just so much to see. And since you’re on land and not on a cruise, you can have much more control over the experience. If you rent a motorbike or bicycle, you are free to explore the area as you please. It’s delightful and among my favorites places in Vietnam. Plan your stay in Ninh Binh Why Tam Coc is overrated The nature area of Ninh Binh is quite large and encompasses several villages. So let me start with the most important tip, which is about where it’s best to stay. Most guides tell you that the city of Ninh Binh is ugly and that you should stay in the smaller town of Tam Coc. This is sensible advice. Ninh Binh itself is an unappealing city with lots of motorways, business hotels, factories, and electricity pylons running right through it. I can’t imagine any tourist wanting to be there except to catch the next bus or train. So when we talk about Ninh Binh, what we actually mean is the national park several kilometres to the west of it. The town of Tam Coc about 5km or 3 miles west of Ninh Binh has become the go-to place to stay. There you’ll find many guesthouses, hostels, souvenir shops, and tourist restaurants serving Western food. Since Tam Coc is also where one of the popular but not necessarily best boat tours depart, it can make for a convenient base. But to tell the truth, Tam Coc is not that special. It’s mostly centred on just your typical backpacker or tourist street. If you’ve travelled in Southeast Asia, you’ll have seen many places just like it. Since Tam Coc is also where most day-trippers go, at certain hours it’s filled with tour buses. But I’ll let you in on a little secret the better move is to stay in Trang An. Trang An is a 20-minute ride north of Tam Coc. It’s more spread out and it’s in the middle of nature, nestled among the limestone pinnacles. It’s a blissful place. Every day you’ll be waking up surrounded by the mist-shrouded peaks. From time to time, you can hear distant the calls of tropical birds. At night, along the quiet paths, you’ll see fireflies pulsating in the dark. If you don’t mind being somewhere slightly further away, then Trang An is easily the best place to stay in Ninh Binh. Unlike Tam Coc it’s just inside the nature area, giving you the most enjoyment of the mountain scenery. Tip the way that locals pronounce Trang An sounds more like Chang Ang’. Don’t let this confuse you when asking for directions. Staying in Trang An One drawback of Trang An is that it’s more in the countryside and it’s not as clustered together, so ideally you should have some form of transportation to get around. Luckily, most of the guesthouses have bicycles or mopeds that you can borrow or cheaply rent. It’s also a bit more difficult to — brace yourself — find pizzas, espressos, or other Western menu items in Trang An. The vibe is just a lot more Vietnamese. So if you like your pho noodles, you’ll be in the right place. But should you really crave some Western style food then you can still get it at the Mona Lisa Restaurant. It was opened by the brother of the owner of Chookie’s Beer Garden, a popular haunt in Tam Coc. Then again, access to pizza should probably not be as important as being in a gorgeous location! Most of the guesthouses, hostels, and small eco-resorts in Trang An are near the river. A small cluster of them sits right on the riverside opposite some cute bamboo docks with deck chairs and fairy lights. This spot has possibly the best sunset views in Ninh Binh. I recommend these accommodation options, which are all in this same magical location Accommodation in Trang Ang $$ Guesthouse For You Homestay Eco-style accommodation with bamboo deck facing the sunset views $ Hostel Hualu Ecolodge Backpacker-style eco accommodation surrounded by nature How to get to Ninh Binh Ninh Binh Tam Coc is located about 100 kilometers or 60 miles south of Hanoi. It’s easiest to get to Ninh Binh by either tourist bus or by public train, or by private car transfer if that’s your style. You can view all transportation options from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. The fastest option is to take a bus from Hanoi. These tourist minibuses depart from Central Circus, which is a 7-minute drive south of the Old Quarter where most tourists stay in Hanoi. The drive to Ninh Binh will take about 1hr 20min and costs around dong. The cheapest option is to take the train from Hanoi. This takes longer about 2hr 10min but usually costs around dong. When you arrive in Ninh Binh you still need to get to Tam Coc or Trang An. A local taxi or mototaxi will cost around 50,000 dong. Most likely there will already be some drivers waiting for you upon