9 Best things to do in Ninh Binh & Tam Coc, Vietnam

Introduction

When planning a trip to Vietnam, most people think about Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, or Hoi An. But one of the most beautiful places to see in the north is Tam Coc, often called “Ha Long Bay on Land.” Located in the Ninh Binh region, just a short distance from Ninh Binh city, it’s a landscape of limestone karsts, endless rice paddies, and peaceful rivers where small boats drift between towering cliffs.

Tam Coc was one of our highlights during our Vietnam trip, and it’s easy to see why. From boat rides along the Ngo Dong River to exploring caves, biking through villages, or visiting the nearby Trang An Nature Reserve, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this part of the country.

In this article, we’ll share the best things to do in Tam Coc and why this destination deserves a spot on your Vietnam itinerary.

Read: Complete North and Central 3-week Vietnam Itinerary 

Getting there

You can take either a :

• By Bus: You can take a local bus from Hanoi’s southern bus stations, such as Giap Bat or My Dinh. Look for buses heading to Ninh Binh City. Once you reach Ninh Binh, you can hire a taxi or a motorbike taxi (xe om) to take you to Tam Coc, which is about 7 kilometers away.
• By Train: You can take a train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Railway Station. Trains are a comfortable option and offer scenic views along the way. Once you arrive at Ninh Binh Railway Station, you can take a taxi or a motorbike taxi to reach Tam Coc.
• By van: Another convenient option is to take a van transfer from Hanoi to Tam Coc. This option offers comfort, flexibility, and the convenience of door-to-door service. Many hotels and travel agencies in Hanoi can help you arrange private transfers. And they can be taken from the airport or the city center of Hanoi.

For us, coming from Ha Long Bay, we booked a transfer directly from the port to Tam Coc through the same agency that organized our 3-day, 2-night luxury cruise. It was the easiest way to get there without having to go back through Hanoi.

Around 12h15, we boarded a VIP bus at the port and left once it was full at 12h38. About an hour later, we stopped for a 20-minute break before continuing the journey. By 16h10, we arrived in Ninh Binh city, where a guide came on board and asked those with accommodation transfers to follow him. We then waited a short while until a smaller van arrived, and by 16h45 we were finally dropped off at our place in Tam Coc.

Tip: You can take the Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip. In one day you get to see more than us in 3 days in Tam Coc.

Moving Around

There’s a lot to see around Tam Coc, and the easiest way to get to all the main attractions is by renting a scooter. The roads are quite straightforward, and it gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

For shorter distances, like getting from your accommodation to the town center, a bicycle is a great option. Most guesthouses and hotels in Tam Coc provide bikes for free, so you can just hop on and enjoy the ride through the rice fields.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Tam Coc depends a lot on what you’re looking for. Since it’s in northern Vietnam, the weather changes quite a bit throughout the year, and each season gives a different vibe to the landscape.

• Spring (March – May): This is one of the best moments to visit. The weather is mild, usually between 20°C and 28°C (68°F – 82°F), and the rice fields start turning a bright, fresh green. It’s also a great time to take boat rides since the scenery feels lush and alive.
• Summer (June – August): Expect hot and humid days with temperatures climbing up to 35°C (95°F). This is the season when rice fields turn golden before the harvest, which makes the views stunning, but it’s also the rainiest time of year. Bring a light raincoat if you plan to explore by scooter.
• Autumn (September – November): Another ideal time to come. The weather cools down to around 23°C – 30°C (73°F – 86°F), the skies are clearer, and there’s less rain. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, or long boat rides without feeling too hot.
• Winter (December – February): The coldest months in Tam Coc with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C (50°F – 64°F). It can feel damp and foggy, but the mist over the limestone cliffs creates an atmospheric and dramatic setting. Just make sure to pack some warmer layers.

If we had to recommend one period, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are the absolute best for both weather and scenery.

We usually travel with Airalo eSIMs, but when we need unlimited data for work, we go with Holafly.

