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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Jul 5, 2023
By MS. Minh Thu
One of the highlights of the Ninh Binh tour is Tam Coc, a place worth staying more than a day. The gorgeous region is popular with tourists from all over the world and is only two hours away from Hanoi. The Tam Coc boat ride is at the top of the list of things to do in Ninh Binh. Here is all the information you need to know before departing. In this post, Vietnam Escape Tours Travel will help you find out how to get a ticket, the price, what you can expect to see, and more.
Tam Coc is renowned for its breathtaking views of the nearby limestone mountains. There were a lot of locals on the fields along the river's two banks. You will have the chance to view the pinnacle of Mua cave from a different perspective halfway through these boat trips. The boating journey in Tam Coc seems simple when it comes to the poetic Ngo Dong River, but the wild charm of mossy rocky mountains, the color of the clear blue sky will make you fall in love with no way out. You may unwind and take in the tranquility of this location while on this tour.
Ngo Dong River
When experiencing boating in Tam Coc, in addition to admiring the majestic scenery that seems only in the movies, you also have the opportunity to experience another activity when visiting Tam Coc Bich Dong Ninh Binh - Taking pictures.
If someone forgets to bring their phone on a beautiful day sailing in Tam Coc, or doesn't have a smartphone to take good pictures, you can ask them to make a cool "pic" for you all.
Photographers operating here are extremely professional and friendly, even some people have been in business for 10 years from taking photos of tourists while rowing in Tam Coc. According to the regulations, when the photographers approach you, they must get consent before taking pictures and taking money, if they do not comply, they can be severely fined.
Boating in Tam Coc impresses the majority of tourists, especially foreigners by the form of rowing with the legs of the boatman. Each boat at the wharf is owned by a local household, and boat riding is considered a "job" in the tourist area by them.
You can find rowers who are 80 years old but still practicing, teenagers who are young but rowing extremely skillfully and proficiently. Everyone in Tam Coc finds boating to be enjoyable every day.
Boating skills in Tam Coc with the feet of the people are extremely skillful and supple, not inferior to their flexible hands. From the starting point, through each cross-water cave, across the rice fields stretching the Ngo Dong River, the boatman still defies all terrains, using his strong legs to navigate the boat extremely smoothly on the water. This is also a job that brings a stable income to cover the lives of most of the households living here.
Boat trips by local people
Another interesting "job" on the river is the market fair. Being called a “fair”, it's actually about 10 boats selling groceries in the middle of the river. This market usually gathers at a fixed point at the end of the boating journey in Tam Coc and sells a lot of items from souvenirs, specialties, local food…
Sales hours are specified very clearly for each day. Past this time frame, they have to row the boat back to the wharf to make room for the next person to trade. Although the type of trade is quite strange and precarious, even if they don’t earn much money, the prices of the items here are quite reasonable, creating a comfortable feeling for tourists to stop and shop.
Most tourists will travel to Ninh Binh from Hanoi or Ha Long City, so below are some suggestions about how to get there:
Tam Coc is about 90 kilometers from Hanoi and may be reached by car in about two hours. You can alternatively take a 3-hour train to Ninh Binh, where you can then get in a taxi. Tam Coc picturesque location can be reached with a short cab ride that shouldn't last more than 15 minutes.
The starting place for the boat tour is not difficult to find once you get to Tam Coc. It is situated in the center of the region, close to bars, restaurants, and stores. You may simply cycle or walk to the Tam Coc boat station if your lodging is in Tam Coc. Bicycles are a common mode of transportation, and practically all hotels and hostels provide them free of charge or for a minor daily cost of about 70,000 -100,000 VND depending the type of bicycle you rent.
An Easy way is booking a daily group tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Guide, limousine bus from Hanoi and back to Hanoi, entrance fee, boat trip, cycling tour, lunch included.
You can check Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Day Tour or Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua Day Tour from Vietnam Escape Tours Travel – One of the best tour companies in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ngo Dong river in Tam Coc
The scenery visit ticket costs 120.000 VND per person. In order to experience a boat ride, you have to pay another 75,000 VND per person for the boat trip ticket or 150.000 VND for two individuals.
Total: 390.000vnd per boat or 195.000vnd per passenger.
Adults: 195,000 VND per person. Because of different body weights, a boat can transport 4 Vietnamese people/boat for maximum and 2 people when it comes to foreign tourists.
Children: 100,000 VND each, ranging in height from 1 to 1.4 meters. Children under one meter in height are free.
• Tam Coc has a distinct beauty in each season and is gorgeous all year round. The months of January and February following Vietnam's Lunar New Year will be a good time if you want to take in the beauty of lush rice paddies beside a river. It will comfort visitors and make them appreciate the flavor of the sky, the river, and nature.
• If you wish to see a beautiful scene of Mother Nature with her green forests, yellow rice paddies, and floating boats along the rivers, go between the end of May and the beginning of July. The right time has come to discover Tam Coc's beauty.
• The rice fields, which are ripe and a vibrant yellow color from the end of May to July (the harvest season), are popular during this time.
• Don't forget to pack hats, sunscreen, and umbrellas for sun and rain protection.
• Remember to wear your life jacket while traveling.
• Remember to leave the boatman a small tip.
• Try to roll the boat.
• As the boat tour lasts for roughly three hours, bring snacks, beer, and water.
• You may put yourself and other boat passengers at risk if you get up right away without asking.
• The opening hour is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, you may go early in the morning and late afternoon on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
• There is still another note in taking pictures. As mentioned above, some locals may offer to take your pictures while you are rowing on the river. If you're interested in doing this, ask them to pick a great location for great pictures, but don't forget to haggle over the cost. If you are not interested, you can say "Không - Cảm ơn" (No, thank you) and decline.
• It's a good idea to pack a waterproof bag to keep your belongings dry.
Boating in Tam Coc is a usual activity when you visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong but never stop being "hot" in the travel addict community. Everyone who visits wants to have a chance to try the feeling of watching the poetic and charming scenery in Ninh Binh on a boat floating on the water. Hope you will also have a joy-filled experience when sailing in Tam Coc.
Thank you so much for reading and we do hope you will enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh and your trip in Vietnam.
