Tam Coc – Bich Dong Ninh Binh In Vietnam

Tam Coc – Bich Dong Introduction

Vietnam is blessed with famous natural wonders that UNESCO recognized as world natural heritage sites. For example, Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Especially, Tam Coc – Bich Dong Ninh Binh belongs to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. It is a Dual World Heritage Site that UNESCO recognized for its cultural and natural values. Therefore, Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a tourist destination chosen by many tourists to discover first when traveling to Vietnam.

Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a complex of caves in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. Furthermore, it is dubbed “Ha Long Bay on Land” or “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong,” is a key national tourism destination in Vietnam.

Moreover, the whole area includes a system of limestone caves and historical sites related to the Vu Lam palace of the Tran dynasty. In addition, Tam Coc Bich Dong is a large landscaped area featuring limestone caves, beautiful village scenery and an ancient Bich Dong pagoda.

Furthermore, the Tam Coc Bich Dong tourist area has a natural area of ​​350.3 hectares, located 2 km from National Highway 1A, 7 km from Ninh Binh city, and 9 km from Tam Diep city. Most of the region is in Ninh Hai commune (Hoa Lu).

Pick-up centers are distributed at the following points: Tam Coc, Co Vien Lau, Thung Nang, Thung Nham, Bich Dong pagoda, and Mua cave. Let’s continue with Hoi An Private Taxi to discover the details of this famous landmark!

Best Time To Visit Tam Coc Bich Dong Vietnam

Depending on your plan, you can choose the time to travel to Tam Coc Bich Dong accordingly, but there are a few timelines that you can refer to as follows:

It is possible to go to Tam Coc Bich Dong around April; the weather is relatively dry now. There is no longer the unpleasant heat and humidity at the beginning of the year in the North. Nevertheless, it is not too sunny, and the weather is less rainy, so 2 hours of boating won’t be too uncomfortable.

The Bai Dinh pagoda festival takes place every year from January to March according to the lunar calendar. Thus, you can combine going to the ceremony and exploring Tam Coc – Bich Dong on this occasion.

If you want to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, remember that the Truong Yen festival takes place every year from March 8th–10th of the lunar calendar. In addition, there is also the Thai Vi temple festival, which usually takes place from March 14th to the end of March 16th of the lunar calendar every year.

Lastly, the Tam Coc Bich Dong field’s ripe rice season lasts from the end of May to the beginning of June. Hence, a scene with beautiful hues will be created by the combination of green rice fields and ripe yellow rice fields.

How To Reach Tam Coc Bich Dong, Ninh Binh?

Depending on your preferences and travel plans, you can start the Tam Coc Bich Dong tour by motorbike or follow the Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua cave tour. In addition, you can also travel by bus, private car, limousine or by train.

The distance from Hanoi to Tam Coc – Bich Dong is more than 100 km, so the travel time is also quite fast. In addition, Tam Coc – Bich Dong is only 7km from Ninh Binh city center, so you have many options.

Transferring By Private Car & Luxury Limousine Service

You should choose the best means of transport: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by car or Hanoi to Ninh Binh limousine. With these vehicles, you will have the right to decide the departure time. Plus, there are three types of private cars for you to choose from, such as Sedan, SUV or Van.

Moreover, if you want the best experience from Hanoi to Tam Coc Ninh Binh, you can choose the private limousine transfer. Our limousine Dcar has full amenities for you to enjoy high-quality service.

Therefore, it is very flexible for your Ninh Binh travel plan. Since this is a private transfer service, our English-speaking driver will drive you directly to the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area or your accommodation near Tam Coc.

Hanoi To Ninh Binh By Bus

You can utilize the public bus to save the most money on your vacation. A one-way ticket on the bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh only costs around 150,000 VND or roughly 7 USD. However, to travel the 7 kilometers from Ninh Binh to Tam Coc, you must take a taxi or Grab.

What’s more? The bus only has fixed routes and will leave on time. Thus, it would be best if you arrived at the bus station on time to catch the bus. But if you arrive late, you don’t need to worry too much because every 30 minutes there will be another bus departing. Therefore, all you need to do is wait.

Moving By Train From Saigon & Hanoi To Ninh Binh

Besides the coach, going to Ninh Binh by train from Hanoi is also a relatively easy form of transportation at an affordable price. Train ticket prices from Hanoi to Ninh Binh will range from 150,000 to 250,000 VND, depending on the type of seat and train car you choose.

However, you must buy a ticket and get to the station on time to get on the train before it departs. In addition, you also have to spend money to get to Tam Coc – Bich Dong from Ninh Binh train station.

