Boat Ride in Trang An River - Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
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Trang An Boat Ticket
Parking (15.000 VND)
250.000 VND/person
3h
8.5/10 (Very busy)
Website
9/10
Trang An river offers one of the main tourist attractions in Ninh Binhnot only for international but also for domestic travelers. It’s a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with flat valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. You will be astonished by the limestone-towers, flooded caves, and untouched fauna and flora. Due to its remote location and its difficult access, it was a very important enclave during the American War. In 2014, It was integrated in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
There are several places where the boat ride is offered. However, the one with the most popular route is here. They offer three different circular itineraries, with the third one the one crossing the famous cave (Dot cave, 1km long) and passing through the beautiful pagoda, among some other unique sceneries. You can find more information about the itineraries at the end of the post.
It’s located 10 km from the center of Tam Coc, so you can easily reach it by bike or on a scooter (~100.000 VND/day). Riding around Ninh Binh is much safer than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh as there is not so much traffic and the roads are in general wide and in a good state. Biking in particular is very suitable as the region is completely flat. Once you reach the location you will see a big parking lot in which you will have to pay 15.000 VND for the scooter. After leaving it, you have to go to the main office to purchase the ticket (250.000 VND/person). Once you have it, you can go to the river bank where all the locals will be waiting for you.
The activity is normally for up to 4 people so if you are only two, you might be accompanied by another group. During the 3 hours activity, you will be taken in a traditional boat that will be steered by a guide. You will pass by several flooded caves with low ceilings, get off the boat and visit some pagodas or traditional villages and admire the special landscape of this area. Sometimes the current is a bit strong so the guide will be happy if you help them paddling (it’s fun). By the way, the chances you get an English speaker guide is almost 0.
It’s touristy but well organized.As we have said before, it’s the main activity in Ninh Binh so it might be crowded. It depends on the season you go but If you don’t want to be surrounded by many boats, you should go early (before 09:00), so you will avoid the day trips coming from Hanoi. If you want to see the colorful rice fields you will have to go at the beginning of May.
As it was mentioned before, the popular pagoda located in the middle of the lake is visited in the third route (it’s here). If you want to take pictures you will have to ask the guide to stop near it, otherwise they will continue paddling.
Information about the routes. This information has been taken from the brochure of the activity. Along the route the historical information about the place is quite scarce.
- Ruta 1. Templo Trinh – Tempo Tran – Palacio Khong. Duración: 3 horas. Te lleva por 9 cuevas y tres sitios espirituales. Descubrirás la historia de la dinastía Dinh, reliquias y leyendas sobre cuevas donde se preparaba vino.
- Route 2: Tranh Cao Son Temple - Dia Linh Mountain - Vu Lam Royal Steps. Duration: 3 hours. The route will take visitors on a tour passing through 4 splendid limestone caves and 3 spiritual places including Dia Linh Mountain in the shape of a giant Pen Tower erected in the middle of the river. The tour will take tourists back to the past while exploring a small temple dedicated to Thanh Cao Son, a national hero who had merit teaching the local people irrigation management to boost agricultural development under the reign of the 18th Hung King. Visitors will also learn more about the glorious history of the Tran Dynasty while exploring Vu Lam Royal Steps.
- Route 3: Trinh Temple - Dot Cave - Suoi Tien Temple: Duration: 3 hours. This route takes visitors through 3 spiritual places and 3 caves. Tourists will be amazed at the stalactite system of Dot cave, where mother nature has been carved for thousands years, making it the longest cave of Trang An. Historical sites: Suoi Tien Temple will bring tourists back to the origin of Trang An and Saint Quy Minh.
A unique way to enjoy this particular landscape, out of this world. You can’t miss it!
Comment if you have any question!
