Discover the natural paradise of Tam Coc, a stunning stretch of limestone karsts and calm rice paddies often called the ‘Ha Long Bay on land’. After our busy travels in Hanoi, we spent a few days here to enjoy the peace. Tam Coc (meaning ‘three caves’) is a UNESCO World Heritage site where we spent our days cycling and rowing through ancient mountains.
Things to do in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Bich Dong Pagoda
In the early morning around 7 AM, we visited the Bich Dong pagoda, which is easily one of the highlights in Tam Coc! The pagoda complex, built in 1428, has three different cave temples situated at different levels going up the mountain. These are the Ha Pagoda (lower level), Trung Pagoda (middle level), and Thuong Pagoda (upper level).
We loved the scenery here, because the bridge surrounded by floating lotus pads and flowers looks like a scene from a watercolor painting. Once you cross the bridge, you’ll enter through the ancient gate at the foot of the mountain, and can begin your climb up (this only took us 10 minutes).
Because the top cave temple is situated close to the summit of the mountain, it is a steep 160-step hike. However, it is well worth it for the amazing views across the countryside.
Hang Mรบa Peak
We followed 500 steps snaking up to the top of the Hang Mรบa Peak. It took us about 25 minutes from the foot. Once at the top, we had incredible panoramic views over the deep valley, waterways, and green mountains. It’s good to know that there are two peaks to reach. The path splits halfway, and both are worth visiting!
At the highest peak, you’ll find a stone dragon watching over the landscape. This is an important symbol of Vietnamese culture. And a tip for sunset: Hang Mua Peak is one of the highest points in the area, and therefore it is one of the best places to watch the sun go down.
Open from 7 AM to 6PM (you can stay for sunset) and the entrance fee is 100.000 VND which also allows you to visit the rice fields around.
Tam Coc Cave Boat Tour
A popular attraction in Ninh Binh is to float down the Ngo Dong River. We’ve been in this area twice, and this experience is so magical every single time. You’re sandwiched between colorful yellow and green rice fields, overshadowed by limestone karsts. You definitely want to have your camera ready because around every twist and turn of the river is a new breathtaking scene.
Must-read: Charming Hoi An, must-visit in Vietnam!
Hang Ca, Hang Hai & Hang Ba
We ended our journey by floating through the three large caves with dramatic-looking stalagmites and stalactites. Of the three caves, Ca cave is the largest, which is around 20 meters wide and 127 meters long! We spend about 3 hours on this tour and it is the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Tam Coc.
Entrance fee: The cave tour costs us 120,000 VND. Additionally, a boat ticket cost us 150,000 VND, which we split over the two of us.
Be aware that boat guides and locals sometimes ask for tipping or to buy souvenirs. You can just ignore this if you don’t want it.
Where to eat in Tam Coc & Ninh Binh
- Trung Tuyet Restaurant (Great Vietnamese)
- Chookie’s Beer Garden (Western food)
- The Last Drop (Good avo toasts)
- An Restaurant – Coffee (Great coffees!)
- Grandma’s Garden (Vietnamese, western, vegetarian options)
- Ngo Dong (Vegan Vietnamese)
How to get to Tam Coc
During our Vietnam itinerary, we traveled from Halong Bay to Tam Coc in about 4 hours using the VIP buses (the smaller vans, not the big ones). This cost us 300.000 VND per person. You basically drive back to Hanoi first, and from there it is another 3 hours south. You can also do this route by train or private transport.
Getting around
We didn’t expect to say this, but we loved cycling around Tam Coc! Definitely plan to rent a bicycle; the roads are relatively quiet and flat, and you’ll cycle through incredible scenery. And on days when we needed to cover longer distances, we rented a motorbike, though you can also take a taxi. Tip: It is worth looking into accommodations that offer free bicycles or renting them.
Don’t forget to: get your Visa for Vietnam
Where to Stay in Tam Coc
We think two nights is perfect in this area. But if you have more time, we recommend spending some time relaxing here since it has many beautiful accommodations.
The gorgeous Tam Coc Garden Resort is a secret garden retreat. Experience charming wooden bungalows, Maison Que, lotus ponds, and gardens filled with organically grown vegetables. The resort focuses on maintaining the authenticity of the area by using traditional materials and methods. The accommodation was in the luxury class, but we were traveling with our family and decided to treat ourselves.
A budget-friendly option is Trang An Aroma Ecolodge, which is where we stayed during our first visit to Ninh Binh. This is more centrally located among all sites.
Best Time to Visit Tam Coc
In Tam Coc, temperatures are warm year-round. But we recommend the end of May/ beginning of June as the most beautiful time of the year. This is when the rice fields start to turn from luscious green to vibrant yellow.
And if you love flower season like us, the lotus flowers also bloom during June, so the landscape bursts into color. April-October is the rainy season, and is often very humid. But know that the rain usually lasts only a few hours, followed by beautiful sunshine.
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Hi! Great blog post. What restaurant is that pictured above in Tam Coc/Ninh Binh?
Hey Holly, it’s Chookieโs Beer Garden in Tam Coc. :)