Tam Coc, a fairy-tale Vietnamese version of Disneyland with dramatic, jagged limestone rocks jutting out of watery rice fields. Tam Coc means “Three grottoes”. These grottoes were made due to the transformation of geology, seawater and rainwater that have worn cliffs in a long period of millions of years. The three grottoes are situated on Ngo Dong River and are permeated by the water of this river, so they are also called the “Three Trans Grottoes”.

The longer we travel on the rowing boat, the more beautiful, fanciful and poetic the scenery becomes; the air becomes fresher as we are far away from the bustling and dusty atmosphere of streets. On either side of the boats, there are green rice fields and lotus puddles. Rapids have developed in he Ngo Dong river by the accumulation of falling rock. The rapids look like a front screen of Ca grotto and creates a branching road before the tourists’ boat visit Ca Grotto.

Ca Grotto is located at the foot of a big mountain that crosses over Ngo Dong River. It is called Ca Grotto, as it is the first and also the longest and broadest grotto of Tam Coc tour. If tourists visit the grotto in the morning, they can see that a cliff at the entrance to the grotto is sparkling and colorfully reflected by water surface when the sunshine passes by.

Meandering partly along the river, getting access to Hai Grotto; tourists seem to be lost in heaven because of the never- ending stretching lotus ponds with their specific perfume, and beautiful picture of mountain, river and water. Hai grotto rests under shadows of trees; the grotto is 60 meters long and 18 meters wide; it is also situated at the foot of a mountain that crosses over Ngo Dong River. From the entrance to the ceiling of the grotto, there are many stalactites with different shapes. When we are rowing our boats in the grotto, we have the feeling of rowing among clouds of stalactites silhouetted against the water. The stalactites project down to the river from the ceiling of the grotto so low that tourists can touch them.

Getting out of Hai grotto, the scenery is very imposing with mountains surrounding a part of Ngo Dong River which meanders through green rice seeding fields. The river between the second and the third one is rather short; only around 100 meters. Therefore, when we have just got out of Hai grotto we can see Ba grotto at the corner of the river.

Ba Grotto appears with an entrance like a cross-fracture of the mountain, it is the smallest of the 3 grottoes but it is the coolest and has a pleasant breeze. The ceiling of Ba grotto is low, the reflected light make tourist feel like heaven.

Say goodbye to Ba grotto, tourists can go ashore to relax, enjoy the scenery of mountains and valleys and from a far distance, and aroma of lotus ponds. Tourists can visit the next part of Ngo Dong River before coming back, or they can continue rowing a boat along the river to visit the Fairy Stream. On the journey back, tourists can moor the boat to visit Thai Vi, a centuries old secluded temple, reached by short walk through emaral green fields.

(Source: NinhBinh Tourism Promotion Center)