Thung Nham, specifically the Thung Nham Bird Park, is a new tourist attraction in Ninh Binh, located approximately 12 km from the city of Ninh Binh and is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Thung Nham Bird Park is situated right next to Tam Coc – Bich Dong, approximately 4 km from the Bich Dong Pagoda.

In Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Thung Nham Bird Park is surrounded by tropical forests, limestone mountain ranges with numerous valleys and caves. In this article, we’ll introduce you to a Ninh Binh hidden gem - Thung Nham and its Bird Park. So, what can you expect at Thung Nham?

What to see at Thung Nham Bird Park

Thung Nham Bird Park is approximately 40 hectares in surface area, which is pretty large for a tourist attraction, and that's precisely why Thung Nham Bird Park has a lot to offer, especially for those seeking an interesting adventure. Below are some of our suggestions for what you can see in Thung Nham Bird Park, and remember that it's only some of what Thung Nham Bird Park brings to the table. We’re only talking about the must-visits in Thung Nham Bird Park, everything else is up for discovery; after all, that's what adventure means, right?

Thung Nham Bird Park

Most people come to Thung Nham Bird Park because it’s a natural park where you can find nearly 50 types of wild birds, many of which are listed on the global endangered species list including the heron, the black-crowned night heron, the starling, the white-rumped shama, the Eurasian teal, and the Hang Hac. In addition to birds, Thung Nham Bird Park is also home to hundreds of types of flora, fauna, fish, reptiles, and more. 

The best way to explore Thung Nham Bird Park is by taking a boat. You need to pay a small fee for a boat ride to see the birds, and the boatman will stop at a suitable distance for you to admire the birds without disturbing them. The best time to see the birds in Thung Nham Bird Park is around 5 PM, when flocks of birds return from a full day of searching for food. The number of birds in Thung Nham is less during the day, so try visiting in the late afternoon if possible.

Vai Gioi Cave (Prostrate-before-God Cave)

Vai Gioi Cave is located about 500 meters from the entrance of Thung Nham Bird Park. After climbing 439 stone steps, you will reach Vai Gioi Cave, located at the top of a high mountain and spanning 5000 square meters with three chambers representing Earth, Hell, and Heaven. According to an ancient legend thousands of years ago, this is where the altar of the gods was located, and people would come here to organize ceremonies to wish for an abundant harvest.

But Cave (Buddha Cave)

This is a narrow natural cave located inside Thung Nham Bird Park. It measures 500 meters in length but is quite narrow, with the largest area being only 70 square meters and 30 meters in height. The reason it is called "But Cave" or “Buddha Cave” is that it has a large stalactite resembling Buddha.

Another interesting fact about the cave is that, unlike many other caves in Vietnam that have colorful lights inside, there is no light in But Cave, so you have to explore the cave with a flashlight and follow the instructions of the tour guide.

Ba Co Cave (Three Ladies Cave)

It is one of the most famous caves in Thung Nham Bird Park, not because of its beauty but rather because of the mysterious and interesting legend behind the name of the Cave. It is said that when Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang (the king of Vietnam from 968 to 979) was poisoned, and his doctors could not cure him, they announced throughout the country, seeking someone to help the king.

Back then, there were three sisters who all had the same dream one night that the water from a cave in Thung Nham bird Park could heal the king. The next morning, these young girls went to the cave; however, upon their arrival, a tiger killed them. Since then, the cave has been named Ba Co Cave ("ba co" meaning "three ladies").

Tien Ca Cave (Mermaid Cave)

Dong Tien Ca is a wet cave in Thung Nham bird park that is quite long, with a length of 1500 meters. It is said that there is a petrified mermaid inside with a sad story behind it, and that's why this cave has been named "mermaid" or in Vietnamese - "Tien Ca."

Climbing up nearly 200 stone steps under the ancient bamboo clusters, the cave entrance unfolds before the eyes of tourists. The further into the cave you go, the more captivating it becomes, the eerie ambiance gives the impression of entering another world beneath the Earth's surface.

Through millions of years of formation, there used to be a stalactite area resembling a mermaid, however, you don’t see the resemblance as clearly anymore. Nevertheless, visitors still find it fascinating to take pictures with it.

Ninh Binh's moving millennia-old Banyan Tree

This is an extremely special attraction in Thung Nham Bird Park. The banyan tree has been here for about a thousand years and is located next to an ancient temple. It is said that this tree moves on its own around the temple and has moved three times until today. Some scientists have even confirmed that this tree moves every 300 years.

Entrance fees & Tickets

Thung Nham Bird Park currently applies ticket pricing based on height:

- Adults and children from 1.3m and above: 150,000 VND per person.

- Children from 1m to under 1.3m: 100,000 VND per person.

- Children under 1m: Free of charge.

The entrance ticket is a bundled ticket, covering both ground attractions, the boat ride to the bird park, and the But Cave boat ticket.

Exemptions from Thung Nham ticket fees:

- Individuals aged 80 and above: Must present a national ID card at the ticket counter (card or photo).

- People with disabilities: Must present relevant documentation at the ticket counter (card or photo).

Best time to visit Thung Nham Bird Park

Visiting Thung Nham Bird Park in Ninh Binh typically takes about 1 to 2 days, we recommend a two-day visit to Thung Nham to make the most out of your visit.

The birds in the valley often return to their nests around 5:30 PM after seeking food, making it the best time to visit Thung Nham Bird Park.

Ideally, the Thung Nham Bird Park is best visited in the fall, from August to October, or between January and March. It is also recommended to be on-site in the late afternoon, around 5 PM, to enjoy the flocks of birds returning to their nests. However, early morning (between 5 AM and 7 AM for the start of the food hunting expedition) or late in the day, between 4 PM and 6 PM, are also interesting visit times.

How to get to Thung Nham Bird Park

Getting to Thung Nham Bird Park from Hanoi is pretty easy, you can get there by bus, by motorbike, or by train.

By bus : From Hanoi, take a bus to Ninh Binh via the new expressway. Upon reaching Ninh Binh city, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Thung Nham. The fare to Ninh Binh city is approximately 70.000 - 90.000 VND. From the Ninh Binh city bus station, you can take a taxi to Thung Nham Bird Park for about 50.000 VND.

By motorbike : Follow National Highway 1A to reach Ninh Binh city, go an additional 4 km on the 30/6 road, then turn onto the Vom Bridge to reach Thung Nham Bird Park.

By train : You can get a train ticket at Hanoi train station, a train ticket is usually pretty affordable. After about 2 hours, you’ll reach the Ninh Binh train station. From there, you can take a taxi or a bike taxi to reach Thung Nham Bird Park.

Final tips

Before you pick up your bags and go to Thung Nham Bird Park, here are some tips for the best experience:

- Bring water and some snacks to "recharge" when necessary.

- Bring a hat, an umbrella, wear comfortable clothing and don’t forget sunscreen.

- You should also prepare some medications just in case when visiting, such as cold medicine, digestive aids, insect repellent, etc.

- Make sure your phone has data for looking up the way or if you need help.

And there you go! Have fun on your trip to one of the most interesting destinations in Ninh Binh! For other things to see and visit in the province:

=> Ninh Binh 2 Day Tour