Tam Coc in Ninh Binh has long been a familiar destination on Vietnam’s tourism map. Besides famous historical and cultural sites, visitors particularly love the experience of taking a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River, weaving through magnificent caves. Although not a novel activity, exploring Tam Coc by boat always brings fresh and unforgettable emotions. Let’s explore the exciting things that await you on the poetic Ngo Dong River with “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel The World)!
Discovering Tam Coc by Boat: Journey to “The Second Most Beautiful Cave of Vietnam”
Tam Coc – Bich Dong, part of the Trang An Landscape Complex recognized by UNESCO, is a key tourist destination in Ninh Binh. Here, visitors not only admire the majestic beauty of nature but also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique cultural and historical space. And one of the best ways to explore Tam Coc is to experience a boat tour on the Ngo Dong River.
Sitting on the boat, visitors will admire the vast, lush green rice fields embracing the towering limestone mountains. The journey through three magical caves – Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave), and Hang Ba (Third Cave) – will bring exciting surprises. Only by boating on the Ngo Dong River can you fully appreciate the beauty that nature has bestowed upon this land.
The boat trip may seem simple, but it holds an irresistible charm. The gentle, winding Ngo Dong River embraces moss-covered limestone mountains, creating a beautiful watercolor painting. The green of the water, the green of the rice, blending with the gray of the rocks, creates a peaceful and tranquil space, making visitors feel relaxed and comfortable.
If you have the opportunity to visit Ninh Binh, don’t miss the chance to experience a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc is only about 7 km from the center of Ninh Binh city, making it very convenient to travel to. In addition, you can also combine visiting other famous places such as Bich Dong Pagoda and Thung Nham Bird Park for a complete trip.
Golden rice paddies in Tam Coc during harvest season, bustling with boats carrying tourists for sightseeing
Tam Coc Boat Tour: Interesting Things You Need to Know
Boating in Tam Coc is not just a simple tourist activity, but also a unique cultural experience. Here is some useful information to help you have a truly memorable trip:
Ticket Prices and Notes When Purchasing Tickets
To start your journey to explore Tam Coc by boat, you need to buy tickets at the main gate of Van Lam wharf. The ticket price includes entrance and boat tickets:
- Boat ticket: VND 150,000/boat (maximum 4 Vietnamese visitors or 2 foreign visitors).
- Entrance ticket: VND 120,000/adult and VND 60,000/child (under 1.4m tall). Children under 3 years old are free of charge for entrance tickets.
The boat trip usually lasts about 2 hours, taking you through rice paddies, into caves, and to admire the majestic rocky mountains. For a comfortable trip, you should prepare hats, caps, umbrellas, and raincoats to protect yourself from the sun or rain. Sunscreen and drinking water are also necessary items, especially on hot summer days.
Unique Foot-Paddling Art
One of the things that tourists, especially foreign tourists, find most interesting when boating in Tam Coc is the skillful foot-paddling technique of the locals. Each boat here is owned by a household and is considered a traditional occupation.
Households are assigned to row boats to carry tourists. Regardless of age or gender, all family members participate in this work. You will be surprised to see elderly people, and even young children, skillfully maneuvering boats on the Ngo Dong River.
The foot-paddling skill of the Tam Coc people is not only a means of livelihood but also a unique cultural feature. From the starting point, through the caves, to the rice paddies, the boat rower can still control the boat to glide gently and gracefully with their khỏe khoắn (strong and healthy) feet.
Image of a skilled Tam Coc boat rower paddling with their feet, a unique cultural feature attracting international tourists
Elderly boat rowers with skillful and professional paddling techniques on the Ngo Dong River
Unique “Professions” on the Ngo Dong River
In addition to admiring the beautiful scenery, you also have the opportunity to discover other unique “professions” on the Ngo Dong River. One of them is the photography service on the river. If you forget to bring your phone or want to have beautiful, unique photos, ask the “photographers” on the Ngo Dong River. With experience and enthusiasm, they will help you get memorable “shots”.
Along the Ngo Dong River, there are about 5-7 photo spots, each spot with 2-3 photographers. They will approach and invite you to take photos, but only when you agree will they proceed. This is a regulation of the tourist area to avoid competition for customers.
Another interesting “profession” on the Ngo Dong River is the floating market on the river. About 10 boats selling general merchandise will gather at a fixed point at the end of the boat trip. Here, you can find many souvenirs, local specialties, food, and drinks. Although this form of trading is quite special and the income is not high, the prices of goods here are quite reasonable, creating a comfortable shopping feeling for tourists. Trading hours are clearly regulated to ensure order and fairness for everyone.
Image of photographers working on boats, capturing memorable moments for tourists on the Ngo Dong River
Tam Coc floating market with diverse goods and affordable prices is an interesting stop on the journey to explore the Ngo Dong River
Tourists excitedly shopping at Tam Coc floating market, experiencing unique river culture
Conclusion
Boating on the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc is an unmissable experience when visiting Ninh Binh. Not just a tourist activity, this is also an opportunity for you to discover the beauty of nature, culture, and people here. Come and feel the peace and tranquility of the Ngo Dong River, admire the majestic limestone mountains, and discover the unique “professions” on the river. Surely, you will have memorable memories in Tam Coc! Are you ready for a boat trip to explore Tam Coc? Share your wonderful moments with “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel The World)!