Tam Coc - Bich Dong

One of the most peaceful and memorable places in Ninh Binh. Bich Dong Pagoda sits quietly between limestone mountains, creating a stunning and almost surreal atmosphere. The path leading up through the pagoda, caves, and viewpoints is beautiful and easy to walk. The mix of temples, natural rock formations, and greenery makes it a perfect spot for photos and quiet moments. If you're visiting Tam Coc, this is a must-see. It’s calm, scenic, and feels far away from the busy tourist areas. Highly recommend combining it with the Tam Coc boat tour for the best experience. Highlights: Beautiful scenery with lotus ponds and limestone cliffs Unique cave-temple structure Peaceful, quiet atmosphere Great photo spots throughout the path

We were on an organised tour from Hanoi. We loved the day to Ninh Binh. The ride on the boat where the driver used his feet to operate the oars was amazing. He rowed us using this method for up to an hour to an hour and a half passing lots of boats doing the same. The landscape enroute was lovely. Passing by paddy fields and through caves. It was such a lovely day out with a very nice buffet lunch.

Visiting Tam Cốc - Bích Động was truly a magical experience. The boat ride along the river, surrounded by stunning scenery, becomes even more breathtaking as you glide through fields of vibrant pink water lilies. It feels like stepping into a painting : peaceful, colorful, and absolutely unforgettable. Tourist Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and, most importantly, to see the water lilies in full bloom. Once the sun rises higher, they begin to close… so the earlier, the better for the most magical view! The calm atmosphere, the reflections of the limestone mountains on the water, and the charm of the traditional rowing boats all contribute to a moment of pure serenity. If you’re in the Ninh Bình area, this is an absolute must-do. A beautiful, authentic, and picture-perfect experience that stays with you long after you leave.

The Tam Coc boat trip in Ninh Binh truly deserves its nickname, 'Ha Long Bay on Land.' Gliding along the tranquil Ngo Dong River, surrounded by towering, verdant limestone karsts and lush rice paddies, felt like being immersed in a classical landscape painting. The highlight is the unique experience of passing through the three dark, mysterious caves (Hang Ca, Hai, and Ba). ​It's an incredibly peaceful and authentic 1.5-hour journey. What makes it extra special are the skilled local boat people, who traditionally row the sampans with their feet—a fascinating and enduring cultural sight. If you are lucky enough to visit when the rice is golden, the scenery is absolutely unmatched. A deeply relaxing and beautiful encounter with rural Vietnam!

A must do to experience the beauty and tranquility of Mother Earth. This absolutely awesome boat ride was manned by amazing women who use their feet to row the boat. The entire experience takes about 2 hours - be prepared with sun block, hat or umbrella and water because it gets hot. Soak in the majestic landscape of hills and mountains well known as the “inland ha long bay” amidst the tranquility of gliding along the calm waterways lush with water lilies in bloom if you get there early. The ride takes us into narrow caves with very low ceilings. We had to lower our heads to avoid bumping into the cave structures which are centimeters within reach. The expertise of our females rowers navigating through the extremely narrow passages were nothing more than astounding. Before the return journey starts we are offered aplenty local handicrafts to buy. Do bring cash along with you if you want to support the local community and also to tip them at the end of the ride. We took a day trip from Hanoi to Tam Coc; We left Hanoi at 645 and arrived at 830am, perfect timing as the weather was still cool. The cost per pax for the boat ride is 100k VND which was bought when we arrived. There were no queues and was very quick. We had to then choose our life jackets and straight to the boat from there.

Boating in Ninh Bình is a peaceful and unforgettable experience. As you glide along the winding river, you’re surrounded by stunning limestone towers, lush rice fields, and quiet caves. The boat rowers, known for their unique skill, often paddle using their feet, adding to the charm and tradition of the journey. It’s one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.

A 💯% must see and is mandatory to be on every bucket list. Fantastic row on a flat bottomed punt through magnificent vistas and through watery tunnels carved by the water over millennia. It is spectacular to watch the boats men and women propel the punt along using oars controlled by their feet. One can only imagine the stress and strain in the hips.

I did this around 3 PM and it was very chill and not crowded. The views are beautiful. I have also done Trang An and I like that slightly more, they offer a bit different views though. Worth a visit for sure