There are trains from Hanoi as follows:

If departing from Saigon, the trains arrive in Ninh Binh most of the time at quite late hours. Hence, the only suitable train you should take is SE8. It departs from Saigon station at 6:00 am and arrives in Ninh Binh at 1:15 pm the next day.

Traveling To Tam Coc – Bich Dong By Motorbike

The motorbike is also a way to go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. Thus, you can rent motorbikes from your hotel or motorbike rental shops in Hanoi to move. The price is about 100,000-150,000 VND a day.

You can move about more independently if you pick a motorcycle. However, the drawback is that you will have to travel more time. Besides, riding a motorbike cannot carry as much luggage as a private car or limousine.

Things To Do In Tam Coc – Bich Dong Ninh Binh

Exploring Tam Coc Vietnam By Tam Coc Boat Tours

The Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area, includes boats, cycling and walking routes connecting about 20 tourist attractions. Therefore, when you book the Tam Coc Bich Dong tour by boat to discover this place’s beauty. It will bring new and never-before-seen experiences.

Tam Coc boat tours price: 

Entrance and boat ticket prices:

• Adults: 250,000 VND/person/time.
• The elderly people: 120,000 VND/person/time.
• Children (over 1.3m tall): charge as adults.
• Children from 1 – 1.3m: 120,000 VND/person/time.
• Chilren under 1m are free.
• Domestic guests: 4 people/boat/trip; International guests: 2 people/boat/trip.

Tam Coc

Tam Coc corresponds to “three caves,” which include Ca cave, Hai cave, and Ba cave. The Ngo Dong river bursts through the mountain, creating all three caverns. Most significantly, Tam Coc is the first boat tour operated in Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area. The first Tam Coc boat ride is to explore the three caves in Tam Coc, Vietnam.

• Hang Ca is 127 m long, through a large mountain, and the mouth of the cave is over 20 m wide. The climate in the cave is quite cool, and many stalactites hang down in various shapes.
• Hang Hai, nearly 1 km from Ca cave, 60 m long, the ceiling of the cave has many beautiful hanging stalactites.
• Hang Ba is 50 m long, and near Hang Hai. The cave’s ceiling is like a stone arch, lower than the other two caves.

Firstly, visitors disembark from the boat at the center wharf to visit Tam Coc. Then, the boatman will take visitors on the Ngo Dong river winding through the cliffs, trans-water caves, and rice fields. Thus, the travel time and return are about 2 hours. Depending on the rice season, Tam Coc’s scenery can alter, notably on the two banks of the Ngo Dong River (green rice, yellow rice or brown color of the water in the field).

Thai Vi Temple – Thien Huong Cave

Thai Vi temple and Thien Huong are the next places to explore by the Tam Coc boat tour. In Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, there is a Thai Vi temple. The temple worships four Emperors of the Tran dynasty. They are Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong, and Tran Anh Tong.

Besides, they also worship two Generals, Tran Hung Dao and Tran Quang Khai and empress Tran Thi Dung. In the past, the Tam Coc mountain area was where the Tran Dynasty came to set up the Hanh Cung Vu Lam in the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong (1285 and 1288).

Thien Huong Cave is on the road from Ngo Dong river to Thai Vi temple. At the height of around 15 m above the ground, it is a dry, well-lit cave halfway up the mountain. The cave is 20 m broad, 40 m in depth, and approximately 60 m in height.

Plus, the top of the cave is hollow, so the cave has another name Troi Cave. What’s else? Nestled in the cave is a shrine dedicated to Tran Thi Dung, wife of Emperor Ly Hue Tong. She is a person who has taught the people of Ninh Hai commune the craft of embroidery.

Bich Dong – Xuyen Thuy Cave

Bich Dong, which means “green cave”, is the name that prime minister Nguyen Nghiem given to the cave. He is the father of the great poet Nguyen Du in 1773. The distance between Tam Coc wharf and Bich Dong is 2 kilometers. Plus, Bich Dong is one of the landscapes belonging to the group called “Nam Thien De Nhat Dong” by the ancients.

Additionally, Bich Dong consists of a dry cave halfway up the mountain (Bich Dong pagoda), and a water cave pierces the mountain bed (called Xuyen Thuy Dong). In front of the cave is a branch of the Ngo Dong river winding on the side of the mountain, and across the river is a rice field.

Next, Xuyen Thuy Cave is a dark and flooded cave located along the length of the Bich Dong massif mountain. The cave resembles a 350 m long, semicircular stone pipe that winds from the east to the west.  In addition, the average width of Xuyen Thuy Dong is 6m, and the most expansive place is 15m. Plus, the cave’s ceiling and walls are usually flat, the creation of which is like arranging large stone slabs into arches, semi-circles with various shapes.

