I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
Escape to tranquil Van Long or explore the iconic Trang An & Tam Coc. Find your perfect Ninh Binh boat tour in Vietnam's stunning landscape.
Which Ninh Binh boat tour will steal your heart? Will it be the bustling charm of Tam Coc, the majestic caves of Trang An - a UNESCO World Heritage site, or the peaceful solitude of Van Long? Discover the magic of this Vietnamese landscape as we explore three unique journeys through a breathtaking world of limestone karsts and emerald waters.
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1. Introduction to Ninh Binh Boat Tour
Ninh Binh is a breathtaking landscape that is famous for its beautiful picture of towering limestone karsts rising majestically from lush green rice paddies. To explore Ninh Binh, serene boat tours should come first in your mind as this activity offers visitors a unique opportunity to glide through tranquil waters while surrounded by nature's stunning artistry. Each boat journey in Ninh Binh presents a diverse array of experiences, imparting a sense of harmony with the natural world. To have the most memorable experiences with Ninh Binh boat tours, there are three destinations to consider: Trang An, Tam Coc, and Van Long. Each spot offers a different sightseeing view.
A trip to Ninh Binh is incomplete without exploring the mesmerizing Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where ancient caves and spiritual shrines dot the labyrinthine waterways. The gentle currents guide travelers through a peaceful sanctuary, rich in both natural beauty and cultural significance.
Tam Coc, often referred to as "Halong Bay on Land", is an ideal place to admire limestone cliffs soar above rice fields, and enjoy a serene and captivating atmosphere while doing a boat ride. Operated by local villagers, the Tam Coc boats provide an authentic experience showcasing their remarkable leg-paddling skills.
Meanwhile, Van Long, a tranquil wetland reserve, showcases Ninh Binh's rich biodiversity. It is home to the delacour's langur with over 100 individuals, and many other flora and animals listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book. It is voted the top site for nature and wildlife lovers and for those who prefer off-the-beaten-path.
2. Exploring the Caves and Karsts with Trang An Boat Tour
The Trang An boat tour offers a captivating journey through a mesmerizing waterway system set amidst lush landscapes and towering limestone karsts. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Trang An is renowned for its spectacular scenery and cultural significance.
There are three routes that you can choose from when taking a Trang An boat ride that highlights the area's unique beauty and rich heritage:
- Route 1 (3.5 - 4.5 hours): This route takes you through three spiritual sites – Trinh Temple, Tran Temple, and Bao Hieu Pagoda, and nine caves associated with legends of the Dinh and Tran dynasties, such as Dark Cave, Light Cave, and Nau Ruou Cave.
- Route 2 (2.5 - 3 hours): If you enjoy learning about history, this route is absolutely the ideal option to choose. You can explore four caves, including Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Dai Cave, along with three spiritual sites – Tran Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, and Hanh Cung Vu Lam.
- Route 3 (2 - 3.5 hours): This route offers an adventure through the largest and most majestic caves, from Dot Cave – the longest cave in Trang An to the 12,000-square-meter Thung May, featuring dazzling stalactites over 1,000 meters long and the towering Dia Linh Mountain.
While gliding along the tranquil waters, travelers can go through impressive caves where shimmering stalactites and unique rock formations abound. Along the way, you can also stop at some spiritual sites, particularly temples and pagodas, for moments of reflection and cultural connection. The beauty of Trang An lies in its harmonious blend of nature and history, promising a tranquil and spiritually enriching experience.
Trang An boat ride offers affordable ticket prices. It costs 250,000 VND (~ 10 USD) per adult. If there are any children, the price will be varied depending on their height. Children from 1 to 1.3 meters have to pay 120,000 VND (~ 4.8 USD) for a ticket, and children under 1m are free. You can also hire a tour guide with a price of 300,000 VND (~ 12 USD) if you wish to understand every detail of this tourist attraction, from its charming beauty to its cultural aspects. However, there is a special note that each boat can accommodate up to four passengers, excluding the rower. If your group is smaller, you may need to share the ride with other travelers, it is required. But it is still possible for a private boat with the cost of 1,250,000 VND (~ 50 USD).
