Kenh Ga Floating Village Ninh Binh: Boat & Hot Spring 2026

Kenh Ga Floating Village (Làng nổi Kênh Gà) is a riverside fishing community of more than 600 households on the Hoang Long River in Gia Vien commune, about 20–25 km north-west of Ninh Binh city. It is known for life lived on boats, a natural hot spring of around 53°C and nearby Van Trinh Cave. You visit by rowing boat from Dong Chua wharf.

Status (checked October 2026): open to visitors as normal. The village lies outside the river dyke and floods in most rainy seasons; in late August 2025 floodwater after Storm No. 5 cut it off for several days, so check conditions with your guide if you travel between August and October.

Why Kenh Ga Floating Village is worth seeing:

Real river life: a working fishing village, not a theme park, where boats are still the main way to get around.
Quiet waterways: far fewer boats than Trang An or Tam Coc.
Natural hot spring: salty mineral water rising at around 53°C, now used by a spa resort.
Van Trinh Cave: a lit limestone cave with stalactites a short walk from the river.
Easy add-on: combines well with Van Long Nature Reserve on a half-day route north of Ninh Binh.

Kenh Ga Floating Village at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Làng nổi Kênh Gà
Location	Kenh Ga village on the Hoang Long River, Gia Vien commune (formerly Gia Thinh commune, Gia Vien district), Ninh Binh province
Distance	About 20–25 km north-west of Ninh Binh city; about 90–100 km (2–2.5 hours by road) from Hanoi
Known for	Floating fishing village, boat life, Kenh Ga hot spring, Van Trinh Cave
Size	More than 600 households
Boat departure	Dong Chua wharf on the Hoang Long River
Opening hours	Boats run in daylight, roughly 7:00–17:00
Entrance fee	No village entrance fee; the boat is paid at the wharf. Hot spring resort combo about 550,000 VND per adult (2025 provincial price list)
Time needed	About 1 hour by boat; 3 hours with Van Trinh Cave; half a day with the hot spring
Best time	October–April for dry, mild weather; early morning or late afternoon
Nearby	Van Long Nature Reserve, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu, Trang An
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Kenh Ga Floating Village Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you want everyday river life rather than another postcard landscape. Kenh Ga is smaller and less dramatic than the karst boat trips of Trang An, but it shows how families in the Ninh Binh lowlands actually live with the river: fishing, ferrying goods, repairing boats and moving house contents upstairs when the water rises.

Best for: travellers who have already seen Trang An or Tam Coc, photographers, families who like quiet boat rides, and anyone interested in rural Vietnam.
Skip if: you only have one day in Ninh Binh; the UNESCO-listed Trang An boat trip should come first.
Short on time: take the one-hour village loop from Dong Chua wharf and pair it with Van Long the same morning.

History and Background of Kenh Ga

Kenh Ga grew up outside the dyke of the Hoang Long River, in the low, flood-prone Gia Vien plain. Fishing families from different places settled here to work the river in the flood season and gradually built homes on the banks and sandbars. Today the village has more than 600 households, and many still earn a living from fishing and river transport.

Because it sits outside the dyke, Kenh Ga is flooded once or twice in most years, which is why Vietnamese call it a “floating village”. Houses are built with upper floors where families move during floods, and in the high-water season boats become the only way in and out.

Where the name comes from

“Kênh Gà” means “chicken canal”. Local stories link the name to the wild chickens that once lived on the surrounding hills; another legend connects it with the hot spring, said to have been hot enough to cook chicken offerings. Neither story can be proven, but both are told by boat rowers in the village.

What to See at Kenh Ga Floating Village

1. The boat ride through the village

The core experience is a slow rowing-boat trip of about one hour from Dong Chua wharf along the Hoang Long River and its side channels. You pass stilt and concrete houses, fishing nets, floating fish cages and limestone hills in the background. Rowers often steer with their feet, as in other Ninh Binh boat trips.

2. Daily life on the water

Expect to see children paddling small boats, women washing vegetables at the water’s edge, small shops and even hair salons on boats. One of the village boatbuilders makes and repairs composite boats for the community. Mornings are busiest, when catches are sorted and sold.

3. Kenh Ga hot spring

A natural hot spring rises from the mountain near the village at around 53°C at the source (some sources give up to 57°C). The salty mineral water feeds the pools of a spa resort nearby, and some families have built their own small bathing pools. Resort pools are cooled to comfortable temperatures.

4. Van Trinh Cave

On the longer route, boats stop near Van Trinh Cave, a limestone cave reached by a walk of up to half an hour along the dyke and through rice fields. Inside are several chambers of stalactites and stalagmites with electric lighting. Wear shoes with grip; steps can be wet.

5. Rice fields and limestone scenery

Between the village and the cave, the landscape opens into paddies framed by karst hills, especially photogenic in May–June and September–October when the rice is golden. Cycling the dyke roads is a good alternative for active travellers.

Kenh Ga Tickets and Prices (2026)

Item	Details
Village entrance	No entrance ticket for the village itself
Rowing boat (Dong Chua wharf)	Paid per boat at the wharf; price depends on route length and number of passengers, so confirm before boarding
Hot spring resort combo (adult)	About 550,000 VND (about US$21)
Hot spring resort combo (child 7–11)	About 415,000 VND; under 6 free
Boat hours	Daylight, roughly 7:00–17:00

Resort prices follow the Ninh Binh tourism price list published in 2025 and can change; on a guided tour, boat fees are usually included.

