About this activity

Beside Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Tam Coc – Bich Dong are the most well-known tourist sites in Ninh Binh Province and named locally as “Halong Bay on land” for its similar poetic, awe-inspiring views and inspirational natural scenery. Popular day trips or stopover tours often include Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, another famous historical relic, in their Ninh Binh travel itinerary.

Bich Dong Pagoda is a three-tiered ancient pagoda on the nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain dated to 1428 under the Ly Dynasty, comprising Lower – Middle – Upper Pagodas in ascending order. Bich Dong literally means “Green Pearl Grotto” because it’s surrounded by magnificent scenery of mountains, waterways, fields and sky covered by green mist. This picturesque landscape is added by charming and mysterious Tam Coc site. In English, Tam Coc means “Three Caves”, including First Cave (Hang Ca) – Middle Cave (Hang Giua) – Last Cave (Hang Cuoi).

Location and transportation to Tam Coc – Bich Dong

Tam Coc – Bich Dong is situated at Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province. To access this tourist site from Hanoi, you could travel by train, by motorbike or by private car/van to Ninh Binh City, which is about 100km south of Hanoi or almost 2-hour drive. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is 11 km from Ninh Binh City and can be approached by motorbike or private car/van, except train.

You could choose any type of above transportation, depending on your travel interest and budget. But if you want to relax and enjoy most of the drive to Ninh Binh, the best option is taking private car and a local guide who could provide abundant source of information and local knowledge for your short valuable holiday.

Travelling by bus or train is the most economical way but a bit time-consuming as you have to follow bus/train schedule. And from the bus/train drop off point in Ninh Binh, passengers have to take a taxi transfer to Tam Coc – Bich Dong site.

Riding motorbike or driving yourselves to Ninh Binh is not a bad idea, but traffic in Vietnam is bit different to the rest of the world and most of visitors would not choose that.

Best time to visit

There is no exact answer for the question: “When is the best time to visit Tam Coc – Bich Dong?” because it remains the unique beauty all year round. The answer depends on each person’s expectation and travel interest.

 January to April is suitable for those who like cool weather and festival activities. This is also the time to see green rice fields along two banks of Ngo Dong River when you visit Tam Coc. During Tet holiday (late January or early February), locals organize a lot of festivals so the vibe is really great.

 May to June is when the weather is hot, humid with rainfalls but tourists will have chance to witness magical scene created by mother nature. The floating rice fields on the two sides of the Ngo Dong River will turn into golden color, while the lagoon right at the entrance gate to Bich Dong Grotto is highlighted with blossom lotus flowers.

Interesting activities

Take the rowing boat ride along Ngo Dong River

Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc is a must-see place for first time visitors in Ninh Binh. The 2-hour boat ride in Tam Coc will start from Van Lam Pier, run along Ngo Dong River, beautiful rice paddies, unique limestone karsts and pass underneath three caves. Just remember to keep your head low in the boat to avoid hitting on the low ceilings of these unique mountain erosions. With 127m in length and 20m in width, Hang Ca (First Cave) is regarded as the longest one and contains most fascinating natural arts deep inside. You may feel amazed of how your boat captain uses their legs to row the wooden paddles.

Don’t forget to turn on your camera to record these beautiful moments. Here, you may feel like disappearing from the real world and getting lost in such a hidden fairy site.

Entrance fee: 120,000 VND/ visitor
Boat fee: 150,000 VND/ boat (4 Vietnamese per boat/ 2 foreigners per boat).
Visiting time: About 2 hours.

Explore Bich Dong Pagoda & Cave

No Ninh Binh itinerary would be perfected without a visit to Bich Dong, which is located 2 km from Tam Coc. Much like its name as “Green Pearl Grotto”, Bich Dong nestles in the jungle of mountains, rivers, water, rice fields around in green. To come deeply into the chambers of Bich Dong – the “second most beautiful grotto in Vietnam”, tourists will walk on a stone bridge over a lotus pond and pass through the entrance gate. Situated at the grandiose Ngu Nhac mountain, Bich Dong Pagoda’s ornate gate itself is one of the most iconic sights in Ninh Binh.

Not as a usual pagoda, Bich Dong consists of 3 separate layered pagodas which are Lower (Ha), Middle (Trung) and Upper (Thuong) Pagoda on different levels. Inside each cave pagoda, looming statues and the smoke of burning incense create an otherworldly atmosphere. It will take about 2 hours to reach the Upper Pagoda to enjoy the magnificent view of Tam Coc region from above but it is definitely worth the effort!

Visitors can take leisure biking from Tam Coc to Bich Dong to enjoy the beautiful and peaceful countryside landscape along the way.

Entrance fee: Free.
Visiting time: About 2 hours.