S1 E59 | Trang An Boat Ride – Exploring Caves and Pagodas in Ninh Binh

In this vlog, we experienced one of Ninh Bình’s most popular attractions – the Trang An boat ride. The tickets cost us VND 500,000 (INR 1,700 or about USD 22) for the two of us, which felt steep by Vietnamese tourism standards, but it turned out to be worth every bit. Over the course of three hours, the journey took us along a scenic river, through caves, and past pagodas set against dramatic limestone cliffs.

We chose Route 3, said to be the most picturesque, and it truly lived up to the reputation. Along the way, we stopped at three temples and floated through three caves, each offering a unique view of Ninh Bình’s natural beauty. The twilight light made the karst formations glow, and the quiet of the river gave the whole experience a meditative feel.

Another pleasant part of the trip was making new friends on the boat who made the experience even more memorable. Interactions like these remind us why travel feels so fulfilling; it’s not just about the sights, but the people you connect with along the way.

If you’re torn between doing Tam Cốc or Tràng An, here’s our take: Tam Cốc offers a shorter ride with a unique UNESCO World Heritage setting, while Tràng An (the one we did) gives you a longer, more immersive journey. Both are stunning, but we felt Tràng An gave us more time to soak in the magic of Ninh Bình. We did the Tam Coc boat experience in 2017 on a previous visit to Vietnam and loved that too!

After the ride, we tried heading to the railway station to plan our next leg of the trip. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected, and we had a rough experience there – one of those travel days that tests your patience. But looking back, the memories from the river easily outweighed the hiccups.

This vlog was part of our full-time travel journey, and like all our episodes, it’s not just a guide but our lived story. You can watch the full vlog on our YouTube channel for the complete experience.