How to Visit Kenh Ga, Step by Step

Drive to Dong Chua wharf on the Hoang Long River, about 20–25 km north-west of Ninh Binh city.
Agree the route and price with the boat operator: village loop (about 1 hour) or village plus Van Trinh Cave (about 3 hours).
Row through the village and along the river; ask before photographing people at close range.
If you chose the long route, land near the cave and walk to Van Trinh Cave.
Return to the wharf and, if you wish, finish with a soak at the hot spring.

Etiquette in a living village

This is a home for hundreds of families, not a show; keep voices down and do not enter houses uninvited.
Ask with a smile or a gesture before photographing children and older people.
Take your rubbish back with you; there are few bins on the river.
A small tip for your rower (20,000–50,000 VND) is appreciated but optional.

How to Get to Kenh Ga Floating Village

From	How	Time
Ninh Binh city	Taxi, Grab or private car via Road 477 towards Me town	About 30–40 minutes
Tam Coc / Trang An hotels	Private car, taxi or motorbike	About 35–45 minutes
Van Long Nature Reserve	Car or bicycle along local roads	About 15–20 minutes
Hanoi	Private car or tour via the expressway and Gian Khau junction	About 2–2.5 hours
Hanoi by public transport	Train or bus to Ninh Binh, then taxi	About 3 hours in total

For train, bus and limousine options from Hanoi, see our Ninh Binh transport guide.

Best Time to Visit Kenh Ga Floating Village

When	What to expect
October–December	Dry, mild and clear; the best all-round season. Rice harvest scenery in early October.
January–March	Cool and sometimes misty; perfect weather for the hot spring. Busy around Tet with local visitors.
April–June	Warm and green; golden rice in late May–June. Go early to avoid the heat.
July–September	Hot, rainy and typhoon season; the village can flood and trips may be cancelled.
Time of day	Early morning for village activity and soft light; late afternoon for sunset over the hills.

Local Expert Tips for Kenh Ga Floating Village

These tips come from years of arranging Ninh Binh tours for international travellers.

Combine Kenh Ga with Van Long in one morning; both are north of the city and avoid the crowds at Trang An.
Bring a hat, sunscreen and water: the boats have no shade.
Choose the 3-hour route only if you enjoy walking and caves; the 1-hour loop shows the village well.
Pack swimwear if you plan to visit the hot spring, and check whether a combo includes towels.
Avoid the peak of the rainy season (August–September) when floods can close the river.
Stay in Tam Coc or Trang An and use our Ninh Binh hotel guide to pick a base.

Kenh Ga Floating Village vs Van Long Nature Reserve

Feature	Kenh Ga	Van Long
Main appeal	Village and river life	Wetland scenery and wildlife
Boat type	Rowing boat on the Hoang Long River	Bamboo boat on a calm lagoon
Highlights	Floating houses, hot spring, Van Trinh Cave	Karst peaks, Ca Cave, Delacour’s langurs, birds
Typical time	1–3 hours	1–1.5 hours
Crowds	Very quiet	Quiet

Our view: if you can only choose one, Van Long has the finer scenery; Kenh Ga is better for seeing how people live. They are close enough to do both in a relaxed half day.

Nearby Attractions

Van Long Nature Reserve: Ninh Binh’s largest wetland and home of the Delacour’s langur.
Bai Dinh Pagoda: Vietnam’s largest Buddhist complex, a short drive south of Kenh Ga.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: temples of the Dinh and Le kings from the 10th century.
Trang An Landscape Complex: the UNESCO-listed boat trip through caves and karsts.
Cuc Phuong National Park: Vietnam’s first national park, further west.

Sightseeing in Ninh Binh for First-Time Visitors: Where Kenh Ga Fits

One day in Ninh Binh? Prioritise the Trang An boat trip, the viewpoint at Mua Cave and either Bai Dinh or Hoa Lu. With a second day, head north for Van Long in the morning and Kenh Ga before lunch, then finish at Tam Coc or Thung Nham Bird Park for sunset. Try local goat dishes and crispy rice from our Ninh Binh food guide.

Plan your trip with our Ninh Binh travel guide and Ninh Binh tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kenh Ga Floating Village

1. What is Kenh Ga Floating Village?

Kenh Ga is a fishing village of more than 600 households on the Hoang Long River in Ninh Binh, where boats are the main form of transport and houses flood in most rainy seasons.

2. Where is Kenh Ga Floating Village?

Kenh Ga is in Gia Vien commune (formerly Gia Thinh commune), Ninh Binh province, about 20–25 km north-west of Ninh Binh city and about 90–100 km from Hanoi.

3. Is Kenh Ga worth visiting?

Yes, if you want authentic river life and quiet boating; if you only have one day in Ninh Binh, see Trang An first.

4. Is there an entrance fee for Kenh Ga Floating Village?

There is no village ticket; you pay for the rowing boat at Dong Chua wharf, and the hot spring resort charges separately (about 550,000 VND per adult for a combo in 2025).