Back to the mainland, we arrived at Tam Coc, a short ride from the city of Ninh Binh. The main attraction is the view, canals and flooded rice fields surrounded by karst formations on land.
Similar scenery to Cat Ba Island, but less impressive in my opinion. Our homestay was located between two karst formations, along a rice field, very pretty and peaceful.
In Tam Coc, Attractions were costly and vendors aggressive, such as people who tries to convince us we must pay them parking or fees. We turned around with the bicycle (given freely at homestay) and handed it to a restaurant in return for buying lunch when we finish. Paying the entrance fee, ww climbed up to a viewpoint on the canal where people take small boat tours. Karst formations on land views are also very nice. However, I think the tiny islands standing in turquoise waters make a more impressive scenery.
Cycling was fun so we decided to cycle further the next day to a newly built pagoda complex. To our surprise, to enter we would be forced to pay for the golf cart shuttle, despite guides saying we could walk around for free. Refusing the scam, We chose to turn around and not take the tourist trap. Strange to build a Buddhist temple just for tourists anyway. The government doesn’t promote religion to its people, as far as I understand.
Next we took our first night bus to Phong Nha, not before getting a massage and some banh mi.
