Ninh Binh is a wonderful destination for adventurers and an oasis for nature lovers. A leisurely rowboat ride through the countryside towards its rice fields, karst mountains and cave formations – is an activity to do.
Some of the best scenery here is only accessible by boat and read the article for more detailed information on boat trips in Ninh Binh .
Boat ride in Ninh Binh is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh that you cannot miss, in this article you will learn details about why and places to do, read it carefully.
Why take a boat trip in Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh offers us pristine landscapes of deserted limestone mountains along rivers and impressive caves that you can see from a rowing boat. Calm, relaxed, pleasant and beautiful are the words we normally use to describe the tourist spots in this province.
The most popular sites are Tam Coc and Trang An Resort, as it has the same parameters as Halong Bay – that’s why it is well known as “Halong Bay on earth”. However, with its unique charms, Ninh Binh has won the hearts of travelers when they visit this region.
The best places to take a boat trip in Ninh Binh
1. Tam Coc
Tam Coc (three caves in Vietnamese) is a system of three caves formed by erosion as the Ngo Dong River flows through the mountains. It has been a famous attraction in Ninh Binh for a long time and has attracted many tourists.
A ride in a local sampan boat is a wonderful way to view these three natural caves, magnificent limestone mountains and authentic agricultural activities along the journey.
The Tam Coc boat ride follows the same route and lasts approximately 2 hours, passing 3 caves and passing incredible scenery. The trip costs 150,000 VND (€6.50) for a boat of two people and an entrance ticket of 120,000 VND (€5.20) per person.
Tam Coc offers you the view of the rice fields and authentic agricultural activities along the banks of the river: planting rice, plowing with buffaloes or harvesting rice. The landscape of this region is very unique and can change depending on the season.
The best time to do the Tam Coc boat ride is during the summer from May to June, when the rice fields all turn golden yellow. You can also see people harvesting rice and transferring them to the boat, which is a unique sight to see.
June to July is the perfect time to admire the lush green fields along the Ngo Dong River.
2. Trang An
The magnificent Trang An resort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Known as “Halong Bay on Earth”, it offers so much to see with 3 different boat tour routes .
Whatever the route, your journey will immerse you in magnificent landscapes, passing through caves and bringing you close to limestone cliffs, isolated temples and pagodas.
You have the choice between 3 routes, each route lasts approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. In general, each of them will take you through many caves, where you will see many temples and palaces. The best and most anticipated might be route number 1 which takes you through nine caves and three temples.
During the route 2 boat trip, the ride will take you to see 4 caves, 3 temples, and especially the film set of “Kong: Skull Island”.
Route number three was recently opened and added to the complex. This boat route is only limited to three caves and Kong Village, however, you will have the chance to explore the longest and most beautiful cave in Trang An (1000m long and beautiful stalagmites).
Although the boat trip in Trang An does not have the view of the rice fields, it offers a nice ride on the river with a beautiful view of the aquatic plants that grow and live in the waterbed, it can also become more majestic with the view of the surrounding mountains. It also offers you stops at some temples (Trinh temple, Duc Ong temple…) or trekking climbs for a panoramic view of the area.
It certainly makes your trip more interesting with natural and cultural exploration. You will learn more about the history of Vietnam when Ninh Binh was chosen as the capital in the 10th and 11th centuries.
On the website, the ticket office is clearly indicated. Tickets cost VND200,000 (€8.80) per person for either route, and then the staff will direct you to a boat. Boats can accommodate a maximum of 4 people. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, you may have to wait for someone else traveling the same route to fill a 4-person sampan. 3. Van Long Nature Reserve
Van Long Nature Reserve is 19 km from Ninh Binh city, along the road to Cuc Phuong National Park. At 3,500 hectares, Van Long is known as the largest wetland nature reserve in northern Vietnam, which is popular with birdwatchers and is home to a wide variety of feathered friends, including some rare ones.
Bird species that have been spotted here include the rare black-faced spoonbill, cotton-top pygmy goose, and white-browed crake.
If you’re very lucky, you might also spot Delacour’s langurs, a critically endangered species of primate endemic to northern Vietnam. Van Long offers similar scenery to the better known Tam Coc, however, it tends to be less touristy and more peaceful. Additionally, its impressive nature is certainly a big draw for wildlife lovers traveling to this destination.
The Van Long Wetland boat ride is also inferior to the above places because you have to pay
the entrance fee which costs 20,000 VND (€0.90) per person as well as a boat ride of only 60,000 VND (€2.90) for 2 people. Depart from Van Long Wharf for a 1.5-hour sampan tour through picturesque landscapes. With your local rower, meander along the river and admire the spectacular limestone mountains above you.
4.
Galaxy Grotto Although it is not as famous as Trang An or Tam Coc, the beauty and mystery of Galaxy Grotto attracts a large number of travelers to visit. Galaxy Grotto is a small cave in Huong Son commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province.
To visit Galaxy Grotto, travelers will take a boat trip from the mountain village of Muong Tho Ha (Son Ha commune). Then you continue walking on a 500 meter stone path at the foot of Tuong Mountain to reach the gate of Galaxy Grotto. The cave is divided into a 200 meter dry cave and a 500 meter water cave.
Along with the boat, visitors will continue to ride a bamboo boat on the river named. The stalagmite sparkling in the sun and reflecting the silver water that looks like the stars in the dark sky, making you feel like you are drifting lightly in the galaxy. This also gives the river and the cave the name it has today. With magnificent and magical beauty, Galaxy Grotto is one of the most important boat rides in Ninh Binh that you should not miss.
