1. Where is Tam Coc? How to get to Tam Coc from Hanoi?
1.1. About Tam Coc
Tam Coc, Vietnam, also known as Tam Coc - Bich Dong, is located in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province. The distance from Hanoi to Tam Coc is about 100 km.
Tam Coc Ninh Binh is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO dual heritage site with both cultural and ecological significance. This tourist spot is famous for its stunning scenery of limestone mountains, caves, and rice fields.
1.2. How to get to Tam Coc from Hanoi?
To get to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh from Hanoi, you can take a bus, motorbike, or car. It takes about two hours to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh City.
How to get to Tam Coc from Ninh Binh? Tam Coc is about 11 km from the city and can be reached by motorbike or car. Depending on your budget and schedule, you can choose any of the above transportation options. However, taking a van to Tam Coc Vietnam with a tour guide who can provide local knowledge and insight is the best option. A tourist bus for a Tam Coc tour from Hanoi is also a great choice if you don't mind traveling with other tourists.
The cheapest way to travel is by bus or train, but it will take more time as you need to follow their schedules. Moreover, after being dropped off, tourists will need to take a taxi from Ninh Binh city to Tam Coc, Vietnam.
Alternatively, driving a car or riding a motorbike to Tam Coc Ninh Binh is not a bad idea if you want to enjoy the beautiful countryside along the way.
2. What to do in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh?
2.1. Tam Coc boat tour
Tam Coc, meaning "three caves", includes Hang Ca (the first cave), Hang Hai (the second cave), and Hang Ba (the third cave). All three caves were formed by the Ngo Dong River passing through the mountains. The Tam Coc boat tour was the first to be developed in the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area.
Tourists explore Tam Coc from the Coc boat station, sitting in small boats that gently float down the Ngo Dong River in a peaceful atmosphere to experience the purity of the caves. As the boat rows along, visitors will immerse themselves in the beauty of the lush green rice fields on both sides of the river, with majestic mountain ranges in the background. During the flood season, the rising water fills the fields, making the area resemble a "Ha Long Bay on land".
Hang Ca is the largest and most beautiful cave in Tam Coc, preserving the most stalactites among the three caves. The boat continues to the second cave, Hang Hai, which is smaller and narrower. The cave ceiling is adorned with stunning rock formations resembling clouds. As you reach the third cave, Hang Ba, the river narrows. This cave is about 50 meters long with a lower ceiling than the other two, so be careful with your head!
>> Check out: Northern Vietnam in 1 week
2.2. Visit Bich Dong Pagoda
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda is definitely one of the most memorable experiences when visiting Tam Coc! The pagoda complex was built in 1428 and consists of three cave temples at different levels on the mountain: Chua Ha (Lower Temple), Chua Trung (Middle Temple), and Chua Thuong (Upper Temple).
The initial scenery of the pagoda is like a traditional ink painting! The bridge surrounded by lotus ponds and flowers looks like something out of a painting. After crossing the bridge, you pass through the ancient gate at the foot of the mountain and begin your climb.
Since the upper pagoda is near the top of the mountain, you’ll need to climb a steep slope of 160 steps. However, the effort is worth it for the stunning view of the countryside. The unique location of the temples built into the limestone mountains and surrounded by lush green forests makes you feel like you're discovering a hidden oasis. A magical experience!
The pagoda is open all day, but it’s best to visit between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to catch the view from the top. Entry to the pagoda is free, but you may need to pay a small fee to park at the pagoda.
2.3. Hang Mua
Climb the winding path of 500 steps to reach the top of a magnificent cliff. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the deep valley, river, and lush green mountains. It's worth noting that there are two peaks for you to conquer. The path splits in the middle, and both peaks are definitely worth visiting!
Try to reach the highest peak, where you’ll find a stone dragon guarding the landscape – an important symbol in Vietnamese culture. You'll feel a sense of excitement as you stand atop the cliff, feeling the wind blow through your hair. Since this is one of the highest points in the area, it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Opening hours/Entrance fee: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. / 100,000 VND
3. When is the best time to visit Tam Coc?
Each season in Tam Coc is beautiful in its own way, but if you want to admire the lush, vibrant green rice fields stretching along the stream, resembling a soft silk ribbon, giving you a fresh feeling and allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the sky, rivers, and nature, the time after Tet in January and February is ideal.
If you want to see the beautiful natural painting with patches of golden ripe rice blending with the green mountains and, in the distance, boats gently gliding on the water, then late May and early June – when summer returns – is the perfect time to enjoy Tam Coc's beauty.
4. What to eat in Tam Coc?
Tam Coc is famous for a variety of specialties such as mountain goat, crispy rice, eel noodles, Yen Mac fermented pork rolls, sour fish soup with red snapper, and more. If you’ve come here, don’t miss the chance to taste these amazing dishes.
In addition to enjoying the food, you can also learn more about the regions and the diversity of culinary culture. Each dish reflects the local touch, from ingredients to preparation methods, contributing to a unique culinary experience for visitors.
5. Tips for your best Tam Coc adventure
5.1. Notes to add to your to-do list
To fully appreciate and immerse yourself in the beauty of Tam Coc, the only option is to take a boat. If you love photography and want to capture memorable moments and stunning scenery, talk to and seek the help of the boat rowers. Their experience and local knowledge will help you take amazing photos.
Another note is to allow enough time for the trip. Since the boat ride through Tam Coc takes nearly three hours, avoid going at noon when the sun is too hot or too late in the evening when the sun has already set. Finding the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the fields and river would be an unforgettable experience to share with the locals. In Tam Coc, you’ll surely have relaxing and memorable moments.
5.2. Vietnamese Currency
The currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND), and at the time of writing, the exchange rate is about 25,401 VND to 1 USD. So, if something costs 50,000 VND, it's about 2 USD.
There are a few ATMs around, but they are outside the main area of Tam Coc. Some shops in Tam Coc advertise ATMs, but they will actually charge a fee via card (adding a 3% fee) and then give you cash. The nearest ATM to Tam Coc is located on the left side of the road as you head east on DT491C.
5.3. Travel around Tam Coc
Most homestays in Tam Coc offer bicycle and motorbike rentals. While cycling around the village is a fun experience, some of the highlights are far from the town, so you’ll have a long journey ahead. Renting a motorbike costs around 120,000 – 150,000 VND per day, but you’ll need to pay for fuel (~80,000 VND for a full tank).
For many visitors to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, a favorite activity is wandering around the small roads on a bicycle or motorbike, admiring the stunning scenery and the daily life of rural Vietnamese people.
If you're staying in Tam Coc and only interested in visiting Bich Dong Pagoda and taking the Tam Coc boat tour, a bicycle will suffice. However, if you want to visit other spots (such as Hang Mua, Trang An, or Hoa Lu), you’ll be more comfortable on a motorbike as these places are several miles apart.
Additionally, it’s easy to get lost on the winding roads of Tam Coc. We always recommend buying a Vietnamese SIM card as soon as you arrive in the country. Having internet on your phone will help you use Google Maps to navigate. If you don’t have a local SIM card, you can download offline maps of Ninh Binh and Tam Coc in Google Maps.