By Dzung Trieu law firm

Located 120 km from Hanoi, Tam Coc - Bich Dong is part of the Hoa Lu limestone mountain range. For hundreds of years, the place has preserved the primitive beauty that has attracted countless visitors.
The Tam Coc complex includes Tam Coc and Bich Dong, which is situated in Van Lam village, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. To reach Tam Coc, you must board a small boat at the wharf and get rowed up the sinuous Ngo Dong River past Xuyen Thuy cave and pockets of rice fields. Tam Coc is charmingly beautiful in any season. In spring, bright green rice fields spread along the river banks, turning into silky yellow beds in the fourth lunar month.
In the summer while traveling on the Ngo Dong River, visitors will enjoy an enticing lotus fragrance while listening to the locals recounting legends about each cliff or mountain in the shape of a tortoise or dragon head.
The beauty of Tam Coc is the beauty of the 3 caves with the Ngo Dong River running through them. The second cave, Hang Giua, which is about 10 minutes from the first cave, has a length of 60 meters and a multitude of flat, horizontal stalactites. The third and final cave, Hang Cuoi, is the smallest. It is about 50 meters in length and is only 100 meters from the second cave.
Its geology suggests this place was under the sea millions of years ago. The land emerged gradually over centuries and waves eroded the limestone mountains to form grottoes.
After the 2-hour excursion returns you to Tam Coc Wharf and goes an additional 2 km to Bich Dong, considered the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam. The Bich Dong area consists of a cave and a pagoda built on a limestone hill in 1428 under King Le Thai To.
After praying to Buddha in Bich Dong Pagoda, visitors climb 21 stone steps to Toi cave (Dark cave) whose stalactites are shaped like fairies, errand-boys, hovering dragons, swimming tortoises, elephants, and tigers. 40 more steps take you to go to the Upper Pagoda, from where you can enjoy the best views of Bich Dong. The view has strongly impressed foreigners like Monttie Binotto from Switzerland.

Located 120 km from Hanoi, Tam Coc - Bich Dong is part of the Hoa Lu limestone mountain range.

Recognized as a special national heritage, Tam Coc is often called ‘Ha Long Bay on the land’ for its system of limestone grottoes and historical relics from the Tran dynasty in the 13th and 14th century.

In the summer while traveling on the Ngo Dong River, visitors will enjoy an enticing lotus fragrance while listening to the locals recounting legends about each cliff or mountain in the shape of a tortoise or dragon head.

For hundreds of years, the place has preserved the primitive beauty that has attracted countless visitors.

The beauty of Tam Coc is the beauty of the 3 caves with the Ngo Dong River running through them.

The second cave, Hang Giua, which is about 10 minutes from the first cave, has a length of 60 meters and a multitude of flat, horizontal stalactites.

The third and final cave, Hang Cuoi, is the smallest.

It is about 50 meters in length and is only 100 meters from the second cave.

Its geology suggests this place was under the sea millions of years ago.

The Bich Dong area consists of a cave and a pagoda built on a limestone hill in 1428 under King Le Thai To.

After praying to Buddha in Bich Dong Pagoda, visitors climb 21 stone steps to Toi cave (Dark cave) whose stalactites are shaped like fairies, errand-boys, hovering dragons, swimming tortoises, elephants, and tigers. 40 more steps take you to go to the Upper Pagoda, from where you can enjoy the best views of Bich Dong.

By hanoitimes