Instead of the typical hotel, we chose to stay in a homestay (B&B), located in the midst of Tam Coc’s paddy fields to enjoy a different experience. And it was a truly nice experience.
We stayed 2 nights at the Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow. It is located within the paddy fields so it is quiet but it is also only a short walk to the Tam Coc town center.
Entrance area of Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow.
Reception and dining area beneath a limestone mountain.
We arrived at the homestay by car after a day of sightseeing around Ninh Binh with our private guide and driver. We were served cold drinks and a plate of fresh pineapples upon arrival.
The local pineapple is small but came with great taste and texture. Beautifully cut, juicy and sweet.
Our room
Once the paperwork is done, we were shown to our room.
All the bedrooms are laid out in a row and all face the paddy fields. Each room has a pair of bamboo lounge chairs and low table placed just outside the entrance. Our unit was special and has a small dining table and chairs as well. Our host, Anna, told us we could have dinner served at this area if we wish but we took all our meals at the main dining area which was right outside a cave!
Our well-furnished and clean room with a 4-poster bed.
Huge comfortable bed with good quality bed linen.
The room is fully air-conditioned and we had no problems with insects. The mosquito netting over the bamboo 4-poster bed adds another layer of assurance and also adds to the overall romantic feel of the room.
Fresh fruit platter, bottled water and sweets provided in the room. There is also a small refrigerator.
View of the paddy fields from the room. The owners had a pet bird in a cage that was hung in the branches of a star-fruit tree next to our room that loves to sing.
The bathroom comes with hot shower, WC and basins like what you would find in a decent hotel.
A “fruity” breakfast to start the day
Our stay included breakfast and the hosts were generous with the breakfast items. Besides platters of fresh fruits, we were served fruit juice, eggs, Vietnamese coffee, cupcakes, hot crepes or pancakes that went down well with the delicious home-made pineapple jam.
Local fruits, Vietnamese drip coffee, home-made pineapple jam and hot pancakes for breakfast each day.
Exploring Tam Coc
There are a few attractions located within walking distance to the homestay. There are free bicycles available or motorcycles for rental. We chose to explore Tam Coc on foot, namely Bich Dong Pagoda and the Tam Coc town center. We also took an evening walk around the paddy fields surrounding the homestay. Trip report here.
In between the sightseeing, we relaxed and chilled in our room or in the terrace outside our room. This was a place to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of rural Ninh Binh while using the free Wi-fi to connect with the family and friends back home.
Dinner at the “cave”
The homestay is located at the foot of a limestone mountain and the dining area consists of several bamboo tables and chairs placed at the mouth of a cave. Fairy lights decorated the surroundings and made the place so cosy and lively.
The restaurant serves excellent and reasonable priced local cuisine and drinks. We chose to eat at the restaurant at Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow on both nights.
The restaurant at Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow specializes in Asian cuisine.
Dinner on our first day. Set menu that came with beer, stir-fried chicken with lemon grass, spinach and DYI spring rolls with stirred fried beef, pineapple slices and lettuce.
Dinner on our second day. The beef with pineapple was very good. The fried spring roll with meat is good too and not salty. We did not order dessert and our hosts Anna gave us bananas as dessert.
A warm foot bath to end the day
All guests at this homestay were offered a tub of hot water for a free foot bath each night before bedtime.
Herbs and lime in the tub of hot water to soak our feet before bed each night.
Soaking our feet in the hot tub outside our room before bedtime.
Our hosts
Our hosts,Tony and Anna, are a friendly young couple who excel in customer service and hospitality. They were attentive but not intrusive.
They made sure we were given a cold drink each time we returned to the homestay after a walk or sightseeing around Ninh Binh. On the day of our departure, Anna gave us bottles of cold water to bring along for our 2 hours’ drive to the Airport.
Overall, Tam Coc Horizon Bungalow is an excellent place to stay while on a vacation in Ninh Binh.
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