Overview:

Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a series of magical limestone karsts and islets located in Ninh Binh Province in North Vietnam. Set amidst mountainous landscapes and picturesque rice paddies, this area is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and pastoral charm. Notable attractions include Tam Coc, where visitors can take a relaxing boat trip through large limestone karsts; Bich Dong, where a temple complex and pagoda has been built into natural features of the landscape; and numerous limestone caves throughout the area. Tam Coc - Bich Dong is recognized as one of the best places to visit in Vietnam, and is considered an essential destination for anyone exploring the country. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vietnam
Prominent Features:

1. Magnificent karst mountains: Tam Coc - Bich Dong is home to a stunning landscape of striking limestone and rice paddies surrounded by towering karst mountains. 2. Boat ride through the three caves: The main attraction of Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a scenic two-hour boat ride through the three caves of Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. 3. Limestone formations: Along the two-hour boat ride visitors can marvel at the towering limestone formations shaped by years of erosion. 4. Ancient pagoda: The peaceful stretch of the Ngo Dong River is further enhanced by picturesque sights of an ancient pagoda, called Thien Ha temple, built on a steep mountain cliff. 5. Light hiking trails: Tam Coc - Bich Dong offers a range of light hiking trails passing through quaint villages and verdant rice paddies. 6. Trang An Grottoes: There are also several short cave hikes to explore the Trang An grottoes that lie within the boundaries of Tam Coc - Bich Dong. 7. Delicious local cuisine: There are plenty of opportunities for travellers to savour the delicious local cuisine of Ninh Binh province. This national monument of Vietnam portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a picturesque site in the Ninh Binh province of Northern Vietnam. The area of Tam Coc - Bich Dong is known for its stunning limestone cliffs, limestone mountain ranges, winding rivers, and rich biodiversity. It is located on the banks of the Ngo Dong River and is surrounded by the stunning mountain range called the Cuc Phuong. The area has been inhabited since the 4th century BC, and tradition states that is was part of a small local kingdom called Hoa Lu. Records from the 11th and 12th centuries mention many of the major landmarks in the area, and it is believed that the area was named after King Dinh Tien Hoang, who ruled the region during these centuries. Tam Coc is the name of three limestone caves through which the Ngo Dong river passes. It is believed to have been carved out by erosion over thousands of years. This area is known for its boat trips down the river, with visitors passing through the three caves and seeing many spectacular sights along the way. Bich Dong is a nearby pagoda complex that dates back to 1428. It is built on a limestone hill, and consists of three conjoined structures: the Lower Pagoda, the Middle Pagoda and the Upper Pagoda. The complex is built using a unique architectural style, and is renowned for its many ancient sculptures, carvings and murals. Modest development began in the area in the 1950s, with several dams being built on the rivers surrounding the area. This helped to improve irrigation in the area and enabled more crops to be grown to support the local population. In recent years, the area has seen a big increase in tourism, with visitors coming for the spectacular scenery as well as for the cultural and historical significance of the area. You must visit one of these historical places in Vietnam on your Vietnam tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Tam Coc-Bich Dong area is located around 120 kilometers south of Hanoi and is often called Halong Bay on Land due to its resemblance to a fascinating part of Vietnam’s North. 2. It takes its own natural beauty with many impressive limestone mountains and green rice fields. 3. The reason why it’s so popular for tourists is because of its boat trips along aptly-named “Halong Bay on Land”, where boats slide smoothly through the three famous caves: Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi. 4. The total length of Tam Coc-Bich Dong is eight kilometers. 5. The name of Tam Coc means “Three Caves” and it was named like this because of the three famous caves: Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi. 6. The simple pleasure of rowing a boat while admiration the picturesque beauty of Tam Coc has long been a favorite activity for travelers around the world. 7. After the boat tour, you can experience a cycling tour until you reach Bich Dong Pagoda. 8. It is a unique pagoda, built on top of a mountain and split into two floors like some Japanese pagodas. It is very pleasant to hike up the mountain to the top of the pagoda. 9. In 2019, the city of Ninh Binh was named one the top destinations to visit in Asia by Lonely Planet. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vietnam with your friends and family.