Buzz
It's no coincidence that the renowned film studio Legendary Entertainment chose Vân Long, Ninh Bình marsh as one of the filming locations for the famous movie Kong – Skull Island. From the mesmerizing scenes, we've witnessed how Vân Long's beauty truly shines on the international film stage.
So, is the journey to explore this land remote? Let's follow our footsteps to get the specific and detailed tips for your trip.
1. Introduction to Vân Long Marsh
Vân Long Lake (collected image)
Located in Ninh Binh province, Vân Long marsh is just over 80km away from Hanoi. It's the largest natural wetland conservation area in the Northern Delta region, boasting a rich and unique ecosystem. Moreover, it's a habitat for various flora and fauna, perfect for observation and immersing oneself in the picturesque nature.
Despite its proximity to human settlements, Vân Long still retains its pristine beauty with minimal human intervention in tourism. Hence, its ecosystem remains diverse and abundant, notably the population of Delacour's langur, which is still well-preserved here.
Delacour's Langur (collected image)
Late summer and early autumn are the perfect times to visit Vân Long marsh. You can go in the morning to enjoy the wonderful, serene, and intimate connection with nature. Or in the late afternoon to marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna here, and witness the sunset gradually sinking behind the mountains...
2. How to get to Vân Long from Hanoi?
If you're traveling by motorbike from Hanoi, it's best to depart early in the morning to have more time to enjoy the journey. Depart at 7 a.m., travel along National Highway 1A to the Gián Khẩu intersection, then turn right. After about 4km, you'll see signposts, continue for another 3km to reach Vân Long boat dock. The total travel time is about 2-3 hours, so arriving at 9 a.m. means you're ready to start your adventure.
The idyllic scenery of Vân Long marsh (collected image)
If you're taking a coach, you can catch it at Giap Bat or My Dinh station. The ticket price is around 60,000 VND per person. Get off at the Gián Khẩu intersection and then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to reach Vân Long boat dock.
Especially along the way, you can stop at the Gián Khẩu intersection to enjoy the specialty dish of eel vermicelli here. In the cool weather of the early morning, savoring the delicious specialty eel vermicelli to prepare for the trip is incomparable.
3. Exploring the Vân Long Wetland Journey
Upon arrival, you can choose to go in one of two directions for sightseeing. The ticket price for sightseeing and boat rides is around 100,000 VND for a boat for 2 people for 1-1.5 hours. After finishing the journey, you can also tip the boatman a little as they are very enthusiastic about being your guide during your visit here.
The boatmen here are very friendly and enthusiastic (image collected)
Boating around the lake
Sitting on the boat, you will see Vân Long Wetland like a captivating oil painting. Because here, besides the majestic mountains, you will also be swaying on the boat amidst the lush greenery and clear blue water, beneath the clear water with moss and algae appearing beautiful like colorful coral reefs. The water here is crystal clear, and you can even see the creatures below, looking down at the mirrored surface of the sky, the majestic mountains, it's truly a picturesque and romantic scene. Around, there are swaying grass patches in the wind. In the distance are white herons, egrets, pond herons, and fire herons... leisurely searching for food or gliding gracefully in the air.
Taking photos on the boat (image collected)
Explore the Caves
Visiting Vân Long marsh is not only about admiring a captivating landscape painting of mountains and water, but also about exploring the sparkling and beautiful caves with stunning rock formations. The limestone mountain ranges and eroded caves with fascinating shapes are also the habitats of many interesting and unique species of animals. Some beautiful caves you can explore: Fish Cave, Shadow Cave, Turtle Cave, Lemon Cave...
Inside the cave (image collected)
If you visit Vân Long marsh in the morning, the feeling is truly wonderful, serene, and cool, suitable for those who want to get closer to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. In the late afternoon, you can admire the diversity of the flora and fauna, watch the sunset gradually sink behind the majestic mountains, leaving the white storks flapping gracefully amidst the purple twilight sky as if in a song. At that time, you will surely know that this place is where the soul finds two words: peace and tranquility.
With all the travel experiences compiled about Vân Long marsh above, hopefully, you will have enough information to make your trip to this charming land both convenient and enjoyable. When you return, remember to share with us your feelings about your visit to this picturesque destination.
