Trang An Complex, Ninh Binh

Trang An is a landscape of limestone peaks, flooded caves and temples in Ninh Binh province, about 100 km south of Hanoi by road, seen from a rowing boat on routes of 2–4 hours. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and with one day in Ninh Binh, this is the boat trip to pick.

Ninh Binh Province consists of three different types of landscapes including wetlands, coastal delta, and uplands. Furthermore, the province is blessed with many places of particular interest such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong Grotto, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Van Long Nature Reserve, etc. of which the Trang An Complex is a popular option for tourists, especially foreign visitors.

Trang An Boat Tour: Routes, Ticket Price and How Long It Takes

Every visit starts at the Trang An boat wharf, where you buy a ticket, pick a route and board a small rowing boat. Since 1 January 2026 the ticket has cost 300,000 VND for adults and children over 1.3 m and 150,000 VND for children of 1–1.3 m, up from 250,000 and 120,000 VND.

• Route 1, 3–4 hours: the longest loop, through nine caves, with stops at Trinh and Tran temples and Bao Hieu Pagoda.
• Route 2, 2–3 hours: Lam, Vang and Dai caves, Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Palace.
• Route 3, about 3 hours: Trinh Temple, Dot and May caves, Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Palace.

I. What to See and Do at Trang An?

Stretching a total area of about 2,168 hectares, the Trang An eco-tourism site is one part of a complex of Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel preserved area, the Trang An–Tam Coc–Bich Dong scenic area and the Hoa Lu primary forest, which UNESCO listed in 2014 as Vietnam’s first mixed natural and cultural World Heritage site (see the UNESCO listing). 

There are dozens of grottoes and caves, flooded valleys and the hallowed cultural area of Bai Dinh Pagoda inside the Trang An scenic landscape complex. On a leisurely cruise around the area, tourists can imagine themselves as kings from ancient times who used the mountains as walls, the rivers as roads and the caves as palaces. When you first arrive at Trang An, you will see dozens of boats anchoring in lines and waiting for every tourist to start the journey.

1. Natural Karst Tower

One of the most charming and stunning karst sceneries in the world lies in Trang An Eco-tourism complex. There are wide varieties of hat-shaped limestone mountains that can match Halong well for a magnificent sight.

The Dinh Dynasty chose Hoa Lu, right next to Trang An, as the imperial city of the whole nation. King Dinh Bo Linh set up his capital there, with the limestone ridges as natural walls. Hoa Lu is about 5 km by road from the boat wharf.

Over a long time, water dissolved the limestone and caves were created inside the complex, many of them flooded, making it easy for tourists to pass through on riverboats.

2. Trang An Grottoes

There are dozens of caves connecting with the flooded valleys, and waterborne caves like Dot Cave or May Cave in this complex. Which caves you see depends on the route. For example, Dark Cave (Toi) and Light Cave (Sang) are on Route 1, which goes through nine. 

If spending one day visiting the grottoes in Trang An, take Route 1, as no other route has as many caves. 

3. Tropical Forests and Rivers

The karst towers in Trang An are surrounded by golden paddy fields and blooming jungles. Rivers cross each other to create a signature of Trang An and make ways for tourists to travel along. The East of this system is bordered by Chanh River, the North by Hoang Long River, the west by Ben Dang River and the South by He River. 

4. Relic Sites

Trang An has a number of historic temples and pagodas, which are constructed solemnly among dark green woods. You will see lots of Vietnamese people coming here in the first month of Lunar New Year so as to pray for a wealthier and happier year. 

Of all the pagodas, Bai Dinh is the most special one with unique architecture and long history. It is not on the boat routes, though: it is 14–15 km by road from the wharf. 

5. Tribal Village in Kong (Removed in 2019)

In 2017, tourists were allowed to get into the movie set of Kong in Trang An, Ninh Binh, for free. You could see 34 pointed huts made of bamboo, like the village in the film. The management board took the huts down on 20 September 2019, after UNESCO recommended removing them from the core zone. Route 2 still passes the scenery in the film.

Trang An or Tam Coc: Which Boat Trip Should You Pick?

For caves, pick Trang An. Vietnam’s national tourism site rates its routes as more dramatic, with bigger mountains and longer caves, and calls Tam Coc the quicker, cheaper option. The two sit inside the same UNESCO complex, 10–11 km apart by road. Our Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave day tour pairs the Trang An boat with Hoa Lu and the viewpoint at Mua Cave.

II. How to Get to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex?

It is not difficult to get to Trang An, Ninh Binh from Hanoi, about 100 km away by road. If you go by bus, you need to go to one of the bus stations in Hanoi, including My Dinh or Giap Bat. The trip takes roughly 2–2.5 hours and the price is roughly 70,000–100,000 VND. Trains from Hanoi Station reach Ninh Binh Station in a little over two hours, and the wharf is 9 km from there.

If you choose a scooter in order to enjoy the open air, the road to Trang An may be a little longer. However, you can capture lots of vivid sceneries from busy cities to tranquil villages in your mind. Agree the price of a hired motorbike per day before you take it, and check the brakes.

III. Best Time to Visit

People go to Trang An Complex at all times of the year, especially in vacations, holidays and festival times. Thus, it will be very crowded during these seasons. In order to enjoy the landscape without crowds, the ideal time to visit is on normal weekdays in the dry season. Then, you can enjoy the views in cooler weather without being interrupted by others.

Bad weather closes routes. The whole site shut on 6 September 2024 for storm No. 3 (Typhoon Yagi), and high water in the caves closed Route 3 on 31 July 2026 until it reopened on 2 August.

IV. What to Eat in Trang An Complex?

Speaking of cuisine, Ninh Binh has some unique types of specialties that you can’t find in other places in Vietnam.

1. Rice Crust

Rice crust is one of the most notable specialties in Trang An, Ninh Binh. It is crispy and tasty. People use charcoal to burn the rice at suitable heat. Then, dry in the sun and place in fresh areas to keep its flavor. Next, they will fry slices of steamed rice in a hot oil pan until they see yellow color on the surface of the slices. Then, a mixture of ingredients like mushrooms, carrots, beef and so on are also fried and served with rice crust. 

2. Goat Meat

This mountainous area has a lot of goats eating wild grass. Thus, the locals make them into so many different food like under-cooked goat meat with lime, goat hotpot, roasted goat, grilled goat brisket or steam goat meat. And the most delicious dish of them is rare-goat meat.

V. Where to Stay?

There are hotels in Ninh Binh city, about 9 km by road from the wharf, and around Tam Coc, 10–11 km away. One resort near Trang An Complex that you should know:

1. Tam Coc Garden Resort

• Location: Hai Nham hamlet, near Tam Coc, Ninh Binh Province

VI. Tips on Visiting Trang An Complex

• Avoid rainy days in Trang An because heavy rain can close routes and cause a lot of inconvenience for your trip here
• It is better to put on long clothes when visiting Trang An as there are lots of temples here and they are all sacred sites to the locals
• Wear a hat, sunscreen and your life jacket
• On Route 1, wear shoes for the climb of nearly 500 stone steps to Tran Temple

Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh Province deserves to be called “Halong on land”. With more time in this region, add Tuyet Tinh Coc, or see our Ninh Binh travel guide.

Sources: UNESCO; Ninh Binh Department of Tourism; vietnam.travel; prices: Bao Van Hoa, CafeF (2026)