In the Trang An Landscape Complex, karst and water come together as a shared cultural and natural heritage. The complex lies within Ninh Bình Province and consists of karst cones and towers connected by underground waterways. Some of these waterways can be explored in small boats, offering a way to experience parts of the landscape from the water.
Tam Coc–Bich Dong, an outstanding destination within Trang An, is in Nam Hoa Lu Commune. Visitors can take a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River here. At Thung Nắng, another route follows the Đền Vối River: it is 2.6 kilometers long and traveled in small boats rowed by local boatmen. The specific details of the boat trips therefore differ: at Tam Coc, the Ngo Dong is named, while at Thung Nắng, both the route’s length and the Đền Vối River are specified.
Discover forests and wetlands
Cuc Phuong National Park was established in 1962 and extends across the provinces of Ninh Bình, Phú Thọ and Thanh Hóa. Its tropical rainforest is home to 2,234 species of higher plants, 122 reptile species, 2,000 insect species and 336 resident bird species. Future surveys may change these figures. Possible activities in the park include hiking and cycling through the primary forest, nighttime wildlife watching, and observing reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Van Long offers a different view of the region’s nature. The wetland nature reserve is in Gia Vien, covers more than 3,000 hectares and lies about 17 kilometers north of Ninh Bình city center. Its diverse wetland ecosystem is home to the Delacour’s langur, an endemic primate that is protected. Taken together, Cuc Phuong, with its tropical rainforest, and Van Long, with its wetlands, represent different aspects of nature; the protected areas are not in the same place.
History and cultural heritage
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Karst landscapes and rivers naturally protected the site from invasions. Today, Hoa Lu is also the setting for the annual Hoa Lu Festival, which is part of Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage. The site’s historical significance and the recurring festival offer two distinct perspectives on the region’s cultural heritage.
Other cultural sites include Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, a national historical and cultural monument and an attraction for visitors. Bai Dinh is a Buddhist temple complex in Ninh Bình; its ancient cave temples can be reached via a climb of 300 steps. At Hang Mua, 500 steps lead to a viewpoint overlooking rivers, rice fields and limestone outcrops. The step counts relate to two different destinations: at Bai Dinh, the focus is on the cave temples, while at Hang Mua, it is on the viewpoint over the landscape.
Travel tips
You can reach Ninh Bình from Hanoi by coach, limousine, train or private vehicle. For specific timetables, it is recommended that you check current connections. If you stay in Tam Coc, cycling is one way to get around there; plan your journey according to local conditions. This guidance applies to Tam Coc and not to cycling infrastructure throughout the region as a whole.
Discover more destinations: Ninh Bình, Phú Lộc, Đồng Tháp Province, Quảng Trị, Lam Dong, Nghệ An, An Giang, Kampot.
For the main travel overview: Vietnam.
