15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
April 28, 2024
Menu
If you are visiting Vietnam, then you have probably seen photos of tiny boats rowing between huge karst mountains and golden rice fields. Yes, those pictures were taken in Tam Coc, often called the “Halong Bay” on land. what a lot of travelers don’t know, however, is that there are various boat tours to choose from in and around Tam Coc. While the Tam Coc boat tour is the easiest one to embark on, because of its location in the center of town, other Tam Coc boat tours are more scenic and tourist-friendly. I’ll tell you all about it in this post!
Rice fields around Tam Coc in Ninh Binh area, Vietnam
Embarking on a journey to Tam Coc in Vietnam is like stepping into a landscape brushed by the hands of time and splendor. Located in the Ninh Binh province, this marvelous place is fondly dubbed the “Halong Bay on land,” because of its staggering limestone karsts and serene waterways.
The soul of Tam Coc’s charm undoubtedly lies in its traditional boat tours. It is by gliding along the river that you can truly embrace the essence of the region. The local rowers, sometimes using their feet in a rhythmic dance, navigate the calm waters, leading you through cave tunnels carved by nature’s hand.
Beyond the rivers, the surroundings of Tam Coc bloom with cultural richness. The ancient capital of Hoa Lu and the serene Bich Dong Pagoda add layers of historical depth to your visit.
Yet, it’s the boat tours that travelers are the most fond of. In the next section, you can find the various boat tours that you can take around Tam Coc.
Trang An boat tour, Vietnam
There are various boat tours that you can take in and around Tam Coc and one tour might suit you better than another one. Key attractions like limestone caves, karst landscapes, and serene waterways are part of all boat tours but the things you see along can vary a bit.
In this section, I’ll explain what to expect from each boat tour, so you can make an informed decision!
The Tam Coc Boat Tour wharf
Embarking on a Tam Coc boat tour feels like stepping into a painting where emerald waters hug towering limestone cliffs. This is the boat tour from which you see the most photos online, of boats rowing gently between golden ricefields.
This boat tour starts in the center of Tam Coc. you can’t miss out on the boats docked at the lake surrounded by stalls selling clothes, crafts, and goods. The Tam Coc boat tour takes you on a journey along the Ngo Dong River, snaking through majestic terrain offering beautiful natural sights.
As you meander down the river, the highlights of this trip are Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba, three caves that are drawing visitors to Tam Coc from all corners of the globe.
Aside from the caves, you can enjoy sights of local life: farmers tending to lush fields and children frolicking along the banks. This tour also passes by the viewpoints of the Mua Caves.
Tam Coc boat tour
This Tam Coc boat tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, which is a good length to soak in the splendor without haste.
Prices for this boat tour are fixed. Expect to pay 150,000 VND for the boat and an additional 120,000 VND per person. The boats leave the dock between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M.
I have to be honest here, the only Tam Coc boat tour I didn’t take while I was in the area was this one, and here’s why. I’m not keen on tourist traps and this boat tour seems to have lost its glory a bit due to pushy vendors and greedy boatsmen.
I have talked to travelers in Tam Coc who have taken this boat ride and were treated very aggressively by their boatsmen. They expect you to tip them and they will get angry if they feel it’s not enough. Moreover, halfway through the boat trip, you will be besieged by Vietnamese who will insist that you buy drinks and food for your boatsmen at incredibly inflated prices.
There will also be boats going around with Vietnamese trying to take pictures of you. Don’t think these people are just other tourists doing this for fun. They will charge you for taking the photos.
If you decide to take this boat tour, just know that this will happen along the way. That said, the surroundings are still beautiful. It’s also a good idea to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Trang An boat tours
Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its boat tours through a complex of waterways and limestone karsts. The starting point for these tours is located only 7 kilometers from the center of Tam Coc and can easily be reached by bicycle or motorbike.
These tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore a network of caves, temples, and stunning natural vistas and are much more elaborate than the tours in Tam Coc.
The boat tours in Trang An lead you through a series of caves, and along rivers bordered by dramatic cliffs and greenery. You’ll also see historical temples along the way, contributing to the area’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
There are three tours to choose from in Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. The first one focuses mainly on caves and is called the grottoes tour while the second one takes you to three temples and four caves.
The third tour was considered the best one by the owner of the homestay I was staying at. This tour takes you through the Dot Cave, which is the longest cave in the area stretching out over more than one kilometer. You will also visit various temple along the way.
Dot Cave is very impressive and the temples hidden between the karst mountains offer a mysterious touch to the scenic area of Trang An.
Expect to visit numerous caves, each with its own charm. The temples en route, like Trinh Temple, provide insight into the local traditions and beliefs. The tours are not only a feast for the eyes but also a chance to learn about the region’s history.
Trang An boat tours
A typical tour lasts around three hours, with tickets costing about 200,000 VND per person. This duration allows you to thoroughly enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. Children only need to pay 100,000 VND.
The complex opens its doors at 7 A.M. and the last boat departure is at 4 P.M.
It’s best to embark on your boat tour early to avoid crowds and the midday heat if you are traveling during the summer months. Note that it can be the opposite during the winter months. Rain is possible so make sure to bring an umbrella or rain poncho.
The ticket booth for the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is located on the other side of the road. After buying your ticket you will be directed into an underground tunnel leading to the wharf.
The boatmen and women are all local people from the area. They are not as aggressive as the rowers in Tam Coc but do note that they expect to get a tip for their efforts.
