Tam Coc Boat Ride
Tam Cốc
Boatmen row with their feet along the Ngo Dong River, passing through three natural caves with karst peaks and rice fields on either bank. It is Ninh Binh's classic boat route.
Tam Coc means 'three caves'. Boats leave from Van Lam Pier and travel along the Ngo Dong River, passing through the large, middle and small caves (about 125 metres long) before turning back. The whole trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Local boatmen usually row with their feet, which is one of the distinctive features of the trip. Late May, when the rice is ripe and the banks are golden, is the most photogenic time, but also the busiest. Tickets and boat fees are charged separately, totalling about 200,000 to 300,000 VND per person (prices often change). Drink vendors often approach the boat at the stern, so politely decline. The boatmen expect a tip at the end. The Tam Coc village beside the pier has many guesthouses and restaurants, making it a good base for cycling around the area.
Opening hours
07:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Hang Mua (Mua Cave Viewpoint)
- Thai Vi Temple
- Bich Dong Pagoda
- Thung Nham Bird Park
- Ninh Binh (Trang An / Tam Coc)
- Am Tien Cave & Valley
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
- Bai Dinh Pagoda