Tam Coc, Ninh Binh: a boat ride between rice fields and caves
Tam Coc ("three caves") is the best-known boat ride in Ninh Binh: a quiet river winding between rice fields and limestone pinnacles, then passing through three low caves. The site is about 90 to 100 km south of Hanoi, a little over 2 hours by road or train to Ninh Binh. The boats are rowed by women, many of whom paddle with their feet. The combined Tam Coc – Bich Dong ticket, a price shown by the Ninh Binh tourism office in March 2025, costs 250,000 VND per adult (about US$9 to 10) and includes the boat; allow about 2 hours on the water.
Highlights
The landing stage and the Ngo Dong river
The flat-bottomed boats, painted green and blue, leave from a quay lined with rice fields. The route follows the Ngo Dong river to the foot of limestone cliffs, then returns the same way. Along the bank, the rowers point out viewpoints and photo stops; most boats carry two passengers.
The three caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba
The river passes under three natural tunnels, the longest of which is several dozen metres long. The ceiling is low in places: duck your head when the rower tells you to. The cool air and the stone around you make this the best moment of the ride.
The rowers and the foot paddle
Many rowers paddle with their feet, a gesture that has become the image of Tam Coc. The tip is not included: 50,000 to 100,000 VND per boat is the usual order of magnitude, given at the end and not before. Some rowers offer embroidery or drinks on board; you can politely decline, and it is best to agree on the price before accepting anything.
Bich Dong and Thai Vi temple
The combined ticket of the tourism office lists the route Tam Coc, Thai Vi temple, Tien cave and Bich Dong pagoda. Bich Dong, the "jade cave", is a small complex of pagodas built in tiers on the mountain, a few kilometres from the Tam Coc landing stage; allow 1 hour for the visit on foot in addition to the boat.
Opening hours and prices
The official price list updated on 4 March 2025 shows 250,000 VND per adult and 120,000 VND per child aged 1 to 1.3 m for entry without the electric cart, and 350,000 VND (190,000 VND for children) with the electric cart between transfer points. Some online guides publish other figures, for example an entry at 120,000 VND and the boat at 150,000 VND for two: ask the current price at the ticket window before paying.
Practical info
Tips
- Arrive before 9:00 or after 14:00 to avoid the queues of boats in the middle of the day. The most common choice is between Tam Coc and Trang An: Tam Coc is smaller, simpler and closer to the rice fields (the foot rowing and the morning light make it a classic), whereas Trang An is longer, more spectacular and UNESCO-listed; see our comparison in the Ninh Binh day trip article. For Tam Coc, the best time is May to June, when the rice is golden and the fields are full, and September to October (harvest). Bring a hat, sunscreen and water: the river offers no shade. See also: Trang An, Hang Mua and Ninh Binh in a day from Hanoi. Prices seen in October 2026 on the latest official table available (March 2025); to be confirmed on site.
How to get there
Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, about 9 km from Ninh Binh station and 90 to 100 km from Hanoi. From Hanoi, the train links Hanoi station to Ninh Binh station in about 2h10, with several departures a day (about ten according to the timetable seen in October 2026, to be checked with Vietnam Railways); allow about 210,000 VND for the cheapest seat. Then a taxi, a Grab or a rented scooter reaches the landing stage in about twenty minutes. The "limousine" bus and day trips leave from the Old Quarter and drop you directly at Tam Coc, which avoids connections; see our article on the Ninh Binh day trip.
Opening hours
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