Van Long Lagoon in Ninh Binh attracts many tourists coming here with its wild beauty and diverse ecosystem. The quiet Van Long eco-tourism area in the charming mountain scenery has captivated many people. People love the peace, the clear blue sky, the blended mountain scenery... here.

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Where is Van Long lagoon?

Van Long lagoon is located in Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, about 80km away from Hanoi.

Wetland ecosystems and forests on limestone mountains are the two main ecosystems in Van Long tourist area. In addition, other ecosystems can be mentioned such as fields, lawns, swidden fields, and villages. With an area of ​​nearly 3,500 hectares, Van Long lagoon is a place where animals, plants, aquatic animals live and grow, in which there is white rump langur - a primate endemic of Vietnam - that needs to be preserved.

This place is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta. Van Long ecological area has many landscapes, caves and cultural relics.

Van Long lagoon in Ninh Binh appears as a charming painting with unspoiled scenery, this place was once chosen by the famous film studio Legendary Entertainment as one of the settings for the famous movie Kong - Skull Island. Through sharp footage that shows the beauty of the lagoon, Van Long has quickly become a destination for tourists from all over the world.

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When should visit Van Long lagoon?

You can visit Van Long eco-tourism area at any time of the year because the diverse ecosystem here is beautiful in every season. However, if you want to admire the lotus season, remember to visit Van Long lagoon in the summer. At this time, the whole ecological area seems to be full of lotus scent, the green space is adorned with pink colors of flowers.

Or visitors can consider a trip in the dry season. From November of last year to April of next year. This is the ideal time to enjoy the beauty of flora and fauna. Avoid going in the rainy season because it is cloudy weather. The rain made traveling difficult.

What time of day is appropriate to visit Van Long lagoon?

The best time is early morning or late afternoon.

In the morning, the air is fresh, the dewdrops are still on the leaves. It is a quiet, cool feeling that cannot be described in words. This time is suitable for those who want to be close to nature, forget the hustle and bustle of the city. The scene of dawn gently calls everything to wake up.

In the late afternoon, going to Van Long to watch the sunset, and the beautiful scenery will not let you down. These are also two periods of time, visitors can watch flocks of birds hovering in the sky while looking for food and returning to their nests.

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Ticket price to visit Van Long lagoon

• Sightseeing tickets

Adults: 20,000 VND/person

Children under 1m tall: 10,000 VND/person

Elderly people (from 60 years old and above): 10,000 VND/person

• Ferry tickets:

Adults: 60,000 VND / trip / boat for 2 people for about 1h - 1h30'

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How to move to Van Long Lagoon?

Public transport

With neighboring provinces or not more than 100km from Ninh Binh, visitors can take a bus to Ninh Binh bus station or train to Ninh Binh station. Another very convenient way is to use the Limousine bus service with fares ranging from 80,000 VND to 140,000 VND. Then take a taxi or rent a motorbike to move to Van Long lagoon.

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Private vehicles

If traveling by private vehicle from Hanoi, the route is following the National Highway 1A, through Phu Ly to Gian Khau junction, turn left and follow the road to Nho Quan to Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district. Keep going for about 8km, you will see a dike, and Van Long lagoon is located right at the foot of that dike.

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Interesting experiences in Van Long lagoon

Boat riding around Van Long lagoon

Sitting on beautiful small boats, you will be immediately mesmerized by the pristine, eye-catching beauty of Van Long flooded lagoon. This is the majestic mountain scenery, the feeling of floating on the blue water, the moss and algae are hidden under the clear water just like colorful coral reefs. Surrounding is sedges and reeds swaying in the wind. In the distance, flocks of white storks, fire storks, storks... fluttered in the air. Van Long Lagoon is known as the "Bay without waves" because the water is extremely calm and the water is so clear that you can see the poetic and lyrical scenery of the clouds and the mountains silhouetted against the water.

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Visiting  the caves near Van Long lagoon

An interesting activity not to be missed when visiting Van Long lagoon eco-tourism area is exploring unique caves with multi-shaped stalactites. The limestone mountains, caves with many different shapes, are home to many animals.

One of the largest caves to be mentioned is Ca Cave. This cave consists of half floating and half sinking with a pretty view. And as its name suggests, inside the cave there are many species of fish. If you want to visit the cave, you have to take a boat to the cave.

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Visiting spiritual tourist spots

In Van Long lagoon eco-tourism area, there is a whole temple complex located right on steep mountain terrain for you to visit. Temples and pagodas such as Thanh Mau Temple, King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple, Dich Long Pagoda, Thanh Son Pagoda, etc. are tinged with ancient colors and contain many historical stories that are worthy to learn.

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Watch the sunset and sunrise

Traveling to Van Long lagoon in the early morning or late afternoon, visitors can admire the poetic and brilliant Ninh Binh countryside. The blue smoke trails with the storks flying over the river surface looking for food, are extremely peaceful.

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What to eat at Van Long lagoon?

Van Long lagoon area or Ninh Binh has many attractive dishes. You can immediately enjoy famous dishes such as Ninh Binh burnt rice, mountain goat meat, fish salad, vermicelli with perch, mountain snails, ... and countless other specialties.

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Source: collected