Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave)
A quiet cave-and-pagoda valley next to Hoa Lu, with a green lake, an old stone wall and about 200 steps up to Am Tien Pagoda. Entry 20,000 VND.
Overview
Last updated: October 2026
Tuyet Tinh Coc (Tuyệt Tình Cốc) is a small limestone valley inside the Hoa Lu ancient capital area, a short ride from the Hoa Lu temples. You walk in past rice fields and cliffs to a jade-green lake, a cave, and a moss-covered pagoda about 200 steps up the rock. Entry is 20,000 VND (under $1).
The name means roughly "valley of lost love", and it's a nickname visitors gave it, not the original. The site was first called Dragon Cave, because from a distance the opening looks like a dragon's mouth. After King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (Hanoi) in 1010, the cave was cleared and became a retreat for people looking for quiet, and it took the name Am Tien Cave (Động Am Tiên). You'll see both names on signs and in map apps.
It's a short stop, not a half-day. Most people pair it with Hoa Lu Ancient Capital or Bai Dinh Pagoda and spend about an hour here.
My honest take: get on a bike. I biked around Tuyet Tinh Coc and it was a really nice experience, far better than just climbing the steps and leaving. A paved path follows the edge of the lake under the cliffs, so you see the whole valley.
Get There
Tuyet Tinh Coc is in Truong Yen, inside the Hoa Lu ancient capital complex. Since Vietnam's 2025 administrative reorganization, newer addresses may show a different ward or commune name under Ninh Binh Province, so search "Động Am Tiên" or "Tuyệt Tình Cốc" in Grab or Google Maps rather than an address.
From Tam Coc or Trang An: it's close to both, and easy to add by Grab, taxi or motorbike on the same day as the Hoa Lu temples.
From Hanoi: about 90 km. If you're driving yourself, take National Road 1A south to Gian Khau Bridge, turn onto Provincial Road 491 and follow the signs for Am Tien Cave. Most visitors come on a Ninh Binh day tour or stay a night in Tam Coc instead.
Parking: motorbike parking costs about 10,000 to 20,000 VND. On holidays, agree the price before you hand over your bike.
Hotels
There's nowhere to stay at the valley itself. Base yourself in Tam Coc, which is quiet at night and close to Trang An, Mua Cave and Hoa Lu. For specific places, see the Ninh Binh section of our Ninh Binh travel guide.
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What you'll see
Am Tien Cave. About 100 meters past the ticket gate, at the foot of the cliffs.
Am Tien Pagoda. Roughly 200 more steps up from the cave. It's small and old, with mossy walls, and on a clear day you can see Bai Dinh Pagoda in the distance.
The stone wall. An old wall built along the cliff. The steps and rocks around it are uneven, so watch your footing.
The lake. A clear green lake ringed by karst. Small boats are moored on it as photo props, and climbing in for a picture is the main thing most visitors do here.
Tickets
Entry is 20,000 VND (under $1) per person.
When to go
Any time of year works. Summer is hot and humid, winter is cool and often grey. Go early, ideally around 7am, so you do the 200 to 250 steps before the heat and the tour groups arrive.
Good to know before you go
Cash: Bring small Vietnamese dong for the ticket and parking.
Dress: Cover shoulders and knees for the pagoda.
Shoes: Wear something with grip. The steps are steep in places and slippery after rain.
Water: Bring a bottle and a snack for the climb.
Nearby
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is the obvious pairing, since you're already in the complex. Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An and Mua Cave are all a short drive away. Finish the day at Mua Cave for sunset.
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