Exploring Tam Coc- Bich Dong in harvest time

I spent my exciting summer in the beautiful land of Ninh Binh. In the province exists Tam Coc, which resembles a colorful collage during summer time. It can be the yellow color of a smooth carpet of ripe rice undulating in the breeze, the color of turquoise water of the winding river, or the pleasant blue of the open sky… All create a delightful landscape painting.

As charming as a muse

We left Hanoi at the first gleam of day light, and a course of more than 110 milometers long along National Highway 1A brings us to Tam Coc - Bich Dong as the sun rises. Soon after buying a ticket, we rented a basket boat for four people with VND120,000 (approx. US$5.4). Ours is the fourth among more than ten to set off that day. Two young women on the boat in front of us held their cellphones, then clicked, clicked and clicked, when the man accompanying them repeatedly paid lavish praise to the picturesque scenery.

On the way, our friendly guide told us about the land, with his voice full of enthusiasm. From Dinh Cac boat station, it takes nearly three hours of rowing along the Ngo Dong River, through Ca, Hai and Ba grottoes. I found myself enchanted by the beauty of Tam Coc-Bich Dong at the very first glance. I was immersed in contemplating the cave ceiling adorned with beautiful, glistening stalactites. Limestone outcrops stood imposingly, stretching above the river flow and forming many caves. I was thrilled with the extremely wonderful coolness on my hands coming from the thousand-year-old wonder. I couldn’t help myself, couldn’t pass up my rare opportunity as the guide offered to take photos of mine in the caves. You’re not gonna believe it! Though we were in the caves, I still had good photos, and they were greatly appreciated by others.

The boat floated gently out of the caves, towards the sparkling summer sunshine. It was as if we had gone through a door to heaven. In front of my eyes emerged impressive, towering mountains partitioning the azure blue sky. The meandering river snakes along the banks, leading to the superb scenery along the two banks. The ripe paddy fields dance in the wind, bringing us such a spectacular vista.

A gold-inlaid Tam Coc

I visited Tam Coc in May as the rice ripened. The guide told me that there was only one crop a year, and the rice would be ripe from late fourth to early fifth lunar month. Hence, I was there during the period of the year when the scenery was the most beautiful. Smooth golden paddy fields run straight to the horizon, and together with the cool blue sky, they make a scenic view that can help relieve the feeling of the boiling summer temperature. Floating along Ngo Dong River, which has been dubbed as the soul of Tam Coc, I was awed by the picture of nature with three main colors: the blue of the sky, the brown of the soil and the yellow of the rice. Ripe paddy fields with a mixture of harvested and yet-to-be-harvested rice make up an eye-catching collage. I was so overwhelmed by the love for this lovely scenery that I wished that I could keep this moment with me forever.

Don’t forget to take photos of the landscape in the northern countryside during harvest time. I don’t think that you can find more beautiful scenery than this. Boats carry full load of ripe rice and radiant smiles of local people along the river, leaving on me a relaxing and peaceful feeling.

Why not come to Tam Coc - Bich Dong in harvest time, and let yourselves a chance to admire heaps of mountains, deep blue sky and sea of golden paddy fields, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the northern countryside.

Nhu Ha

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