Ninh Binh is home to two ecosystems – a wetland and a limestone forest (Karst mountains). You can navigate along the canals and the Ngo Dong River at Ninh Binh on the sampan (covered row boats) and bamboo row boats. Certain places in Ninh Binh are accessible only by boat. 

The boating tours at Ninh Binh are popular because the highly skilled boatsmen use their legs to row the boats instead of their hands. But that is not all that Ninh Binh has to offer!

Read this blog to know all possible places ideal for boating at Ninh Binh and all the information you need.

Boating Tours at Ninh Binh – Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Long, and Thung Nang

Tam Coc Boat Tour

The Tam Coc boat tour starts and ends at Tam Cốc-Bích Động. Tam Coc translates to “three caves” in Vietnamese. The three caves are Hang Ca (Ca Cave), Hang Hai (Hai Cave), and Hang Ba (Ba Cave). The Sampan boat ride in Tam Coc allows you to pass under bridges, across tunnels, and all three caves. The rice fields on either side add to the scenic beauty for the riders, while several native species of birds serenade you with song.

• Boating charges: 250,000 VND for adults, 120,000 VND for Vietnamese elders above 60 years of age, 120,000 VND for Children between 1 and 1.3m, and free for children under 1m.
• Boating timings: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
• Duration: 1.5 – 2 Hours
• Boat capacity: 2-3 persons + 1 boat rower
• No charges for parking your vehicle

The rice fields will be green during late March and April and yellow during May and early June. Tam Coc is more beautiful during the rice field season. 

Trang An Boat Tour

A relatively newer route than Tam Coc, the Trang An Boat tour starts and ends from here. Unlike Tam Coc, the Trang An Sampan boat tour offers a different vibe as you see temples, pagodas, and caves formed by the river current running through the Karst mountains millions of years ago. The water here is clearer than in Tam Coc. Trang An is the most patronized by tourists.

• Boating charges are 250,000 VND for adults, 120,000 VND for children between 1m and 1.3m, and free for children below 1 m in height. The price is the same for all routes.
• Duration: 2-3 hours, depending on the route you choose
• Parking charges: 10,000 VND for cycles and 15,000 VND for motorbikes
• Boat Capacity: 4 persons + 1 boat rower. The boat departs only after 4 people are filled.

There are 3 routes for the visitors to choose from.

• You can get off your boat to visit the temples. But make sure to remember your rower’s face or the boat number.
• Every stop has toilets and food/drink. Eatables are also available close to the ticket counter.
• During the peak season, you might have to wait for the boats to arrive.

Did you know? The Trang An Landscape complex includes three protected areas: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An-Tam Coc—Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest Trang An, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Located 25 Km from Tam Coc, the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is an offbeat spot in Ninh Binh. If you want to escape the crowd at Trang An or Tam Coc, Van Long is your place. Surrounded by Karst mountains, it is a dreamy place far away from the tourists and is a haven for birdwatchers. 

The only sounds you hear are the sounds of nature and the rowing of a boat. The bamboo boats can accommodate 2-3 people. You’ll pass through caves on this route as well. The water here is so clear that the moss grows at the bottom. 

In Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, during the winter, you also get to see a large crowd of migratory birds, including grey Swamphens, Asian Openbills, kingfishers, and many many varieties of colorful butterflies. This reserve is also the habitat of buffalos, langurs, sheep, ducks, and several species of snakes.

• Boating tour duration: 90 minutes
• Boating Price: 100,000 VND per person
• Boating Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
• Bat capacity: 2-3 persons + 1 boat rower

Thung Nang Boat Tour

Thung Nang translates to Sunshine Valley. The Sampan boating tour starts at Bến Thạch Bích, close to Bich Dong. You’ll navigate along the man-made canals and the Ngo Dong River, where water lilies grow in abundance on either side and pass through a few caves. The place is comparatively less touristy than Tam Coc and Trang An. During the golden hour, you can see a lot of birds here.

• Boating tour duration: 90 minutes
• The boating price is not fixed here. You can negotiate your way around. Also, tipping is demanded here.
• Boat capacity: 2-3 persons + 1 boat rower

Important Things To Know

The below-mentioned points are common for all boating tours in Ninh Binh.

• The sampan boat and the bamboo boat don’t have a shelter. Carry an umbrella or a hat if the weather is hot and humid since the duration is long.
• The boat will not stop for a food or water break, so carry enough water and snacks, especially if you have children.
• The boat owners might try to sell some handmade crafts or paintings in the middle of your journey. If you are interested, you can buy and support them or politely deny them. Although a few of them are pushy, most of them are not.
• During the middle of your journey, photographers will join your boat. They’ll click pictures and sell them if you agree to buy them. The sailors will also help you take good photographs if you request them.
• If you request the sailor, they will allow you to row the boat for a while. You can learn the technique and gain a better appreciation for the boatmen.
• Tipping is not mandatory. The sailors don’t demand tips. However, we recommend you tip well, as boating is hard work.
• Most of the sailors speak Vietnamese, but they are limited to English. They will show you viewpoints, point out rare birds seen along the way, and share some local history.
• Life jackets are mandatory in Trang An and Tam Coc but not in the other boat tours.
• The longer caves are not lit by external lights. You can bring your own torch lights or use a mobile phone if needed. No impressive stalactites and stalagmites are observed. You might need to bend your head at certain places in the caves since the height of the cave’s roof might be too short.
• Payments through credit cards, QR payments, and cash are accepted.
• The tickets bought cannot be refunded or exchanged. The tickets are scanned before entering the boat at Trang An, but such checks don’t exist on the other boat tours.

Which Boat Tour is the Best in Ninh Binh?

Although the other boating tours are equally beautiful in their own ways, we prefer less crowded places, away from the tourists. Our top recommendation would be the Van Long boating tour, followed by Tam Coc and Trang An. Based on what you want to experience and see, you can choose the boat tours at Ninh Binh that best suit your vibe.

Tam Coc Vs Trang An?

Boating at Tam Coc and Trang An are different, and choosing one is challenging. We will highlight the key differences below so you can choose the one you want to go to.

• In Tam Coc, you’ll pass through three caves; at Trang An, you’ll pass through more, about nine if you choose Route 1.
• The Tam Coc boat tour takes 1.5-2 hours for 250,000 VND, while the Trang An boat tour takes 2 – 3 hours, depending on the route you choose, for the same price.
• In Tam Coc, you are not allowed to get off the boat for sightseeing, while in Trang An, you are allowed off the boat to visit the temples en route.
• Only one route exists in Tam Coc. Three options are available in Trang An.
• At Tam Coc, the rowers use their legs for most of the ride, whereas at Trang An, they use their hands for most of the ride.
• Although Trang An doesn’t have rice fields like Tam Coc, the water is clearer there.
• Most people feel Trang An is touristy and artificial due to its temples and pagodas. But the landscape is not artificial, except that the locals dug out the mountains at certain places and created a few caves to make boating routes.

If we had to choose one over the other, it would be Tam Coc over Trang An.

Tips to Avoid The Crowd

• Go early in the morning during the opening hours to escape the crowd. 
• Avoid peak times like Tet (Vietnamese New Year) if you prefer a quieter experience. 
• Skip Trang An from March to May, as many local tourists visit on a pilgrimage trip. During this time of year, we suggest Tam Coc.
• Routes 1 and 2 are the most crowded in Trang An. Choose route 3 if you prefer a pleasant boat ride.

If you have any tips to add to the visitors, feel free to comment on them below! We would love to help our beloved readers.

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