Thung Nang Ninh Binh 2026: Quiet Boat Trip & Prices

Thung Nang (Thung Nắng, “Sunny Valley”) is a small, quiet boat trip through a karst valley, caves and rice fields in Ninh Binh, about 3 km from Tam Coc and close to Bich Dong Pagoda. It is the peaceful alternative to the busy Tam Coc and Trang An rides: an entrance fee of about 20,000 VND plus a boat fare of about 100,000 VND per adult.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal. The provincial price list sets about 20,000 VND entrance and about 100,000 VND per adult for the boat (half price for children 6–15 and seniors); Thung Nang is a small local operation, so pay in cash and confirm prices at the wharf.

Why Thung Nang is worth seeing:

Very few crowds: often just a handful of boats on the water.
Classic Ninh Binh scenery: limestone walls, a calm river, rice and wild vegetation.
Caves and small temples: Thung Nang, Mang and Ba Doi caves, and two valley temples.
Short and cheap: about an hour and one of the cheapest boat fares in Ninh Binh.
Easy to combine: next to Bich Dong Pagoda and a short ride from Tam Coc and Mua Cave.

Thung Nang at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Thung Nắng
Location	Dam Khe village, Nam Hoa Lu Ward, Ninh Binh province; boats leave from the Thach Bich area near Bich Dong Pagoda
Distance	About 3 km from Tam Coc; about 7–10 km (15–20 minutes) from central Ninh Binh
Known for	A quiet rowing-boat trip through a sunlit karst valley
Recognition	Not separately listed; it lies in the same karst landscape as the UNESCO Trang An Landscape Complex
Opening hours	Daily, roughly from early morning to late afternoon
Entrance fee	About 20,000 VND entrance + about 100,000 VND boat per adult (around US$4.60 in total)
Time needed	About 1 – 1.5 hours
Best time	Morning or late afternoon; late May – early June for golden rice
Nearby	Bich Dong Pagoda, Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Thung Nham
Find it	Google Maps

Is Thung Nang Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you want Ninh Binh’s scenery without the crowds. Thung Nang is smaller than Tam Coc or Trang An, with fewer caves and no big temples, but on a quiet morning you may have the valley almost to yourself. It works best as a second boat trip, or as your only one if you dislike busy places.

Best for: repeat visitors, couples, photographers and travellers who want calm.
Skip if: it is your only boat trip in Ninh Binh and you want caves and history; choose Trang An.
Short on time: combine Thung Nang with Bich Dong Pagoda in one 2–3 hour outing.

Background and Name of Thung Nang

“Thung” is the local word for a low, waterlogged valley enclosed by limestone mountains, and “nắng” means sunshine: the name comes from the way sunlight slants down the cliffs onto the water and fields, especially in summer. The valley lies in the karst south of Hoa Lu, in the same landscape as Tam Coc and the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex.

Unlike Trang An or Tam Coc, Thung Nang is run on a small scale by local people, and the boats are rowed by villagers from the surrounding area. Two small temples in the valley honour local spirits: Thung Nang Temple, dedicated to the Lord of the Mountains, and Voi Dai Temple.

What to See at Thung Nang

1. The river through the valley

The boat follows a calm stretch of water between steep limestone walls, rice plots and reeds. Herons, kingfishers and ducks are common.

2. Thung Nang, Mang and Ba Doi caves

The route passes through short water caves, including Thung Nang Cave, Mang Cave and Ba Doi Cave. They are smaller than the caves of Trang An but still cool and atmospheric.

3. Thung Nang Temple and Voi Dai Temple

Small shrines at the foot of the cliffs, dedicated to the Lord of the Mountains and to a local guardian spirit, show how valley communities honour the mountains.

4. Bich Dong Pagoda next door

Bich Dong Pagoda, a three-level pagoda built into a cliff, is just a few minutes away and makes a natural pair with the boat trip.

Thung Nang Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Entrance (adult)	About 20,000 VND
Entrance (children 6–15, seniors 60+)	About 10,000 VND
Boat (adult, per trip)	About 100,000 VND
Boat (children 6–15, seniors 60+)	About 50,000 VND
Boat capacity	Usually 2 international or up to 4 Vietnamese passengers
Payment	Cash

Prices follow the latest list on the Ninh Binh tourism portal; as a small local site, Thung Nang may adjust them, so check at the wharf.

How to Do the Thung Nang Boat Trip

Ride or take a taxi to the Thach Bich area near Bich Dong Pagoda.
Pay the entrance and boat fare at the wharf.
Put on a life jacket and board the rowing boat.
Enjoy about an hour on the water through the caves and valley.
Tip the rower if you are happy, then walk to Bich Dong Pagoda.

How to Get to Thung Nang

From	How	Time
Tam Coc village	Bicycle or motorbike	About 10 – 15 minutes
Bich Dong Pagoda	On foot or bicycle	About 5 minutes
Ninh Binh centre	Taxi or Grab	About 15 – 20 minutes
Hanoi	Private car or tour	About 2 hours

See our Ninh Binh transport guide for details.

Best Time to Visit Thung Nang

When	What to expect
Late May – early June	Golden rice in the valley plots
March – April, September – November	Mild weather and soft light
June – August	Hot; go early or late; strong sunlight that gives the valley its name
December – February	Cool and misty, very quiet
Time of day	Early morning or after 15:00

Local Expert Tips for Thung Nang

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

Bring cash in small notes; there are no card machines.
Wear a hat and sunscreen: there is no shade in the boat.
Pair it with Bich Dong and the Mua Cave climb for a relaxed half day by bike.
If the wharf seems closed, ask locals; boats sometimes wait until a few visitors arrive.
Base yourself in Tam Coc; see where to stay in Ninh Binh.

Thung Nang vs Tam Coc

	Thung Nang	Tam Coc
Crowds	Very few	Busy, especially in rice season
Duration	About 1 – 1.5 hours	About 2 hours
Caves	Several small caves	3 caves (largest about 127 m)
Price (adult)	About 120,000 VND in total	About 250,000 VND incl. boat
Facilities	Basic	Village with cafés and shops

Our view: do Tam Coc in rice season for the classic view and Thung Nang for peace and quiet; outside rice season, Thung Nang plus Trang An is a great combination.

Nearby Attractions

Bich Dong Pagoda: next to the Thung Nang wharf.
Tam Coc: the famous rice-field river trip.
Hang Mua: the best viewpoint over the area.
Thung Nham Bird Park: birds returning at dusk.
Trang An and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: the UNESCO highlights.
Kenh Ga floating village: a river village further north-west.

Sightseeing in Ninh Binh for First-Time Visitors: Where Thung Nang Fits

Two or three days in Ninh Binh? Use Thung Nang as your second boat trip after Trang An, together with Bich Dong and Mua Cave. Read our Ninh Binh travel tips and try local specialities from our 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.