Where to Stay

When it comes to staying in Tam Coc, you’ll find plenty of options that fit all styles and budgets. From homestays in the middle of the rice fields to eco-lodges with pools, the atmosphere here is calm and surrounded by nature. If you only plan to stay a night or two, it’s best to be close to the Tam Coc town center so you can easily walk or bike to restaurants and boat tours. But if you want to relax and wake up with rice paddies at your doorstep, look for something just outside of town.

• (€): Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow: A cozy and affordable place with bungalows set among the rice fields. You can rent bikes here, and the staff is super welcoming.
• (€€): HaLi Home: A mid-range guesthouse with clean, comfortable rooms and a lovely family-run atmosphere. Great if you want something authentic but with a bit more comfort.
• (€€€): Tam Coc Garden Resort: One of the most beautiful stays in the area. Surrounded by gardens and paddies, with a pool and stylish rooms, this is the spot to treat yourself and enjoy a peaceful escape.

Here are all your accommodation options in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh

What to Eat

Food in Tam Coc is just as much part of the experience as the landscapes. You’ll find plenty of local restaurants, cafés, and small family-run spots serving both Vietnamese classics and vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Some of the best things to try in Vietnam (and easily found in Tam Coc) are:

• Pho – A fragrant noodle soup with herbs and either meat or tofu.
• Banh Mi – The famous French-Vietnamese baguette sandwich filled with veggies, tofu, or meat.
• Banh Xeo – Crispy rice pancakes with herbs and different fillings.
• Spring Rolls & Noodles – Always on the menu, whether fresh or fried, with endless variations.

We personally always found vegetarian and even vegan options, though the cooking can be on the heavier side with quite a bit of fried food

If you’re wondering where to eat in Tam Coc, here are a few places we loved:

• NGON Vegan Restaurant – Great if you’re vegetarian or vegan, with fresh and flavorful dishes.
• Chookie’s Beer Garden – A fun place to relax with good food and drinks. It even has a little pool that’s perfect to chill after lunch.
• Banh Mi Hanoi – Simple but delicious, and perfect for a quick bite.

Best things to do in Tam Coc

Visit Bai Dinh Temple

One of the best day trips from Tam Coc is Bai Dinh Temple, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam. It’s an impressive site with multiple halls, pagodas, statues, and endless details to discover.

The easiest way to get there is by scooter, which you can usually rent directly from your accommodation. Fuel isn’t included in Vietnam, so you’ll need to top up yourself (expect about 40,000 VND for a liter).

Once you arrive, don’t be surprised if parking isn’t right at the temple gates. You’ll need to park in a designated lot a few kilometers away (15,000 VND), and from there hop on an electric tuk-tuk that shuttles visitors into the complex. Tickets can be a bit confusing, as several options are available. The basic one (120,000 VND) includes the return tuk-tuk ride, while the more complete ticket also covers additional rides within the vast complex and access to the main pagoda.

The site itself is enormous. You’ll wander through grand halls lined with hundreds of Buddha statues, admire the impressive architecture, and maybe climb up toward the towering pagoda for panoramic views of the area. The atmosphere is calm yet monumental, making it one of the highlights of Ninh Binh.

Keep in mind that it can get very hot and humid, especially in summer, so bring water with you and take it slow. We ended up staying around an hour and a half before making our way out, and even skipped part of the upper trail because of the heat. On the way back, it’s easy to grab cold drinks at the small shops near the exits.

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Explore Vân Long Nature Reserve

Vân Long Nature Reserve is one of the most peaceful and underrated spots in Ninh Binh. If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Tam Coc or Trang An, this is the place to go. The area is a vast wetland surrounded by limestone mountains, home to many bird species and even the rare Delacour’s langur.

Before visiting, we stopped for lunch at a small local restaurant right next to the reserve called Nha Hang Tuan Tu Vân Long Ninh Bình. The food was simple but delicious — we had tofu, vegetables, rice, and fruit for 130,000 VND. It felt authentic and was a nice way to experience how locals eat.

