Thung Nham Bird Park 2026: Tickets, Birds & Boat Trips

Thung Nham Bird Park (Vườn chim Thung Nham) is an eco-tourism valley of over 300 ha of forest, lakes and caves in Ninh Binh, about 12 km from the city centre. It is best known for the thousands of storks, herons and egrets that fly back to roost on its bird island in the late afternoon. The 2026 ticket is 250,000 VND per adult, including the boat.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily. From 1 April 2026 the adult ticket rose from 150,000 to 250,000 VND (children 1–1.29 m: 150,000 VND; under 1 m free), boat and VAT included. October to April is the main bird season; arrive by about 16:00 to see the evening return.

Why Thung Nham Bird Park is worth seeing:

The evening return of the birds: tens of thousands of birds fly back to roost at dusk.
Boat rides through the wetland: quiet rowing boats bring you close to the bird island.
Caves: But Cave, about 500 m long, plus Tien Ca and Vai Gioi caves.
Gardens and lakes: flower gardens, ponds and shady paths, good for families.
Away from the crowds: calmer than Tam Coc or Trang An, especially in the morning.

Thung Nham Bird Park at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Khu du lịch sinh thái Thung Nham (Vườn chim Thung Nham)
Location	Hai Nham village, Nam Hoa Lu Ward (formerly Ninh Hai commune), Ninh Binh province
Distance	About 12 km west of central Ninh Binh; about 10 minutes from Tam Coc; around 2 hours from Hanoi
Known for	Bird island with storks, herons and egrets, boat rides, caves and gardens
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 around sunset
Entrance fee	250,000 VND (about US$9.60) per adult, boat included; 150,000 VND children 1–1.29 m
Time needed	2 – 3 hours
Best time	September – April; early morning or 16:00 to dusk
Nearby	Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Thung Nang, Bich Dong Pagoda
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is Thung Nham Bird Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you time it for the birds. In the late afternoon, flocks returning to the bird island make Thung Nham one of the most memorable wildlife sights near Hanoi. At midday the birds are mostly away feeding, and the park can feel like a pleasant but ordinary garden with boats, so plan your visit around dusk or early morning.

Best for: nature lovers, families, birdwatchers and repeat visitors to Ninh Binh.
Skip if: you can only come at midday in summer, or you have just one day and have not yet seen Trang An.
Short on time: arrive at about 16:00, take the boat to the bird island and stay until dark.

Background of Thung Nham Bird Park

“Thung” means a valley enclosed by limestone mountains, and Thung Nham is just that: a basin of forest, lakes and wetland in the karst south-west of Ninh Binh. The area was developed as an eco-tourism zone by a private company, and over the years the protected wetland and trees became a roost for large numbers of water birds.

The birds include storks, several kinds of herons and egrets, teals and starlings. They leave at dawn to feed in the rice fields of the region and return in the late afternoon, which is why timing matters. The park is in the same karst landscape as Tam Coc and the Trang An Landscape Complex, and the operator says the 2026 price rise funds better services and conservation of the landscape and ecosystem.

What to See at Thung Nham Bird Park

1. The bird island at dusk

The main event: from about 16:30 to dark, waves of white and grey birds fly in over the lake and settle in the trees of the island. Watch from a boat or the viewing points along the shore.

2. Boat ride through the wetland

Rowing boats glide across the lakes and channels to the bird island and past karst cliffs, rice and lotus. The ride is included in the ticket.

Calm lake surrounded by forest and limestone hills at Thung Nham, Ninh Binh — Boat trips cross the quiet lakes and caves of Thung Nham. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

3. But Cave

But (Buddha) Cave is a natural cave about 500 m long, with stalactites and a small altar inside. It is the largest cave in the park.

4. Tien Ca and Vai Gioi caves

Tien Ca (Mermaid) Cave can be visited by boat, while Vai Gioi Cave sits high on a cliff and needs a short climb.

5. Flower gardens and lakes

Gardens with more than 30 kinds of flowers, ponds, small bridges and shady paths make the park popular with Vietnamese families and photographers.

6. Swimming pool and resort area

The site includes a resort area with a swimming pool (extra fee) and restaurants, convenient if you visit with children or stay overnight.

Thung Nham Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Adults (over 1.3 m)	250,000 VND (about US$9.60), boat and VAT included
Children 1 – 1.29 m	150,000 VND
Children under 1 m	Free
Electric buggy (whole route)	About 40,000 VND per person
Swimming pool	Extra fee
Opening hours	Daily, roughly early morning to around sunset; stay for the birds at dusk

The prices above apply from 1 April 2026 and are set by the operator; the Ninh Binh tourism portal lists official attraction fees and the park’s hotline.

How to Visit Thung Nham, Step by Step

Arrive around 14:30–15:00 and buy your ticket at the gate.
Walk or take the electric buggy to the caves and gardens first.
From about 16:00, board a boat towards the bird island.
Stay on the water or at a viewing point until the flocks settle at dusk.
Return before dark; bring a torch for the paths.