arrival in Ninh Binh. There is also a 4-hour direct bus from Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh. It’s easiest to book your transportation through 12Go Asia. How long to stay in Ninh Binh Doing Tam Coc as a day trip from Hanoi is possible but it’s not necessarily the best way to do it. When you add everything up it takes 3 hours to get there and 3 to get back, leaving not much time to check out the place. However, if you have limited time in your Vietnam itinerary, you might want to squeeze in a more compressed Tam Coc experience. If so, you can check below for availability on the Tam Coc day tour from Hanoi that I recommend. That said, I think it’s better to stay at least one night. This gives you more time, but can also be more efficient if you’re heading further south on your trip. That way, instead of backtracking all the way to Hanoi, you can travel onward from Ninh Binh to your next destination. For the best experience, I recommend at least two full days. There are tons of attractions in Ninh Binh and with enough time you’ll be able to properly enjoy them. If you’re a long-term traveler or backpacker with some days to spare, you could spend 3 or 4 days and truly see it all. If you stay just 1 night then I think the best place to stay is still Tam Coc. Its central location makes it easy to see some things quickly and then be on your way again. If you stay more nights then I suggest the best place is Trang An. You’ll have time to relax and enjoy the more natural surroundings. Two must-see sights There are two things to do in Ninh Binh that I strongly suggest putting at the top of your list. You can cover these in about half a day. Trang An boat tour The Trang An boat tour will take you down rivers and lakes surrounded by dramatic karst mountains. Along the way, your paddle boat will pass through river caves and stop by several ancient Buddhist temples. The oarsmen and women use a peculiar rowing technique, alternatingly using their arms and their legs to row. If you do just one thing in Ninh Binh, I suggest you do this. The tour takes about 3 hours and will take you to the heart of the UNESCO protected Trang An Landscape Complex. Unlike the boat tour in Tam Coc, this one does not have a reputation for hawking and scammy behaviour from the rowers. You can still tip them at the end and since they’re not being pushy I think it’s nice to do so. I didn’t feel so inspired at first by the big crowds I saw at the docks, but the Trang An tour was better than I expected. The tour can be much less crowded than these images might suggest. Be sure to take Route 1. This route is a bit longer and most tour groups do the shorter Route 2 or Route 3. After about 20 minutes they go off into a whole other area, never to be seen again. While route 1 doesn’t pass by a location featured in the film Kong Skull Island if this matters to you, you’ll see a lot of inspiring scenery and beautiful temples in relative peace. I suggest taking the tour in the early morning or as I did around You’ll likely avoid the big crowds and will end the tour just before sunset. Mua Cave viewpoint The next best thing to do in Ninh Binh is to head to the Mua Cave. Not so much for the cave, but for its viewpoint up above. You’ll ascend 500 steps to a mountain peak from where you can see all of the scenery below. The valley just down from the Mua Cave viewpoint is the start of the Tam Coc boat ride, so if you don’t do the boat tour you can still see some of it from above. Atop the mountain is a fantastic dragon sculpture. You can climb around it and find a private spot from where to enjoy the views. Be warned though the rocks are all sharper than a dragon’s tooth and there are no railings, so do take care. The Mua Cave viewpoint is the place to take an epic selfie or drone shot. I saw many Vietnamese and Chinese women in flowery dresses spending copious amounts of time trying to get the perfect photo. Not to be outdone, a group of French girls was also there in heavy makeup and model outfits trying to make the most of this photo opportunity. It’s not my thing but if you want to look hot on a mountaintop, this is where you want to be. For those of us just coming for the views, it’s also completely worth the 20-minute trek. Other amazing things to do Let me tell you about a few more things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc that are awesome for a longer stay, or if you prefer sights that are a bit less known or crowded. There is a ton to see in Ninh Binh and even on a 4-day stay, I didn’t manage to see it all. I focused on the sights that were closest by and so I didn’t