About the Trang An boat ride in Ninh Binh
The Trang An boat tour is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. It takes you through the stunning Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, and it’s a great way to get up close to the limestone cliffs, pass through the narrow caves, and see temples along the way.
And you can’t really explore this area properly unless you go on a boat ride.
There are actually three different boat rides you can take in Ninh Binh, and in this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Trang An boat ride, including a comparison with the Tam Coc boat ride and the less popular Van Long boat ride.
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Price and duration of the Trang An boat tour
A ticket for the boat ride in Trang An is 250.000 VND (approximately $10 or 9 EUR) per person for adults. Kids under 1 meter have free entrance, while for the kids under 1,3 meters the ticket is 120.000 VND (approximately $5).
TRAVEL TIP
Boat rides in Trang An start when there are 4 people in the boat. So, sometimes, you might need to wait briefly for the boat to fill up.
If you want to be in the boat without others, you’ll need to purchase seats for the whole boat, which means four tickets.
The boat ride in Trang An lasts between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the route. Our ride took 2 hours as we made very short stops in the temples, and nobody else was in the complex.
Note: Only bring your younger children on this boat ride if you know they can sit still for an extended period of time.
Honestly, the 2-hour boat ride was more than enough for us. We feel that anything more would be a bit too much for us personally. 🙂
Different routes of the Trang An boat tour
The boat ride in Trang An comprises four different routes you can choose from, depending on the length and what you want to see.
As you will see from the route descriptions below, some spots repeat in every route. The biggest similarities are between route 2 and route 3.
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Route number 1: Trinh Temple, Tran Temple, Khong Palace
Route number 1 takes you through 9 caves (Toi Cave, Sang Cave, Nau Ruou Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Seo Cave, Son Duong Cave, Khong Cave, Tran Cave and Quy Hau Cave) and 3 temples of the Dinh Dynasty (Trinh Temple, Tran Temple and Khong Temple – Bao Hieu Pagoda).
All these caves are relatively short.
Good to know: Route number 1 on the Trang An boat ride is the longest one.
Route number 2: Thanh Cao Son Temple, Dia Linh Mountain, Vu Lam Royal Steps
Route number 2 takes you through 4 limestone caves (Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Dai Cave) and 3 temples (Thanh Cao Son Temple, Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Royal Steps).
This route includes Dia Linh Mountain, which is in the shape of a giant pen tower.
Route number 3: Trinh Temple, Dot Cave, Suoi Tien Temple
Route number 3 is the only one that takes you through the 1000-meter-long Dot Cave, the longest cave in the Trang An complex. The stalactite system in this cave is quite impressive.
On this route, you visit 3 caves (Dot Cave, Van Cave, and Dai Cave) and 3 temples (Trinh Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, and Vu Lam Royal Steps).
This route also takes you through Dia Linh Mountain, the same as the previous one.
Route number 4: Phoenix route
A new addition to Trang An boat rides is route number 4, which is also the shortest ride, lasting about 1.5 hours.
It visits 4 caves (Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Dai Cave) and 2 temples (Thanh Cao Son Temple and Vu Lam Royal Steps).
Which route to take for the Trang An boat ride?
While all Trang An routes are great, and there is no wrong choice, here is a short summary of all routes to find the best one for you:
- Route 1: Less crowded and usually the longest ride. However, it doesn’t visit the most famous temple, which is in almost all Trang An boat photos.
- Route 2: This route visits all the hot spots except for the longest cave (1 km long!)—perfect if you don’t want to spend too long in the caves.
- Route 3: This route visits all the hot spots, including the longest cave (1 km long!), and is the most recommended route.
- Route 4: This is a fairly new route that is perfect if you’re short on time. It only lasts 1.5 hours, unlike the other routes, which take 2-3 hours.
Our opinion on the best Trang An boat route
Considering that everyone usually cares the most about the last temple (the picturesque one on the water, right next to Vu Lam Royal Steps), many choose route number 3 as it’s the only one that includes that temple AND the longest cave in the complex.
