Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc-Bich Dong or Tam Cốc-Bích Động is one of the famous destinations of Vietnam. Tam Coc means 'three caves' and it is literally a landscape of three natural caves while Bich Dong is a fifteenth century pagoda.
Boat ride across the golden paddy fields are something to cherish about
Understand the place

Surrounded by Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Tam Coc and Bich Dong welcome its tourists with serene landscape. Considered to be the "second nicest grotto" after Huong Tich, it's definitely worth a visit.

How to get there

To visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong, you have to reach Ninh Binh first

By air: Fly to Hanoi or Nol Bai airports. Take a taxi from the airports to reach Ninh Binh. Costs range from $68-$85.

By car: Hired cars available from Hanoi and also from Halong Bay tours. Costs range from $60-$7.

By bus: Regular buses from Gial Bat (Hanoi) are available for 70,000 Dong.

From Ninh Binh, you have to reach Van Lam Wharf. From there boats are available up to Tam coc and then to Bich Dong grotto. North Vietnam tours

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Cost
Organized tour: $18/head to Tam Coc from Ninh Binh.

What to see?
Hang Mua
Phat Diem cathedral

Activities
Hire a motorbike which is a common transport at Ninh Binh and take a ride across the nearby areas.
Boat ride on the river Tam Coc (60,000 VND/head) and Trang An or Van Long.
Visit the temple of Thai Bhi apart from the obvious Bich Dong Pagoda. Mekong delta tours

Danger

Just hang a sweet smile in your face with a polite but firm “No. Thanks” to every seller approaches you.

Off the beaten path tips

Miss the boat and take a bike. You will save yourself from the sellers and can experience a different trip altogether.