Name: Village of Tam Cốc
Address: Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, Ninh Binh
Rating: 5.0000

Alicia Ortego

The Ha Long of the Rice Paddies

The area surrounding Tam Cốc is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the country. Here, large rock formations arise from the green fields, a sight which has earned the place the nickname "Ha Long of the Rice Paddies." The name Tam Cốc actually refers to the caves on the banks of the Ngo Dong river. The best plan is to take a leisurely float down the urbanized part of the river near the town and then explore the caves.

The boats hold two travelers and two paddlers who are in the back (they're usually old women). Sometimes, they conduct the boat with a foot oar which reminded me of the sailors on Inle Lake in Myanmar.

After the third cave, there is a kind of small lake where is seems like the river ends. There are lots of boats waiting for tourists and selling lollipops and a never-ending parade of trinkets. Meanwhile, the old women on your boat will be pulling out some cloths or sheets with the same intention, adding their best pitiful face for effect. Well, I guess that is their business after all. I'm not kidding about the sheets, either. The village is actually famous for its embroidery. They tend to back off a bit after a firm but polite "no" but will keep trying during the return journey.

The route takes between 1 and 1.5 hours. The caves have very low ceilings that are impressive as you approach by boat, making you wonder if you'll be able to enter or not. The landscape is truly very nice and the slow, quiet boat ride is very relaxing.

Ha Long Bay of the interior

Tam Cốc is known as the Ha Long Bay of the interior due to its incredible beauty. Sailing along the river among the incredible rock formations was an unforgettable and beautiful experience.

Like

inuk

Tam Coc Village

The town of Ninh Binh has nothing special, but in the surrounding area are the caves of Tam Coc. You can visit Tam Coc on a nice bike ride or by motorbike trip from Ninh Binh. It is 12 km away. It is known as "Ha Long Bay between rice" and is a boat ride of three hours between canals and rice fields. The landscape has limestone formations. It's definitely a wonderful place. Nobody should miss it.