Ninh Binh, a land of ancient capitals with glorious history and majestic natural landscapes, has always been an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. Besides its historical relics and famous scenic spots like Trang An and Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Ninh Binh also hides a green gem of ecotourism – Thung Nham. Thung Nham Ecotourism Area, with its pristine, pure beauty and diverse ecosystem, is becoming an ideal destination for those who want to return to nature and escape the noisy city. Let’s explore the unique beauty and exciting experiences at Thung Nham Ecotourism Area with “Du lịch khắp thế gian”!
Thung Nham – Ninh Binh’s Green Gem of Ecotourism
Location: Hai Nham Village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.
Website: thungnham.com
Fanpage: facebook.com/thungnhamecotourismzone
In recent years, ecotourism has emerged as an inevitable trend in the modern tourism industry, as people are increasingly aware of the importance of environmental protection and seeking sustainable, nature-friendly travel experiences. Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, ecotourism offers a relaxing, fresh space, helping visitors recharge and find balance in life.
Ninh Binh, with its diverse terrain, from mountains and rivers to plains, early recognized the potential for ecotourism development. Besides familiar names like Cuc Phuong National Park, Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area, or Van Long Lagoon, Thung Nham Ecotourism Area stands out as a new highlight, attracting visitors with its pristine beauty and unique experiences. Thung Nham is not just a tourist area, but also a diverse ecosystem, preserving many rare species of flora and fauna, especially birds. With a total area of 334.2ha, Thung Nham offers a vast space, including primary forests, natural caves, lakes, fruit gardens, and a bird sanctuary. Coming to Thung Nham, visitors can immerse themselves in nature, explore the wonders of creation, and enjoy the fresh, peaceful atmosphere.
Panoramic view of Thung Nham ecotourism area from above, an attractive ecotourism destination in Ninh Binh
Thung Nham, an attractive ecotourism destination for tourists with its pristine beauty and diverse ecosystem.
Thung Nham is located in the core area of the Trang An World Heritage complex, and very close to Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area, creating a complete and diverse Ninh Binh exploration journey. If you are a nature lover, like to explore new things, and want to find a peaceful space to relax, then Thung Nham Ecotourism Area is the ideal destination for you.
Ideal Time to Visit Thung Nham Ecotourism Area
To have a complete Thung Nham ecotourism trip, choosing the right time is very important. Ninh Binh’s weather has the characteristics of the Northern climate, with four distinct seasons. However, to fully enjoy the beauty of Thung Nham, you should come here in the dry season, from about October to April of the following year. At this time, Ninh Binh’s weather is quite cool, with little rain, very favorable for outdoor sightseeing and exploration activities.
Thung Nham Ecotourism Area is open daily, with different operating hours between summer and winter:
- Summer: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Winter: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Especially, if you want to admire the scene of birds flying back to their nests, one of the most unique highlights of Thung Nham, you should come around 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM. At this time, thousands of birds from all over will gather at Thung Nham bird garden, creating an extremely vivid and impressive natural picture. The chirping of birds, the wings soaring in the sunset sky, all blend together to create a symphony of nature, captivating people’s hearts.
Tourists excitedly watch birds flying in Thung Nham bird garden at sunset
The moment birds return to their nests at sunset is an unmissable experience when visiting Thung Nham.
To fully explore Thung Nham Ecotourism Area, you should spend at least 1 to 2 days. With this amount of time, you can leisurely visit the highlights, experience interesting activities, and fully enjoy the beautiful natural space here. If you have more time, you can combine exploring Thung Nham with other famous tourist attractions of Ninh Binh to have a memorable journey to discover the ancient capital land.
Directions to Thung Nham
Thung Nham Ecotourism Area is about 12km from the center of Ninh Binh city and about 100km from Hanoi capital. Transportation to Thung Nham is quite convenient, you can choose many different means depending on your preferences and personal conditions.
By bus:
This is an economical and popular means of transportation. From Hanoi, you can easily take a bus to Ninh Binh at major bus stations such as Giap Bat bus station and My Dinh bus station. Hanoi – Ninh Binh bus routes operate continuously throughout the day, with many different time slots for you to choose from. Bus ticket prices range from 70,000 – 120,000 VND/person/trip. When you arrive in Ninh Binh city, you can continue to Thung Nham by taxi, motorbike taxi, or local bus.
By motorbike or private car:
For tourists who love freedom and proactiveness, motorbikes or private cars are ideal choices. From Hanoi, you can travel along National Highway 1A or Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh expressway to Ninh Binh city. Travel time by car is about 1.5 – 2 hours, and by motorbike is about 2.5 – 3 hours. When you arrive in Ninh Binh city, continue to follow these directions: go straight on Tran Hung Dao street, cross the railway overpass, turn into road 477. Go about 6km on road 477, you will see the signboard to Thung Nham Ecotourism Area on the left. Turn left and go another 3km to reach the place. The road to Thung Nham is quite easy to find and is paved with asphalt, convenient for traveling by both motorbike and car.
By train:
In addition to buses and private vehicles, trains are also an interesting transportation option to Ninh Binh. From Hanoi, you can take a train at Hanoi station and get off at Ninh Binh station. Travel time by train is about 2 – 2.5 hours. When you arrive at Ninh Binh station, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Thung Nham.
