Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a breathtaking complex of limestone karsts, rivers, and caves located in Ninh Binh province, about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi. The name 'Tam Coc' means 'three caves', Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba, which are natural caverns along the Ngo Dong River. Visitors take a traditional sampan boat ride rowed by local women through rice paddies and into the caves, where stalactites hang low. The surrounding landscape is dominated by towering karst peaks, reminiscent of Halong Bay but on land. Adjacent to Tam Coc is Bich Dong Pagoda, a beautiful ancient temple built into the mountainside, dating back to the 15th century. The pagoda features three tiers of shrines connected by stone steps, offering panoramic views of the valley. The area is especially stunning during the harvest season when the rice fields turn golden yellow.

Don't miss

• Take a sampan boat ride through the three caves and along the Ngo Dong River.
• Climb the stone steps of Bich Dong Pagoda for panoramic views of the karst landscape.
• Visit during the rice harvest season (May-June) for golden fields.
• Explore the nearby Thai Vi Temple, a 13th-century royal temple.
• Cycle through the countryside to see local villages and limestone peaks.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Cheapest way inHanoi to Ninh Binh 1 day: Trang An - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Hoa Lu4.6★ · 110 travelers11–12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$23 per personSee dates →Best full dayNinh Binh Day Tour from Hanoi with Tam Coc Boat Trip & Mua Cave4.9★ · 4,942 travelers12–13 hoursFree cancellationFrom$38 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Ninh Binh Full Day (Bich Dong -Tam coc -Mua cave- Biking)5★ · 32 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$139 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• Arrive early to avoid long queues for boat rides, especially on weekends.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat; the boat ride has little shade.
• Tip the boat rowers (optional but appreciated), they often row with their feet.
• Keep your camera ready for stunning views, but be careful near water.

A bit of history

Bich Dong Pagoda was built in 1428 during the Later Le Dynasty. The Tam Coc caves were formed over millions of years by water erosion, and the area has been a popular retreat for Vietnamese royalty and poets.