The ticket office is just by the entrance, where you can also park your scooter for free. Tickets were a bit confusing, as there seemed to be two options but in the end, you need to buy both (200,000 VND in total). From there, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the lagoon, where you board a small wooden boat rowed by a local.

The boat ride itself is the highlight. You drift through calm waters surrounded by karst mountains, passing caves and spotting plenty of birds along the way. We even saw storks, which reminded us of home. The whole experience is incredibly serene compared to the more popular sites in Ninh Binh.

It gets hot out on the water, so don’t forget suncream, a hat, and water. At the end of the trip, tipping isn’t expected in Vietnam, but here some boatmen may ask for one. We gave a small amount, but be aware that it can happen.

Discover Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu is the former capital of Vietnam, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries when it served as the political and cultural center of the country. Today, not much remains of the original city, but the site is still worth a short visit if you’re exploring Ninh Binh.

Parking is available right at the entrance for 10,000 VND, though you’ll often see locals offering “free parking” in front of restaurants — the catch is that you’ll need to buy something, even just a bottle of water, before you leave.

Entrance tickets cost 40,000 VND. Once inside, you’ll pass through the main gate and find two small temples that are the highlights of the complex. These shrines are dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties, and although the site is not very big, it gives a nice glimpse into Vietnam’s early history.

In total, the visit doesn’t take long — about 30 to 45 minutes is enough — but if you’re already in Tam Coc or Trang An, it’s an easy stop to add to your itinerary.

Here are all your accommodation options in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh

Explore Am Tiên Cave

Just a short 5-minute walk from Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Am Tiên Cave feels like stepping into another world. Locals often call it Tuyệt Tịnh Cốc, and you’ll find it hidden behind limestone cliffs, with a peaceful lake right at its heart. If you prefer, you can park directly in front of the cave, though the parking fee there is double.

Entrance tickets cost 100,000 VND. To reach the site, you’ll pass through a tunnel under the mountain that opens up onto the lake — a truly magical first impression. Once inside, you can wander around the cave and its surroundings, enjoy the calm atmosphere, and sit for a while at the small tea shops by the water. Watching the hundreds of koi fish swimming in the lake is part of the charm.

The setting is quiet, scenic, and far less crowded than other places in Ninh Binh, which makes it a lovely stop to combine with Hoa Lu. Take your time here, especially if you’re visiting on a hot day, as the shaded areas and lakeside breeze make it a relaxing break.

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Hike to Bich Dong Pagoda

A short ride from Tam Coc brings you to Bich Dong Pagoda, one of the most atmospheric sites in the area. Parking is simple — there’s a dedicated lot right at the entrance that costs 10,000 VND, and the attendants there are friendly and fair. Entrance to the pagoda itself is free, so it’s a budget-friendly stop.

Before heading in, you can grab some water or snacks from the small stands nearby. The pagoda complex includes a temple, shrines, and a few tombs scattered around the site, all tucked into the limestone cliffs. What makes Bich Dong especially unique is how it blends into the natural landscape, with parts of the pagoda built directly into the rock.

If you’re lucky, you might stumble upon a ceremony as we did — hearing the chants and seeing locals pray really adds to the atmosphere. Even without that, the peaceful surroundings and the pagoda’s history make it one of the must-see stops in Tam Coc.

Take a Tam Coc Boat Tour

A boat tour in Tam Coc is one of the most popular things to do, and for good reason — the scenery is breathtaking. As you glide along the Ngo Dong River, you pass through golden rice fields (depending on the season), limestone cliffs, and mysterious caves. What makes this experience unique is that the rowers use their legs to paddle, a technique you’ll probably only see here.

That being said, the Tam Coc boat ride is definitely more touristy compared to places like Vân Long. Along the way, you’ll notice photographers ready to snap and sell you photos, and vendors on the river trying to sell snacks or even encourage you to buy something for your rower. At the turnaround point, the pressure to purchase can feel a bit pushy.

