Bich Dong Pagoda

A beautiful pagoda complex with caves and is free to visit . This is an easy walk or bike ride from Tam Coc.

The bottom area has temples with interesting posters that explain beliefs around karmic repercussions for specific behaviours. You can climb up stairs into a cave and enjoy the shrines inside. It’s really quite lovely.

Just outside the complex is another staircase up a hill. This will take you passed a family dwelling with a rice paddy and grazing goats. The family has a private cave they give tours to - it’s by donation and we made a point of being generous. The grandmother turned on the lights of the cave and showed us the unique structures - one looks like a giant woman. The cave has lots of fossils and some sections of the wall are actually ancient coral.

You can walk a path around the rice paddy, but eventually the path ends. If you push on you’ll find yourself walking through very tall grasses and some very muddy spots. Worth doing just be prepared for what’s to come.

The goats were adorable, they are very human habituated and the babies like to be pet.

There are a couple of little restaurants,, spots to purchase water, and tourist kitsch just outside the entrance. They also sell big beautiful water lilies to leave at the shrines as an offering.

An ancient temple in Ninh Binh area. Very interesting chinese influenced architecture. The entrance has a stone bridge. There are two main pagoda buildings in the complex. You can climb up the steps and see the upper building which is built on a face of the massive limestone rock. The cave is interesting too. The roof of the building is nice with two segments. There are not much people in this compared to other attractions in the area

Looks like the guides discourage people going there, for some reason. Even my guide said nothing to see, but I insisted that I want to visit. Entrance is free and has ample parking space in front.

Got there at around 10:00, less crowded than expected,free of charge to enter,beautiful religious music from hidden speakers while strolling the temples -worth the visit.

Pro tip -nice egg coffee in front.

It was a lovely bike ride to this interesting pagoda. The last coffee shop, called Lakeview, looked after my bicycle for free when I bought a drink. They also have a very clean toilet and are generally nice people, so here is a photo to help you find them. Built into the rock, the pagoda is definitely worth a visit. Free entrance. Tour groups move on quickly so just hang back to get the place to yourself. Feels peaceful, especially at the top level.

Lovely pagoda and complex partially built inside the caves. One can climb up for some great views.

As for most temples, modest dress is required but they offer long capes & skirts to cover knees and shoulders at the entrance.

Beautiful pagoda set inside a cave. There are also Buddhist statues inside and a small altar at the top of the hill.

Really beautiful place for a morning walk. I cycled here from Trang An, with the ride itself already worth it because of the picturesque scenery. Bich Dong Pagoda was free to enter. I would recommend visiting!

Has lots of stuff to do, the pagoda, caves and water caves are super fun to explore, can be cheap if you want it to be but I'd tip the boat people.

Fantastic temple that's incredibly picturesque and a must-visit whilst in Ninh Binh. You're also able to climb up the stone steps to see the cave system that leads to a smaller shrine higher up. The current price is 100,000 VND to enter and there's a small fee to use the private car/bike parking at the site. Also definitely don't miss the secret cave situated behind the temple which was outstandingly beautiful and rewarded a very short climb up and down stone steps.

Did not expect much but we were astonished by the caves and the big pagoda!
Definitely worth a visit if you're close to this place :) The way upstairs should be easy enough for most visitors.. don't expect too many steps

Nice views, best to get here in the morning or during lunch time to avoid crowds. Entrance is for free so avoid scammers trying to sell you ticket.

Despite us not being able to enter the structures because of improper clothings, I’d still give 5-stars given the highly spiritual atmosphere of the temples.

I’d like to say the serenity of the place is somehow disturbed by some tourists’ loud noise. Well, anywhere, really, there are these kind of tourists.

Beautiful area, free entrance. Our hotel was nearby so we just walked. Arrived 4.30 pm and only few people there. If you happen to be close by, well worth the visit! (From far maybe not so much?)

The cave was amazing, we loved to stay for a short while watching (kind) bats!

We left around 5pm and there was a lady locking the gate, some people didn't get in anymore. I'm not sure if there are opening times.

Everything has already been said about this cute temple located in the mountain, by a lake. What you see is what you get and it’s truly very pretty.

Expect some stairs if you want to go all the way up and some good shoes (stairs are old and slippery).

A lot of people come here for selfies (like everywhere these days) and ignore the basic rules of being quiet in sacred places like this one - it’s definitely a shame.

Last but not least bring a lighter if you plan on burning incense at the numerous alters, I couldn’t find any at the site.

The temples are beautiful and peaceful. But the Cave is more special I must say. Don’t miss it!

When you go to the view behind the main temple complex (You have to get out of the gate, and follow the path of the lake outside, just go through the motorbike parking). You will see the house of this women.

She don’t speak English, she only says, “boat to motorbike” or some kind of that. I paid her 120k in the end because the cave was beautiful with different kinds of rocks too see.

Very cool pagoda. Especially the entrance with the bridge, lillypond, gateway and view into the landacape beyond. A short stairway up the mountain brings you to the pagoda, built partly inside the rocks.

Remember to dress appropriately when entering the religious parts.

Entrance is free. Parking fee for scooter is 20K.

The main attraction is extremely worthwhile- a majestic and humble series of temples and caves. Free to visit. Shoulders and knees need to be covered, as at any temple. There is also a path to the right of the bridge that leads around and up to a valley hidden behind the temples, which is also very peaceful with a lake and many goats. There is another cave there and also a boat ride you can take.

I really liked this place - there was more to see than I expected. Be careful walking in the cave - it’s slippery!
It’s definitely worth a visit, but be careful with parking. I had read reviews before and just accepted to park my bike and pay their parking fee. It didn’t seem worth the trouble of the other options. Unfortunately I didn’t have any bills smaller than 200.000 and the lady there tried to scam me, shorting me 100.000 in change. Luckily I was paying attention- when I called her out she heavily sighed and handed me correct change.

The view is stunning and you have to come here!

Bich Dong Pagoda is a stunning Buddhist temple located in the Ninh Binh province of Vietnam.

This ancient pagoda is renowned for its unique architecture, which blends harmoniously into the surrounding karst limestone cliffs, creating a surreal and serene atmosphere.

The pagoda is composed of three separate structures, each perched on different levels of a mountainside, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Bich Dong Pagoda is considered one of the most beautiful and historic religious sites in Vietnam and attracts visitors from all over the world.

In addition to its spiritual significance, the pagoda is also admired for its natural beauty, with a scenic landscape of lush greenery, tranquil waterways, and soaring cliffs.

A visit to Bich Dong Pagoda is a must-see for anyone seeking a unique and peaceful experience in Vietnam.

What a lovely place, beautiful architecture and has historical & religious values too. People worship here so please obey all the rules. There are caves and up hill hike so spend atleast 1 hour to explore this beautiful majestic place.

Not crowded, just park your bicycle or bike and go up. There is no entrance ticket just pay for your parking. You can consider coming on a bicycle to this place.

There is a beautiful view from its top and also the entrance is really photogenic. A must visit place for those who love history, structure and exploring.