Tam Coc - Bich Dong, which is considered the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam, is well-known for its tranquil scenic beauty, signature northern Vietnam countryside vibe, and especially the impressive limestone cave system. Being a part of the Trang An complex, Tam Coc - Bich Dong Pagoda is a must-see destination for those who want to thoroughly explore the beauty of Ninh Binh.
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1. About Tam Coc - Bich Dong
Tam Coc Bich Dong is a part that belongs to the Trang An Scenic Complex - a world cultural and natural heritage recognized by UNESCO in 2024. This tourist area was also classified as a Special National Monument in 2012, along with Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Trang An scenic spot.
Located in Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, 100 km south of Hanoi and 7 km away from Ninh Binh City, Tam Coc Bich Dong is a northern Vietnam destination that tourists should not miss. Renowned with its charming name "Halong Bay on land," Tam Coc Bich Dong is surrounded by a system of limestone caves, many precious historical and cultural relics, and widespread rice paddies. The area covers a total of 350.3 hectares, consisting of many sightseeing to explore by boating, walking, and cycling.
The river meandering along the banks makes the scenery of Tam Coc Bich Dong even more poetic
Tam Coc is a scenic complex of three "brothers" limestone caves, including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. All three caves are connected by the winding Ngo Dong River, creating a majestic and romantic natural landscape.
It also has a Bich Dong Pagoda built in traditional architecture and historical relics related to the Vu Lam Palace of the Tran Dynasty in the 13th century. Bich Dong includes a dry cave located halfway up the mountain (Bich Dong Pagoda) and a water cave through the mountain (Xuyen Thuy Dong). The name "Bich Dong," which translates to "green cave" in Vietnamese, reflects the lush jade green landscape that envelopes the mountains, caves, rivers, fields, and sky in this area. Bich Dong is also known as "Nam Thien De Nhi Dong" (the second most beautiful cave in the South), only after Huong Tich Cave in Huong Son. On one side of Bich Dong, it borders the Ngo Dong River, flowing gracefully alongside the mountainside. On the opposite side of the river lies a vast, picturesque rice field, adding to the area's serene and poetic landscape.
In Tam Coc, the passage of time and the relentless efforts of nature over millions of years have created a breathtaking landscape of mountains and water that captivates the heart. In particular, to behold the expansive beauty of the golden rice season, visitors should visit Tam Coc during the harvest time from May to June. Here, when you go on a boat trip along the river, you can immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the natural landscape, with the rice fields stretching like a vibrant yellow silk ribbon, flowing gracefully around the Ngo Dong River, creating an enchanting and ethereal scene.
Tam Coc Bich Dong Vietnam Map
2. Unmissable Sightseeing in Tam Coc - Bich Dong
2.1 The Scenic Complex of Three Caves in Tam Coc
Actually, Tam Coc is a scenic complex with three natural karst caves, including Hang Ca (the longest cave), Hang Hai (the second longest cave), and Hang Ba (the third cave). Starting from Dinh Cac dock, tourists can sit on traditional wooden boats and glide gently along the Ngo Dong River in a serene atmosphere. Here, they can experience the clarity of the caves, accompanied by the soft sounds of oars dipping into the water and the melodious songs of birds filling the air, harmonizing with the gentle drops of water, marking the rhythm of time against the mountains. As the boat sways, visitors will be immersed in the vibrant green of rice fields stretching along both banks of the romantic Ngo Dong River, with rolling mountains. In each season, the background scenery changes, surprising visitors every time they get here.
Tam Coc, with its system of three caves adjacent to each other
To truly enjoy the marvelous beauty of Tam Coc, the only way is to go on a boat tour. While taking a boat through different tourist routes, sometimes you should carefully put your head down if you don't want to hit the rock ceiling above.
Tam Coc Bich Dong price tickets (sightseeing ticket and boat ticket included):
- Adults and children from 1.3m: 250,000 VND/person
- Children from 1m to 1.3m: 120,000 VND/person
- Children under 1m: Free
2.2 Bich Dong Pagoda
About 2 km from Tam Coc pier, Bich Dong Pagoda is a picturesque dry cave located halfway up the mountain, surrounded by lush greenery, where the moss-covered roofs of the ancient temple subtly emerge from the landscape.
Bich Dong Pagoda was constructed on a large scale at the beginning of the Le Dynasty. In the pagoda, there is also a large bell cast during the reign of Le Thai To (1428-1433) and tower tombs of monks who contributed to its building process. During the Canh Hung period (1740-1786), the pagoda was restored and expanded to include the Lower pagoda, the Middle pagoda, and the Upper pagoda according to the "Tam" style architecture into three separate pagodas leaning on the mountainside.
Stacked mountains peacefully surround the Bich Dong Pagoda
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda offers travelers not only moments of spiritual reflection but also the chance to enjoy the poetic beauty of the natural landscape, with its serene lotus ponds, rice fields, and majestic mountains. The elegant beauty of the fragrant lotus flowers stands out vibrantly under the warm sunlight of the tranquil Ninh Binh sky, creating such a breathtaking view that visitors may not want to leave.