Read my full guide about taking a Trang An boat tour to learn everything you need to know!
The Tam Coc boat tours and Trang An boat tours are extremely popular and crowded at every time of the year. If you are a conscious traveler looking for a more off-the-beaten-path boat tour that offers the same scenery, Van Long Wetland Reserve might be just what you are looking for!
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is another perfect example of being a ‘Halong Bay on land.’ It offers a serene alternative to the more tourist-heavy areas of Trang An and Tam Coc and gives travelers a chance to truly immerse themself in Vietnam’s local landscapes and culture.
The reserve is a significant ecosystem home to the largest population of the endangered Delacour’s langur.
Same as with Tam Coc and Trang, Van Long is known for its natural beauty consisting of towering limestone cliffs and vast marshlands that create a stunning backdrop.
Rich vegetation and seasonal lotus blooms provide a picturesque setting and the area is a haven for the Delacour’s langur, Asian black bears, serows, clouded leopards, and over 50 bird species.
The reserve features 32 caves, with a few accessible to visitors but the real highlight here is the peaceful setting and the chance to spot wildlife.
Van Long Wetland Reserve Tours
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is open daily from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. The boat tour price is approximately 110,000 VND for two people, including a private boat.
A tour through Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve lasts about one to one and a half hours. Note that the ticket booth is not located at the dock but on the road leading to the dock.
Van Long Wetland Reserve is located about 20 kilometers away and is easy to visit on a half-day trip from Tam Coc.
Free bicycles from local accommodations, motorbike rentals, or taxis are options for getting there. Cycling to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is quite scenic but make sure to avoid the highways when planning the route.
Also, note that the boat ladies expect a tip for taking a photo of them. Winter months can be foggy, making photography challenging.
Lastly, remember to respect the natural environment and the importance of conservation efforts while enjoying your visit to this precious natural reserve.
There are many sights in and around Tam Coc besides doing a boat tour. Here is my shortlist of the 5 best things to do in Tam Coc. For a longer list of things to do, check out my complete guide with the 15 best things to do in Tam Coc!
Hang Mua (Mua Cave) in Tam Coc is not actually famous for the cave itself but rather for the stunning panoramic views you can get from its peaks.
The name “Hang Mua” translates to “Dancing Cave” and it’s said that the cave was named this way because the king used to come here to watch performances of dancing girls in the past.
You can read my full guide to the Mua Caves and Viewpoint to find out more about this stunning location.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is an important religious site and a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists. It is famous for holding several Vietnamese and Asian records, such as the largest pagoda in Vietnam, the biggest gold – plated bronze Buddha statue in Asia, and the longest corridor with 500 Arhat statues.
The complex consists of both the new, larger pagoda area, which is still under construction for some parts, and the original old pagoda site situated on the mountainside.
The Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh is a special rescue center in Vietnam dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of bears that have been saved from the bile farming industry.
The practice of bear bile farming involves keeping bears in captivity to harvest their bile, which is used in traditional medicine. This practice is not only cruel but also illegal, and sanctuaries like the one in Ninh Binh work towards ending it.
If you want to visit the bears, here is my full guide to visit the Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh near Tam Coc.
The Bich Dong Pagoda, sometimes also referred to as “Tam Cốc Bích động”, and not to be confused with the nearby Bai Dinh Pagoda is a beautiful three-tiered pagoda complex built in the Ngu Nhac mountains near Tam Coc.
It is next to the Trang An Scenic Landscape complex boat tour and the Mua caves and viewpoint one of the top attractions in the area. The pagoda complex itself is serene and wonderfully located, with nice views over the surrounding area from the top.
Learn more about this pagoda by reading my complete guide to the Bich Dong Pagoda.
If you are looking for a wonderful place to eat in Tam Coc, look no further than Thung Sen restaurant. I stumbled upon this place by accident while cycling around the rice fields in Tam Coc and the place at that time just opened its doors for its first day.
We had a lovely tour of the surroundings by one of the owners, explaining how they try to grow all the produce that they use in their kitchen themselves on the land surrounding the restaurant.
Thung Sen offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine and an extremely beautiful outdoor location with tables and seats hidden between the karst mountains.
Tam Coc is full of incredibly cozy homestays and guesthouses and even a few eco-resorts. Be sure to pick Tam Coc as the location of your accommodation and not Ninh Binh City which is a bit of a grubby place full of dust.
Here are three budget accommodations in Tam Coc I tried and tested myself.
If you have a little more money to spend you can opt to stay at one of the beautiful bungalows or villas of the Tam Coc Garden Resort which makes serious efforts regarding sustainability.
There you go! I hope this guide to the various boat tours around Tam Coc has shed some light on which one would be suitable for your trip.
While the Tam Coc boat tour is very touristy, Trang An offers more history next to the scenic landscape and Van Long distinguishes itself with additional wildlife conservation and an off-the-beaten-path vibe.
If you have little time on your hands, it is possible to go on an organized tour to Trang An or Tam Coc starting from Hanoi.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
Latest Posts
15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
Santa Rita, Salento: All You Need to Know
La Playa de Belen, Colombia: An Easy Travel guide!
How to Visit the Pescaderito in Curiti (Near San Gil)
Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area: An Easy Travel Guide
Do you want to receive my latest finds on conscious and sustainable travel directly to your inbox? Subscribe here!
© COPYRIGHT TRAVELERS&DREAMERS, 2023.