Besides, it's important to note that the popularity of this destination can lead to crowds, especially in the peak seasons after Tet holiday in Vietnam, potentially detracting from the peaceful ambiance. So if you are not into crowded atmospheres, choose another destination for a boat trip or avoid public holidays or peak seasons.
Read more: Trang An Travel Guide - Best Things to Do
3. Doing a Boat Ride in Tam Coc - Halong Bay on Land
The Tam Coc boat ride, often dubbed "Halong Bay on Land," promises visitors an enchanting experience as they glide through a picturesque landscape of towering limestone cliffs and lush rice paddies along the Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc, which means "three caves" in Vietnamese, consists of Hang Ca (the first cave), Hang Hai (the second cave), and Hang Ba (the third cave). In particular, Hang Ca is the longest cave among the three caves, stretching approximately 127 meters. Inside the cave, the air is pleasantly cool, and there are numerous stalactites with different shapes making Hang Ca become more magical. Hang Hai and Hang Ba are shorter, with lots of stalactites and stalagmites endured for thousands of years. Sitting on a local sampan boat guided by a skillful boatman is a wonderful way to contemplate those three natural caves, magnificent limestone mountains, and authentic farming activities along the journey such as fish catching, rice planting, plowing with buffaloes, or harvesting rice. Normally, the boat tours last about 1.5 to 2 hours, shorter than those of Trang An. During the trip, you can also visit the crystal-clear Tien Stream and hike up to Thai Vi Temple and the Bich Dong Pagoda nestled in the mountainside.
Tam Coc is a year-round destination, but the ideal time to visit is absolutely during the rice harvest season, from mid-May to early June, when the golden rice fields form a breathtaking rural landscape.
Admission and boat tour fees are set at 250,000 VND (~ 10 USD) for adults, 120,000 VND (~ 4.8 USD) for seniors or children measuring between 1 and 1.3 meters, and children under 1 meter can enjoy the tour for free. Tam Coc boat tour opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. To avoid the crowds, visitors should take the trip early around 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM or late around 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
Although Tam Coc is a worth-seeing natural wonder, there are some problems that tourists, especially foreign tourists, should take into consideration. During your boat rides, some rowers may make short stops for local sellers riding on other boats full of goods to sell what they have, from fruits, flowers, drinks, and handmade artwork. When you return from the boat dock, some photographers will continuously ask you to take and buy photos. If you are willing to buy, it will make their day, but be careful as some sellers might overcharge you. If you don't have any interest, just decline them politely. In addition, tipping is always expected by the rowers. Some may have unpleasant, even aggressive attitudes if the tip amount doesn't meet their expectations or tourists don't tip them. Therefore, to have a smooth journey, asking local travel agencies for useful tips in advance and going with a local tour guide are not bad ideas.
4. A Serene Escape on Van Long Boat Tour
The Van Long boat tour offers an authentic escape into one of Vietnam’s most tranquil wetland reserves, providing a perfect retreat for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Often less crowded than its counterparts Trang An and Tam Coc, Van Long showcases the stunning beauty of Ninh Binh's landscape with its extensive network of waterways, surrounded by majestic limestone karsts and lush greenery.
This peaceful sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to the largest population of Delacour’s langurs, an endangered species unique to Vietnam. In addition to the Delacour’s Langur, the reserve is also home to rare and precious animals such as the Tibetan bear, chamois, stump-tailed macaque, and leopard. Flora living in Van Long Lagoon also includes some species listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book. As you glide silently on a traditional bamboo boat, you might encounter various bird species and other wildlife inhabiting this verdant ecosystem. The Van Long boat tour ticket price is 100,000 VND per adult (~ 4 USD), with a duration of about 1 hour, offering ample opportunity to explore the serene environment and spot diverse flora and fauna. It is advisable to take a boat tour in the early morning or late afternoon to admire a beautiful picture of animal species.
