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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
May 17, 2023
By Jinnie Lee
Tam Coc is located in Ninh Binh Province - one of the most worthwhile tourist destinations to visit in Ninh Binh, known as “ Halong Bay on land”. Naturally blessed with verdant green rice paddies and soaring limestone cliffs, Tam Coc is an appealing destination for visitors in Northern Vietnam. Tam Coc Ninh Binh is located within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, which was inscribes as a UNESCO World Heritage. Just a two-hour drive away from Hanoi, it is the perfect spot for a Ninh Binh tour. Below is an all-inclusive guide to Tam Coc Ninh Binh to help you better prepare for your trip and plan what things to do in Tam Coc.
Situated in the Northern part of Vietnam, Tam Coc- Ninh Binh is typical of a tropical monsoon climate, which makes it experience hot summers and cold but rainy winters. The rainy season in Tam Coc typically begins from May to October. During these months, Tam Coc experiences heavy rainfall with the heaviest rainfall from July to August. These rainfall may spoil your chances to explore “ Halong Bay on land” but the lush greenery and waterfalls are at their most spectacular. If you are not afraid of getting wet, the rainy season is a good occasion for coming to enjoy the whole beauty.
Overall, you can visitTam Coc at any time of year but best to check the weather prior to departing since pretty much all of the attractions are outdoors.
The best time to visit Tam Coc depends largely on what things to do in Tam Coc that you expect to experience during this Vietnam trip.
The months of January through April are perfect for anyone who enjoys cold weather and local festivals. At this time of year, Tam Coc Ninh Binh is home to lush rice fields on both banks of the Ngo Dong River. In terms of festivals, the Tet Holiday, which frequently comes between mid-January and mid-February, also features a number of regional events.
For sightseeing activities, May and June are great times to visit this place. At this time, the rice fields turn yellow, signaling a bountiful harvest. Next to it are lotus ponds blooming in front of Bich Dong cave.
If you want to start your journey to Tam Coc, you can do it on your own or immediately sign up for a tour package from Vietnam tour company.
It is nearly 100 km from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. You can choose a shuttle bus, taxi, train, or motorbike from Hanoi, along the National Route 1A or Cau Gie - Ninh Binh Expressway. It takes you about 2 hours to travel.
A person who loves traveling in Vietnam must know the boating activity on Ngo Dong River, which is usually beautifully depicted on television. Under the tall limestone mountains are long winding rivers. The two sides of the stream are green rice fields in spring, iridescently golden in autumn.
Visiting caves is an activity that you should do when going to Tam Coc. There are many thousand-year-old caves such as Ca Cave, Hai Cave, Ba Cave… with splendid landscapes that certainly make you lost at words in wonder. As you may know, the terrain of such caves was created by erosions of rocks by rain, waves, wind, and geological impacts over millions of years. During harvesting season, you can easily meet friendly local people rowing with a full stack of rice on their boat; making the view even more interesting to see.
Ngo Dong river
Tam Coc is a place of original and intact landscape including wonderful mountains, vast valleys, winding rivers, and verdant banks landscape.
Hang Mua
Hang Mua is no longer a hidden place, but now a tourist highlight. Nevertheless it is one of the best things to do in Tam Coc thanks to its unique panoramic view. Hang Mua lies at the bottom of the Mua Mountains. Yet, you still need to pass over about 500 hundred white stone steps, which is also called the microcosm of the Chinese Great Wall, to reach Hang Mua. Two sides of the corridor were finely carved with dragon and phoenix symbols, which are characteristic of the Tran Dynasty’s architecture.
Standing on the top of Hang Mua looking down, you can see the vast ground scene. Interspersed with green fields are long rivers with no beginning and no end. Particularly in May and June, when ground is filled with the golden color of ripe rice paddies, the blooming lotuses, the natural scenery takes on an irrefutable power from the top of Hang Mua.
View from Hang Mua Peak
Thung Nham Bird Park
Beside Hang Mua, Thung Nham Bird Park is another option in the list of must-try things to do in Tam Coc. Being the habitat of many wild birds, this place features melodic songs sung by birds here, which are hard to listen to nowadays. Besides, the clean and fresh air here can easily cancel out any stress and worry of life. Tropical forest strips on limestone slopes, as well as various valleys and caverns, surround Thung Nham Bird Park. You must cross a bamboo bridge on your way to the bird-watching area to see the bird. For an extra cost, you can also take a boat excursion out to the bird area. The birds return to their nests about 4-5 pm, which gives you an opportunity to watch a lot of birds.
Thung Nham Bird Park
Bich Dong Pagoda
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda is one of the best things you should try in Tam Coc Ninh Binh. Rich forests, emerald rice fields, rivers, and lakes encircle Bich Dong. Among Ninh Binh's most recognizable images are the lotus pond and the entrance to Bich Dong. The Lower (Ha), Middle (Trung), and Upper (Thuong) pagodas make up the three-layered architecture of Bich Dong. Each cave pagoda has an ethereal aura created by the looming figures and incense smoke. The journey to the Upper Pagoda will take around 2 hours, but it will be worth it for the breathtaking views of Tam Coc it affords.
Bich Dong Pagoda
Hoa Lu Temple
With a history of more than 1000 years, Hoa Lu Temple is an important historical heritage in Vietnam. The enormous Nho Quan and Gia Vien farms, the meandering Hoang Long river, and standing in the heart of the mountains and hills that encircle the canal like a solid wall will astound you. Hoa Lu was the former capital of Vietnam; therefore, you can book a tour guide to enrich your knowledge about Vietnam’s history.
The Hoa Lu Capital comes alive during springtime with an annual festival to commemorate the kings who established it. The celebration, which recreates traditional ceremonies and activities, lasts for the entire third lunar month. You can either take part in the loud activities or observe them.
Hoa Lu Temple
Tam Coc is a compelling location that travelers should not miss out on during their Northern Vietnam tour because of the breathtaking natural surroundings with green limestone peaks, karst caverns, and rice terraces. If you prefer a getaway from a bustling city life, Tam Coc is a best choice which offers more than just a scenic destination as there are a lot of things to do in Tam Coc and you will fall in love with this place for sure.
