Last Updated on October 27, 2025 by Sam
Boat tours of the Trang An Landscape Complex showcase Vietnam’s stunning karst landscapes, which have formed over millions of years. The dramatic scenery encompasses towering limestone peaks, meandering rivers, and ancient caves and makes these boat trips an essential inclusion on not just any Ninh Binh itinerary, but any Vietnam itinerary! But there’s more than one boat route through Trang An, each with its own highlights and history. This guide covers everything you need to know about Trang An boat tours, including pricing, how to book, and the best routes for you!
What Is the Trang An Landscape Complex?
The Trang An Landscape Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ninh Binh, known for its spectacular scenery. It covers 6,226 hectares (15,385 acres) of rivers, caves, and temples surrounded by towering karst mountains that date back around 250 million years.
The complex is split into three distinct sections: the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest. Its combination of dramatic scenery and rich history makes the complex one of Ninh Binh’s top attractions.
You can explore temples and ruins at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, but one of the best ways to experience Trang An is by sampan (a traditional wooden boat). Trang An boat tours give you up-close views of the limestone peaks and rice fields and let you explore hidden caves only accessible by water.
Trang An Boat Tours Information
Trang An Boat Tour Ticket Price (as of 2025): 250,000 VND per person in a shared boat (of four people) or 1,000,000 VND for a private boat.
Trang An Boat Tours Opening Times: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Trang An Boat Tour Routes
As of 2025, there are now four main routes for Trang An boat tours, each offering a different experience. Whichever route you take, you’ll get wonderful views of the dramatic landscape. The main difference is the number of caves and temples you visit.
Some routes are longer than others, so you’ll need to decide exactly what you want to see. Unfortunately, none of the routes stop at the Kong: Skull Island filming location anymore, but you’ll still get to see some of the landscapes that feature in the movie.
Here’s an overview of the different possible routes for your Trang An boat trip so you can choose the best option for you:
Route 1 (9 Caves, 3 Temples)
If you want to see as much of the Trang An Landscape Complex as you can, Route 1 is a good option. It’s the best option if you want to explore Trang An’s caves, and you’ll get to visit some impressive temples as well.
Stops on Trang An Boat Tour Route 1: Trinh Temple – Toi Cave – Sang Cave – Nau Ruou Cave – Tran Temple – Ba Giot Cave – Seo Cave – Son Duong Cave – Khong Cave – Bao Hieu Pagoda – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave
Duration: 3 hours.
Route 2 (4 Caves, 3 Temples)
Route 2 of the Trang An boat tour showcases the area’s spectacular scenery, particularly at Dia Linh Mountain. It’s the best option for anyone with claustrophobia, as Route 3 visits the longest cave in Trang An, and there are fewer caves than on Route 1.
Stops on Trang An Boat Tour Route 2: Lam Cave – Thanh Cao Son Temple – Vang Cave – Thanh Truot Cave – Suoi Tien Temple –Dia Linh Mountain – Kim Quy Mountain – Dai Cave – Vu Lam Royal Steps
Duration: 3 hours.
Route 3 (3 Caves, 3 Temples)
Although Route 3 has fewer stops than Routes 1 and 2, you’ll still get to soak in lots of breathtaking views of limestone karst mountains along the way. One of the highlights is Dot Cave, which stretches for 1,000 metres and is the longest cave in the Trang An Landscape Complex.
Having opted for this route ourselves, we can safely say it doesn’t disappoint.
Stops on Trang An Boat Tour Route 3: Trinh Temple – Dot Cave – Van Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dia Linh Mountain – Kim Quy Mountain – Dai Cave – Vu Lam Royal Steps
Duration: 3 hours.
Phoenix Route (4 Caves, 2 Temples)
The Phoenix Route is the newest Trang An boat route and is the perfect option if you’re short on time. It only lasts for 1.5 hours, but you’ll still get to experience the highlights, including spectacular views of karst mountains, caves, and temples.