Etiquette for Birdwatching at Thung Nham

Keep voices low and do not shout or clap to make the birds fly.
Do not use flash or drones near the roost.
Stay in the boat and on marked paths; the island is off limits.
Bring insect repellent and a hat; the wetland has mosquitoes at dusk.

How to Get to Thung Nham Bird Park

From	How	Time
Tam Coc village	Bicycle, motorbike or taxi	About 10 – 20 minutes
Ninh Binh centre	Taxi or Grab	About 25 minutes
Trang An wharf	Taxi or motorbike	About 25 minutes
Hanoi	Private car or tour	About 2 – 2.5 hours

Our Ninh Binh transport guide covers trains, buses and taxis.

Best Time to Visit Thung Nham Bird Park

When	What to expect
September – April	The main bird season, with the largest numbers
May – August	Fewer birds, hot afternoons, green scenery
Early morning	Birds leaving to feed, cool air, few visitors
Late afternoon (about 16:00 to dusk)	The spectacular return of the flocks
Midday	Few birds; better for the caves and gardens

Local Expert Tips for Thung Nham Bird Park

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

Bring binoculars or a zoom lens; the birds stay on the island.
Do Tam Coc or Mua Cave in the morning, then Thung Nham in the afternoon.
Wear long sleeves at dusk against mosquitoes.
Book an early dinner afterwards; see our Ninh Binh food guide.
Stay nearby so you do not drive back to Hanoi in the dark; see Ninh Binh hotels and homestays.

Thung Nham Bird Park vs Van Long Nature Reserve

	Thung Nham	Van Long
Main draw	Bird roost at dusk, caves, gardens	Wetland boat trip, rare Delacour’s langurs
Atmosphere	Developed eco-park	Wild, very quiet
Ticket	250,000 VND incl. boat	See our Van Long guide
Best time	Late afternoon	Early morning

Our view: choose Thung Nham for birds and an easy family outing, and Van Long Nature Reserve for a wilder, more peaceful boat trip.

Nearby Attractions

Tam Coc: the classic rice-field boat trip.
Mua Cave: climb for the panoramic view.
Thung Nang: a short, quiet valley boat ride.
Bich Dong Pagoda: three pagodas on a cliff.
Trang An and Hoa Lu: the UNESCO heart of Ninh Binh.
Cuc Phuong National Park: Vietnam’s oldest national park, for a forest day.

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

Two days in Ninh Binh? Day one: Hoa Lu, Trang An and Mua Cave. Day two: Tam Coc and Bich Dong in the morning, Bai Dinh at midday and Thung Nham for the evening birds. Our Ninh Binh travel tips explain weather, money and packing.

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 Thung Nham Bird Park

1. Where is Thung Nham Bird Park?

Thung Nham Bird Park is in Hai Nham village, Nam Hoa Lu Ward (formerly Ninh Hai commune), about 12 km west of central Ninh Binh.

2. How much is the Thung Nham ticket in 2026?

From 1 April 2026 the Thung Nham ticket is 250,000 VND per adult and 150,000 VND for children 1–1.29 m, boat included.

3. What time do the birds return at Thung Nham?

Birds return to Thung Nham’s bird island from about 16:30 until dark, slightly earlier in winter.

4. When is the best season for Thung Nham Bird Park?

The best season for Thung Nham is September to April, when bird numbers are highest.

5. Is Thung Nham Bird Park worth visiting?

Yes, Thung Nham is worth it if you come for the dusk bird return; at midday it is mainly gardens and caves.

6. Is the boat included in the Thung Nham ticket?

Yes, the Thung Nham ticket includes the boat ride and VAT; the electric buggy and pool cost extra.

7. What birds can I see at Thung Nham?

At Thung Nham you can see storks, herons, egrets, teals and starlings.

8. How long should I spend at Thung Nham?

Allow 2–3 hours at Thung Nham, arriving mid-afternoon to explore before the birds return.

9. Are there caves at Thung Nham?

Yes, Thung Nham has But Cave (about 500 m long), Tien Ca Cave and Vai Gioi Cave.

10. How far is Thung Nham from Tam Coc?

Thung Nham is about 10–20 minutes from Tam Coc by bike, motorbike or taxi; see our Tam Coc guide.

11. Is Thung Nham good for children?

Yes, Thung Nham suits families, with gardens, boats, caves and a pool.

12. Can I stay overnight at Thung Nham?

Yes, Thung Nham has a resort area with rooms and restaurants, or you can stay in nearby Tam Coc.

13. Can I visit Thung Nham on a day trip from Hanoi?

It is possible, but because Thung Nham is best at dusk, staying overnight in Ninh Binh is more comfortable.

14. Do I need binoculars at Thung Nham Bird Park?

Binoculars or a zoom lens are recommended at Thung Nham because boats keep a distance from the bird island.

15. Is Thung Nham part of the Trang An UNESCO site?

Thung Nham lies in the same karst landscape as Trang An and Tam Coc, but it is a separately run eco-tourism park rather than a named component of the UNESCO property.