Tam Coc is in a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks rising up amid bright green rice fields and beautiful wetlands. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Trang An Landscape Complex, Tam Coc is a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural significance.
This serene destination is surrounded by meandering rivers that is best explored by boat. Good news all the boats are engineless and eco-friendly. One of the two main points from where you can go on a boat ride is the lake at the town center of Tam Coc. The river winds its way in a picturesque nature, through lush rice paddies and emerald-green waters covered with pink lotus flowers.
The other point to take a boat ride is Trang An. I guess this was one of the most exceptional adventures I experienced throughout whole Vietnam. Trang An boat tour takes you through rivers and lakes surrounded by dramatic karst mountains that rise majestically on both sides, creating a serene and surreal environment.
The boat ride combines natural beauty and cultural authenticity. Along the way, the paddle boat pass through river caves and stop by several ancient Buddhist temples. I haven’t been there yet but many things reminded me of China here, as Vietnam is a former Chinese colony. We can recognize this in the architecture of the temples, the aesthetics of the compositions and in the alphabets of the texts written on the buildings.
In the beginning I found it strange that I didn’t see Buddha statues here because I was assuming that the majority of Vietnam was Buddhist. But then I learned that in Vietnam, Folk Religion takes precedence as the largest religious belief system. I saw statues of commanders or emperors on the altars. I guess these people are greatly respected for their services for the liberation from colonisation.
Some parts of this boat ride pass through caves, formed over thousands of years by the river’s flow through the limestone mountains. Intricate colorful formations hanging from the roof of the cave look fascinating. One of the caves we went through was almost one kilometer long.
Looking at the huge cliffs, dense forest and the tranquility of the river, I was amazed by this geological wonder. I enjoyed the silence of this natural beauty. The only things that broke the silence was the gentle splash of oars. It was so peaceful.
Hang Mua (Lying Dragon) Peak (below) is another must-see place in the area. In order to reach the peak, you need to climb up the stone staircase with 500 steps carved on the mountainside. The viewpoint on top has a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, viewing deep valleys, winding rivers, towering limestone karsts, lush rice paddies and local villages.
The stairs are adorned with dragon statues, adding a touch of cultural significance and a sense of mystery.
Dating back to 15th century, Bich Dong Pagoda (below) is a masterpiece of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. It offers a blend of spiritual significance, architectural beauty, and beautiful natural landscapes. Climbing up the stairs takes you to a shrine which is partly built into a limestone cliff face. I saw an old nun inside the shrine chanting. The spiritual atmosphere was very mystical.
Bai Dinh Pagoda (below) is the largest Buddhist complex in the country. It is really a huge area, so it may take a full day to visit the whole complex. The scale of almost everything was so large as well, such as; temples, roads, stairs, corridors, squares, pools, buildings, Buddha statues, etc.
I really liked Tam Coc area and stayed here for a week. I enjoyed its peaceful laid-back atmosphere surrounded by natural beauties. Everywhere is flat in Tam Coc, therefore cycling is the best way to explore the area. It is always possible to take a break at a cute little cafe in the midst of rice fields or by the central lake where lots of boats line up to take the next customer to the excursion on the river.
Now I’d like to take you to a similar geological wonder with limestone karst peaks. But this time we call them islets or islands because they are located on the ocean! I am talking about the legendary beauty Ha Long Bay and her sister Lan Ha Bay.
In order to reach the area, I first stayed at Cat Ba Island overnight and next day took the daily cruise from here. You can either explore this region on a daily excursion or depending on your budget you can go on a cruise for 2-3 days. I knew that Ha Long Bay was already so popular, so I chose Lan Ha Bay instead as it is less visited and quieter. Nevertheless, the tour also took us to some parts of Ha Long Bay as these bays are closely intertwined.
Lan Ha Bay is recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve whereas Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lan Ha Bay comprises around 400 limestone islets and 140 splendid beaches. It took over 500 million years for this breathtaking landscape to form.
Limestone monolithic islets, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rise spectacularly from the ocean. Unique blend of limestone karsts and emerald waters mesmerize anyone who witness this pristine charm.
Lan Ha Bay Area is also home to many floating fishing villages.
We wandered around this tranquil beauty for hours. We had some stops for swimming and kayaking. Lan Ha Bay hosts a variety of tranquil beaches that are perfect for kayaking. One of the highlights of the day was to see the ocean eagles! On our way back to Cat Ba Island, powerful sense of gratitude took over my body and I shed tears of joy. The sun was setting, painting the sky with yellow and orange colours. At the end of the day, I was intoxicated with the beauty of our great Mother Nature.
“The tiny flower receives the entirety of the sun. The same disproportionate level of wild blessings are available to us.” ~ Fred LaMotte
