Trang An and Tam Coc are two of the most famous destinations in Ninh Binh, always captivating visitors with their majestic natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. As a land recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, Trang An stands out with its rich cave system and ancient temples. Meanwhile, Tam Coc is famous for the title “Ha Long Bay on land”, where rivers winding between green rice fields create a poetic scene. In this article, let’s explore with Karst Plateau and whether you should choose Trang An or Tam Coc for this exciting boat trip.
1. Overview of Trang An
Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
7km from Ninh Binh city center, Trang An Ecotourism Area is a particularly important national monument. Coming here, you will definitely be amazed by the system of caves, limestone mountains, diverse and lush ecosystems, along with historical relics.
Possessing a system of 31 lagoons and lakes connected to 48 large and small caves, each cave has a unique beauty. The tourist area is compared to a watercolor painting with impressive natural scenery that has appeared for hundreds of years. In addition, the caves here also receive a lot of attention from people, especially archaeologists with a system of stalactites in diverse shapes, such as Bright Cave, Dark Cave, Com Cave, Dia Linh Cave, etc.
Trang An is not only an ideal destination for those who love pristine nature but also an ideal place to learn about the culture and customs of the people here. With diversity in landscape and sightseeing activities, Trang An will bring you unforgettable memories on your journey of discovery.
2. Overview of Tam Coc
Tam Coc, known as “Ha Long Bay on land”, is truly a charming and poetic destination for those who are passionate about nature. With winding rivers between lush green rice fields, this land offers a peaceful and serene scene. Possessing a spacious area of 350.3 hectares, the scenic spot is a combination of limestone cave systems and peaceful village scenery. Besides, this tourist complex also owns a Bich Dong pagoda imbued with traditional architecture and historical relics.
Tam Coc is a scenic complex with three natural caves, including Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. When rowing through these caves, you will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful limestone shapes, formed over millions of years naturally. The scenery here always changes with the seasons, especially during the ripe rice season, when the rice fields stretch bright yellow, bringing magical beauty that is hard to resist.
Tam Coc is not only an ideal tourist destination but also offers an experience close to Vietnamese rural life. Visitors coming here can feel the peace and tranquility, a beautiful picture created by the harmony between nature and people. If you’re considering a visit to Trang An or Tam Coc, you’ll find that Tam Coc offers a more rural and intimate experience compared to the grandeur of Trang An.
3. Similarities between Tam Coc and Trang An
Tam Coc provides a closer connection to the rural charm of rice paddies
Tam Coc and Trang An are both located in the same Ninh Binh province and possess spectacular natural beauty and many attractive attractions. When mentioning these two locations, one cannot help but think of the experience of boating among caves and beautiful mountain scenery. Both are places not to be missed in the journey to explore Ninh Binh, possessing natural beauty and rich ecosystems.
Outstanding similarities:
- River boating: Whether you choose Trang An or Tam Coc, Both offer visitors great boating experiences, suitable for all ages.
- Limestone mountain landscape: The limestone mountain system in both Tam Coc and Trang An creates a beautiful backdrop, helping visitors easily immerse themselves in nature.
- Rich ecosystem: Both Trang An or Tam Coc is home to many rare flora and fauna species, bringing rich biodiversity.
- Tourist activities: Boating, exploring caves, and enjoying fresh air are popular activities at both locations, creating opportunities for visitors to interact and learn about the locality.
4. The main difference between Trang An and Tam Coc
Whether you choose Trang An or Tam Coc, both offer great travel experiences, however, they also have differences that cannot be ignored.
4.1 Scenery
The landscapes in Trang An or Tam Coc are truly vivid natural paintings, each with its own beauty, making it unforgettable for visitors.
The boating journey in Tam Coc often takes visitors through three large caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. Each cave has a different length and shape, bringing different emotions to visitors when exploring. Here you will have the opportunity to climb a boat on the Ngo Dong River, weave through each rocky cliff, explore each mysteriously beautiful cave, and admire the rice fields on both sides of the river, a scene that changes with the seasons sometimes green, sometimes yellow of ripe rice fields, sometimes covered by the silver color of water in rice fields.
Meanwhile, Trang An stands out with the magnificence of 48 caves, many of which are not only big enough for you to row a boat through but also highlight the aesthetics of nature. The river is clear with wild and harmonious beauty, especially that beauty is shown even when going to Dark Cave. Extremely attractive boat experience so everyone can see up close the beauty of Trang An tourist area.
Tam Coc has a more simple beauty, bringing a quiet space and closeness to rural life, while Trang An carries with it the image of wild but mysterious nature, every step of the way motivates you to explore. break new things.
4.2 Boat Ride Duration
The boat ride at Trang An lasts around 3-4 hours
Sailing time at these two destinations is also an important factor, affecting the tourist experience.
In Tam Coc, the boating journey usually lasts about 2 hours. This time gives visitors enough opportunity to explore the caves and enjoy the surrounding beauty but is not too long, even suitable for families with young children.
On the contrary, at Trang An, boating time is usually longer – from 3 to 4 hours. This is considered an ideal time for visitors to more fully contemplate the natural and cultural values that this place brings. With a variety of boat routes, Trang An allows visitors to choose an itinerary that suits their time and preferences.
