THUNG NHAM ECOTOURISM ZONE

Thung Nham does not need a review. It speaks itself and just must go there. This ecotourism zone is 12 kilometer to the south of Ninh Binh city, which there used to be the first ancient capital of Vietnam. We came to Trang An ecotourism complex after nearly 2 hours in car. From Bich Dong pagoda, you continue to traveling 4 more kilometers, “Birds’ Home” comes into our view.

Overview of Thung Nham from the car parking

This has been a newish attraction with almost tourists in recent years. Getting a chance to enjoy the tranquil site in my first field trip, I clearly felt the beauty of “Thung Nham birds’ home”.  Being trainee at Ecosea travel, I had a great time with 5 people family coming from Malaysia. The following is something informative what I got in my experience, with those wishing to visit Thung Nham ecotourism zone.

ABOUT WHAT IS SUITABLE TIME TO VISIT THUNG NHAM?

You can take a visit to Thung Nham 1 or 2 days, depending on your schedule, but personally, two-day tour is the ideal duration to enjoy the entire beauty there. As be known, about 17h30 is time for us to go up your boat and watch birds coming back their nets. Relatively, birds there sometimes go to find food nearer and fly back earlier in cold weather day. For this reason, autumn days are the most suitable period to go a sightseeing tour to Thung Nham Bird Park - ecotourism zone.

HOW TO APPROACH THUNG NHAM?

It takes 2 hours to get Ninh Binh province from Hanoi about 100 kilometers along the highway 1A. Traveling 4 more kilometers on the highway 30 after you came to Ninh Binh and going in Tam Coc tourist zone 4 more kilometers are you get into Thung Nang (Sunshine valley). From there, following to the directory about 1-2 more kilometers, you can see Bich Dong pagoda and turn left into Hai Nham village to go on 4 more kilometers is Thung Nham’s ticket gate appears in front of you.

Ticket fare: 100.000 VND/pax

Thung Nham map

WHAT TO DO THERE?

EATING AND ACCOMMODATION

There are fully eating and accommodation services in this Thung Nham ecotourism zone, namely, stilt houses, private houses (single, double and so on), karaoke rooms, swimming pools and etc with a nice and peaceful scenery which are appropriate for  relaxing on weekends.

House on stilt at Thung Nham

It is very spacious to serve tourists with food and drink service in restaurant there. Ordering a la carte and set menu are always available (reasonable prices) with some specialtíe such as Com chay, goat meat and so on. Remarkably, all of the foods and vegetables using on your meal are made by itself-organizer here. The very “subsistence farming” policy of Thung Nham is what attracts most of visitors to come back here. 

SIGHTSEEING

There are various tourist attractions at Thung Nham Bird Park ecotourism zone, which will give you memorable moments and photos.

VAI TROI CAVE

On your left, Vai Troi cave is about 500 meters from the ticket gate. Importantly, 400 stone steps are your challenge climbing up. The cave, about 5000 diameters in width, is on high mountain. There are three layers with sparkling stalactites inside this cave in which are considered as “Earth, Hell and Heaven”. It is said that ancient Vietnamese people set up a sacred altar here to pray good weather and a bumper harvest in that year. It is the meaning of the cave’s name. Vai Troi, a popular act of Vietnamese people, means to pray to God for wishing something lucky in special occasions.

Vai Troi cave

BUDDHIST CAVE

Buddhist cave, about 500 meters in length, is a natural cave. Its width is up to 70 meters and the roof of the cave is about 30 meters in height. Especially, there are various and magical stalactites and a special image on stalactites which most of local people call “Buddha” sitting beside the underground river in order to wish lucky and fine things which come to tourists taking a visit here.

It is interesting for tourist that there is no electrical system inside the cave. Discovering the Buddha cave with a small torch is like an adventure tour urging you so much.

Buddhist cave

THE MOVING BANYAN TREE

To stand on the Thung Nham Mountain is a very ancient banyan tree. According to scientists, this special tree did move three times around the temple near there. Each step of the tree was estimated that it lasts more than 300 years. Touching it to hope for health and luck is a solemn act of each Vietnamese person whenever they come.

The moving banyan tree

ORCHARD

Its gross area is approximately 80000 square meters planning various tropical fruit tree such as apple, star fruit, mango, lychee and so on. Taking a chance to enjoy fresh air and fruits is very safe and tranquil for you to relax after hard working times. The ripe fruit on trees are available whenever you come here, especially springtime. Moreover, leaving away narrow-noisy streets in your busy city to get an experience with gardening here is a great time to regain your energy and make you love more this life around.

Thung Nham Orchard

THE TOOTHBRUSH TREE

Closely, attaching to King Dinh Tien’s story is the toothbrush tree being a thousand years old. King Dinh Tiên Hoang was the first Vietnamese emperor and the founder of the Dinh dynasty after we had won the domination of the Chinese Southern Han dynasty. He was also the person who laid down the foundation for centralization in Vietnamese feudal system in the 10th century. It is hard for me to avoid surprising that the tree have been alive due to a big limestone. It still lives so well that time does take away with itself. It is believed that its shape is unique in Vietnam. A local person shared that this specie was very helpful for life. Its rough leave is used to make furniture smooth in Vietnam. Be durable, be hard to take fire and be against woodworm are great features of its bark. For this trait, it is used as a paper to write down Buddhist chant in Thailand. Furthermore, this tree’s chemistry is known to have a diuretic effect, avoid worm disease and reduce levels of tooth decay.

The thousand years old tree

BA CO CAVE

The legend has it that Kinh Dinh Tien Hoang, the first Vietnamese emperor, was poisoned. Doctors was tried their best but had no remedy to cure the King. The royal announcement was released to award any Vietnamese people who had a special drug to escape the King’s serious condition that time. At Hoa Lu citadel, there was three sisters got a dream to find out the precious water which is good for the King in a cave at Thung Nham. They immediately went into this cave as soon as they had been awake. Reluctantly, a wild tiger caught up and killed them. After that, local people made a tomb to commemorate three girls who had good heart because of the great King. From that on, the cave got the name “Ba Co” which means three good-hearted girls.

Ba Co cave

BIRDS' GARDEN

I will not forget a huge space, which is very windy and fresh water. Starting on a small boat to take us away riverside was a very peaceful and memorable time. I still remember that it was a suitable time to watch birds coming back their net after a harking working day. Bird was flying in a hurry made a child beside me burnt out crying.

Bird's Garden

Being a residence of birds’ diversity pieces of such as Stork, Heron, Warbler, Starling and so on. We had a chance to watch a sky of birds. Remarkably, people said that there are two scarce birds in the park have been recorded in the Vietnamese Red book. It includes Flamingo and Phoenix, which is one of four mascots in Vietnamese tradition and belief, namely, Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix. Time went by so quickly. The boat did take me back. It was time for us get on the car to go back Hanoi. Maybe, I just want to say “see you again” instead of “goodbye” Thung Nham paradise in my mind.

If you like the article (and even if you don't), or have ideas for topics you'd like enjoyed in the next time, let me know what you think about Vietnam Here And There. And rest assured I have been trying to improve the coming articles’ quality.