Thung Nang

Thung Nang offers visitors a poetic natural space filled with golden sunshine. Let’s explore this place in more detail with the Origin Vietnam team!

1. Where is Thung Nang?

Thung Nang is part of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, located in Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Thung Nang is located about 12 km southwest of Ninh Binh city, about 104 km south of Hanoi city center and about 130 km from Noi Bai airport – Hanoi.

2. How is Thung Nang Unique?

Thung Nang possesses a wild, quiet space with cool blue water and a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna. If you want to come here, you have to go by boat and there are some low caves where you have to bend your head low if you don’t want to hit the rocks on the cave ceiling.

While on the boat, visitors will admire the natural scenery with lush reeds, green rice fields, rolling mountains and clear water that allows you to see the bottom.

When arriving at the cave in Thung Nang, visitors will feel cool, comfortable and cannot help but admire the stalactites with many different sizes and shapes on the cave ceiling. In addition, visitors can also visit Mang Mountain, Vang Mountain, Coc Mountain or even Thung Nang Temple, which are all prominent places attracting tourists in Thung Nang.

3. When is the best time to travel to Thung Nang?

Thung Nang, Ninh Binh province in the North of Vietnam, is located in a humid subtropical climate zone with four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. According to Ninh Binh travel experience, visitors can come here in any season, each season brings different beauty and experiences.

However, the best time to visit Thung Nang is in May. The weather at this time is mildly sunny, pleasant and has little rain, so visitors can fully enjoy the beauty of Thung Nang with its beautiful caves, golden rice fields or poetic blooming lotus ponds.

4. How to get to Thung Nang?

To move to Thung Nang, the first thing we have to do is move to Ninh Binh city before moving on to Thung Nang.

4.1. Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh city

4.1.1. Travel by bus

Buses are the means of transportation to Ninh Binh chosen by many tourists from the North and North Central Vietnam. There are many bus companies from Hanoi to Ninh Binh every day with different schedules.

If departing from Hanoi, visitors can buy tickets at major bus stations: My Dinh bus station, Giap Bat bus station, Nuoc Ngam bus station to Ninh Binh bus station. Travel time between the two provinces is about more than 1 hour. Some reputable bus companies that visitors can refer to: Hai Thang, Anh Vu, Thuy Duong, Hoang Thin, Anh Dong…

4.1.2. Traveling by train

Ninh Binh is a province with the North-South railway running through it, so visitors can easily buy tickets and get here by train. The travel time is quite long due to having to go through many stations, but it can help visitors save money and experience a new feeling when taking the train.

For visitors departing from Hanoi, tickets can be purchased at Hanoi station with many trains at different times of the day. Trains from Hanoi passing through Ninh Binh: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19.

4.1.3. Travel by motorbike or personal car

Traveling by motorbike or private car is suitable for tourists who love to explore, this will definitely be the perfect choice. This form of transportation will help tourists be proactive about time, freely enjoy the beautiful scenery during the Ninh Binh travel journey.

For tourists traveling by motorbike, departing from Hanoi city center, go straight along Highway 1A to the South. It takes about 2 hours to reach the tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. Tourists traveling by motorbike should wear helmets and bring all necessary documents when participating in traffic.

For tourists traveling by private car, departing from Hanoi city center, follow Giai Phong street, pass Giap Bat bus station, turn and go straight on CT01 Hanoi – Ninh Binh highway. Travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh.

4.1.4. Travel by plane

Ninh Binh is a province without an airport, so tourists from far away who want to travel here by air must buy tickets to Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi.

Tourists buy tickets from their place of residence to Noi Bai airport by buying tickets online or at the ticket counter. Then, tourists choose means of transportation such as buses, motorbikes, cars to get to Ninh Binh.

4.2. Travel from Ninh Binh city to Thung Nang

Tourists from far away, traveling to Ninh Binh by bus or train can use the self-drive motorbike rental service to move freely or rent a taxi. Some reputable motorbike rental shops for tourists to refer to: Duc Anh, Duc Thang, Viet Dung… Tourists can go from Ninh Binh city to Thung Nang by the following ways:

• Tourists depart from Ninh Binh city, follow National Highway 1A about 4km south, then turn right onto DT491C road. Then, go straight for about 3.2km to Dam Khe Ngoai temple, turn right, continue about 2km past Dam Khe Trong => Thach Bich wharf, turn right and go another 2km to arrive.

5. Interesting things to do in Thung Nang

5.1. Take a boat trip on the river

To fully explore Thung Nang, visitors need to travel by boat. During the boat ride, visitors can listen to stories from the boatmen about the beauty, names, meanings and history of the caves here.

The water here is very clear, if you look down you will see the bottom layer with green moss. On both sides of the river are rows of lush trees and poetic lotus gardens that bloom in April – May. All create a beautiful, pure and brilliant scene in the sunlight, bringing a feeling of peace and relaxation.

5.2. Visit the mysterious cave

The caves in Thung Nang are all wet caves, so visitors must take a boat to visit. The path to the cave is filled with beautiful white reed flowers so visitors can freely take beautiful virtual life photos.

When entering the cave, visitors will begin to feel a cool atmosphere, completely different from the outside. The ceiling of the cave is often low, so visitors can touch the sparkling stalactites or receive drops of water flowing from the clear stalactites that nature has bestowed on the cave in Thung Nang.

5.3. Visit ancient temples and pagodas

Thung Nang Temple is a sacred stop, the temple is a place to worship Lord Thuong Ngan along with surrounding temples and pagodas. The temple is designed and built in a quiet space, separate from the outside.

