When Tam Coc puts on the purple-pink color of the new season
From late October to December every year, Tam Coc - Bich Dong (Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province) enters the season of blooming lotus flowers. Along the Ngo Dong River winding between limestone mountains, thousands of pink and purple lotus flowers bloom, spreading out in soft bands of color across the clear water. Different from the brilliant yellow of the ripe rice season, Tam Coc in late autumn has a more calm and gentle look, like the slow breath of the earth and sky when the seasons change. Bamboo boats drift gently on the water, reflecting the colors of flowers and clouds, making the scene both tranquil and poetic, making it hard to look away.
In the morning, when the dew is still light, amidst the tranquil scenery of the river, a few small boats of the locals quietly drift among the flowers. They bend down to pick each lotus flower, skillfully arrange them on the side of the boat and row to the wooden bridge. Looking down from above, the small boats following each other like a mobile stream of flowers, brilliant between the blue water and the silent rocky mountains.
On the wooden bridge, pairs of shoulder poles laden with bright pink lotus flowers are lined up in a row. The image of women in Ao Ba Ba and conical hats carrying lotus flowers in the middle of the Ngo Dong River is like a simple, authentic and poetic picture of the Northern countryside, where people are attached to the rivers and fields of lotus flowers blooming every morning.
People harvest lotus flowers, load them onto shoulder poles and carry them across the wooden bridge across the river.
Experience the flower season from a small boat cabin
Sitting on a boat watching lotus flowers is an activity chosen by many tourists during autumn days in Ninh Binh. From Tam Coc wharf, bamboo boats rowed by locals gently weave through the Ngo Dong River, taking visitors past clusters of blooming flowers along both banks. While rowing, they tell stories about the countryside, the flower season, how people care for and protect the river, and the simple, deep rhythm of life.
When sitting on a boat on the Ngo Dong River in late autumn, visitors will experience the feeling of walking in the middle of a "sea of flowers".
Lotus flowers in Tam Coc only bloom during the day, from about 7 to 10 am. The best time to see and take pictures of lotus flowers is early in the morning, when the sun has just touched the water surface and dew is still on the petals. After noon, the flowers begin to close and shyly close their petals. Photographer Nguyen Trong Cung (Hung Yen) has been to Ninh Binh many times to take photos, but for him, lotus flower season is always special. "The flowers only bloom and are beautiful in the first few hours of the day, so visitors should come early to fully admire the beauty of this simple flower. Lotus flowers are inherently dark in color, so photographers should choose light, pastel-toned outfits to stand out in the space," he said.
Not only photography lovers, many foreign tourists also come to Tam Coc at this time to experience sitting on a boat to watch the flowers. Amidst the majestic limestone mountains, the gently flowing river, the pink lotus flowers gently touching the water surface, creating a peaceful picture - a "different Ninh Binh" compared to the familiar golden rice season.
Foreign tourists also enjoy this experience.
Ngo Dong River and the journey to discover Trang An in autumn
From Ngo Dong River, visitors can continue their journey through three natural caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba - where light reflects on the limestone blocks, creating a magical space typical of the Tam Coc - Bich Dong eco-tourism area. Tiny drops of water falling from the stone arches onto the river surface, combined with the gentle sound of oars, make the journey to see the lotus flowers more poetic.
Around the end of October, the lotus flowers on both sides of the river are at their most brilliant, especially from cave 1 to cave 2, where each flower has long, evenly arranged, bright pink petals, reflecting in the still water.
The purple color of the lotus flowers reflects on the river surface in front of the cave.
Tam Coc - Bich Dong is located in the core area of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage. About 7 km from Ninh Binh city center, this place is easy to travel by car or motorbike, suitable for a short weekend trip.
The lotus season not only enriches the natural picture of Ninh Binh, but also contributes to creating a highlight for eco-tourism in the Trang An region. After the golden rice season, tourists come to Tam Coc to immerse themselves in the soft colors of the river flowers, enjoy the fresh air and the gentleness of the people here.
The lotus season on Ngo Dong River is brilliant yet gentle like a farewell to autumn.
Sitting on a flower boat, drifting along the river, breathing in the cool autumn scent, listening to the wind blowing through the rocky mountains and watching each lotus flower bloom - that is the moment that makes people forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The lotus flower season in Tam Coc is therefore not noisy, not brilliant, but leaves in the hearts of travelers a feeling of peace before the end of autumn.
