Exploring the Mystical Caves of Thung Nham and the North’s Largest Bird Garden

Thung Nham boasts a pristine beauty with its limestone mountains, valleys, caves, and pristine forests. It’s a nature lover’s paradise waiting to be explored.

Thung Nham, located in Dong Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, is a place of natural wonder with its rugged limestone mountains, verdant valleys, and mysterious caves. The name “Thung Nham” reflects the local geography, with “Thung” referring to the valley surrounded by mountains and “Nham” denoting the steep and treacherous nature of the limestone cliffs.

A boat ride is the perfect way to explore the mystical caves of Thung Nham.

Following the advice of our local guide, we began our journey by visiting Hang But and Vai Gioi cave, two natural masterpieces in the ancient capital region. These caves are a testament to the beauty and power of nature.

The stunning formations inside the caves resemble a work of art.

Hang But, approximately 500 meters in length, reveals a spectacular sight as soon as you enter. The cave is adorned with a myriad of stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years, creating shapes that resemble a Buddha statue, a dragon’s silk scarf, a sleeping fairy, and more. Without the modern lighting systems found in other caves like Trang An, we relied on our lamps to illuminate the magical world within. The soft light added to the mystical atmosphere, making the experience even more enchanting.

The caves are known for their impressive layers of stalactites and stalagmites.

Vai Gioi cave, another renowned attraction in Thung Nham, spans an impressive 5,000 square meters and is located within a majestic mountain. Reaching it involves climbing nearly 500 winding steps that hug the mountain’s slope. What sets Vai Gioi cave apart are the layers upon layers of sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. According to legend, the cave represents three realms: heaven, earth, and hell.

The unique shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites spark the imagination.

As our caving adventure came to an end, the sun began its descent, marking the perfect time to visit Thung Nham’s bird garden. This sanctuary is estimated to host 5,000 bird nests and 46 different species, including some rare birds listed in the Red Book, such as the Sarus Crane and the Oriental White Stork.

As the sun sets, birds fill the sky, heading back to their nests for the night.

There are two ways to explore the bird garden: by boat, which takes you deep into the heart of the sanctuary for an up-close view of the birds, or on foot, following a walking trail that leads to a viewing platform.

The walking trail offers a peaceful way to explore the bird garden.

The boat ride offers a unique perspective of the bird garden.

Choosing the boat ride, we set off from the dock, gently paddling as the sun dipped below the horizon. In winter, the birds start returning to their nests as early as 4 p.m., while in summer, they come back a little later. As we glided along, we witnessed a stunning spectacle of white birds filling the sky, heading home for the night.

As night falls, the birds return to their nests, filling the trees with life.

Sitting in the boat, listening to the gentle lapping of the water and the calls of the birds, we felt like we had stepped into a fairy tale. After bidding farewell to the bird garden, we indulged in local specialties like mountain goat meat and burnt rice, fueling up for the next day’s exploration of Van Long wetland, another renowned destination in Ninh Binh. Van Long is especially breathtaking during this season, with endless fields of lotuses providing the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photos.

Goat meat dishes are a famous delicacy in Ninh Binh.