Stops on the Trang An Boat Tour Phoenix Route: Lam Cave – Thanh Cao Son Temple – Vang Cave – Phuong Hoang Mountain – Thanh Truot Cave – Dai Cave – Vu Lam Royal Steps
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Booking Trang An Boat Tours
Tickets for Trang An boat tours can’t be purchased in advance and must be bought at the complex itself. Boat trips cost 250,000 VND per person for a shared trip in a boat of up to four people, or you can hire a private boat for 1,000,000 VND. Both cash and card payments are accepted, but we recommend having cash, just in case your card doesn’t work.
If you opt for a shared boat, you’ll need to wait until there are enough people wanting to take the same route, but you won’t typically have to wait long.
Trang An Day Trips from Hanoi and Ninh Binh
Although you can’t typically pre-book, some day trips from Hanoi and Ninh Binh include a boat ride through the Trang An Landscape Complex. There are some great options available through Get Your Guide, and taking one of these day trips means you don’t have to worry about organising your own transport to and from the area.
Click here to browse the top-rated day trips on Get Your Guide!
Are Trang An Boat Tours Worth It?
In our opinion, visiting Trang An is a must for anyone exploring northern Vietnam. It makes for an excellent day trip from Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, or even Hanoi, and the breathtaking scenery is right up there with Ha Long Bay.
Although we haven’t personally tried every route, we can confidently say boat tours in Trang An are excellent value at just 250,000 VND per person. And, having met people who tried the other routes, we’re fairly certain that whatever route you pick, you’ll enjoy the amazing nature just as much as we did.
It’s also possible to do boat rides in Tam Coc, where rowers use the traditional foot-rowing method, but even if you take one of these trips, we still think it’s worth visiting Trang An too. Both have impressive views, but we’d say Trang An slightly edges it out.
How To Get to the Trang An Landscape Complex
Renting a scooter or motorbike is one of the easiest ways to get from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh to the Trang An Landscape Complex. Rentals start from 100,000–150,000 VND per day, and it’s around a 20-minute drive from Tam Coc.
If you don’t have a motorbike license (your travel insurance won’t cover you if you don’t have one!), the easiest way to get to Trang An is by taxi. There are a few operators in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, and you can find one online or ask your accommodation to help you book one.
Many guesthouses and homestays have bicycles available, often free for guests. Alternatively, you can rent one for a small fee, and then it’s a 45–60-minute bike ride from Tam Coc to Trang An.
The departure point is listed on Google Maps as “Trang An Departure Boat Ticket.”
Best Time To Do the Trang An Boat Tour
The best time to take a boat tour in Trang An is early morning or mid-to-late afternoon, as it avoids the intense midday heat. You’ll also escape the crowds of day trippers from Hanoi that typically arrive around midday.
Although it’s slightly stating the obvious, try to take a Trang An boat tour on a clear day for the best views of the amazing scenery. On our visit, it was misty when we arrived, so we went elsewhere and came back an hour later so we could fully appreciate the landscape.
For the best weather, visit during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The rainy season (May to October) is still a great time to go, and you’ll get wonderful views of misty hills, lush landscapes, and golden rice fields.
Try to avoid visiting during public holidays, as it can get very crowded. During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), queues for boat trips can exceed three hours!
FAQs: Trang An Boat Tours
Is it easy to join a boat trip as a solo traveller?
It’s easy to join a tour as a solo traveller, but boats only depart when they have four passengers, so you might have a little bit of a wait. Normally, you won’t have to wait too long, especially if you’re flexible about which route you take.
What wildlife can you see on a Trang An boat tour?
Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, but you may have the chance to see monkeys, fish, and several bird species, including little grebes and kingfishers.
Are boat trips through Trang An suitable for families with children?
Boat trips in Trang An are family-friendly, offering an exciting way to explore caves, rivers, and the stunning karst landscape.
Are the boats in Trang An covered or open-air?
The boats are open-air, so it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella and sun cream to stay protected.
What should I bring for the boat ride?
Bring a camera, hat, and umbrella for sun protection, along with water and snacks, as there aren’t any shops along the boat routes.
Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!
Like this guide to the Trang An boat tour? Pin it!
