8 Must do’s in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh | Vietnam
If you’re planning a trip through Vietnam, make sure Tam Coc, Ninh Binh is on your list. This stunning rural province is often called the “Halong Bay on land” and for good reason. Picture towering limestone cliffs rising up to 200 meters, surrounded by emerald-green rice fields, slow-moving rivers, peaceful lakes, and mysterious caves.
P.S. You can see more photos on my Instagram!
Ninh Binh is the kind of place where you can unplug, slow down, and experience real Vietnamese countryside life. Hop on a bike or scooter and explore winding paths through rice paddies, wave to water buffalo, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. It’s nature at its finest — calm, dramatic, and utterly refreshing.
A quick note: Ninh Binh is both the name of a province and a city. But while the city of Ninh Binh doesn’t offer much charm, the surrounding area is where the magic happens. Your best base? Tam Coc, a small, scenic village in the heart of the countryside. Tam Coc is the perfect gateway to Ninh Binh’s natural beauty.
Countryside of Ninh Binh
The countryside of Ninh Binh is wonderful to explore by bike or scooter. Most hostels and hotels have bikes that you can use for free or for a small fee. Tour the green rice fields, visit some caves and admire beautiful temples.
Tip: There are few or no taxis in Ninh Binh. The only way to explore the countryside of Ninh Binh is by bike or scooter.
Take a boat trip on the River
One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is to take a boat trip on the Tam Coc River or at Trang An. Step into a traditional rowing boat and enjoy the spectacular surroundings in peace. The rowing boats are steered by locals of all ages who row with their feet. Take the boat trip early in the morning or late in the afternoon when you want to avoid the crowds.
Tam Coc boat trip
This boat trip (1.5hrs) starts in the center of Tam Coc. You sail past beautiful rice fields and high rocks. During the boat trip you visit a viewpoint and then you sail the same route back.
Trang An boat trip
From Tam Coc it is a 15-minute drive to the starting point of the boat trip. You can choose routes of 2 hours, 3 hours and 4 hours. During this boat trip you visit caves and temples. Here you will find the most impressive karst mountains of Ninh Binh. During this boat trip you will not see any rice fields so this is a good choice when the rice fields are brown.
Bich Dong Pagoda
The Bich Dong Pagoda is 600 years old and consists of three pagodas on different levels. The bridge that takes you to the gate of the first pagoda: Ha Pagoda is so beautiful. Trung Pagoda is the middle pagoda and is located in a cave. One level higher you will find the third pagoda: Thuong Pagoda.
Tip: You only pay for parking your bike or scooter, a visit to the Bich Dong Pagoda is free.
Hang Mua Viewpoint
Han Mua Viewpoint lets you admire Ninh Binh from above. To get to the Hang Mua Viewpoint, you have to climb 500 steps. Don’t come in sandals, but put on good hiking boots. The first viewpoint (left side) gives you a look out over the Tam Coc Valley and the right viewpoint gives you a beautiful view over the rice fields. At the top of the mountain, you will find a huge dragon statue.
Fun Fact: The dragon is an important symbol in Vietnamese culture and according to locals it symbolizes a good harvest.
Tip: You do not need to pay to park your scooter. You only need to pay an entrance fee and that’s where you’ll park your scooter for free as well.
Bear Sanctuary
In Vietnam, hundreds of bears still live in terrible conditions on bear farms. They are put in small cages and are never allowed to leave. They do this to drain the bears of bile, a fluid in the bear’s gall bladder. It helps digest fat, which is why the fluid has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years. Draining bile is extremely painful and causes a lot of fear in the bears. As of 1950 there is a plant-based alternative but this doesn’t stop the bear farms.
In the past years, the number of bears on farms has decreased by 95%. The FOUR PAWS Foundation opened a bear sanctuary in Ninh Binh, where bears rescued from bear bile farms are taken in. The bears are well cared for here, receive medical care and have space to play. The goal of FOUR PAWS is to close all bear bile farms and transfer all bears to shelters and sanctuaries. You can get a guided tour where you can learn a lot about the bears and see them from a suitable distance while supporting their cause
Buffalo caves Tour
Experience the local countryside by joining a buffalo caves tour. Experience buffalo bathing, showering, and riding. GO fish with local fishermen. Immerse yourself in the art of rice planting alongside Vietnamese farmers. Refresh yourself with a waterfall bath and explore the mystical Buffalo Cave. Participate in a cooking class and savor a delightful meal prepared by the skilled chefs of Buffalo Cave.
Hoa Lu Ancient Town
The Town is a 15 minute drive from Tam Coc. Hoa Lu Walking Street is a pedestrian-friendly street, open throughout the day and especially vibrant in the evening when the area is illuminated, and visitors can enjoy various local activities.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
About a 30-minute drive from Ninh Binh, you will find the largest temple complex in Vietnam called Bai Dinh Pagoda. Here you will find dozens of Buddhist temples and it consists of an old and a new part. The temples in the old part are located in small caves on the hill. The new part has a huge tower with an elevator. At the very top you have a beautiful view of the entire temple complex.
Where to eat in Ninh Binh?
Here are some dinner options in Ninh Binh: Chookie’s Beer Garden, Tam Coc Lantern Restaurant, Family Restaurant, T-Pub Restaurant.
How to get to Ninh Binh?
We took the night bus from Sapa to Ninh Binh.
Please note: When searching for bus tickets, make sure you enter ‘Tam Coc’ as your final destination and not the city of Ninh Binh.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
We stayed in this cozy hostel where you can easily meet other travelers: The Banana Tree Hostel in Tam Coc. The location is super central, the beds are great and there is a large swimming pool with sunbeds around it. You also don’t have to leave the door for good food.