It takes about 20 minutes to go through the 1000-meter-long Dot Cave, and it was definitely the highlight of our experience. This is the only route that includes the longest cave, so if you take any other, you will miss it.
Therefore, we suggest taking route number 3. It combines beauty and adventure, which was perfect for us! But keep in mind that this is also the most popular route.
However, if you’re scared of caves, we suggest route 2, which is very similar but without the 1 km cave.
Boat ride experience in Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex
Every traveler we met recommended the Trang An boat tour instead of the more famous Tam Coc one because it’s much more peaceful, and the boat operators don’t harass you to buy things left and right.
Note: We didn’t do the Tam Coc ride, so we don’t have first-hand experience, but a couple of our friends went and said it is true (it’s a common theme on other blogs as well). So, we’d also recommend the Trang An boat ride instead of Tam Coc.
Nobody harassed us to buy things or give tips, and everything is nicely organized.
Although our favorite boat ride in Ninh Binh was in Van Long Nature Reserve, we liked our ride in Trang An quite a lot.
- Read next: Things to do in Ninh Binh (Guide)
We chose route 3 for our Trang An boat ride and enjoyed it a lot.
The Dot Cave was definitely the highlight of our boat trip. It takes quite a bit of time to pass it, so it’s long enough to “feel” the cave. But it’s quite a relaxing ride, so you should be fine, even if you’re a bit claustrophobic. Remember that it’s a well-trodden route, and everyone gets out! 🙂
It’s fun crossing this cave as you have to duck at some spots not to hit your head. 🙈
Fun fact: We checked the timings of the photos and videos we took while entering and exiting the cave, and it seems like it took us about 20 minutes to pass it!
We also liked seeing the temples on this route. Although most photos from the temples look incredible from an aerial perspective, they look slightly less impressive from the ground.
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Location of the Trang An boat ride
Trang An Boat Departure is located on the main road connecting Tam Coc and Hoa Lu/Bai Dinh, about 8 kilometers from Tam Coc and Ninh Binh Town, and 4.5 kilometers from Mua Caves Viewpoint.
- Click here for the location of the Trang An boat ride.
How to get to the Trang An boat ride starting point?
The starting point of the Trang An boat ride is easily reachable from any point in Ninh Binh, as it’s right next to the main road connecting Tam Coc and Hoa Lu/Bai Dinh.
If you’re staying in one of the nearby towns, we suggest going to Trang An Departure Boat Ticket by bicycle. However, if you’re in Tam Coc or farther away, it’s best to go by motorbike or a taxi.
Good to know:
The parking fee for a bicycle at Trang An Boat Pier is 10k VND, and for a motorbike/scooter, it is 15k VND.
Don’t lose your parking ticket to avoid paying a fine!
Best time to do the Trang An boat ride
Trang An boat tours run every day from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. So, the best time to go on a boat ride in Trang An is early morning or late afternoon because of the extended time in the sun and crowds.
We went on our boat ride in the late afternoon. But remember that the pier closes at 5 p.m., meaning all the rides must be done by then. So don’t arrive too late. We came a bit late, so our boat ride was a tiny bit rushed.
We would also advise avoiding weekends if possible, as they can get quite busy.
Travel tip: For the best protection, take Nón lá, a Vietnamese conical hat, and sunscreen. Some people like to take umbrellas on the ride, but remember that there are other people in the boat, too, and you might be blocking their view if you have an umbrella.
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Things to know before going on a boat ride in Trang An
- Many rowers don’t speak English. Therefore, you won’t get much (or any) information about sights.
- You have about 10 minutes at each stop before returning to the boat. The boat rower waits for you.
- Life vests are mandatory. However, you might be allowed to take them off at some point.
- There are small paddles that you can use to help with rowing. It’s an excellent way for your time to pass faster, as the boat ride is relatively slow.
