Tam Coc is a small tourist town in the heart of the Ninh Binh karst area. Tam Coc acts as a base for exploring the area and also offers one of the area's most popular tourist attractions - a small boat ride through limestone caves and between rice paddies.

The town of Tam Coc is an ideal place to stay and from where to set off to visit the attractions of Ninh Binh. All the main tourist attractions are nearby, so you can cycle and even walk to some of them.

The 10 best hotels in Tam Coc

Tam Coc cruise

Directly from this pier in the centre of town, small traditional boats set off on a scenic cruise among the karst lobsters and rice paddies.

The cruise takes approximately two hours and you'll pass through three limestone caves en route, taking in spectacular views. Of all the cruises that can be taken in the Ninh Binh area, this is probably the most touristy.

How much does a Tam Coc cruise cost?

The cruise ticket consists of two parts. The first is to pay the boat fee, which is 150 000 vnd. Up to two foreigners or up to four locals can board one boat.

The second part is paid per person, each adult pays 120 000 vnd, children have a reduced price to 60 000 vnd.

When to go on a Tam Coc cruise?

Boats depart from Tam Coc every day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Cruising past noon is practically unbearable due to the heat.

We therefore recommend that you go early in the morning when the crowds of visitors from Hanoi have not yet arrived and it is not so hot.

Accommodation in Tam Coc

The town of Tam Coc is full of hotels, family-run guesthouses and homestays where you can stay.

You can find accommodation in a hostel or with locals in Tam Coc for up to 250 000 vnd per night:

You'll pay around 400 000 vnd for comfortable accommodation with locals with great reviews:

If you prefer to stay in a more luxurious setting, we recommend these hotels:

Transportation to Tam Coc

Tam Coc is a base for exploring the whole area, and it's best to get around on a hired scooter or bike. The town can be reached by public transport.

By bus

There is a bus station right in Tam Coc, where regular local buses leave for the surrounding area. The most popular destinations with direct bus connections include Hanoi or Hue.

By tourist minibus

There are a huge number of small tourist minibuses running directly to Tam Coc, operated by various tour operators. This allows you to go directly to Tam Coc from Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba, for example.