Hoa Lu Tam Coc

When the Hotel E-Commerce Manager proposed in the itinerary to spend a day in Hoa Lu Tam Coc, I had no idea what this place had to offer. But the many photos I googled were indeed impressive and picturesque. I was looking forward to the experience in Tam Coc.

Picturesque Tam Coc as shown in many photos I googled.

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Tam Coc in the District of Ninh Binh is a mere 100 Km south of Hanoi. Still, it took the coach two and half hours to reach the destination. The one-day tour to Hoa Lu Tam Coc began with a visit to the first university of Vietnam in Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu used to be the ancient capital of old Vietnam under the Dinh and Le Dynasty. The education system and governing civil system adopted then to screen and select intellectuals and bureaucrats was very similar to the system started by Confucius. The architecture of the campus buildings reminded us of the once close historical link between China and Vietnam.

Hoa Lu.

One of the university buildings in the campus.

This Temple of Literature is used on the reverse of the VND 100,000 bill.

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The excursion to Tam Coc commenced with a 45-minute cycling tour around padi fields through village track and pathway. We put into good use our recently re-learnt skill in cycling.

Much to my disappointment, the panoramic view and grandeur of the so-called Inland Ha Long Bay of Vietnam could not be fully experienced when we were only rowing the boat at ground zero level. The uniqueness of this landscape would have been better appreciated if a strategic high point can be provided to facilitate a panoramic view of this unique landscape.

We were warned in advance of the nuisance of persistent pestering by "cameramen". They do unsolicited photo shoot and later pester the tourists to buy their photos. The boatmen hired to ferry the tourists too demand for tips and cola money from the visitors. Notwithstanding our preparedness, their persistence was still a pain in the ass of an otherwise enjoyable trip!

Photo bought from persistent camera lady.

Padi field viewed at ground zero level.

Farmers at work.

Some similarities to Kuilin, China.

Entrance to one of the three caves.