Tam Coc Ninh Binh

 

We woke early in our bungalow (Tam Coc Horizon) in Tam Coc Ninh Binh. We had arranged to meet our guide, Leo, for a 06:30 cycle ride to view the local sites. A beautifully warm morning, with the Sun rising. It seems that the day starts early in Vietnam, the local children were already outside with their school bags and the farmers already tending their Rice fields. 

 

The scenery and wildlife is stunning. A Kingfisher sat on a power line and we cycled past many flowering lilies in the lakes and rivers, The area is beautiful and rugged. Vietnam is a country which has been involved in many invasions and conflicts over the last 1000 years. The Chinese, Moors, French Japanese and then most recently the Vietnam war involving the Russian, Chinese and Americas from the 55 to 75. We passed an area which was used to train their soldiers when they fought the Moors. They were trained in how to fight in the woods, water and the hills, both night and day. An environment very different for overseas soldiers. While beautiful, its a landscape which the people of Vietnam have used to their advantage for the last thousand years. A beautiful country, but one which needs ingenuity to survive. But given all their conflicts, what comes across when you spend time with them is how positive they are. Their culture is half glass full. They are also incredibly hardworking. Their country is changing fast as they modernise and become a manufacturing world power. It’s clear that this is not without its challenges. They only opened their borders to the west in 1995. Talking to our guide Leo, he has seen massive changes in this time, which gives him concern. Tourist resorts are springing up as money comes in from the cities. It will be interesting to see how this area changes over the next 20 years. 

Our cycle took us to various places including one of their many temples;  Bich Dong Pagoda built in 1428. 

Bich Dong Pagoda

After our morning ride, it was back for breakfast and a few hours relaxation around the swimming pool, before our next cycle ride to the Han Mua Peak, which is a 500 step climb to look over the Ninh Binh region. The idea was to sit at the top while the sunset, but unfortunately the weather was overcast, so we we needed to look at the views without the sun, but still stunning. 

                                            

After our 500 steps climb, there was only one way to finish the day, dinner. A cycle back to Tam Coc to eat in the recommendation of the day from Leo. Father Cooking, serving amazing local food for an amazing price.