Additionally, the Xuyen Thuy Cave’s entrance is located on the opposite side of the Bich Dong Pagoda road from the mountain’s back. Hence, visitors may ascend the mountain to get to the cave and Bich Dong pagoda after passing through the water cave.

Tien Cave – Linh Coc Pagoda

The Fairy cave is a beautiful dry cave in the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area. It is located nearly 1 km from Bich Dong Pagoda. Moreover, the dynamic range includes three large, wide and high caves. Plus, the cave’s ceiling has many stone veins and stalactites drooping with colorful sparkles that look like big tree roots. What’s else? There are many bats and birds on the ceiling.

The cave seems to be a gorgeous castle from the outside. Plus, the changes in nature create exciting shapes of stalactites in the cave with the shape of elephants, lions, tigers, iguanas, dragons, eagles, etc. When you tap, the cave’s stone blocks will create many strange sounds.

Linh Coc pagoda is located in Moc pagoda mountain. The pagoda faces west, and in front is a water field. According to the epitaph placed in the temple, Linh Coc pagoda dates back to King Tran Thanh Tong‘s reign, and there are small ancestor houses on both sides of the courtyard. Besides, three compartments face the northwest, placing statues to worship the saints, A Nam Da and the west ancestor.

Additionally, Dien Mau has its back to the mountainside, southwest direction, built in the style of the “Tam” character. Plus, the harem is a pavilion to worship the Holy Mother Goddess, including Mother Thuong Ngan, Mother Thoai, and Mother Lieu Hanh. In addition, there are 3 halls to worship the Cong Dong Thanh Mau and five compartments of Tien Duong. Plus, the last one on the left-hand side has a bell hanging.

Thach Bich – Thung Nang

Starting from Dinh Cac wharf (Tam Coc), you need to go more than 500 meters by road to Thach Bich wharf to go to Thung Nang. Then, you will cross a waterway with whispering rice fields on both sides, overlapping mountains, and passing Voi temple.

After that, visitors continue the journey to the sunny valley with a cloudy sky and surrounding water. With about 3 km of waterways by boat, visitors will visit many mountains such as Ba Doi, Coc mountain, Mang mountain, Vang mountain, etc.

After visiting Thung Nang, on the way back to the Cay Gao wharf, you visit the Voi temple, hundreds of years ago, was built of stone, with elaborately carved stone altars. Voi Temple was built during the Le Dynasty to worship Mr. Ly Dong Hai, a mandarin of the mountain range.

Thung Nang tourist area is located in Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu. The road to Thung Nang has to go by boat about 3 km. Plus, there are many blades of grass and reeds on both sides of the road. Besides, you will feel cool when the boat is brought into the cave’s ceiling is very low, and the stalactites hang down with different shapes.

Most especially, in front of the cave is luxuriant reeds. Hence, you can anchor the boat to rest, take pictures and admire the beautiful scenery. In particular, in the afternoon, flocks of white storks fly back to cover the whole wetland, creating a unique attraction in this tourist area.

Ticket Prices For Thach Bich Thung Nang Tourist Area

Ticket prices to the scenic spots

• Adults: 20,000 VND/person.
• Children from 6-15 years old: 10,000 VND/person.
• Elderly people (from 60 years old and above): 10,000 VND/person.

 Boat ticket prices:

• Adults: 100,000 VND/trip.
• Children from 6-15 years old: 50,000 VND/trip.
• Elderly people (from 60 years old and above): 50,000 VND/trip.
• Domestic passengers are four people/boat/trip, and international guests are two people/boat/trip.

Thung Nham Bird Park

The Thung Nham eco-tourism area is one of the tourist attractions in the core area of Trang An Landscape Complex – UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is located in Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, about 5 km west of Bich Dong pagoda.

In particular, this tourist area has a natural bird garden and a rich and rare flora and fauna ecosystem. Additionally, there are beautiful natural caves, such as Vai Gioi cave, Tien Ca cave (Mermaid cave), Thuy Cung cave, But cave, and so on.

The bird garden is situated in Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune. On sampan boats, you will be immersed in nature and rivers. Plus, enjoy the wild beauty of Chua cave and Thuy Cung cave. After passing the caves by boat, you will reach the Bird Garden. Another exciting thing is that visitors will visit the orchards with a lot of fruit, a thousand-year-old Duoi tree, etc.