make it to the Cuc Phuong National Park which is a two hour’s drive nor the Phát Diệm Cathedral only one hour, but far from everything else. Van Long Nature Reserve This was a surprise highlight on my stay in Ninh Binh. Just as with the other tours in the area it involves getting on a paddleboat, but Van Long is much more peaceful and less developed. You’re also a lot more likely to see some wildlife at Van Long, as it’s a known spot for black-faced spoonbills, Asian openbills, and kingfishers, among many others. Mind you, there’s no need to be a hardcore birder’ to appreciate these wetlands; the pretty landscapes and peaceful nature are worth it in itself. Try to aim for early morning or end of day for the best light and the most wildlife activity. Van Long is also one of the few habitats of the endangered Delacour’s langur primates. I wasn’t lucky enough to see them, but I could hear calling from behind the mountains. To set your expectations, the reserve is in the countryside but not in a super remote location; you access it from a dike and behind it is an area with lots of little farmhouses and hamlets. The tour takes about 1,5 hour. Galaxy Grotto Thien Ha Cave I discovered the Galaxy Grotto by chance while driving along the rice fields around Tam Coc. It’s really cool and I don’t think any other blogs have mentioned it. Since it’s not well known, let me link to its exact location. There is a paddle boat tour here leading you to three caves. The scenery is not at all in the same league as the Tam Coc or Trang An boat tours, but the cool thing about the Galaxy Cave is that it’s largely unknown and so you might just be the only one there to explore it. Unlike the other boat tours, this one is managed locally by some of the farmers living near the caves as part of a small cooperative. I recommend it if you’d like a peaceful off-the-beaten-track attraction. The first river cave is beautifully lit with coloured lights, the second you can explore by foot, and the third one is a river cave that’s kept completely dark and in a natural state. When I visited I was the only person there, apart from a Vietnamese TV crew shooting a documentary. The locals running the boat trips were delightful, in stark contrast to the extremely pushy people running the Tam Coc tours. Bich Dong Pagoda This cute pagoda in Tam Coc is an easy thing to tick off the list. You can see it on the way to the Thang Nham Bird Garden or other sights around the area. A small stone footbridge takes you across a lake. Then, a short flight of stairs takes you to a shrine, which is partly built into a cliff face. It’s a lovely spot to explore for a while. Bai Dinh Pagoda Opinions on this pagoda will probably be divided; it may not be at the top of everyone’s list, but I personally found it a very interesting place to see. I knew nothing about Bai Dinh beforehand, only finding a large pagoda indicated on I soon saw a huge tower in the distance, looming over the area. Then I drove past endless walls, making me wonder just how to access this apparently enormous complex. It turned out this is actually Vietnam’s largest pagoda and a huge destination for Asian tourists. Almost all of Bai Dinh is newly built, so don’t go there expecting any historical significance. The tourist train that takes you into the complex can also make it feel a bit like a theme park at first. But the buildings are mightily impressive, and it’s interesting to see from a contemporary cultural perspective. Hundreds of statues line all the corridors, and their hands and knees are all perfectly polished from all the people touching them to pray. And the golden shrines are epic even if they’re not exactly ancient. Some Western tourists craving historical authenticity may not be into Bai Dinh so much, but I thought it was a very cool site to wander for at least an hour or so. It’s easy to combine with a visit to the Trang An boat tour or the Van Long nature reserve. Eat some goat The Ninh Binh region is famous for its goat meat. On some roads outside of town, you might even see vendors selling whole goats roasted yes, this does look a little sad. But with so many mountains around there is plenty of space for goats to roam and graze on wild grass. Many of the restaurants have at least one goat dish on the menu — and several specialize in just serving a variety of goat dishes. It’s a great chance to try a local speciality. Hoa Lu ancient capital I think this historical site is only mildly interesting unless you are a huge history buff. It was the capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries, but not much of the old citadel remains