What to expect:
Escape the crowds and discover a truly serene corner of Ninh Binh with a quiet boat trip through Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
If you’re looking for a quiet, serene boat ride far from the crowds, this place is an absolute gem. The area is huge, beautifully untouched, and incredibly peaceful. We visited around midday and only saw a handful of people - most of the time we were completely alone on the water.
The landscapes are breathtaking, raw, and wild. It feels rural and authentic, not touristy at all. Compared to this, Trang An feels like Disneyland. This experience is calm, slow, and deeply connected to nature.
We even spotted endangered Delacour langurs (only around 300 left in the world), which made the visit even more special.
The boat ride takes about 90 minutes and costs 200k VND per boat - incredible value for such a unique experience.
How to get here:
We rented two scooters from our accommodation and drive all the way here from Tam Coc, it's worth even for the ride.
Best time to go: late afternoon for the most peaceful atmosphere.