Discovering the Unique Beauty of Thung Nham
Thung Nham Ecotourism Area has many attractive attractions, each destination with its own beauty and appeal. Here are the highlights that you should not miss when coming to Thung Nham:
Buddha Cave – The Mystery of the Buddha-Shaped Stone Cave
Buddha Cave (Hang But) is one of the most famous destinations of Thung Nham Ecotourism Area. This is a natural cave about 500m long, with mysterious and magical beauty. The most special feature of Buddha Cave is the image of a large stalactite, shaped like a Buddha sitting in meditation by the underground river. To admire the beauty of Buddha Cave, visitors will sit on a bamboo boat, gently gliding on the underground river in the cave. The space is quiet, cool, only the sound of oars splashing water and the faint sound of birds chirping, bringing a feeling of relaxation and peace. Because Buddha Cave still retains its natural beauty, without artificial lighting systems, you need to bring a flashlight or a phone with a flash to fully explore the cave.
Exploring the magical beauty of Buddha Cave by bamboo boat, a unique experience in Thung Nham
Exploring the magical beauty of Buddha Cave by bamboo boat, admiring the unique Buddha-shaped stalactites.
Vai Gioi Cave – Conquering the Mountain Top, Admiring Fairyland Scenery
Vai Gioi Cave (Động Vái Giời) is located on a high mountain in Thung Nham Ecotourism Area. To reach the cave, visitors must climb about 400 stone steps. However, the hardship of climbing the mountain will be rewarded when you set foot at the cave entrance. Vai Gioi Cave is a large cave, with a spacious space and a magnificent system of stalactites and stalagmites. Inside the cave, stalactites with many different shapes are likened to “earth, hell, and heaven”. Natural light shining into the cave, combined with the shimmering colors of stalactites, creates a magical, fairytale-like scene. According to legend, in the past, local people often came to Vai Gioi Cave to pray for favorable weather and bumper crops.
The magnificent and majestic beauty of Vai Gioi Cave with a shimmering and magical stalactite system
Vai Gioi Cave, where visitors can admire the majestic beauty of stalactites and see the panoramic view of Thung Nham from above.
Thung Nham Bird Garden – Symphony of Nature
Thung Nham Bird Garden is the most unique highlight and also the symbol of this ecotourism area. This is home to more than 50,000 birds of 46 different species, including many rare species listed in the Red Book such as storks and ground hornbills. Coming to Thung Nham Bird Garden, visitors will immerse themselves in a colorful and sound-filled natural world. In the morning, you can stroll in the bird garden, watch the young birds practice flying, and listen to the birds singing. In the afternoon, you will witness the scene of thousands of birds flying back to their nests, creating a magnificent, overwhelming scene. You can rent a bicycle, walk, or take a boat to explore Thung Nham Bird Garden. Sitting on a boat drifting gently on the lake, weaving through the green trees, watching birds flying in the sky, will be an unforgettable experience in your Thung Nham travel journey.
Thung Nham Bird Garden, where thousands of birds converge, creating a unique symphony of nature
Thung Nham Bird Garden, a must-visit destination for those who love nature and want to explore the bird world.
Unmissable Experiences and Activities in Thung Nham
In addition to visiting famous attractions, Thung Nham Ecotourism Area also offers many other interesting experiences and activities, helping visitors have relaxing and memorable moments:
Boating on the lake: Thung Nham has a large, clear lake system, surrounded by majestic limestone mountains and green forests. Boating on the lake is a great experience for you to see the panoramic view of Thung Nham from a different perspective, enjoying the fresh and relaxing atmosphere.
Recreational fishing: If you are a fishing enthusiast, Thung Nham also has a recreational fishing area for you. You can rent a fishing rod and relax by the lake, waiting for fish to bite. This is an activity that helps you relieve stress and find balance in life.
Organizing team building, picnics: With its spacious, airy space and beautiful natural scenery, Thung Nham is an ideal place to organize team building activities, picnics, camping with friends and family. You can organize team games, outdoor BBQ parties, or simply chat, confide, and enjoy the fresh natural space together.
Tourists relax fishing by the clear lake in Thung Nham Ecotourism Area
Experience relaxing fishing, immersing yourself in the peaceful nature of Thung Nham.
Thung Nham Travel Guide: Useful Tips and Notes
To make your Thung Nham ecotourism trip complete and smooth, keep the following useful tips and notes in mind:
- Prepare personal items: You should bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and a light jacket to protect your skin from the sun. If you intend to explore Buddha Cave, don’t forget to bring a flashlight or a phone with a flash.
- Clothing: You should choose comfortable, neat, sweat-absorbent clothes suitable for outdoor activities. Sports shoes or flat shoes are ideal choices for you to move and climb mountains easily.
- Medication: Bring some basic medicines such as cold medicine, stomachache medicine, insect repellent, especially if you have a history of allergies or chronic diseases.
- Drinking water and snacks: You should bring enough drinking water and some snacks to replenish energy during sightseeing and exploration.
- Tourist area map: Get a tourist area map at the ticket counter or find out the map on the website in advance to easily orient and move around the tourist area.
- Maintain environmental hygiene: Thung Nham is an ecotourism area, so be conscious of maintaining general hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately, and protect the natural landscape.
- Book tickets in advance: If you travel in the peak season or on holidays, you should book tickets in advance to avoid running out of tickets or having to wait for a long time.
Thung Nham Ecotourism Area is an ideal destination for those who want to return to nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. With its pristine beauty, diverse ecosystem, and unique experiences, Thung Nham promises to bring you a memorable and meaningful trip. Come and discover the green gem of Ninh Binh ecotourism today!