Tipping at the end of the ride is also expected, and while some rowers make the effort to chat, smile, or even pick flowers to share with passengers, others just rush through the trip. The experience is still beautiful, but be prepared that it doesn’t always feel as authentic or relaxed as other spots in the Ninh Binh area.

Here are all your accommodation options in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh

Eat and Relax at Chookie’s Beer Garden

If you’re looking for a place to eat in Tam Coc, Chookie’s Beer Garden is a spot you can’t miss. It quickly became one of our favorite restaurants in Vietnam. The atmosphere is laid-back, with a lovely garden setting and even a small pool to cool off in between meals.

We went for a Phoenix beer and a vegan tropical smoothie, followed by a falafel burger and a falafel salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and honestly some of the best food we had during our time in Tam Coc (425,000 VND for the meal).

What makes Chookie’s special is not only the food but also the vibe — it’s the kind of place where you can linger for hours. In fact, we spent part of our afternoon here before heading to the famous Trang An boat tour. Sitting by the little pool with a drink in hand was the perfect way to refresh and recharge. Definitely a must-visit when in Tam Coc.

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Take the Trang An Boat Tour

No trip to Tam Coc would be complete without the Trang An boat tour, the only boat experience in the region recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Compared to Tam Coc’s own boat tour, Trang An feels much more organized, well-maintained, and overall impressive.

Tickets cost 250,000 VND per person (500,000 VND for two). Once you enter, you’ll pass through a decorated tunnel and reach the boarding area where you choose between three routes. Route 1 is the most popular among locals as it includes several temples, but we went for Route 3, which is known for its caves — including the longest one in the area, stretching over 1 km.

If you don’t want to share your boat, keep in mind that you need to purchase 4 tickets to have one to yourself. Otherwise, you’ll be paired with others — which, in our case, turned out great. We shared our boat with Donna and Chris, an Australian couple, and the ride ended up being even more fun.

Our route included three caves and three temples, and lasted about 2 hours. The caves were simply breathtaking, especially the 1 km-long one which took more than 15 minutes to cross. At each temple stop, you can get off the boat to look around, stretch your legs, use the restroom, or grab something at a small shop.

What we loved most was that it wasn’t too crowded. There was no waiting for tickets, and out on the water, it felt peaceful and uncrowded. Add to that perfect weather, and the whole experience was unforgettable. By far, this is the boat tour we recommend if you’re in Tam Coc.

Parking at the site costs 15,000 VND.

Climb to the Viewpoint at Mua Caves

Mua Caves is one of the most famous attractions in Tam Coc, and for good reason — the view from the top is like a postcard of the region. As you drive toward the entrance, be prepared for locals trying to wave you into their parking areas. Don’t stop too early, you can park directly at the site itself for 10,000 VND.

Entrance to the site is 200,000 VND per person, and inside you’ll find not only the caves but also a lotus pond, gardens, and even a small hotel. The highlight, though, is climbing the 500 steps up to the viewpoint. The climb isn’t too hard, but the heat and humidity can make it tiring — so bring plenty of water and take your time.

At the top, expect a bit of a crowd, especially around sunset. The view, however, is stunning, with limestone mountains, rice paddies, and winding rivers stretching as far as the eye can see. Even if clouds block the actual sunset, the scenery itself makes the effort completely worth it.

This spot is often considered the best viewpoint in Tam Coc, and we couldn’t agree more. If there’s one climb you do during your time here, make it this one.

Here are all your accommodation options in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh

More things to do in Tam Coc

If you want more things to do in Tam Coc, you can consider:

• Phát Diệm Cathedral
• Cuc Phuong National Park
• Endangered Primate Rescue Center
• Thung Nham Bird Park

Check our Google Map of Vietnam

Tam Coc Ninh Binh Itinerary

Day 1:

• Bai Dinh Temple
• Vân Long Nature Reserve
• Hoa Lu ancient capital
• Am Tiên Cave

Day 2:

• Bich Dong Pagoda
• Tam Coc boat tour
• Chookie’s beer garden
• Trang An
• Mua Caves

Read: Complete North and Central 3-week Vietnam Itinerary