Thung Nham Bird Valley Ninh Binh: 50,000 Birds & Hidden Caves

Thung Nham Bird Valley sits inside Ninh Binh Province, an ecotourism area built around a bird colony. So, if you like ecotourism or birds, fantastic landscapes, caves, and colorful cultures, this is the place.

The valley covers more than 300 hectares, which is why it stays quiet even when Trang An is full. It's not too touristy compared to other tour attractions of Ninh Binh and kind of feels like middle of nowhere but a lot of travelers love that kind of experience, so there's that! See also Best tour plan for Ninh Binh in 2026.

Are you planning to also visit Halong bay/Lan Ha bay with Hanoi and Ninh Bing? Then you definitely should check out this 3 day Ninh Binh, Halong-Lan Ha Bay tour from Hanoi in 5 star luxury cruise for approx $265!
This is one of the most in demand tour booked by our readers who travel to Vietnam.

Thung Nham Bird Valley - Highlights

Birdwatcher's Paradise

It attracts over 50,000 birds of over 40 species, including the rarest species such as the Great Hornbill. It has been assessed as one of the biggest bird sanctuaries in all of North Vietnam that can mainly be seen at dawn when the birds fly out of their nests from 5 to 7 am, and late afternoon when it returns at 4 to 6 pm. An excursion by boat across wetlands enhances the experience, wherein upfront, one gets the storks, herons, and kingfishers.

Exceptional Caves

Thung Nham Ninh Binh holds several caves, each one different:

• Buddha Cave: Limestone cave 500 meters long containing a statue resembling a seated Buddha.

• Tien Ca Cave - Mermaid Cave: A 1,500 meter long water cave full of marked stalactites connects with the legend about the petrified mermaid.

• Ba Co Cave: Hm, well, there was that good story about how they claim it's magic waters that once saved the king! So it's worth it for the folklore at the very least :)

• Vai Gioi Cave: It is up on the mountain and seems like a spiritual trip from Earth to Heaven.

The One-thousand-year Banyan Tree

There was an ancient tree along the holy temple, standing since an unknown time, simply representing the spiritual feeling of the valley.

Flower Paradise and Orchards

Check out this amazing flower garden with over 30 seasonal types, plus colorful orchards where you can snack on tropical fruits like mangoes, guavas, and lychees.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the area is from August to November and then from January to March; it's cooler, and you'll catch a ton of birds. If you get there early or a little later in the afternoon, you'll catch the best bird-watching and nice temperatures.

Things to See in Thung Nham

• Boat Tours: Cruise through the calm waters and check out the bird sanctuary.

• Hiking and Biking: Trails wind in through the lush landscape for those more adventurous.

• Photography: Good light on the karst, the forest and the birds.

• Cultural Adventure: Go see cool sights, including Goi Dai Temple and Linh Than Mieu shrine.

• Relaxation: Overnight stay in eco-sensitive cottages or local food served in restaurants situated on-site.

The other kind of quiet

Thung Nham works because it is the Ninh Binh site nobody has heard of, and the birds come in when the day tours have left.

The same logic operates differently in Phong Nha: the national park caps how many people enter each day, so you do not need to arrive late to avoid a crowd. Our Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley day trek is a single day.

It is 400 km south and a walking day rather than a boat one, so it is a different trip and not a comparison.

Thung Nham: HOW TO GET HERE

Thung Nham: 100 km south of Hanoi: how to get here:

• By bus: Go by bus to the city of Ninh Binh and then catch a taxi to the park.

• By Train: Take any train from Hanoi going to Ninh Binh. This will take 2 hours of travel and then another in getting there.

• By bicycle: Going by National Highway 1A would be more interesting. Cycling from nearby Tam Coc is popular, but we received some feedback from tourists cautioning about dusty roads. This is more of an adventure option but if you want comfort then going by taxi would be a better option.

Tips to Visitors

• Basic: Comfortable wear, strong shoes, sun protection, hats, and anti-insect sprays.

• Snacks & Water: Keep yourself hydrated, pumped up en route.

• Ecology: Do not litter to maintain the valley's virgin environment.

• Time Management: At least half a day for the highlights, or an overnight stay for the full experience.

Entrance Fees

• Adults: 150K VND ($6 USD)

• Children (1m-1.3m): 100,000 VND

• Children below 1m and seniors above 80 yrs with ID for free.

Tickets get you into all the cool spots and a boat ride to the bird sanctuary (included in the ticket price).

Why visit Thung Nham Bird Park?

Thung Nham Bird Valley is fully clothed with natural beauties, wildlife, and indigenous culture. The soothing music of birds' songs, big caves, and nice landscapes altogether turn it into a perfect retreat into amazing nature. Start planning your visit to Thung Nham Bird Valley today for nature combined with serenity.

Ninh Binh got bigger in 2025

On 1 July 2025 Ha Nam and Nam Dinh merged into Ninh Binh, and the combined province kept the name Ninh Binh. Thung Nham, Trang An, Tam Coc and Mua Cave are all where they always were.

The district tier was abolished at the same time, so addresses written as "X district, Ninh Binh province" are now written differently on paperwork. Signs and booking sites have not caught up, and nothing about getting here changed.

Quick answers

When do the birds actually come in? Late afternoon, roughly 17:00 to 18:00, when they return to roost. That is the whole reason to be here and most day tours arrive at lunchtime and miss it.

Is the boat trip necessary? To see the bird garden, yes. It is the only access, and the boat is the quiet part of the day.

How does it compare to Trang An? Trang An is the spectacle and it is busy. Thung Nham is quieter, smaller and about wildlife rather than scenery. If you have done one boat trip already, this is the different one rather than a second helping.

How long do I need? Half a day, and it should be the second half.

Is it good for children? Yes, and the caves on site are short and lit. Bring insect repellent.