Tam Coc is a harmonious architectural ensemble has long attracted numerous tourists. Its beauty is wonderfully harmonious combination between the stunning caves, the charming waterways and the talent of the human, forming an inseparable unity.
Tam Coc is part of the Trang An Complex that you can explore by boat.
The landscape:
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| Photo by pululante |
Tam Coc looks indeed like a movie scene. Rice fields and karstic rocks surround the Ngo Dong River. When you’re sailing through it, the feeling of passing through a special natural kingdom is very real. Vietnamese call Tam Coc the Green Sea, and you’ll understand why once your eyes witness the scenery of the paddy fields.
The caves:
There are three of them (Hang Cam, Hang Giaua and Hang Chateau) and they were created by erosion of rocks.
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| Photo by travel oriented |
The grottoes:
There is a river that runs through them, and you might need to bow your head while passing through the tunnels, because the passage is only 2 meters (6.5 ft.) high. To see more natural grottoes, head to Trang An Complex which is only a few miles away from Tam Coc.
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| Photo by amanderson2 |
Other attractions and things to do near Tam Coc:
- Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Bike via remote rice fields near the Van Lam village
- Visit a local market in Van Lam
- Visit Bich Dong pagoda
- Go trekking
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| Photo by traveloriented |
Practical tips when visiting Tam Coc:
- If possible, only get on a boat without boxes. These are loaded souvenirs, mostly embroidered stuff the locals make their living on. Once you start sailing, you’ll probably be pushed to buy something, no matter how hard you explain that you don’t need anything.
- If you go for a ride with a tour, the chances you’ll embark on a loaded boat are very low, as the tour companies do care about your comfort and try to avoid the “souvenir boats”.
- We read some crazy stories of tourists “threatened” by a sailor who stopped in the middle of the river, and didn’t want to bring the tourists back to the pier until they would buy something.
- Buy some small snacks (fruits, crackers, water) before a ride. The skiff ride takes only two hours, but when hawkers sailing on boats along the river see you have your own food, they won’t insist you buy something from them.
- Don’t buy anything for your sailor. The hawkers push tourists to buy some refreshment for their guide/sailor, but he/she will sell it back to the hawker for the half price instantly.
Ninh Binh is very close to Hanoi, so you can easily make Ninh Binh tours from Hanoi. If you have any questions, please contact us via email: info@vietnamtypicaltours.com