Both destinations offer wonderful and enjoyable experiences during your sailing time. You can enjoy fresh air, birdsong, and flowing water, immersing yourself in the wild nature of Ninh Binh. Depending on your schedule, Trang An or Tam Coc can cater to your preferences.
4.3 Boat route
In Trang An, visitors can choose from three main sightseeing routes.
- Trang An Route 1: This route offers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore nine caves and three spiritual sites over approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours. The journey starts from the boat pier and takes you through key attractions such as Trinh Temple, Dark Cave, Light Cave, Wine Brewing Cave, Tran Temple, and Ba Giot Cave, before returning to the pier.
- Trang An Route 2: This journey lasts approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, featuring four caves and three spiritual sites. The route departs from the boat pier and takes visitors through Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, Suoi Tien Temple, Dai Cave, and Vu Lam Palace, before returning to the pier.
- Trang An Route 3: Introduced in 2017, this route lasts approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, featuring three caves and three spiritual sites along with an impressive 1,000-meter-long stalactite system. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the historical significance of the area at Suoi Tien Temple.
Boat routes in Tam Coc include: the Van Lam wharf – Ngo Dong river – Tam Coc route; Xuyen hydrodynamic route (through Bich Dong); Thach Bich – Sun Valley route.
4.4 Crowded
If you visit Trang An or Tam Coc during peak tourist seasons, you may notice distinct differences.
Trang An often overwhelms the number of visitors, especially during festivals or peak tourist seasons. With its abundance of spiritual attractions and natural beauty, this place attracts a large number of tourists, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Tam Coc is less crowded, giving visitors a more pleasant experience. Even though there are quite a large number of visitors, you can still easily find your own space to enjoy the beauty of nature without having to crowd like in Trang An.
4.5 Ticket price
When deciding to visit Trang An or Tam Coc, ticket price is also one of the important factors you should consider. The ticket prices for Trang An or Tam Coc are relatively similar, making both destinations affordable for travelers.
- In Tam Coc, the entrance ticket costs 250,000 VND/person.
- The ticket price at Trang An is about 250,000 VND/person.
5. Which one should you choose?
Choosing between Trang An or Tam Coc depends on your preferences
When deciding to choose Trang An or Tam Coc, there are too many factors to consider.
If you love tranquility, want to experience the life of a farmer and freely explore golden rice fields, then Tam Coc is definitely the ideal choice. This is where you can immerse yourself in a peaceful space, away from the noise of daily life.
On the contrary, if you love to explore, are interested in learning about history and culture, or simply want to enjoy the majestic natural scenery, Trang An will be a more suitable place for you. With a rich system of temples and diverse caves, Trang An gives visitors a colorful experience.
6. Travel tips and advice
Before leaving for Ninh Binh, there are a few things to keep in mind so you have a smooth and enjoyable trip. Besides deciding whether to choose Trang An or Tam Coc, carefully preparing everything will help you have a smooth trip and many useful memories.
The ideal time to visit Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a place you can visit many times of the year. However, the best time to visit Ninh Binh is in spring (January – March) when the weather is cool, there are many festivals, and in summer (May- August) to see the golden rice fields or fragrant lotus ponds.
Things to bring
Once you’ve decided when to visit, don’t forget to pack the essentials for an enjoyable and comfortable journey. Some items to bring include:
- Running shoes or sneakers: To easily move around in areas with many natural landscapes, you should wear suitable sneakers. Being comfortable will help you not feel tired while sightseeing.
- Light jacket: The weather can change, and a light jacket will keep you from getting cold when needed.
- Sunscreen and hat: Since you will spend a lot of time outdoors, be sure to use sunscreen and wear a hat to protect your skin from the sun.
- Drinks and snacks: Bringing drinks and a few snacks is essential, especially on long trips. Don’t forget to replenish your body’s energy.
- Camera or phone: To capture beautiful moments and majestic landscapes, don’t forget to bring your photography equipment.
Good preparation will help you have a more complete trip and enjoy every moment in Ninh Binh.
How to set boat ticket prices
When you prepare to visit Trang An or Tam Coc, booking boat tickets is also an important thing that you need to keep in mind. So what are the ways to book tickets? Below are some popular methods for you to book boat tickets:
- Buy directly at the port: You can buy boat tickets directly at Van Lam Tam Coc port or wharves in Trang An.
- Online ticket booking: Many websites provide online ticket booking services, allowing you to choose a specific tour and time. Booking tickets online not only saves time but also helps you easily compare prices and receive offers.
- Join a package tour: A popular option is to join a package tour from Hanoi. Tours usually include transportation, a tour guide, and service tax.
You should note that booking tickets in advance is necessary during festivals and peak seasons to avoid crowding and get the best seats on the boat.
Trang An or Tam Coc both offer unforgettable experiences, each with its own beauty and appeal, giving visitors their own rich and different experiences, both in terms of landscape and culture. From the majestic beauty of Trang An with its majestic cave system to the simplicity and poetry of Tam Coc with its golden rice fields, all make this place a destination not to be missed. For more information and tips on traveling to Vietnam, please visit the Karst Plateau website.