The best Trang An Guide for 2024: A Comparison of 3 Boat Tours in Trang An Ninh Binh

Trang An - A wonderful tourist area of culture, cuisine, and nature in Ninh Binh

Culture and History of Trang An

The beauty of the boat wharf

Trang An is not only famous for its stunning natural landscape but also as a place of diversity in culture and history. With over 30 historical and cultural landmarks, Trang An is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Ninh Binh.

You can visit historical temples such as Tran Temple and Trinh Temple,… to learn about the history of the first dynasty in Vietnam. Additionally, you have a chance to explore unique festivals in the lunar month of March.

Unique Local Cuisine in Trang An

Tourists enjoy local foods at a local restaurant

Trang An is known for its unique dishes, especially those made from rice such as crispy rice. When visiting Trang An, you cannot miss the opportunity to taste local dishes such as mountain goat meat, mountain snails, Tong Truong fish, and ant egg sticky rice.

Unmissable Fun Activities

Don't forget to take a picture at the harbor

Trang An has many exciting activities that you cannot miss. You can go sightseeing and mountain climbing. The best way to discover Trang An is by taking a boat tour around the stunning natural scenery to see unique caves that will enchant you. 

There are three routes available to choose from. We hope the comparison between the three routes helps you decide which one is the best for you.

3 boat routes in Trang An

Route 1:  Cave exploration (9 caves, 3 temples)

During the boat trip, you relax and enjoy natural peaceful sceneries

If you're a fan of geology and cave exploration, Route 1 is the perfect adventure for you. This tour is designed to take you through most of the caves in the area and is the only one that will give you access to all 9 caves and 3 spiritual spots along the Sao Khue River. These spot temples are Tran Temple, Khong Temple, and Trinh Temple. With a circular route of 15 kilometres, this tour will take you approximately 3 hours to complete. 

Route 2: The shortest boat tour in Trang An (4 caves, 3 temples)

Vu Lam Imperial Palace - an ideal place to take amazing pictures with Eagle Mountain, river, and temple in a shot

Route 2 is the perfect way for those who have a short time. This tour lasts for over 2 hours. With this time duration, you can still enjoy the natural caves and temples. If you have more time but usually feel bored because of a long time on the boat, this route is highly recommended.  Along the way, you'll visit three special places including Trinh Temple, Dot Cave, May Cave, Suoi Tien Temple (Fairy Stream Temple), Dia Linh Mountain, Dai Cave, Vu Lam imperial palace, and Kong film studio: Skull Island. 

Route 3: Explore the longest cave (3 caves, 3 temples)

Dot Cave is the longest cave in Trang An with over 1000-meter-long

The third tour route is the newest addition to the Trang An boat tour lineup, which started operating in late 2017. Trang An boat tour's third route is unique as it offers the chance to explore the longest cave in the Trang An complex, the 1000-meter-long Dot Cave. Visitors will be amazed by the stalactite system that has been formed over thousands of years by the hands of nature. Along with Dot Cave, you will get to explore two other caves, Van Cave and Dai Cave, as well as three temples - Trinh Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, and Vu Lam Royal Steps. The route also takes you through Dia Linh Mountain, just like the previous route. The time for this route is around 3 hours. Route 3 in Trang An is a favourite among tourists, as they get completely immersed in the experience.

As you can see, there are some similarities between the 3 routes, each route has its speciality, so it’s hard to say which is the best choice. 

Travel tips for a Trang An boat tour

Trang An- a great attraction for couples

Ticket price

Regarding the entrance fee, the tickets are priced at 250,000 VND per person and each boat has a maximum capacity of 4 people. If you are travelling with only 2 people, you may need to wait for 2 more people to join your journey. The ticket counter can be found on the opposite side of the harbour. After having a ticket, you will go through a tunnel to get to the wharf. For safety during the trip, it is recommended that all passengers wear life jackets, and follow the guidelines of the ferryman. At the end of the trip, you can give some tips to the ferryman, but it is optional. In Trang An, don't be afraid of high prices or chasing tips, all staff here are very friendly.

The opening time: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Trang An is open from 7 am to 6 pm, but it's advisable to avoid visiting near closing time as it may affect your experience due to darkness or cold weather. During summer, don’t visit at noon when the sun is scorching hot. To fully appreciate the beauty of Trang An, it's recommended to spend a half day exploring the place.

Be careful when you are on the boat

Trang An's river may not have deep waters, but the boats used for the boat tour are small in size. To ensure safety, it's important to sit balanced on the boat, wear a life jacket, and be mindful of your phone and your cameras to prevent them from touching the water. The journey also requires tourists to disembark at several small temples, so it's important to remember the boat number and avoid carrying excess baggage. Furthermore, if you're planning to pass through the longest cave, it's crucial to protect your head from low ceilings and numerous stalactites.

Find more official information on Trang An Official Website 

With its fascinating culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning natural scenery, Trang An is a wonderful destination for travellers who want to learn about the history and culture of Ninh Binh, as well as enjoy the breathtaking natural landscapes. If you are planning a trip to Ninh Binh, be sure to visit Trang An and discover its many attractions. We offer Trang An boat tour services. 

Hoa lu - Tuyet Tinh Coc- Trang An

Bai Dinh - Trang An boat trip

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If you also find other places in Ninh Binh. Read Ninh Binh – one of the most fascinating places in Vietnam