- You can easily combine the Trang An boat ride with the nearby attractions in Ninh Binh, such as Mua Caves, on your own or by joining a tour like this one.
- If you visit late in the afternoon, like we did, your ride might be a bit rushed (which we didn’t mind), and much of the scenery can already be in the shade.
- Keep in mind that depending on when you visit, you might need to wait in line to buy the ticket or to fill the boat with 4 people.
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Where to stay in Trang An, Ninh Binh
There are many options for accommodations, from hotels to homestays in the Trang An area.
We stayed at the Ha Lan Homestay in Ninh Xuan, which is also very close to Hang Mua, and we highly recommend it.
And we also stayed at Hang Mua Ecolodge, part of the Hang Mua complex, right at the foot of the hill and next to the lotus lake.
These are also some of the well-reviewed and liked hotels in the area:
- Trang An Retreat – check availability & price
- Trang An Moon Garden Homestay – check availability & price
- Trang An Lotus Lake Homestay – check availability & price
- Ninh Binh Mountain Side Homestay & Cafe – check availability & price
The difference between Trang An, Tam Coc, and Van Long boat rides
The Trang An and Tam Coc boat rides are both very popular boat rides in Ninh Binh. They are both quite long, and there’s more sightseeing included. Therefore, the price is also higher.
But Van Long, on the other hand, is a better choice for seeing some wildlife. Unlike the Trang An and Tam Coc ones, the Van Long Nature Reserve boat ride is also much more peaceful, as it’s still not in every guidebook and tour itinerary.
Busy
Because of the significant demand for boat rides in Trang An and Tam Coc, you might need to wait in line and share a boat with other tourists. There are four or five people per boat. And if you want to do a private boat ride, you’ll need to pay the same price as for the entire boat.
In Van Long, there’s usually no waiting in a line, and there are usually only two people in a boat, so it’s a more private experience. Families of 3 to 4 can also go in one boat in Van Long, but it’s a bit more cramped then.
Landscapes
The scenery and landscape are beautiful in all areas of Ninh Binh, where the boat rides occur, and they are pretty similar. However, we have to admit that the Trang An landscape was a bit more majestic as limestone mountains are much higher there. And you do get the chance to pass through a 1-km long cave.
Note: The “Kong: Skull Island” movie was filmed in both the Van Long and Trang An areas. A movie set in Trang An was also available until the end of 2020, but it’s since been removed, and you can’t see it anymore.
No hassling
The boat rides at Trang An and Van Long are both free from hassle, begging for tips, and selling all kinds of stuff, unlike the Tam Coc boat ride. We’ve heard from friends who went on a boat ride in Tam Coc that it was pretty overwhelming.
Is the Trang An boat ride in Ninh Binh safe?
Taking a boat ride in Trang An, Ninh Binh, is a very safe activity, as you’re exploring the area on a boat operated by a very skilled rower. All the caves you pass through are equipped with lights, and you are also provided with a life jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to book the Trang An Boat ride in advance; you just show up at the ticket counter, buy a ticket, and wait in line for a boat.
The Trang An complex provides an ATM, parking, toilets, and an on-site restaurant.
There is an on-site restaurant at the Trang An boat wharf, and there are a lot of restaurants on the road leading there, so you can easily find a place to eat if you’re feeling hungry after the ride.
The shortest boat ride in Trang An is about 1.5 hours, and the longest is around 3 hours.
No, swimming and bathing are not allowed in the Trang An complex.
Kayaking in Trang An was possible for a short period of time in 2020 to boost tourism in the area. However, it is no longer possible in 2025. At the moment, only guided boat tours are available in Trang An.
Final thoughts
Ninh Binh’s Trang An boat ride is worth visiting because of the beautiful landscape, the fascinating caves you go through, and the temples you visit along the way. It’s an equally good option to the more famous Tam Coc boat ride (or even better).
Let us know in the comments if you have done any of the boat rides in Ninh Binh and how they were. We’re eager to hear about others’ experiences and thoughts.
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