The Inland Halong Bay in the Ninh Binh region, from Tam Coc to Trang An
- cam.campo
- Mar 1, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 15, 2025
Ha Long Bay is an iconic landscape in Vietnam, but the lesser-known "Inland Ha Long Bay" is just as breathtaking. Unfortunately, its beauty remains underrated and overlooked by far too many tourists.
In my opinion, one day is enough to visit the main highlights of the Inland Ha Long Bay. However, if you decide to stay longer, you can fully enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding nature, with its endless rice fields and numerous temples.
>> To make your trip easier, consider booking a guided tour and reserve now.
What to See in One Day in the Inland Ha Long Bay?
Here are the three must-visit places, in the following order (you'll understand why as you read further):
Tam Coc – Boat ride and visit of three caves
Trang An – Boat ride and visit of nine caves
Mua Cave – Panoramic view over Tam Coc
If you're unsure whether to choose the boat trip in Tam Coc or Trang An, you'll find a comparison table at the end of this article to help you decide.
>> Day trips from Hanoi are also available for less than €50 per person: book your tour here.
1. Tam Coc: Boat Ride and Visit of Three Caves
Arrive at the Tam Coc pier around 9 AM to avoid the crowds, as most tour buses from Hanoi start arriving at 10 AM. From there, you’ll board a small traditional boat (maximum four people per boat) with a local rower.
The inhabitants of Tam Coc have built a thriving economy around this attraction, offering visitors a peaceful yet immersive journey through stunning karst landscapes.
Once the small pier fades into the distance, let yourself be lulled by the soothing sound of the oars gliding through the water. One of the most stunning and unique aspects of this boat ride is how the rice fields seamlessly blend into the landscape, merging with the water on which you drift. These fields are surrounded by the iconic sugarloaf-shaped limestone formations, characteristic of Ha Long Bay, making the Ninh Binh region truly deserving of its nickname, the Inland Ha Long Bay.
During your journey, your boat will pass through three caves, cutting through these majestic rock formations. The caves are impressive, especially the first one, which is quite long. However, they do not compare to the ones in Trang An, which offer an even more breathtaking experience.
What can be a bit disappointing during this tour—and might somewhat spoil the experience—is the constant solicitation to buy things, such as photos, food, paintings, and flowers. Additionally, there is often pressure to give a tip at the end of the ride.
2. Trang An: Boat Ride and Visit of Nine Caves
Trang An is not very far from Tam Coc, so you can easily get there by bike, scooter, or even a Grab (the Vietnamese equivalent of Uber).
Once you arrive, the entrance fee is 250,000 VND per person. You’ll then have the option to choose from three different boat routes.
I highly recommend choosing Route No. 1, which includes a visit to nine caves and several temples. This route offers the most immersive experience and takes approximately three hours to complete.
The Trang An pier feels much more commercialized than the one in Tam Coc, but paradoxically, the boat ride itself is far less touristy. That’s why I recommend visiting Tam Coc first, so you won’t be disappointed.
Moreover, the caves in Trang An are significantly more impressive. Some are so low that you’ll need to duck to avoid the stalactites—a thrilling experience that adds to the adventure (not recommended for claustrophobic visitors!).
During this boat ride, you can truly enjoy a peaceful and serene experience, although this likely depends on the season. When we visited, we noticed hundreds of empty boats waiting to be filled, suggesting that it can get quite busy at times.
The landscape is exceptionally well-preserved, with very little litter, which was a refreshing contrast to some of the other Vietnamese destinations we had encountered.
Along the way, there are a few stops to visit ancient temples, adding a cultural touch to the journey. However, the highlight of the experience remains the caves, which make this tour truly unique.
Good to Know : If you’re only two people, you will likely share the boat with other passengers. However, it seems possible to pay for a third seat to privatize the boat for a more personal experience.
3. Mua Cave: Panoramic View of Tam Coc
Good to Know : The famous viewpoint seen in most photos of the Inland Ha Long Bay is not directly accessible on foot for tourists. Some suggest that it might be possible to reach it with a guide by stopping during the boat ride, but this remains uncertain and logistically challenging.
Most of the breathtaking aerial shots are likely taken with a drone. Interestingly, there are no specific bans or regulations against flying drones in the area, so if you have one—don’t hesitate to use it!
After climbing nearly 500 stone steps, lined with Vietnamese flags and surrounded by endless rice fields, reaching Mua Cave is a truly majestic experience.
Once at the top, the first viewpoint on the right leads to a beautiful pagoda, offering a stunning perspective over the landscape.
On the other side, you’ll find a viewpoint that offers a similar perspective—or at least something close—to the iconic image of the Inland Ha Long Bay.
The landscape varies with the seasons, transitioning from lush green to golden hues as the rice fields change color. In May, the fields were a vibrant green, creating a breathtaking contrast with the surrounding limestone formations.
From this viewpoint, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to overlook the boat ride you took earlier in Tam Coc, offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the river winding through the limestone karsts and rice fields.
Tam Coc vs. Trang An: Which One to Choose?
If you're short on time or don't want to take multiple boat tours, here's a comparison of the two excursions based on my personal experience.
| Tam Coc | Trang An |
Duration of the Excursion | Among 2h | Among 3h (circuit 1) |
Price for two people | 390k VND | 500k VND |
Number of Caves | 3 caves | 9 caves |
Landscapes | Rice fields and sugarloaf limestone formations | Forest, temples, and sugarloaf limestone formations |
Reception | A commercialized reception | A nice reception |
Feeling Hungry?
Family Restaurant – Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine
Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình 43000, Viêt Nam
Located in the heart of Tam Coc’s main street, Family Restaurant blends in with the many eateries lined up next to each other. However, it stands out thanks to its rotisserie at the entrance, which has made the restaurant famous.
The specialty? Grilled duck. The portions are generous, and the prices are very affordable, making it a great spot to enjoy a delicious traditional meal.
Coffee Lan : for its tranquility and scenic view
Tam Coc Rd, Ninh Hải, Ninh Bình, 08200, Viêt Nam
This small café-restaurant, located just a stone’s throw from the pier, offers a cool and peaceful spot to take a break. The menu is simple and affordable, but as you might have guessed, I recommend Coffee Lan primarily for its beautiful setting and exceptionally warm welcome.
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