Tam Coc

Description

If visiting Ninh Binh during the time of the year that the paddy fields are filled with water, tourists must make it a point to visit Tam Coc. A highlight of any visit to Vietnam, the Tam Coc area has even been compared to Ha Long Bay. Literally translating to ‘Three caves’ the Tram Coc area, in specific the Ninh Hai village, actually houses a combination of three caves which can only be reached via a three-hour long waterway. Visitors will therefore have to take a boat ride through picturesque rice fields, all surrounded by huge gum drop shaped mountains. The small boats are paddled by local women and can be boarded at Dinh Cac in Van Lam Village. The dramatic karst towers, the serene paddy fields and the winding river are breathtaking and poetic, therefore making the area one of the best in Vietnam for exploring. On reaching the site, tourists will come across a large gated entrance where they will be able to buy tickets entitling them to visit the three caves, a few temples, as well as to a boat ride.

Ticket Price

Boat ride - 100,000VND for the boat and 80,000VND per adult Caves - 40,000 VND

Opening Hour

Best visited after 10am

Recommended Visit Duration

At least half a day

Suitable For

Adults, senior visitors, young adults, families, children

Must See

The caves, the limestone karsts, paddy fields

Prayer Facilities

Muslims visiting the Tam Coc area will not be able to find prayer facilities on reaching Ninh Hai Village, but they may be able to locate a secluded area outdoors to offer their prayers. They will also not be able to find any mosques or Islamic Centres in the Ninh Binh province.

Halal Food

Finding Halal restaurants in the Ninh Binh province will also not be possible. Muslim tourists will therefore have to dine on vegetarian and seafood dishes at local restaurants, after making sure the dishes do not contain any non-Halal ingredients. Also, since the Tam Coc experience is quite a long one, tourists are advised to take along some snacks if possible.