Tam Coc

Tam Coc is located in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province. Surrounded by the Ngo Dong River, this nature landscape complex is famous for its image of growing rice paddies fields along side, scattered with giant limestone mountains. In 2014, Tam Coc, together with the Trang An complex, was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Covering nearly 350,3 ha, Tam Coc, also admired as “Halong Bay on land,”  consists of a flooded million-year-old karst cave system, including Hang Ca (the first cave), Hang Hai (the second cave), and Hang Ba (the third cave). More than that, the area has various historical temples that hold Vietnam’s signature architecture, such as Bich Dong Pagoda.

One thing that cannot be missed is the Tam Coc boat ride, a signature activity of the area. Sitting on a sampan boat, a local rower will take you through a 1.5-hour boat trip along Ngo Dong River, going under 3 caves while you admire the beauty of the yellow rice field at its best.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Tam Coc without enduring harsh weather or heavy rain is from January to April. During this period, the area is covered in an extremely pleasant weather, with the average temperature of 23.5 degrees Celsius and only occasional drizzle.

However, if you want to admire Tam Coc scenery at its best, get there from May to June. The rice field there now start turning golden, blend with the lush green mountainous, making the area like a poetic painting. However, keep in mind that this period is also summer time in Ninh Binh, the heat could get up to 32°C and be extremely hot. 

How to get to Tam Coc

Tam Coc is about 13 kilometers from Ninh Binh City Center. From downtown, you could 

 Travel from Đinh Tất Miễn to Trần Hưng Đạo/QL1A/QL38B in Tân Thành

• Follow Tràng An and ĐT491 to ĐT491C
  • Turn left onto Trần Hưng Đạo/QL1A/QL38B
  • Turn right onto Tràng An
  • Turn left onto ĐT491
• Continue on ĐT491C to your destination in Ninh Hải
  • Turn right onto ĐT491C
  • Turn right after Tiệm Điện Tuấn Phú (on the right)
  • Continue straight past Pizza Gao and your destination will be on the right.

There are 3 popular transportation options: Motorbike, bike and taxi. If you have driving licenses and want to enjoy the whole journey, just go by motorbike. Rent one from Motorbike.vn or your homestay:

• Manual motorbikes: ranging from 80,000 – 100,000 VND per day.
• Automatic motorbikes: ranging from 120,000 – 150,000 VND per day.
• Clutch motorbikes: ranging from 180,000 – 220,000 VND per day.

If you stay near Tam Coc, just taking a bike seems to be a good option. Most homestays will offer renting bikes for free.

Taxi is also easy to hail. Ask your receptionist to help you call 1 or just easily book a Grab. If you hail a random taxi on the street, remember to confirm the price before getting on it. A fair price shall be about 12,000vnd (0.5 cent) per kilometer.

The boat ride – Signature activities at Tam Coc

The highlight of Tam Coc is a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River, in which local people will sail boats along the Ngo Dong river, pass three famous caves. The ticket is 150.000 VND per adult person and free for children under 3 years old. You can buy a ticket at Van Lam pier.

Remember:

• During the boat ride, the rower might try to persuade you to buy some snacks, water, or ask for money. You can tip them a small amount of money or buy goods with a suitable price.

Highlights

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The tree caves

The name of each cave is inspired by the name of a local area with different features and stories: Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave), and Hang Ba (Third Cave).

• Hang Ca: Hang Ca is considered the largest and longest place. The cave is up to 20m high and more than 127m long with many stalactites and stalagmites creating unique shapes. According to the story, in Ca cave there was once a fairy with white hair sitting fishing.
• Hang Hai: Located about 1km behind Hang Ca, Hang Hai is more than 60m long. Although smaller than a cave, the experience of sitting on a boat through the cave and enjoying the sparkling stalactites will definitely not disappoint you.
• Hang Ba: Hang Ba is different from the previous two caves with a lower ceiling than the other two caves.

The rice field

Rice fields in Tam Coc are located on both sides of the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by limestone mountains. Farmers start planting rice at the end of February. From this time to April, you can admire the fresh green rice field and from May to August is the rice harvest season, which is also the time when Tràng An dons a new, stunningly beautiful appearance.

To see the entire Tam Coc rice fields in the most beautiful season of the year, you should go to the top of Ca cave. From the mountain top of Ca cave, you will have the opportunity to see the entire golden color of Ninh Binh’s ripe rice season. Many tourists enjoy coming to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season and witnessing the people here rowing boats to harvest rice.

Where to stay

Little Tam Coc – Local villa

Little Tam Coc – Local Villa is centrally situated in Tam Coc, a popular destination for foreigners visiting Trang An, Ninh Binh. It is close to Tam Coc Wharf, Thung Nham, Thung Nang, and Mua Cave. Owned and operated by Xuan, a local of Ninh Binh with a deep love for his hometown, this family-run business offers meticulously designed rooms, each with a private balcony showcasing scenic views. The villa emphasizes environmental friendliness and local cultural identity, with simplicity and rustic charm being its hallmarks. Guests can enjoy the garden, complete with BBQ grills and accessories, free Wi-Fi, and a breakfast buffet menu.

Tam Coc Liberty Hall

Tam Coc Liberty Hall located only 600 kilometers from Tam Coc pier, in the middle of rice paddy field. The path leading to Liberty Hall Tam Coc Villa is lined with wildflowers, accompanied by the fragrant scent of rice, evoking nostalgic memories of a simple, loving countryside childhood. The hotel features modern and luxurious rooms designed to 3-star standards. Most rooms have private balconies overlooking the mountains or the hotel’s garden, which is beautifully adorned with greenery and flowers, all arranged by the dedicated staff of Liberty Hall. At Liberty Hall Tam Coc Villa, the use of plastic is very limited. Even the containers for bathroom amenities are made from clean ceramic.

Where to eat

Ngon Vegan Restaurant

Ngon Vegan Restaurant is voted 4.8 stars by the guests. It is a rare choice for vegetarians in the area. Vegan restaurant serving a variety of Asian and Vietnamese dishes such as fried spring rolls, noodle dishes,… Also serving veggie sushi, crepes, smoothies, and juices for dinner and lunch.

Moreover, Ngon Vegan Restaurant gives a balanced mixture of cuisine by serving all-day western breakfast.

Contact information:

• Address: Tam Coc Rd, Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
• Time: Monday to Sunday (10:00am – 9:00pm)
• Payment: Accepts credit cards
• Space: Outdoor seating
• Wifi: Wi-Fi

Father Cooking Restaurant

If you collect the best restaurants to enjoy Tam Coc’s dishes, add Father Cooking Restaurant on the list. It is a very high rate restaurant near Tam Coc Pier with 4.7 stars on Google Maps. The foundation of this restaurant is based on a lovely story. Minh Toan, the owner, opened the restaurant because of his father’s passion for cooking. He wants visitors who travel to Vietnam to enjoy the original Vietnam’s dishes.

Contact information:

• Address: Tam Coc Rd, Bích Động, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình 430000, Vietnam
• Time: Monday to Sunday (8am – 10pm)
• Payment: Cash only
• Space: Outdoor seating
• Wifi: Wi-Fi