Tam Coc Vietnam | A Full Guide For Travelers To Ninh Binh
Known as the Halong Bay on land, Tam Coc is famous for its unique beauty of a range of karst formations and natural landscapes. To come here, you only need to have a 2-hour driving route from Hanoi, which is ideal for having a Hanoi Tam Coc trip day for interesting experiences.
In this blog, Vietnamtour.in will show a detailed guide for your journey to this spot, including an estimated budget, outstanding attractions, and how to get there. Right now, let’s start your discovery with us!
Brief information
Tam Coc Vietnam or Tam Coc – Bich Dong is an outstanding highlight of the Trang An Complex – a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both natural and cultural values. It includes the 3 main grottoes, namely Ca Cave, Hai Cave and Ba Cave which are formed along the Ngo Dong River.
Besides that, tourists to Tam Coc Vietnam will have a chance to admire the charming beauty of a range of surrounding landscapes. If you prefer experiencing the culture of locals, don’t miss wet rice cultivation – one long-standing tradition in Vietnam.
- Location: Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Opening hours (boat tours): 8.30 AM – 6.30 PM
- Tour ticket: 2.5 – 5 USD/pax
- Best for: Family and groups of friends
Detailed guide
Location
Tam Coc is situated in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, which is around 100 km distant from the city center of Hanoi. Along the way to this spot, you will come across a lot of beautiful sights like Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh, or Mua Caves.
Best time to visit
The best time to drop in Tam Coc – Bich Dong is from January to April. During this time, visitors can take part in numerous famous festivals to discover more about the local culture. Additionally, the chilly weather can bring a strong impression in your mind.
How to get there
From Ninh Binh
From Ninh Binh City, let’s catch a taxi to move to Tam Coc, which doesn’t cost you much money. However, if you prefer admiring the natural beauty along the way to this destination, you can rent a motorbike.
From Ha Noi
There are various ways to reach Tam Coc-Bich Dong from Hanoi, including motorbikes, cars, or local buses. However, we recommend you travel in a bus, starting from the Giap Bat bus station in Hanoi for safety. After around 2 hours, you will reach the center of Ninh Binh, then take a bus or taxi to Tam Coc.
Besides that, you can book a tour with a local guide to have a deeper understanding of this destination.
Ticket fees
Below are the updated ticket fees for all relevant services during your journey to Tam Coc Vietnam. In particular:
- Parking fee: 0.4 USD/motorbike
- Boat ticket: 6 USD/boat/4 adults
- Sightseeing tour: 2.5 – 5 USD/pax
Different ways of discovering Tam Coc
By boat
- Route: Boat Wharf – Ngo Dong River – Tam Coc (Three Caves) – Thai Vi Temple – Thien Huong Grotto
- Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Ticket price: 2.5 – 5 USD/pax
To experience the Tam Coc boat tours, you can come here from 8.30 AM to 6.30 PM. Besides that, you should be aware that a boat can accommodate a maximum of 2 foreign and 4 Vietnamese travelers.
By bicycle
If you want to do a self-bike tour to discover Tam Coc, it is not a challenge. The normal rent price is around 1.5 USD/hour and 2.5 – 3.5 USD/day. However, you should get the support of local guides to have a good preparation for your journey.
Besides that, you need to know how far from Tam Coc Vietnam is to other destinations to opt for a better option. For example:
- Tam Coc – Bich Dong Pagoda: 3 km
- Tam Coc – Mua Cave: 5 km
- Tam Coc – Thung Nham Garden: 7 km
- Tam Coc – Trang An: 8 km
- Tam Coc – Hoa Lu: 15 km
What to see during the trip
Admire the mysterious beauty of the Three caves of Tam Coc
Tam Coc Vietnam complex includes 3 caves: Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. All of them were created by the erosion process of cliffs over millions of years. Take a boat ride to discover their impressive length, together with plenty of unique-formed stalactites inside.
Discover the King Tran life in Thai Vi Temple
Thai Vi Temple is a place to worship the Emperors of the Tran Dynasty in Vietnam. You will have a chance to listen to the life and career of these kings, helping you broaden your horizons about Vietnamese history.
Record the colorful space of Thien Huong Grotto
Thien Huong Grotto lies between the Ngo Dong River and the Thai Vi Temple. Inside this grotto, you will see an altar to honor Tran Thi Dung – the wife of King Ly Hue Tong. Besides that, don’t forget to record the well-lit space of the cave for some magnificent pictures.
Immerse in the respectful atmosphere in Bich Dong Pagoda
The pagoda belongs to the Bich Dong (Green Cave), where you can find impressive layered structures: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Surrounding the pagoda, there are a lot of breathtaking landscapes like lush forests, paddy fields, and a lotus pond.
Amazed by the unique rocks in Tien Cave
To reach Tien Cave, you need to travel around 1 kilometer from the Bich Dong Pagoda. From the outside view, this spot is like a majestic castle, full of sparkled stalactites. If you want to get an amazing experience, let’s try to tap on the cave rocks to hear unique sounds.
Get an adventurous feeling in Linh Coc Pagoda
The pagoda was built under the reign of Emperor Tran Thanh Tong and is nestled on the Moc Mountain. The first time you visit here, you might feel a bit scared due to its gloomy and unique structure. However, don’t worry, this will bring you a memorable experience.
Attractions nearby
Mua Cave: Mua Cave brings visitors an impressive experience with breathtaking mountains and unique rocks.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: If you are a culture-exploring lover, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is an ideal place for you to experience.
Trang An Landscape Complex: Trang An Complex was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage in 2014, featuring a range of mysterious caves, historical sites, and limestone ridges.
Accommodations in Tam Coc
Tam Coc Garden Resort (163 – 225 USD/room): The resort boasts a harmonious beauty of nature and local cultures. Inside each room, you can see plenty of furniture with elegant colors, together with a unique architectural style.
Tam Coc Melody Homestay (13 – 21 USD/room): When coming here, visitors will be impressed with the green gardens surrounding the homestay. Besides that, the homestay also offers a range of delicious dishes and a warm space for your united meals.
Tam Coc Banana Bungalow (17 – 103 USD/room): It takes you around 5 minutes to ride a bike to this destination from Tam Coc. The accommodation is outstanding with modern space but highlights the breathtaking beauty of local landscapes.
Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow (62 – 82 USD/room): Many visitors highly evaluate this bungalow due to its excellent services, ranging from food to customer support. If you prefer a simple style but well-furniture space, let’s book this homestay.
Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow (41 – 58 USA/room): This is a 3-star hotel in Ninh Binh that offers you various interesting activities during your visit. At night, this spot can bring you an amazing experience with colorful decorations.
Useful tips
- Remember to bring umbrellas, sunscreen, and hats during the visit time
- Avoid mid-day time to restrict the hot weather
- Recommend packing vintage clothes for the magnificent photos
- Book rooms in advance, especially during the tourism time for comfortable experiences
- Go with a local guide for a comprehensive understanding of local culture (contact Vietnamtour.in)
Conclusion
Our blog has just reviewed outstanding attractions in Tam Coc, as well as shows a full guide to this destination. Let’s follow our useful tips to have the best time here. In case you want to discover more about Ninh Binh, don’t forget to refer to our places to visit in Ninh Binh blog.
