Tam Coc tourism in the ripe rice season - A beautiful natural picture in the heart of Ninh Binh

1. The ideal time to travel to Tam Coc is the ripe rice season

Tam Coc in the ripe rice season (Photo source: Collected)

The ripe rice season in Tam Coc - Ninh Binh usually starts from mid-May and lasts until early June, when the terraced fields along the Ngo Dong River begin to turn a shimmering golden color. This is when the scenery here becomes the most poetic and charming, with rice fields stretching on both sides of the river like a soft golden silk strip between the mountains. If you are looking for a journey to explore the nature, culture and rural landscape of Vietnam, traveling to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season is an option not to be missed.
To have a complete experience and avoid crowds, you should prioritize going on weekdays. At this time, there are usually fewer visitors, the quiet space helps you easily capture beautiful moments through each frame and clearly feel the peaceful beauty of the Northern countryside.
2. Instructions for traveling to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season

Tam Coc is located in the Trang An scenic complex, located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, about 7km from Ninh Binh city center. When planning a trip to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season, visitors can choose from many different means of transportation from Hanoi such as private cars, motorbikes, buses or trains. After arriving in the city center, you can rent a motorbike, call a taxi or take a motorbike taxi to Tam Coc.

• Bus: Departing from Hanoi, you can catch a bus at Giap Bat station, with a ticket price of about 180,000 VND/trip. The bus route runs along National Highway 1A, convenient and fast, helping you reach Ninh Binh in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Private car or motorbike: If you go by car, you should follow the Phap Van - Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway, the travel time is only about 1 hour. If you go by motorbike, follow the old National Highway 1A and follow the directions on the road to avoid getting lost. You should limit the Nam Dinh - Thai Binh - Ninh Binh route because the road is winding and takes a lot of time.
• Train: From Hanoi station, you can choose trains such as SE1, SE3, SE5 or SE7 on the North-South route to Ninh Binh station. The train takes about 2 hours and is suitable for those who want to experience a smooth and safe travel experience.

During the rice harvest season, the scenery on both sides of the Ngo Dong River is dyed a brilliant golden yellow. You can rent a boat to weave through the ripe rice fields, enjoying the peaceful and poetic beauty of this land.
  3. Some interesting experiences in Tam Coc during the ripe rice season in Ninh Binh

3.1. Experience rowing a boat in the golden season of Tam Coc

Experience sitting on a boat to see Tam Coc (Photo source: Collected)

If you are looking for an impressive experience of traveling to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season, the most ideal time is around May. At that time, the entire Tam Coc - Bich Dong area is covered in a brilliant yellow coat of ripe rice fields, stretching along both sides of the poetic Ngo Dong River. The scenery here reminds people of a "Ha Long Bay on land" with a rustic, peaceful beauty and typical of the Northern countryside.
Visitors can start their journey by going to Van Lam ferry to buy boat tickets. Sitting on a small boat drifting down the clear blue water, you will admire the golden rice fields reflecting in the sunlight, blending with the majestic mountains to create a beautiful natural picture. This is also the ideal time to capture poetic moments, imbued with the Vietnamese countryside. Don't forget to bring your camera or phone to capture unforgettable images on your journey to see the ripe rice fields of Tam Coc.

3.2. Experience Tam Coc in the golden season

Tam Coc – a prominent destination in the heart of Ninh Binh – is actually a complex of three natural caves including Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. All three caves were formed from the erosion of the Ngo Dong River flowing through limestone mountains for millions of years. During the Tam Coc tour during the ripe rice season, you will be able to sit on a boat and go downstream on the winding river amidst the golden fields, admire the breathtaking scenery and feel the cool air seeping through each cliff.
Hang Ca – about 127m long – has a large, airy cave entrance, ideal for resting and avoiding the hot sun of May. The trip continues with Hang Hai, about 1km away, which is smaller in scale but the scenery on both sides of the river is extremely poetic when people are entering the harvest season. At the end of the journey is Hang Ba, which still retains its rare wildness, clearly demonstrating the original beauty of the Ninh Binh cave system. This is an unforgettable golden season experience, especially if you love the peace and unique boat tours in the middle of nature.

3.3. Thai Vi Temple - Thien Huong Cave

Thien Huong Cave (Photo source: Collected)

Starting from Tam Coc wharf, you will drift on the river about 2km to reach Thai Vi temple - a sacred temple worshiping the Tran kings, located in the middle of a beautiful landscape. On this journey, visitors will pass through Thien Huong cave, a dry cave located halfway up the mountain. Inside the cave is a shrine worshiping Mrs. Tran Thi Dung, who taught embroidery to the local people. Looking down from the entrance of Thien Huong cave, you will admire the panoramic view of the brilliant golden rice fields, stretching endlessly - a highlight not to be missed when traveling to Tam Coc in the ripe rice season. This is also the ideal time for visitors to enjoy the golden season of Tam Coc on peaceful drifting boats, clearly feeling the peaceful beauty of Ninh Binh's beautiful scenery.

3.4. Enjoy the entire golden season of Tam Coc from Bich Dong Pagoda - Tien Cave

One of the ideal stops when traveling to Tam Coc during the ripe rice season is the Bich Dong area, located only about 2km from Tam Coc wharf. This place is known as “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong”, standing out with its poetic scenery when the ripe rice season stretches like a golden silk strip along the Ngo Dong River. From the mountainside near Bich Dong Pagoda, looking far away, you will see shimmering rice fields nestled between majestic limestone mountains - a poetic natural picture of the golden season of Tam Coc.
Not only stopping at the landscape, this area is also a place to preserve unique cultural values. Visitors can visit Xuyen Thuy cave - a unique crescent-shaped water cave, containing many rocks with strange shapes. Then, continue the journey to explore Bich Dong pagoda, a sacred ancient pagoda spread across three mountain levels. Passing the pagoda about 1km, you will reach Tien cave - a place with natural stalactites bearing the image of fairies and lively animals, contributing to the fascinating journey to see Ninh Binh's ripe rice fields.
Tam Coc in the ripe rice season not only captivates people with its simple yet vibrant beauty, but also brings moments of relaxation and serenity amidst pristine nature. From the pristine beauty of Ngo Dong River, the ripe rice fields, to spiritual attractions such as Bich Dong Pagoda, Tien Cave, all create a memorable journey. If you are looking for a different summer experience, try once coming to Tam Coc in the ripe rice season - where the beauty of nature and culture blend in every breath.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/du-lich-tam-coc-mua-lua-chin-v17073.aspx