Tam Coc and Bich Dong Pagoda
Tam Coc is the second great boat ride of Ninh Binh after Trang An. Local people row you along the Ngo Dong river for about 2 hours, through cave passages and past rice fields under steep limestone hills. The tourism office lists Tam Coc together with Den Thai Vi, Dong Tien and the Bich Dong complex as one visiting group, and it places Tam Coc in the area now called Nam Hoa Lu.
The visit suits almost everyone, from families to people who simply want to sit still for a couple of hours. If you are not sure whether Tam Coc or Trang An fits your day better, the section below compares them.
Our picks: Tam Coc tours
One tour has a 2-hour boat trip on the Tam Coc River with tickets included, while the guided bike tour from Tam Coc pays the Tam Coc boat ticket separately. The Hanoi day tour adds cycling and lunch.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full-day Ninh Binh tour by limousine van with cycling
- Bicycle use for countryside cycling
- Lunch with authentic Vietnamese set menu
- All entrance fees and sightseeing tickets
About 11 hours with an English-speaking guide. WiFi, a conical hat, bottled water, a wet towel and a farewell drink come with it.
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Day tour with Tam Coc boat trip and biking
- 2 Hours Boat Trip at Tam Coc River
- All entrance fee tickets and biking
- Buffet lunch with Vietnamese foods
Transfers by limousine bus, with water on board and an English-speaking guide. About 10 hours.
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Tam Coc bike tour with Thai Vi, Bich Dong and Dundj Valley
- Bicycle for the guided tour
- Guided visit to Bich Dong Pagoda
- Traditional 7-dish Vietnamese lunch
The boat through the cave to Dundj Valley is included. The Tam Coc boat ticket (250,000 VND) and the Mua Cave entrance (150,000 VND) are paid separately, per person.
Check availability →Tam Coc tours and day trips
Tam Coc boat tour on the Ngo Dong
What the ride looks like.
The boat follows the Ngo Dong river through three caves, called Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. The rowers come from the local community, and the whole trip takes about 2 hours. On the way you pass flooded rice fields, small boats and rock walls close to the water. The best tam coc sightseeing is simply this ride, so put it early in the day if you want fewer people around.
Combine it with the climb to the viewpoint at Mua Cave, which lies close by, or with a bike ride through the villages described on our cycling page.
Tam Coc tickets 2026
Prices from the official list of 27 February 2026.
| Ticket | Adult | Child 1 to 1.3 m |
|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing ticket without electric transfer | VND 250,000 | VND 120,000 |
| Sightseeing ticket with electric transfer | VND 350,000 | VND 190,000 |
Ask at the ticket desk what your ticket covers before you pay, and do not add an old boat fee on top. Some guided tours list the Tam Coc boat ticket at VND 250,000 as an extra, so check which items your booking includes.
Bich Dong Pagoda
A temple and cave complex in the mountain.
Bich Dong lies roughly 2 km from the Tam Coc jetty. The complex has three pagodas, called Ha, Trung and Thuong, built at different heights on the mountain, from the lower pagoda to the upper one. You climb between them on steps and look back over the valley. Ask at the entrance whether it needs a separate ticket on the day you visit.
Dress with respect in the pagoda, keep your voice down and carry your litter out with you.
Golden rice in May and early June
The best-known season at Tam Coc.
The official description gives May and June as the ripening period, and a later seasonal notice narrows it to May and early June. That is when the fields turn golden. The golden colour is not tied to a particular day, because the ripening depends on the year and on the plot. Outside this window the fields are green or flooded, which is still a pleasant sight from the boat. Our weather page helps you plan the month.
Tam Coc or Trang An
Two boat rides, two characters.
Tam Coc
About 2 hours on a single river with rice fields along the banks. It suits a calm, scenic ride and combines easily with Mua Cave and a bike ride.
Trang An
Boat routes of roughly 1.5 to 3 hours that visit many caves and temple stops inside the World Heritage area. Read the Trang An guide. Number and route of the trips can change.
If you have two days, do both. With one day, choose Tam Coc for fields and views, or Trang An for caves and temple stops.
Tipping and staying near Tam Coc
Small practical points.
Tipping the rower is your choice. No fixed amount or duty is set out, so decide what feels fair, and ask your guide what people usually do. Many visitors stay in homestays at the edge of Tam Coc, which suits early boat rides; see where to stay in Ninh Binh for the three main areas. If you want to see all the sights in a day, start from our things to do in Ninh Binh.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tam Coc worth visiting?
Yes, if you like quiet scenery. The ride runs through caves and rice fields and takes about 2 hours, which makes it easy to fit into a day.
How long does the Tam Coc boat tour take?
About 2 hours on the Ngo Dong river, passing Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba.
How much is the ticket?
VND 250,000 for adults without electric transfer and VND 350,000 with it, according to the official list of 27 February 2026.
When are the rice fields golden?
In May and early June, but not on a guaranteed day.