Rowing in Tam Coc - An Unchanging but Extremely Attractive Activity

Rowing in Tam Coc is a long-standing activity when visiting Tam Coc Bich Dong but never ceases to “heat up” in the travel community Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Rowing in Tam Coc always brings excitement and curiosity to travel enthusiasts. It is not a new or unfamiliar activity but remains fascinating and continues to attract many visitors when they come to Tam Coc Bich Dong. Let’s explore what else we can discover while rowing in Tam Coc, besides the breathtaking natural scenery.

Boat Trip Photo on Tam Coc - Nguyen The Duong

Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh is a key tourist area within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a popular destination for travel lovers who visit and explore it each year.

Experiencing rowing in Tam Coc is an excellent way to uncover the hidden beauties of Tam Coc Bich Dong. You will have the chance to admire the vast green rice fields, and immerse yourself among the limestone mountains of three small caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba). Only by rowing in Tam Coc can you fully explore the “gift” that nature has bestowed upon this place.

The rowing journey in Tam Coc may seem simple as you follow the gentle flow of the Ngo Dong River, but I assure you the wild allure of the moss-covered mountains and the pristine blue water will captivate you endlessly.

Boat Trip Photo on Tam Coc - Nguyen The Duong

If you visit Ninh Binh without trying rowing in Tam Coc at least once, it would be a pity. This place is only about 7 km from Ninh Binh city center and is close to other interesting attractions like Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thung Nham Bird Park... It’s ideal to both “explore the mountains and waters” and visit various sites.

Where to buy rowing tickets in Tam Coc: The main gate of Van Lam Pier. You need to buy entrance and boat tickets.

Here are the ticket prices for your reference; after purchasing the tickets, we just need to board the boat and go:

Boat ticket: 150,000 VND / 04 Vietnamese guests or 02 foreign guests

Entrance ticket: 120,000 VND / adult & 60,000 VND / child under 1.4m (Free for children under 3 years old)

The round-trip rowing time in Tam Coc is about 2 hours. The boat will take you on a tour through the rice fields, weaving through water caves and mountain cliffs. You will be amazed by the natural beauty that is so stunning you can’t take your eyes off it. Depending on the season, the rice fields here will be either golden yellow or lush green.

You should remember to prepare hats, umbrellas, raincoats to protect yourself from the sun or in case of rain. Additionally, sunscreen and water will be your helpful companions for light-hearted check-ins under the sun while rowing in Tam Coc.

Rowing in Tam Coc impresses most tourists, especially foreigners, with the unique rowing technique by foot of the boat operators. Each boat at the pier belongs to a local household, and they consider it a “profession” in the tourism area.

The tourism unit will assign households with boats to row tourists across the river and enjoy the scenery. Regardless of age, all family members are eager to work at the boat pier. Because of this, there are people in Tam Coc who are 80 years old but still rowing boats, and young teenagers who row with great skill and proficiency. Rowing in Tam Coc is considered a daily joy for them.

Boat Trip Photo on Tam Coc - Nguyen The Duong

The skill of rowing by foot of the locals is as dexterous and flexible as their hands. From the starting point, through each water cave, along the rice fields stretching on the Ngo Dong River, the rowers navigate the boat smoothly on the water with their strong legs, regardless of the terrain. This job provides a stable income to support the livelihood of most households in Ninh Hai commune.

When experiencing rowing in Tam Coc, besides admiring the majestic scenery that seems straight out of a movie, you will also witness another unique “profession” when visiting Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh - Taking photos and selling goods on the river every day.

For photography, the photographers must register with the tourism area and work by the hour or day, depending on the number of tourists. So if you row in Tam Coc on a beautiful day and forget your phone or don’t have a smartphone to take pictures, you can ask the photographers for a cool photo for your group.

There are about 5-7 photo spots along the Ngo Dong River, where professional and friendly photographers work. Some have been in business for 10 years, taking photos of tourists rowing in Tam Coc. These spots are distributed to avoid competition for customers, with each location having 2-3 photographers on boats offering to take your picture. According to regulations, photographers must obtain your consent before taking photos and charging you, or they can be fined.

Another interesting “profession” on the water is the floating market. Although called a market, it is about 10 boats selling groceries on the river. This market usually gathers at a fixed point at the end of the rowing journey in Tam Coc, selling various items from souvenirs, specialties, to local food and drinks.

Boat Trip Photo on Tam Coc - Nguyen The Duong

The selling time is clearly regulated for each day. After this time, they must row back to the pier to make way for the next seller. Despite the unusual and unstable nature of this business, prices are quite reasonable, making tourists feel comfortable when shopping.

Rowing in Tam Coc is a long-standing activity when visiting Tam Coc Bich Dong but never ceases to “heat up” in the travel community. Everyone who visits wants to experience the poetic and picturesque scenery of Ninh Binh on a boat drifting on the water. I hope you will have a laughter-filled experience when rowing in Tam Coc