The first stop in the Thung Nham eco-tourism area is Vai Gioi cave. From the foot of the mountain, visitors go up 439 stone steps to the cave gate. Especially, Vai Gioi Cave is about 5000 m2 vast, divided into three floors: Hell, Earth and Heaven. Thus, you can go down to the Hell floor to see stalactites with different strange shapes.

But Cave In Thung Nham

Hang But (But cave) is located in the heart of Tuong mountain, 8 km from Ninh Binh city, 1 km from Bich Dong pagoda, in Hoa Lu special-use forest in Hai Nham hamlet, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district. The But cave is nearly 500m long and very wide, with many stalactites with strange shapes.

Most remarkable, in the middle of the cave are a stalactite plate 1.5 m in height and 2 m in width shaped like a fairy. Coming to But Cave, you can take a sampan boat and admire the wild and mysterious natural scenery of mountains and rivers. In addition, many fancy swirls in the cave will surely make you curious and want to explore more.

Besides, when traveling to But cave in Son Ha, visitors can also travel by bicycle through bamboo-lined village roads. You will learn about the culture and customs of farmers in the wet rice area, try to be a herder of buffalo, slap fish, catch crabs, grind rice and pound rice. Besides, you can enjoy rustic dishes made by yourself.

Ben Dang River – Thien Ha Cave 

Thien Ha cave is located in the Tuong mountain range with an altitude of nearly 200m, which is part of a solid natural wall. As a part of protecting the southwest of Hoa Lu capital in the 10th century. Hence, the cave is associated with historical and cultural landmarks such as Le Dynasty Marina, Phat Dau Son Mountain, etc.

From Muong Tho Ha village, Son Ha commune, you will get off the boat on a small canal, about 1 km interspersed with the countryside. After that, you continue to walk on the 500m length stone road along the foot of Tuong mountain to reach the cave entrance. The Galaxy grotto is 700m long, including a 200m dry cave and a 500m water cave.

Discovering By Walking, Cycling And Climbing

Bich Dong Pagoda

It is an ancient temple associated with rocky mountains with a bold Asian style. The pagoda was built at the beginning of the Hau Le Dynasty (1428). In 1707 during the reign of Emperor Le Thai To, two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The cast a large bell, which is still hanging in Dark Cave.

Along with that is the tomb tower of the monks who built the temple. During Emperor Le Hien Tong’s reign (1740–1786), he gave a decree to restore and expand the pagoda, including Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda, spread out on three mountain floors.

Ha Pagoda

Passing through the Tam Quan gate area, you will encounter a road at the foot of the mountain about 55 m in length with clean tiles. The Ha pagoda was built in the northwest direction, at the foot of Bich Dong mountain.

At Ha Pagoda, three statues represent the three generations of Buddhas. Next is a set of Western Tam Thanh statues. Further, in the middle is Amitabha Buddha, on the right is Quan Am Bodhisattva, and on the left is Dai The Chi Bodhisattva. Plus, the third person sitting in the third row is Quan Am Thien Thu Thien Nhan. In addition, the fourth row is the newborn Shakyamuni statue.

In addition, eight generals are wearing martial arts uniforms, and standing on the right are the “Eight Great Diamonds.” Standing on the left represents the four righteous deeds – encouraging good deeds, punishing evil, and considering cause and effect in the human realm.

Lastly, on the left are Chi Kien, Chi The and Chi Tam. These are the three great masters who established and built Bich Dong Pagoda. Plus, the two statues outside are Nam Tao – Bac Dau, managing the day of birth and death book.

Trung Pagoda

From Ha pagoda, step up 120 steps along the S-shaped road to the middle of the Ngu Nhac mountain range, is Trung Pagoda. Right in front are two words, Bich Dong, carved into the cliff. Thus, the Trung pagoda is unique, and few places have it, half attached to a cave and half open-air. Moreover, the pagoda has three compartments to worship Buddha.

Besides, the Trung pagoda went through three periods with different names: the first period (1428) was named Dong Pagoda. In 1740, during the reign of Emperor Le Hien Tong, this pagoda was expanded, built more and named “Bach Ngoc Thach Son Dong”. Later on, in the 19th century, under King Tu Duc, he named Bich Dong Pagoda.

Additionally, there are three majestic stone statues in the cave. In the middle is Amitabha Buddha, on the right is Van Thu Bodhisattva, and on the left is Quan Am Bodhisattva. Besides, a stone statue of Lao Tho that is worshiped in a small temple.

Thuong Pagoda

To get to Thuong Pagoda, you must walk another 40 stone steps along the mountainside. Plus, Thuong Pagoda is a crossbow pagoda located on the mountainside, at the highest position, near the top of Bich Dong mountain. Moreover, the pagoda is about 60 meters higher than the underground brickyard.

