Tam Coc, Trang An, Mua Cave & Hoa Lu travel guide: Combo tickets & homestays

Travel Guide to Tam Cốc, Trang An, Múa Cave, Hoa Lư

Ninh Bình is a rich destination with scenic rivers, mountains, and historical sites. The Tam Cốc area is famous for its river winding around three caves: Cave One, Cave Two, and Cave Three. The boat ride, usually powered by lotus leaves, typically lasts 1–2 hours.

Bích Động is a temple located in a cave, about 3 km from the Tam Cốc boat dock, and it’s included in the combo ticket for 350,000 VND (which includes the Tam Cốc boat trip and electric car transfer to Bích Động, Linh Cốc Temple, and Thái Vi Temple). Linh Cốc Temple is situated on a high mountain, offering a peaceful atmosphere; Thái Vi Temple honors King Đinh Tiên Hoàng and Dương Vân Nga.

Trang An is an ecological tourism complex with hundreds of caves and various waterways. Lotus flowers usually bloom from mid to late June, while rice in Tam Cốc is harvested by early June, leaving the fields either empty or being prepared for the next planting. The Trang An trip, often combined with Bai Dinh (30 km away), typically takes an entire day. Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia, looks especially beautiful in the morning.

Múa Cave, about 3 km from Tam Cốc, has more than 500 steps leading up to the peak, from where you get a panoramic view of Tam Cốc. The area around Hoa Lư replicates the ancient capital of Đại Cồ Việt during the Đinh and Lê dynasties, and is most beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon.

It’s recommended to stay in a homestay or hotel in central Tam Cốc for easy access to Tam Cốc, Múa Cave, Hoa Lư, and Trang An. You can rent a motorbike for about 100–150,000 VND/day or use Grab/Be motorcycle taxis for convenience.

Accommodations near the Trang An boat dock or Hoa Lư Ancient Town are about 10–12 km away; it’s best to book rooms in advance during peak seasons.

Some local specialties to try include: crispy rice with shredded pork, noodle soup with pork rolls (bún mọc), goat meat, sesame candy (chè lam), and lotus tea. The best time to visit Tam Cốc is from May to August. Be sure to bring a conical hat, sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes when climbing Múa Cave.