Hanoi 5 Day Vacation - Day 3 Hoa Lu & Tam Coc One Day tour

Day 2

Day 3 Hoa Lu & Tam Coc One Day tour

APT Tours came over to our hotel to pick us up at 8 am.

Tam Coc  translates to "Three Caves", takes about two hours driving from Hanoi (110 km) to the South. Once there visitors are treated to a several kilometer row-boat trip through the area's three caves. The longest floating cave journey is 125 m.

The meandering river is lined by rice paddies and guarded by limestone cliffs, often inhabited by local goats. If you are lucky, sometimes you can see mischievous monkeys. The river trip is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest rice. The tourists often compare the area with Guilin, China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus, Tam Coc has earned the name the "Halong Bay On Land".

Hoa Lu is the relics of the ancient capital and temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le remain. The two heroes who lived in 10th century chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city then. Archaeologists continue to excavate buried parts of the ancient citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics.

The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces from the 11 and 12th centuries, then restored in 17th century. Though the temples are not maintained entirely some precious antiques are still preserved such as the whole-stone dragon thrones, wooden and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh Le, Queen Duong Van Nga - who in turn got married both of the kings.

The journey to Hoa Lu is rather scenic. We see acres and acres of rice fields. This is the time of the year where the farmers are transplanting their rice and we see flocks of them out in the wet fields.



Half way there, it started to rain as the region was experiencing an aftermath of the typhoon which hit north Vietnam.

First stop was to 2 of the temples in Hoa Lu. To me, these are just old temple ruins and nothing too exciting unless one truly appreciates old Vietnamese history.

The wet weather makes it more interesting

Then went to Tam Coc for lunch in a restaurant.

Next is the 2 hour boat ride Tam Coc by small boat along the Ngô Đồng river, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers. The route includes floating through three natural caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba), the largest of which is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. The boats are typically rowed by one or two local women who also sell embroidered goods.

The rock formations, caves, water and landscape have made Tam Coc to know popularly as Halong Bay on land

The sampans will take them quietly to the cave Ca, the most beautiful and largest of Ninh Binh with its 127m length. 

On leaving the caves, visitors will feel calm and pure air of mountain ranges rising above the rice fields. 

This is a very peaceful and scenic trip

It was drizzling initially, but the weather cleared up rather quickly.

Pay to have a hat of kinds, sunglasses and suntan lotion.

Skillful paddling of the sampan (boat) with legs.

In front of one of the 3 caves

TIPS: For journeys to Hoa Lu Tam Coc even in cloudy days, bring sunscreen and a hat or umbrella. At Tam Coc, a little bit hassle as boat owners try to sell you embroidery or boat vendors ask you buy drinks, take photos. If you really don't like, just say NO firmly. 

Tam Coc known as Halong Bay on land boasting a breathtaking scenery. While Halong Bay features huge rock formations jutting out of the sea, Tam Coc has them jutting out of its rice paddies.

Finished around 3.15pm.

Reached Hanoi 6.30pm.

Had pizza and a local beer for dinner.

Day 4