Trang An Boat Tour is a must-do activity in Vietnam for many Indian tourists. As a World Cultural Heritage, Trang An is proud of its gorgeous scenic landscapes, spectacular limestone mountains, and sacred ancient temples.
In this article, we will give you essential guidance for a perfect boat tour in Trang An, such as ticket prices, boat tour routes, what to see nearby in Ninh Binh province, and more.
Brief information:
- Location: Ninh Binh Province in Northern Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 4 PM every day
- Best time to visit: January to March and May to August
- Entrance fee: 250,000 VND/adult (10.25 USD/adult)
- Best for: family, friends, couples
About Trang An Landscape Complex with its Trang An Boat Tour
Being endowed with a gorgeous landscape, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is known as a “Ha Long Bay on land” with numerous caves, mountains, valleys, trees, and historical relics.
On 23rd June 2014, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized as a mixed natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. It comprises three protected areas: the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest.
Within the complex, the Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong scenic landscape is the favorite destination of many Indian tourists, especially Trang An. The Trang An boat tour welcomes thousands of domestic and international visitors every year. This boat tour leads them to meander through secretive caves, float through ancient limestone karsts, and visit sacred temples.
Floating on the boat, Indian tourists will be in awe of the stunning natural views – a perfect harmony of green tropical forests, grey limestone cliffs, blue-green waters, and clear blue sky.
Detailed Guide
Location
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is in Ninh Binh Province in Northern Viet Nam
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Trang An are spring (January to March) and summer (May to August). In these months, Ninh Binh’s weather is pleasant and cool, along with many captivating festivals and flourishing plants.
Trang An has annual festivals with special ceremonies and exciting activities that Indian tourists can’t miss, such as the Lunar New Year (around late January to mid-February) and the Trang An festival (March 18 in the Lunar calendar).
How to Get To Trang An
Depending on your departure place to Trang An, you can choose the following transportation methods:
From Hanoi
The distance between Hanoi and Ninh Binh is around 100km. Therefore, you can catch a bus, book a Limousine, or use a taxi service to Ninh Binh with a travel time above 2 hours. Then, you will continue to head to Trang An by motorbike, bicycle, or taxi.
Booking a tour package is highly recommended if you have a limited time or go with family. The tour guide will arrange your trip to Trang An effectively and guide you in detail.
From Ho Chi Minh City
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, Indian tourists can fly to Hanoi and then head to Ninh Binh and Trang An with many of the above options.
From Ninh Binh
From the center of Trang An to the wharf is around 2km. Depending on where you are staying, you can walk or go by bicycle.
From Tam Coc or Ninh Binh city, the distance to the wharf is a little further away, but you can still easily reach it by bicycle. One of the big joys on your trip to Ninh Binh is to cycle around the stunning rivers, lakes, mountains, and rice paddies.
In addition, you can hire a motorbike or take a taxi from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh to Trang An Wharf.
Ticket Prices for Trang An Boat Tour
| Customers | Ticket price |
| The person over 1m3 tall | 250,000 VND/person (10.3 USD/person) |
| Children from 1m – 1m3 | 120,000 VND/person (5 USD/person) |
| Children under 1m | Free |
| Private boat (max four people) | 1,250,000 VND/1 boat (52 USD/boat) |
Trip Routes
After buying the ticket, you will head to the boat wharf. Trang An boat tour has three routes for your choice. Depending on your preference, you will tell the staff which route you opt for; then you will be assigned to a boat (max four visitors and a boatman)
| Route 1 (9 caves, 3 temples) | Route 2 (4 caves, 3 temples) | Route 3 (3 caves, 3 temples) | |
| Itinerary | Boat Wharf – Trinh Temple – Toi Cave– Sang Cave – Nau Ruou Cave – Tran Temple – Ba Giot Cave – Seo Cave– Son Duong Cave – Khong Palace – Bao Hieu Temple – Khong Cave – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave – Boat Wharf | Boat Wharf – Lam Cave – Thanh Cao Son Temple – Vang Cave – Thanh Truot Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dai Cave – Hanh Cung Vu Lam Temple – Boat Wharf | Boat Wharf – Trinh Temple – Dot Cave – May Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dia Linh Mountain – Dai Cave – Hanh Cung Vu Lam Temple – Boat Wharf |
| Visiting Time | 3.5 hours | 2.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Note | Route 1 is for Indian tourists who want to explore. If you go with your family, especially the elderly and children, this route may not be suitable. They can feel bored or tired. | Many Indian tourists, especially families, choose route 3. Because the time is not too long and you can visit other places such as Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh pagoda. Besides, this route goes through Dot cave – the longest cave in the complex. |
What to See
Light Cave and Dark Cave
Light Cave (Sang Cave) and Dark Cave (Toi Cave) are next to each other. As their names describe, Light Cave is filled with natural light with magnificent karst formations inside the cave. In contrast, Dark Cave has no light; you must use a flashlight to observe the beautiful stalactite inside.
