Tam Cốc – Bích Động is part of a limestone cave complex located in Ninh Hải commune, Hoa Lư district, Ninh Bình province, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The name “Bích Động,” meaning “Green Cave,” was given in 1773 by Chancellor Nguyễn Nghiễm, the father of the great poet Nguyễn Du.
This area features a stunning system of limestone caves and mountains that captivate every visitor. It is also home to historical relics from the Trần Dynasty. Known as the “Second Most Beautiful Cave under Heaven” (Nam Thiên Đệ Nhị Động), Tam Cốc – Bích Động is a nationally significant tourist destination beloved by many travelers.
As a diverse tourist complex, Tam Cốc – Bích Động offers visitors the chance to explore many unique and picturesque sites. Every destination here promises to leave visitors breathless, thanks to its extraordinary natural beauty.
Boat tour routes
Tam Coc
Tam Coc, which means “three caves”, includes Ca (the first) cave, Hai (the second) cave and Ba (the third) Cave. All three caves are created by the Ngo Dong River crashing through the mountain. Tam Coc is the first cruise line operated in Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area.
Ca cave is 127m long through a large mountain, the mouth of the cave is over 20m wide. In the cave, the climate is quite cool and there are many stalactites hanging down with various shapes.
Hang Hai is nearly 1 km from Ca cave with the length of 60m, the ceiling of the cave has many strange hanging stalactites with various forms.
Hang Ba is near Hang Hai with a length of 50m. The ceiling of the cave is like a stone arch, lower than the other two caves.
Time to travel and return to 3 caves is about 2 hours. You take a boat from the central wharf, follow the Ngo Dong river winding through the cliffs, water caves, and rice fields. The scenery of Tam Coc, especially the two sides of the Ngo Dong River can change according to the rice season (green rice, golden rice or silver color of the water in the field).
Thien Huong Cave
Thien Huong Cave is located on the road from Ngo Dong River to Thai Vi Temple. Thien Huong Cave is about 60m high, 40m deep and 20m wide with an altitude of about 15m above the water.
The top of the cave is hollow so the cave is also called Troi Cave. Nestled in the cave is a shrine dedicated to Tran Thi Dung, wife of King Ly Hue Tong. Is a person who has taught the people of Ninh Hai commune the craft of embroidery.
Bich Dong – Bich Dong pagoda
Located about 2km from Tam Coc wharf, Bich Dong is a dry cave located halfway up the mountain, in front of Xuyen Thuy Dong – a water cave through the mountain. Bich Dong is the name given to the cave by Prime Minister Nguyen Khiem – father of the great poet Nguyen Du in 1773. This place has been favorably named ‘Nam Thien De Nhi Dong’ – that means the second most beautiful cave in the South of Vietnam, only ranked after Huong Tich cave in Huong Son region.
Belonging to Tam Coc Bich Dong complex, Bich Dong pagoda is an ancient temple built on the Truong Yen limestone mountain range from 1428 to the beginning of the Later Le Dynasty. Today, in the pagoda, there is still a large bell cast from the reign of King Le Thai To, the tombs of the monks who built the pagoda. During the reign of King Le Hien Tong, the pagoda was restored and expanded with three separate pagodas, including Lower Pagoda, Trung Pagoda and Upper Pagoda stretching across three mountain floors.
Best time to vsit Tam Coc
The best time to visit Tam Coc is from mid-April to early June, during the rice harvest season. In April the rice fields are green and from the end of May to the beginning of June they turn yellow as they mature. But you can visit Tam Coc all year round and it is always impressive, but try to avoid September because there may be typhoons.
How to get there?
There are various 1-day and multi-day tours from Hanoi to Tam Coc. You will be picked up at your hotel in the old center of Hanoi and via a new highway you will be in Ninh Binh in 1.5 hours. You can also travel to Tam Coc yourself. With a tourist bus to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, Phong Nha or Halong Bay (Cat Ba), transportation is usually included to your accommodation in Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc. Ninh Binh also has a train station with connections to Hanoi, Dong Hoi (Phong Nha), Hue and Da Nang.
From Ninh Binh
If you travel with a local bus or train to Ninh Binh you have to travel from the city to Tam Coc. From Ninh Binh city to Tam Coc is about 7 km and it is best to take a taxi for this. When you stay in Ninh Binh city or somewhere in the countryside you can also visit Tam Coc by bike or scooter.
Getting around
The landscape here is flat, so cycling through the rice fields is very nice. Drive at your leisure while enjoying the breathtaking view and the lush green colors. Bicycles can often be borrowed for free at your homestay or hotel and otherwise very cheap to rent. You can also rent a scooter or motorcycle to visit different places. Renting a scooter costs around 5 to 6 euros per day. The most comfortable option, especially if you want to travel a little further than Tam Coc, is to rent a car with driver for a day or go by taxi to the different sights in Tam Coc and beyond.
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Number of people per boat: Maximum two people per boat.
What to bring: Drinks and snacks. Protect yourself well against the weather. Take something with you on sunny days to protect yourself against the sun and something against the rain on rainy days.
EcoTravel is honored to come with you to enjoy this unique temple!
