Động Tam Cốc, Cave system in Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.
Tam Coc is a cave system consisting of three natural caves carved by the Ngo Dong River as it cuts through limestone mountains. Water flows through tunnels beneath the rock formations, creating passages that are only reachable by boat.
The caves served as shelters during past conflicts and military struggles in the region. Nearby Hoa Lu functioned as Vietnam's capital during the 10th and 11th centuries, connecting this area to the nation's early political history.
Rice farmers in the surrounding area practice traditional cultivation methods passed down through generations, working in the fields right up to the water's edge.
The best way to experience the place is by boat tour departing from Van Lam village, with the journey through all three caves taking around two hours. A guide steers the boat through narrow passages and explains the rock formations along the way.
The cave system forms part of the larger Trang An Complex where boats navigate through natural chambers while rice paddies extend directly to the water's edge. This blend of underground passages and working farmland creates an unusual landscape.
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