Planning your Ninh Binh trip? Compare Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Grottos vs Trang An Complex - Bai Dinh Pagoda: routes, costs, scenery, crowds, and the best eco-friendly Vietnam Tours & Vietnam Travel experience. Choose your perfect day trip today!
Classic romantic beauty of Ninh Binh (Source: Internet)Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, personally guiding and organizing tours for over 100,000 travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys, and Legend Travel Group’s expertise in Vietnam & Cambodia.
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Timeless tradition of Tam Coc (Source: Internet)Both are must-do day trips from Hanoi and the two most popular ways to experience Ninh Binh’s breathtaking “inland Halong Bay” landscape. However, they serve slightly different traveler types:
|
Criteria |
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Grottos |
Trang An Complex + Bai Dinh Pagoda |
Winner for you? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Landscape beauty |
Very high – classic “inland Halong” |
Very high – wider, more varied scenery |
Draw |
|
Boat ride experience |
Traditional, narrow river, bamboo boats, duck feeding |
Modern, bigger boats, 3 different routes, more open view |
Tam Coc for classic feel, Trang An for comfort |
|
Crowds |
Very crowded (especially 9–11 AM & 2–4 PM) |
Less crowded, especially route 1 & 2 |
Trang An |
|
Physical effort |
Low – easy walking + boat |
Low – easy walking + boat |
Draw |
|
Historical & cultural depth |
High – ancient capital Hoa Lu + rice fields |
Very high – Bai Dinh (largest pagoda complex in VN) + ancient temples |
Trang An |
|
Time needed |
4.5–6 hours |
5.5–8 hours (full Bai Dinh visit) |
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (faster) |
|
Price (shared tour, 2025–2026) |
1,250,000 – 1,650,000 VND/person |
1,450,000 – 2,100,000 VND/person |
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (cheaper) |
|
Best for families / older travelers |
Good |
Better (more comfortable boats) |
Trang An |
|
Best for Instagram / classic photos |
★★★★★ |
★★★★☆ |
Tam Coc |
|
Best for peaceful, less-touristy feel |
★★★☆☆ |
★★★★★ |
Trang An |
|
Best for “must-do once” experience |
★★★★★ |
★★★★☆ |
Tam Coc |
Choose Hoa Lu + Tam Coc if you want:
The most classic, postcard-perfect “inland Halong Bay” experience
Stronger historical feeling (ancient capital)
Shorter, cheaper trip
Iconic bamboo boat ride with ducks and rice fields
Choose Trang An + Bai Dinh if you want:
More comfortable, modern boat experience
More space, less crowding
The largest pagoda complex in Vietnam
More varied scenery & longer, deeper exploration
Peaceful, spiritual atmosphere
Typical itinerary (full day from Hanoi):
Depart Hanoi ~7:30–8:00 am
Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (1–1.5 hrs)
Lunch in Ninh Binh
2-hour bamboo boat ride through Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Thai Vi area
Optional cyclo tour or short visit to Bich Dong Pagoda
Return to Hanoi ~5:00–6:30 pm
Highlights:
Hoa Lu: Vietnam’s first capital (10th century), remains of two kings’ temples
Tam Coc: The most photographed boat route in Vietnam – narrow river, three caves, rice paddies, duck feeding
Very strong “wow” factor for first-time visitors
Downsides:
Can be very crowded, especially weekends and holidays
Boat rowers often ask for additional tips (not mandatory, but socially expected ~50–100k VND/boat)
Bamboo boats are small, sometimes uncomfortable for tall people or families with young children
Typical itinerary (full day from Hanoi):
Depart Hanoi ~7:00–7:30 am
Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda complex (2.5–3.5 hrs) – the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam
Lunch near Trang An
2–3 hour boat ride on one of the 3 Trang An routes (Route 1 or 2 most popular)
Return to Hanoi ~6:00–7:30 pm
Highlights:
Bai Dinh: Massive scale (539 ha), largest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam (100 tons), 500 Arhat statues
Trang An: UNESCO-listed, wider river, more open views, 3 different routes (choose according to time & preference)
More comfortable boats, less crowded than Tam Coc
Downsides:
Bai Dinh is very large – many visitors feel exhausted or rushed
Longer total time if you visit both Bai Dinh + Trang An
Less “classic postcard” feel compared to Tam Coc
The largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia (Source: Internet)|
Item |
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Grottos |
Trang An + Bai Dinh Pagoda |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-day tour from Hanoi (shared) |
1,250,000 – 1,650,000 VND |
1,450,000 – 2,100,000 VND |
|
Boat ticket only (if self-arranged) |
150,000–250,000 VND/person |
250,000–350,000 VND/person |
|
Bai Dinh Pagoda entrance |
Not included |
150,000–200,000 VND (often included in tour) |
|
Crowds |
Very high |
Medium to low |
|
Best time to go |
Early morning (depart Hanoi 6:30–7:00 am) |
Early morning (depart Hanoi 6:30–7:00 am) |
|
Best for |
Classic photos, first-time visitors |
Comfort, spiritual experience, less crowded |
Magical morning in Ninh Binh (Source: Internet)Only have one day and want the most iconic experience
Love classic, postcard-perfect photos
Want to experience the traditional bamboo boat ride
Want the cheaper option
Want a more relaxed, comfortable boat ride
Prefer fewer crowds and more space
Love visiting large pagoda complexes
Want to experience the largest Buddhist site in Vietnam
Do both in 2 days (the perfect Ninh Binh itinerary):
Day 1: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong (classic experience)
Day 2: Trang An (Route 1 or 2) + Bai Dinh Pagoda (modern & spiritual experience)
This combination is the most complete and satisfying way to experience Ninh Binh.
UNESCO-listed Trang An wonder (Source: Internet)Never give money directly to boat rowers’ children (encourages child labor)
Do not throw trash in the river or on the boat
Choose tours that use electric or low-emission boats when possible
Support local homestays and restaurants rather than large chain hotels
Avoid buying ivory, tortoiseshell, or other wildlife products
Dragon-shaped mountain panorama (Source: Internet)At Legend Travel Group, we offer both 1-day and 2-day Ninh Binh tours with small groups, English-speaking guides, comfortable vehicles, and responsible tourism practices.
Deposit only 10% to secure your spot
Final payment 30 days before departure – travel with peace of mind
Small group size – more space, less crowded experience
Local guides who care about their community and environment
Contact us today to reserve your perfect Ninh Binh experience:
📞 WhatsApp: +84825862222
🌐 legendtravelgroup.com
📩 sales@legendtravelgroup.com
Legend Travel Group – Where every journey tells a responsible story.
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