The local boatmen and women expertly navigate the calm waters, allowing you to immerse yourself in the silent beauty of the surroundings. Van Long's tranquil ambiance and breathtaking landscapes make it an enticing option for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. This hidden gem of Ninh Binh is ideal for travelers looking to connect with nature and enjoy a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of busier tourist areas.
5. Choose Trang An, Tam Coc, or Van Long Boat Tour
Below are the comparison tables among three boat rides, which will summarize what were mentioned above and give you an overview of these places:
Distance from Hanoi Old Quarter to Ninh Binh
| Trang An | About 94km |
| Tam Coc | About 113km |
| Van Long | About 97km |
Ninh Binh boat trip nearby attractions
| Trang An | Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Mua Cave, Thung Nang, Thien Ha Cave |
| Tam Coc | Mua Cave, Bich Dong, Thai Vi Temple, Thung Nham |
| Van Long | Bai Dinh Pagoda, Cuc Phuong National Park |
Ninh Binh boat ride information
| Trang An boat tour |
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| Tam Coc boat tour |
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| Van Long boat tour |
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Advantages of each Ninh Binh boat tour
| Trang An boat tour |
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| Tam Coc boat tour |
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| Van Long boat tour |
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Disadvantages of each Ninh Binh boat tour
| Trang An boat tour | Overcrowded of domestic tourists visiting brand new pagodas and temples after Vietnamese Tet holiday, from February to April |
| Tam Coc boat tour |
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| Van Long boat tour |
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Recommendations for Ninh Binh boat tours
| Trang An boat tour |
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| Tam Coc boat tour |
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| Van Long boat tour |
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6. Practical Information about Ninh Binh Boat Tour
6.1 Best time to do Ninh Binh boat tour
Trang An, Tam Coc, and Van Long offer breathtaking beauty all year round, so the best time to do Ninh Binh boat tours depends on what you want to see and your travel plan. However, here are some suggestions for you about the ideal time to take a boat tour in Ninh Binh:
- Trang An: The ideal time to visit Trang An is from late September to early May. During this period, the weather is generally cooler and drier, making for a comfortable exploration of the picturesque waterways and caves. Additionally, visiting in the early morning or late afternoon enhances your experience with fewer crowds..
- Tam Coc: Tam Coc can be enjoyed year-round, but the prime time to visit is during the rice harvest season, which occurs from mid-May to early June. During this period, the rice fields turn a brilliant shade of gold, creating a stunning rural landscape. The months of September and October are also beautiful, as the rice fields are vibrant green and less crowded than during peak season. Similar to the other locations, early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light for photography and a greater chance of enjoying a peaceful atmosphere.
- Van Long: The best time for a Van Long boat tour is also from late September to early May. This timeframe allows access to the beautiful wetlands and increases the likelihood of encountering the area's diverse flora and fauna. Early mornings or late afternoons are especially rewarding for wildlife spotting and witnessing the stunning reflections of the limestone karsts on the water, creating a serene and picturesque setting.
6.2 What to pack for Ninh Binh boat tour
Below are some necessary things you should bring when preparing for a Ninh Binh boat tour:
- Clothing: You should wear comfortable clothes, with shoes. If you travel to Ninh Binh in winter, a jacket is also recommended. Besides, if you do Trang An boat tours, remember to dress politely with clothes covering your knees and shoulders to show respects, as there will be several stops at spiritual places.
- Essential items: There are some things you should prepare for a smooth trip, which are sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, an umbrella, a raincoat (in case you travel during the rainy season), and a bottle of water to keep you hydrated during the whole trip.
- Cash: Bring some cash in case you want to buy something or for tipping. However, tipping is not a cultural requirement. If you are happy and satisfied with the tour quality, you can tip.
We hope our article about Ninh Binh Boat Tour and whether to do a boat ride in Trang An, Tam Coc or Van Long has offered helpful information. If you need any further information, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us via email: sm@izitour.com or WhatsApp: +84 382 536 266 for instant assistance.
Private tour in Van Long from $51/pax
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