The temple is surrounded by forests and streams on all four sides, which creates an attraction and enhances the solemn and elegant atmosphere of the temple. Visitors to Thung Nang often stop by the temple to burn incense, worship, and pray for peace and happiness.

6. Specialties in Thung Nang

During a trip to Thung Nang, visitors can enjoy the extremely rich traditional specialties of Ninh Binh. Let’s learn about the specialties here!

6.1. Yen Mac sour sausage

Nem chua Yen Mac is a specialty dish of Ninh Binh people, elaborately processed to bring a different and unique flavor compared to other types of nem chua. The pork used to make nem must be lean butt meat, sliced ​​into soft, thin pieces, mixed with pork skin and rolled with rice bran.

Nem is served with fig leaves, herbs, perilla leaves, guava leaves and dipped in fish sauce with lemon, garlic and chili. Combining these leaves will create a more delicious and unique flavor for nem chua.

6.2. Crispy rice

When coming to Ninh Binh, tourists will see burnt rice sold at every tourist spot in the province. Ninh Binh burnt rice is elaborately prepared by mixing two types of dry rice and sticky rice together. Then, the rice is fried until it expands evenly, becomes crispy, golden and spongy, adding a little salty pork floss and special spices.

In particular, burnt rice brings a delicious, crispy, fatty flavor and the salty taste of shrimp paste. If you have the opportunity to travel to Ninh Binh, you should enjoy this burnt rice specialty or buy it as a gift for family and friends.

6.3. Mountain goat meat

Goats in Ninh Binh are raised naturally on the mountain slopes, so the meat is very firm, moderately soft, not too tough and has a characteristic aroma. What creates the special flavor of Ninh Binh mountain goat dishes are the traditional spices of the people here.

There are many dishes made from goat meat for visitors to enjoy such as: raw goat with lemon, stir-fried goat, grilled goat, grilled goat, burnt rice with goat sauce, goat cooked with plum wine, steamed goat, stewed goat, goat hot pot… Visitors can eat with raw vegetables, ginger soy sauce to enhance the flavor and sweetness of mountain goat meat.

6.4. Mountain snail

Mountain snails, also known as rock snails, are a famous specialty dish in Ninh Binh. The snail meat has a traditional medicinal taste because this type of snail often eats forest leaves and medicinal leaves, creating a unique flavor.

Mountain snails are prepared by boiling, steaming or stir-frying with fresh bamboo shoots, tamarind, lemongrass and chili and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. Snails have a delicious taste and many health benefits. Therefore, mountain snails are an extremely interesting specialty for tourists to try and buy as gifts.

7. Accommodation when traveling to Thung Nang

7.1. Hotels and motels in Thung Nang

For the convenience of long-term trips in Thung Nang. We have compiled the most prestigious and quality hotels and motels for visitors to refer to:

• Tam Coc Family Hotel. Address: Team 3, Tam Coc, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Dream Hotel. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Nam Hoa Hotel. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Valatco Hotel. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• August Hotel. Address: Cau Vom, Ninh Thang, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Nam Hoa Hotel. Address: Tam Coc Tourist Area, Bich Dong, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Hotel. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• The Long Hotel. Address: Tam Coc Tourist Area, Bich Dong, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Yen Nhi Hotel. Address: Ninh Thang, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Duc Tuan Hotel. Address: Van Lam Village, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Lang Viet Co – Co Vien Lau. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Thang Loi Motel. Address: 66 QL1A, Ninh My, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

7.2. Beautiful Homestays in Thung Nang

For tourists who love nature and plants, choosing a homestay is the most suitable choice. Origin Vietnam has compiled a list of Homestays with beautiful views, quality and amenities for tourists to refer to:

• Tam Coc Mountain View Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Limestone View Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Independence Bamboo Homestay. Address: 479 B, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc River View Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Lotus Field Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Greenland Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Hoa Lu Backpacker Homestay. Address: Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Valley Homestay. Address: Dong Cung, Khe Ha, Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Ham Rong Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Smile Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Nguyen Shack. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Panorama Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Sierra Homestay. Address: Xuan Thanh, Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Westlake Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

8. Some notes when traveling to Thung Nang

To have a complete, economical and wonderful trip to Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh, visitors should note some useful travel experiences below:

• Thung Nang is an outdoor tourist destination, so visitors should prepare hats, sunscreen and other personal belongings to protect themselves.
• Check the weather forecast before departure to avoid going on rainy and stormy days, which may affect your trip.
• Visitors should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers for the best experience.
• Bring water, snacks and remember to bring a flashlight to admire the beauty of the stalactites in the cave.
• You should book hotels, motels, and homestays at least 2 weeks before your trip to have more options and avoid running out of rooms.
• Bring full identification documents for convenience when checking in for flights, checking into hotels, and renting cars.
• While traveling, you should pay attention to protecting public property and not littering at tourist attractions.

9. Places to visit near Thung Nang

In addition to Thung Nang, visitors can visit other famous tourist attractions located in Trang An Scenic Complex such as:

• Hang Mua. Address: Khe Dau Ha village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc – Bich Dong. Address: Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Thung Nham Bird Garden. Address: Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Trang An Eco-tourism Area. Address: Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Bai Dinh Pagoda. Address: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Address: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

Thung Nang is a harmonious combination of resort tourism, eco-tourism, nature exploration and also a spiritual destination. Thung Nang is worthy of being an ideal tourist destination for those who love nature and want to find the wild and simple beauty here.

So if you still have any concerns or questions about the Ninh Binh tour departing from Hanoi to Thung Nang, please contact Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced consultants, we will help you have the most interesting and complete journey.