Lotus flowers at Tam Coc - Bich Dong Pagoda
2.3 Thai Vi Temple
In the past, the mountainous area of Trang An - Tam Coc was the place where the Tran Dynasty chose to build the Vu Lam Palace to consolidate military forces in the second war of resistance against the Yuan - Mongols. Today, the Thai Vi temple is the place of worship of Kings Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, Generals Tran Hung Dao, Tran Quang Khai and Queen Tran Thi Dung.
The unique thing about the Thai Vi temple is that all the columns are made of tall, monolithic green stones, carved meticulously and completely by hand. The oldest relics still preserved here are incense burners, stone pillars, iron boxes, altars, bells, and bell towers, which originated in 1689.
The Thai Vi temple is a place of worship of the Tran dynasty
2.4 Thien Huong Cave
Situated peacefully in the middle of Dong Vo Mountain, Thien Huong Cave is one of the most popular sights in Ninh Binh. With a height of almost 60 m, the cave is 40 m long and 20 m wide, starting from the large arched entrance shaped like a bell.
The top of the cave is so large that locals often call it the Heaven Cave. Inside the cave is a shrine dedicated to Tran Thi Dung, the wife of King Ly Hue Tong. It was her who taught the people of Ninh Hai commune the art of embroidery, so the shrine was built to express the local people's gratitude to her.
Inside the Thien Huong Cave
2.5 Tien Cave - Linh Coc Pagoda
Belonging to the Tam Coc - Bich Dong, the Tien Cave (the Fairy Cave) consists of three large caves with hundred stalactites of all shapes and sizes, such as fairy trees, rice plants, fairies, elephants, lions, tigers, dragons, eagles, colorful clouds, etc. No one knows when the Linh Coc Pagoda was built in Trang An. It is said that the pagoda has existed since the reign of King Tran Thanh Tong. The pagoda is designed in three compartments, which is the place to worship. The construction behind is dedicated to the holy Vietnamese mothers, including the holy mother of Mountain, the mother of Earth, and the mother of Lieu Hanh. Situated peacefully in Moc Mountain, Linh Coc gives a view to the west, in front of which are the lush rice fields.
3. Best Time to Visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong
The best time to go to Tam Coc - Bich Dong in terms of weather is from February to April. During this period, the weather in Ninh Binh is relatively pleasant, cool, and less rainy. You will fully enjoy your trip to explore Tam Coc - Bich Dong by walking, cycling, and walking.
Additionally, in the early days of the New Year, the Trang An landscape complex and Tam Coc Bich Dong organize spring festivals, including the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival. If you take a Ninh Binh excursion during that time, you'll be able to soak in the festival's lively atmosphere while feeling inherent solemnity.
For those who have the chance to visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong between late May and early June, you will surely be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery of the vibrant golden rice paddies in full bloom all along the way. Sometimes the paddy fields on both sides of the river are a harmonious color combination of green rice shoots and the bright yellow ripe rice. It is a lively picture of the river scene that makes everyone excited.
Some notes that you should keep in mind:
- Although local festivals will bring the most authentic experience to understand Vietnam's culture, it also means that this time is the peak season for domestic tourism, so it will be too crowded and cause frustration and stress due to an extremely long time waiting, jostling, and pushing.
- As Tam Coc Bich Dong is more and more well-known, this tourist attraction is so busy now. If you prefer a lesser-known and tranquil place, Tam Coc Bich Dong might not be an ideal destination.
- Be prepared for some exhausting moments during your boat trip.
- First, notice the vendors with all kinds of goods and services from fruits, candies, taking pictures and other stuff. They will bother you whenever the boat stops, so you need to avoid eye contact for too long and firmly refuse politely or pretend not to see anyone and keep talking to your partners.
- The second problem is about the boatmen's attitude at the end of the boat trip. This is a sensitive problem relating to the tip. They always assume and expect to receive a large amount of tip from guests for what they have done along the trip, and if you don't tip them or the amount of tip is too small, they will react negatively in many different ways, and it may ruin your entire trip. So before starting a trip to Tam Coc Bich Dong, you should ask carefully about everything you can face there to have a better plan and preparation.
4. How to Get to Tam Coc - Bich Dong?
The most convenient way to visit Tam Coc Bich Dong is by booking an excursion with pick-up from your location in Hanoi.
If you prefer to self-arrange your trip, there are some ways to go. From Hanoi, you can book your transportation to Ninh Binh City or the nearest point to Tam Coc. Tam Coc - Bich Dong is located about 7 km from Ninh Binh city center. Discovering Ninh Binh by car, taxi, or motorbike is generally suitable for tourists. Although there is a North-South railway across Ninh Binh, this is the least recommended way to transfer as it takes much effort to arrange timetables and move from the train station to the desired attractions.
Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Vietnam, with its system of limestone caves and spiritual buildings, has always been one of the favorite destinations of many tourists. During your Northern Vietnam journey, spend time immersed in the charming natural scenery of this place.
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02 Comments
France
Bonjour nous prévoyons de partir au Vietnam environ Vers 15/4/24 nous commencerons par le sud pour finir au Nord. La boucle Hanoï Mai Cho Pu luong Ninh Binh me semble bien. Mais la période début mai est bien.
Vietnam
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