Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Must visit when in the area! A tad far away from the Trang an area, but absolutely worth your time and the drive. Super quiet , very few people, and friendly boat riders. The boat ride was 2 hour long and passes through the landscape, with so may varying views. Lots of bird life, and a very beautiful cave as well.

Vân Long Wetland Nature Reserve was a really peaceful change of pace from the busier Ninh Bình boat routes. Tickets were 150,000 VND per person, and the boat ride lasted about 1.5 hours, gliding through calm wetlands with beautiful scenery — including a short stretch through a cave. Our rower made an effort to point out the monkeys (langurs), although we didn’t spot any on our trip. Even without wildlife sightings, the experience was worth it for the quiet, open landscape. Compared with the Tam Cốc boat ride we did the day before, Vân Long felt much more relaxed and less touristy. The boats here are bamboo (not metal), which added to the calm vibe. If you’re looking for a slower, more tranquil boat ride in Ninh Bình, this is a great option.

Beautiful landscape. 150k per person. The boat guide was very happy and friendly so we gave her a tip

We were two people, paid 3M for both of us. We expected 1.5-2 hours but it ended up 1 hour. The tour was very local and intimate, we were lucky to see monkey on the top of the mountain, and a lots of birds including kingfisher. Would be nice to bring binoculars. After the tours, we gave 50K as a tip. The Rower seems very disappointed. Rowers are in general old people. They will ask you to row together. It made us feel bed to not doing it. End of the tour i got completely sweated. But still enjoyed tour a lot.

WOW. Trang An is great but not even close in comparison to this. Trang An is Disneyland while this feels foreign, rural, and not really touristy. The landscapes were absolutely incredible. I saw endangered Delacour langurs (only 300 left in the world). It was quiet, serene, and breathtaking. Go in late afternoon. Takes about 90 min. I am glad I stayed 3 nights I Ninh Binh. Did everything at a leisurely pace and got to actually chill.

If you want a quiet and serene boat ride, make sure to come here! It’s a beautiful and serene nature area that is quite big. We came here at midday and we only saw a handful of people and the rest of the time we were alone. The nature is gorgeous and it is so peaceful!! It is 200k per boat with a maximum of 2 people per boat.

If you are looking for a truly peaceful and authentic experience in Ninh Binh, look no further than the Van Long Nature Reserve boat tour. This trip was an absolute highlight of our journey! The Van Long wetland, often called the "Ha Long Bay on Land" offers an escape from the crowds. The entire experience was incredibly nice and calm. The silence was only broken by the gentle sound of the paddle moving through the water, allowing us to fully soak in the tranquility of this vast wetland. The views are simply outstanding. The majestic limestone karst mountains rise dramatically from the clear water, creating mirror-like reflections that are breathtakingly beautiful. Drifting through the reeds and under the cliffs felt like entering a secluded paradise. We even passed through a cave, which added a sense of adventure to the serene setting. A special mention must go to the very kind woman who drove our boat. Her friendly demeanor and careful rowing made the journey feel personal and comfortable. It's clear that the local people running these tours take pride in preserving this beautiful environment. This is a must-do trip for anyone seeking stunning natural landscapes combined with complete serenity. Highly recommended for a quiet, visually spectacular morning or afternoon!

It's a great trip! We where all alone for the whole trip, something that really added to the tranquility of the experience. We got to see Delacour's langur up close, several unique birds and a trip inside the cave, even if it was high water. It was very hot, but we had hats and a good sunscreen which is a must, as well as water. We had our private guide that helped us in explaining what the boat rower had of knowledge. No tipping needed, but we added a bit anyway at the end. For us, this was a must do and a highlight.