intact. It seems more like a place for Vietnamese school groups to visit on an educational trip, though I can imagine Hua Lu being a lot more interesting if shown by an expert guide. One uninformed listicle on a content farm site cough, it was the Culture Trip suggested you should spend an entire day here, but the site surely warrants at most an hour or so. Still, its location amid the limestone mountains is pretty and the site makes for a lovely stroll even if much of the citadel is in ruins. I must also concede that Hua Lu was home to the most fabulous cow I’ve ever met. If you’re going to Trang An or Van Long, you can easily check out this ancient capital on the way. Thung Nham Bird Garden At first, I wasn’t quite sure what this place was all about. It’s a bit hidden, reached by one road that goes into the national park. You then enter a park with rivers and small lakes, which feels like it’s partly wild nature and partly a landscaped park. But then it turns out a joy to walk riverside bamboo bridges and walkways, exploring the caves, and finally discovering the viewing platform at the furthest edge of the park. From there, you can watch an epic nesting area where thousands of white birds flock, especially in the morning and late afternoon. What’s most surprising about Thung Nham Bird Garden is how quiet it is despite being only a 10-minute motorbike ride from Tam Coc. While there are boat rides through the park, in this case, I think it’s nicer to do things by foot as there are paths to all parts of the park. Travel tips for Ninh Binh ATMs Yes, there are ATMs! In Tam Coc, you can find an ATM in front of the Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel. In Trang An, there is an ATM at the boat dock. Neither is quite at arm’s length though so it’s good to have cash with you already. Getting from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc When arriving in Ninh Binh by bus or train, you’ll need to grab a taxi to Tam Coc or Trang An. Don’t worry about this too much. There are lots of taxis in Ninh Binh and the ride should cost no more than 100,000 dong. I jumped on the back of a scooter/moped which was already waiting at my bus stop and got there for 50k. Getting around Ninh Binh is best explored by bicycle or, better yet, a moped. That way you’re not dependent on tours or taxis. A moped a small motorbike or scooter doesn’t need to cost more than 100,000 dong per day. Bike parking Most sights have guarded parking areas. The going rate is 5,000 dong, which is around $ You’re technically not obligated to use them, but locals will kick up a fuss if you don’t. It seems to me like a fair way for them to earn a small income, so refusing to pay as some backpackers apparently do seems like a strange hill to die on. Don’t get tricked into paying any more than 10,000 dong though. Roads in Ninh Binh The roads around Tam Coc and Trang An are rural, flat, and fairly easy to ride. If you’re driving further afield though, apps like Google Maps will probably suggest taking the big motorways. Avoid them since they’re a real headache! The traffic is insane and can be very disorderly, so pick some random scenic roads through the rice fields instead. You probably don’t want to end up on a chaotic 3-lane motorway in Vietnam when there are far less stressful routes to take. Avoiding touts & hassle Staying in Ninh Binh seems mostly hassle-free, though one thing to keep in mind is that the Tam Coc boat tour is a known tourist trap. The boat people will pressure you to pay them more money or use tricks, like suggesting you buy products from them from a nearby seller who they sell the product back to later. If you don’t like dealing with hustlers and touts, either be very firm or go with the Trang An boat tour instead. By the way, some blogs from a few years ago describe Ninh Binh as a hidden gem that’s almost entirely devoid of tourists, but I think this might set unreasonable expectations. While Ninh Binh doesn’t usually feature in the standard Vietnam itineraries, it’s become more known in recent years. It is still much less discovered than many other sites in Vietnam though, especially Ha Long Bay. I much enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and think it’s one of the nicer places to visit in Vietnam. If you’re deciding where to go then you may feel you’ve got your hands full already with the likes of Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay and Hoi An, but it’s still highly worth adding Ninh Binh, if you can spare at least a day or two. Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see site policies.

wat te doen in tam coc