Hanoi Tour Expert

Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (Full Day)

Just 100 km down to the south of Hanoi, Hoa Lu was the ancient capital of Viet Nam from 986 to 1009. Tam coc means three caves, it is often referred Ha Long bay on land. Combining between Hoa Lu and Tam coc , You will have a truly unforgettable experience by rowing along a peaceful Boi river with green paddy field on the banks and knowledge about apart of Viet Nam history.

Tour Itinerary:

Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi at 08:00 for departure. After about 2 hours driving to Ninh Binh, our first visit is the former capital of Vietnam – Hoa Lu, visit two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th century and chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city of Dai Viet. Proceed to Tam Coc for lunch. Tam Coc known as "HalongBay on land" boasting breathtaking scenery, “Tam Coc” means three caves. After lunch we get on small rowing boats, the boat trip to all three caves takes about two hours.

Continue visiting Bich Dong Grotto(emerald-like grotto), around 2km from Tam Coc by car, climb a little bit till you get to the top of the Upper pagoda and your eyes catch the overall panorama of the paddy fields between Truong Yen Mountain. The king conferred on Bich Dong the title “The Second Most Beautiful Grotto in Vietnam”. A scene of the popular French movie "Indochine" had been completed here in 1991. Get back to Hanoi late in the afternoon. Tour ends.

Tour includes:

• Local English speaking tour guide; other languages are available on request
• Private transportation with A/C: (Car/mini Van or bus)
• Boat trip in Tam Coc
• All entrance fees
• Lunch at a local restaurant

Tour Excludes:

• Drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Accommodation in Hanoi - This is available on request
  
• Personal expenses, telephone, Tips…
• Other not mentioned in the tour program
  

Tour Price:

Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong General Information:

Hoa Lu used to be one of the many old capitals of Vietnam before Thang Long – presently Hanoi – take its historical role. From an exciting town and centre of cultural and military activities of the Dai Co Viet Kingdom in 10th century, the area now is more wellknown for its landscape since almost relics of the urban excitement had been collapsed, except in the Temples of King Dinh and King Le. A trip to Hoa Lu should be started from Tam Coc ("three caves"), which takes more than two hours driving from Hanoi, and visitors may say that distance is not a matter after seating in a boat rowed by one or two local persons in Hoang Long river and see the first limestone mountains, which will run along their riverway for several kilometers. The boat will run, sorry, will be rowed, through three caves on the river, all created by wind and water from a legend time, while the sea had occupied this area. The tide-mark is still on the rock about 2m above the water, and in higher mountainwall the erosion have carved some strange shapes that now filled of green grass, delicious foods of the goats that local people breed everywhere. 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 the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. The tourists often compare the place with Guilin – China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong Bay in the Tonkin Gulf for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus Tam Coc is also called Halong-Bay-On-Land.
From the wharf of Tam Coc you can go further till reaching Bich Dong Pagoda, a combination of three pagodas on the Lower, Middle and Upper levels of a pretty mountain. You will need to climb a little bit till you get to the top of the Upper pagoda and your eyes catch the overall panorama of the paddy fields between Truong Yen mountain. All the pagodas, or lean upon a cliff, or simply have some statues inside a large grotto, deserve the name "Bich Dong" (emerald-like grotto). A scene of the popular French movie "Indochine" had been completed here in 1991, remarking a rush of the French-speaking tourists to Vietnam, who usually do not skip Halong Bay and Tam Coc-Bich Dong where the leading actress Catherine Deneuve left her footprints.