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Summer transforms Tam Coc Valley into a vibrant painting, adorned with interwoven shades of green and gold.
Quick Escape: 24-Hour Adventure to Tam Coc's Ripe Rice Fields
As June arrives, the sky is flawlessly clear. Standing atop the high peaks, Tam Coc Valley resembles a countryside symphony, echoing the melody of summer.
Embarking on a journey to Tam Coc, sitting on the bamboo boats, gently paddling, visitors feel like stepping into a fairyland with picturesque landscapes, surrounded by ripened rice fields exuding a delightful fragrance.
Amidst the scorching days of summer, far away from the hustle and bustle of the urban life, you can completely immerse yourself in the serene countryside here. To explore this haven, starting from Hanoi, you can opt for a 2-day 1-night weekend trip, combining visits to Trang An, Bai Dinh, Van Long, and more.
If you're short on time, you can explore Tam Coc, the ripe rice season, in just 24 hours with the following itinerary:
– 7 AM: Depart from Hanoi, travel by car or motorcycle. It's recommended to use a motorcycle for flexibility to visit other tourist spots along the way.
+ If riding a motorcycle: Head straight on National Highway 1A towards Ninh Binh city. Pass through the city center following the Thanh Hoa direction, and on your right, you'll notice a large sign pointing to Tam Coc tourist area.
+ If taking a bus: You can catch a bus at Giap Bat or My Dinh bus stations (Hanoi) to Ninh Binh, with ticket prices ranging from 60,000 to 100,000 VND per person. With a travel time of about 2 hours, you'll reach the city center of Ninh Binh. From here, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the Tam Coc boat station.
– 9:30 AM: Arrive at the boat station, purchase tickets for sightseeing. Ticket prices at this tourist area are as follows: Admission for adults is 120,000 VND/person/turn, for children under 1.40 meters tall is 60,000 VND/person/turn. Boat rental fee is 150,000 VND/ride/boat.
– 10 AM: Start the boat tour to explore Tam Coc. To experience Tam Coc, there's only one way – by boat. Visiting Tam Coc during the summer rice season allows tourists to escape the scorching heat, relax, and immerse themselves in the tranquility of the rural countryside.
The name Tam Coc means “three caves,” comprising the First Cave, Second Cave, and Third Cave. All three caves are formed by the Ngo Dong River piercing through the mountains.
The First Cave is 127 meters long, piercing through a massive mountain with an entrance over 20 meters wide. The Second Cave, about 1 km from the First Cave, is 60 meters long, and the Third Cave, near the Second Cave, is 50 meters long with a stone ceiling lower than the other two caves. Inside the caves, the air is refreshingly cool, adorned with numerous stalactites in various shapes.
The journey through all three caves and back takes about 2 hours. During this time, tourists will marvel at the breathtaking scenery on both sides of the Ngo Dong River. Vibrant colors paint the landscape with lush green rice fields, alternating between ripening and harvested crops.
– 12:30 PM: As the boat returns around midday, you can take a break and savor the local specialties of this ancient land, among which the most famous is mountain goat meat served with crispy rice.
– 2 PM: After lunch and some rest, you can make the most of the afternoon to explore nearby attractions. There are exciting options for you such as:
+ Climbing Mua Cave to enjoy the panoramic beauty of the Tam Coc area during the ripe rice season and capture stunning photos. This eco-tourism spot combines mountain climbing with outdoor activities, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
+ Explore the majestic Thái Vi Temple, dedicated to the Trần Dynasty rulers - Trần Thái Tông, Trần Thánh Tông, the esteemed generals Trần Hưng Đạo, Trần Quang Khải, and the queen Trần Thị Dung. You can take a scenic 2 km walk from Tam Cốc's boat dock to Thái Vi Temple, nestled in the fragrant rice valley, promising delightful experiences.
+ Thiên Hương Cave lies on the route from the Ngô Đồng River to Thái Vi Temple, a dry and bright cave perched about 15 meters above ground level. The unique feature of this cave is its hollow peak, open to the sky, offering a view of the blue heavens. Inside, a cool breeze adds to the special ambiance, making it a distinctive cave experience.
- 5:00 PM: Return to Hanoi after a fascinating day exploring the ancient land.
According to Thảo Nhi/Zing News
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Reference: Travel guide on Mytour
Mytour is an incredible travel platformOn June 6, 2017