Besides, they built Thuong Pagoda southeast and worshiped Avalokitesvara Buddha. In addition, there are two shrines on either side of the temple, worshiping Tho Dia and Duc Son Than. Next to the pagoda is a water tank called the Cam Lo water tank of Quan The Am Bodhisattva.

Ancient Vietnamese Village – Co Vien Lau

Viet Co village consists of many ancient houses restored from miniature images of the northern countryside. Each house is restored from the countryside houses of the North, displayed according to each theme. Plus, showing the unique cultural values ​​of each land and converging with the cultural and historical values ​​of Vietnam.

Co Vien Lau has a total area of ​​​​about 20,000 m2, with about 20 – 22 ancient houses that the Nguyen Dynasty (XVIII-XX) built. There are many famous houses and works, such as Nong Cong ancient house (1847), and Y Yen ancient house (1883).

Plus, Tho Xuan ancient house (1802), Van Hai ancient house (1853), Khanh Hoa ancient house, Luu Phuong ancient house, Thanh Liem ancient communal house, Nghenh Tan Cac and ancient rural village.

Dark Cave Ninh Binh In Bich Dong Pagoda

The Dark Cave is the next place you should take advantage of on your trip to Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh. To get to the Dark Cave, you must pass 21 stone steps between the deep green forests. The first image when you enter the Dark cave is the large bronze bell cast in 1707. This bronze bell is an artifact to remember the merits of the temple of two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The.

Although it is called Dark Cave, the cave is still lit by electricity. To the right of the Dark cave, the door is the image of three majestic stone Buddha statues, symbolizing longevity. The statue of Buddha Amitabha is in the middle of the cave. On the right is Van Thu Bo, and on the left are Quan Am Thi Kinh and Lao Tho.

Mua Cave Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh Mua cave has been one of the hot keywords about Ninh Binh tourism in the past few years. It is a cave in the limestone mountain (Dancing mountain) in the land of Khe Dau Ha village, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh.

Most notably, on the top of Mua mountain, there is a stretching dragon statue, it is also known as Ngoa Long mountain. According to legend, Mua cave is a place for performing arts, dancing and singing of the court ladies of the Tran Dynasty in the past. Therefore, it has the name Mua caves.

Besides, when coming to Mua Cave, you can test your endurance when climbing to the top of the mountain through 486 stone steps. From the top of the mountain, you can admire the full beauty of the Tam Coc area with vast green rice fields.

Where To Stay In Tam Coc Ninh Binh?

Tam Coc Hotels

Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa

The first hotel in Tam Coc we recommend for you is the Tam Coc holiday hotel & villa. Address: Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. Phone: +84229 6279 279.

Tam Coc Banana Bungalow

• Address: Tuan Cao Hamlet, Ninh Thang Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.
• Phone: +8496 266 33 55.

The Banana Tree Hostel

• Address: Tam Coc Boat Station, Thai Vi Street, Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.
• Phone: +8437 636 7982.

Tam Coc Condeluz Boutique Hotel

• Address: Team 3, Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh.
• Phone: +8496 753 04 03.

Tam Coc Resort

• Tam Coc Rice Fields Resort: Address: Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh. Phone: +8496 477 33 66.
• Tam Coc Garden Resort : Tam Coc garden boutique resort Vietnam is located in Hai Nham Hamlet, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh. Phone: +8437 825 3555. Besides the hotels and resorts, you can also stay in a Tam Coc homestay.

What To Eat When Traveling To Tam Coc Vietnam?

When traveling, what we want to discover is the local specialties. Therefore, when traveling to Tam Coc – Bich Dong, you should take advantage of dishes of mountain goat meat, scorched rice topped with pork floss, mountain snails, Ninh Binh mountain snails, and so on.

Some Tam Coc restaurants to enjoy Ninh Binh foods: 

• Family restaurant in Tam Coc, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh. Phone: +8491 419 66 10.
• Khoa Dung restaurant in Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Phone: +8491 419 66 10.
• Aroma Indian Restaurant in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh. Phone: +84 94 129 77 73.
• Father Cooking Restaurant in Tam Coc, Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Ninh Binh. Phone: +84 168 516 7388.

Conclusion

Hoi An Private Taxi hopes that our article will be helpful for your holiday in Tam Coc – Bich Dong Ninh Binh in Vietnam. Besides the traditional relics, Ninh Binh province is also implementing many other new tourist attractions waiting for you to explore.

Hence, in the journey to discover Ninh Binh, do you want to be once immersed in the charming natural scenery of this place? Let’s pack up your backpack and go to Tam Coc Bich Dong to enjoy it right now!