Khe Coc Island, a tourist destination rich in Trang An culture

When talking about Ninh Binh, many people will immediately think of the majestic natural scenery, where Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is listed as a world cultural and natural heritage. In the process of harmoniously balancing between exploiting natural tourism and cultural tourism, Khe Coc Island is a unique direction.

On his first visit to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, tourist Shammy Choudhary (India) was extremely surprised by the natural beauty of this place and excited to transform into the ancient Trang An natives at Khe Coc Island tourist destination. Sharing with us, Shammy Choudhary expressed: “I know that 30,000 years ago, Trang An was inhabited. Coming to Khe Coc Island, we have the opportunity to learn about the cultural space of Trang An people with unique lifestyles”.

Khe Coc Island, part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, has just opened to welcome tourists during the 2024 Lunar New Year. Photo: MINH DUONG

Put into operation to welcome guests since the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin 2024, Khe Coc Island is a place to recreate a perspective of the cultural living space of the ancient residents of Trang An after the sea retreat. That was when the natural environment in the alluvial valley along the stream created favorable conditions for people to initially settle, exploit and create rich forms of cultural activities interwoven between the valley residence and cave shelter, between initial production and natural exploitation. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, communications officer of Khe Coc tourist island, said: “Every day, the number of visitors to Khe Coc island is about 1,000 to 2,000, on Sundays it is up to 10,000. Especially during the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin 2024, this place welcomes up to 20,000 visitors/day. The general feeling of visitors when coming to Khe Coc is that they are excited to learn about Trang An culture and enjoy art performances, along with experiential activities such as: Printing images of dragon and phoenix motifs, blindfolded duck catching, transforming into indigenous people, indigenous people dancing, indigenous people harvesting and exchanging gifts. Currently, there are about 50 staff serving on Khe Coc island, enough to meet the needs of visitors even on peak days”.

Transforming into ancient residents of Trang An. Photo: MINH DUONG

Located in a convenient location near Trang An ferry, next to Kong Island (where the movie Kong: Skull Island was filmed), Khe Coc Island is very convenient for welcoming guests, becoming a unique cultural tourism product of Ninh Binh . Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism said: “The restoration and reenactment of the cultural life of the ancient residents of Trang An on Khe Coc Island aims to provide visitors with a vivid real-life perspective on human life in the past; preserve and pass on heritage rights to future generations. At the same time, the restoration helps today's and future generations understand valuable historical lessons to always know how to care for "mother nature", protect the living environment, organize human life in harmony with nature, and find ways to adapt to today's climate change". Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/du-lich/tin-tuc/dao-khe-coc-diem-du-lich-dam-van-hoa-trang-an-769830