Wine Brewing Cave
The Wine Brewing Cave (Nau Ruou Cave) is an interesting destination while taking Trang An boat tour. This cave was once famous for brewing great-tasting wines, which were offered to the Kings. Visiting the cave, you can see old-fashioned wine jars left here.
Sinh Cave – Si Cave – Ba Giot Cave
These three caves relate to a tragic love story. The people said that a young man fell in love with a princess, but their love story had a sad ending. The princess was sent to a neighboring country, so the man was too sorrowful and ended his life at Si Cave. You can admire the beautiful views inside the caves and imagine their story.
Temples
Temples in Trang An, such as the ancient Trinh Temple and the revered Tran Temple, hold profound historical and spiritual significance. Adorned with symbolic statues and unique architecture, they attract visitors seeking cultural immersion and tranquility. The Suoi Tien Temple, nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes accessible only by boat, offers a serene escape for worshippers. Each spring, it becomes a sacred space where prayers for health and prosperity echo, symbolizing the enduring faith of the Vietnamese people.
Vu Lam Citadel
Vu Lam Citadel, known as Hanh Cung Vu Lam, holds significant religious and historical importance in Vietnam. This place was once a military base in the Tran Dynasty and also a venue for kings to engage in Buddhist practices.
Kong: Skull Island Film Set
From the Vu Lam Citadel, you can walk to the movie set of Kong: Skull Island. This destination will be interesting for Indian tourists. Coming here, you can witness an area of outstanding scenic beauty that appeared in a famous movie.
Attractions Nearby
Entrance fee: 100,000 VND/person ( 4.1 USD/person)
About a 15-minute drive from Trang An, Mua Cave (Hang Mua) attracts Indian tourists with majestic nature views. You must climb through 500 stone steps to reach the top of Mua Cave. At this top, you can see the beautiful panorama of Ninh Binh with winding rivers, rice fields, and majestic mountains.
Hoa Lu
Entrance fee: 20,000 VND/person (0.82 USD/person)
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, spanning three dynasties: Dinh – Early Le – Early Ly. This ancient capital is one of the core areas of the Trang An World Heritage Complex, recognized by UNESCO.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Ticket price: 250,000 VND/adult (visiting and boat trip) (10.3 USD/adult)
Tam Coc means three caves – Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. It stands out with spectacular limestone formations and golden rice fields. Besides, in the same tourist area, Bich Dong is a renowned pagoda in Trang An that captivates many Indian visitors annually.
Useful Tips
- On the boat, wear a life vest properly and sit still. Sometimes, the boat could be more wobbly to get in and out. Therefore, be cautious, especially when you go with children and the elderly.
- Be aware of protecting the environment.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.
- Wear long clothes to avoid harsh sunlight and be convenient when visiting temples and pagodas.
- Keep track of the weather forecast to avoid rainy days in Trang An.
- Go with a local guide to have tickets in advance and avoid queues. Contact Vietnamtour.in, and our team is happy to serve you.
Conclusion
Trang An boat tour brings Indian tourists floating on gentle rivers and admiring the stunning natural views. Be well-blessed by nature; tourist attractions in Ninh Binh always give you a relaxing sense of serenity and peace. Contact us for a custom tour package; our experienced team will organize an effective trip to Ninh Binh, as you requested. We hope you have a nice time in Vietnam!
