Ngoa Long Mountain (Ngọa Long Sơn / Lying Dragon Mountain)

100m (328 ft)

There are two routes on this mountain that take you to two viewpoints that are on or close to the summit.

The first has a Lying Dragon statue and a Quan Am statue. The trail leading up to this viewpoint has 500 limestone steps and takes about 15 minutes if you are fit.

The other trail leads to a pagoda, which is slightly lower in elevation than the Lying Dragon and also ascends via limestone steps.

Both trails can be done within an hour round trip.

This is a groomed ‘trail’. 500 limestone steps have been carved into the mountainside from the base of the mountain all the way to the top. The steps are quite big, and the trail is steep. It is not an easy climb, but it is doable.

The steps start at the base of the mountain which is also the site of the Mua caves. The steps themselves are guarded by a beautifully carved dragon that serves as a railing. There are also many other carvings up on the steps.

About halfway up you reach a middle platform where the trail divides into two. The path to the left leads to the Lying Dragon statue and Quan Am statue. This is the trail that totals 500 steps. The path to the right leads to a Pagoda, which is a multi-tiered temple.

Taking the left path, near the top of the mountain there is a viewpoint.
A little way further is the top of the mountain and the second viewpoint. From here you can see a magnificent view of the rice fields below, the other surrounding mountains, and Ngo Dong River.

Nearing the top, you will see the statue of Quan Am. Beyond that, you will see The Lying Dragon, which is a few meters further via a rugged rocky path that hugs the cliff face. The Lying Dragon itself extends across jagged sharp rocks.

The rocks can get very slippery when it rains, making that final small stretch slightly dangerous.

The same route is used to descend, and you can go up the other trail when you reach the fork on the way down.

Ngoa Long is located in Ninh Binh province, in the northern part of Vietnam, near a village called Tam Coc, and the weather here varies across seasons.

The most humid and rainy months are from May to October with an average rainfall of 237mm (9 inches) per month. These are also the warmest months of the year, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 32°C (70°F to 90°F). Although most people do not visit during the rainy season, some say it is the best time to climb the mountain as this is when the rice is getting ripe and shows the most beautiful yellow-green colours. This is also when there will be fewer tourists.

The less humid and least rainy months are from November to April with an average rainfall of 45mm per month. These are also the cooler months of the year, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 28°C (57°F to 82°F). Most people tend to visit at this time of year.

It is recommended to go early in the morning for a clear view at the top of the mountain.

The stairs are poorly maintained, so it is recommended to wear proper walking shoes rather than sandals.

This is a short and easy hike, so while rest stops may not be necessary, there are viewpoints and areas where you can stop to rest. Near the fork on the trail, there is a place where you can buy snacks and something to drink. There are also chairs here to sit on.

There are no guides or porters needed for this hike.

The starting point is located about 5km (3 miles) North of Tam Coc village centre in the Ninh Binh region. Ninh Binh is about 2.5 hours from Hanoi by bus.

To get to the starting point simply catch a flight to Hanoi (or another major city in Vietnam) and get a bus from there to Ninh Binh. You can either stay in Ninh Binh or go to the village in the Ninh Binh region, called Tam Coc, which is the closest village to the starting point. From Tam Coc, you will need to take a taxi or rent a scooter to the base of the mountain. It will be easiest to tell your taxi to take you to the Mua caves, as these are situated in the same place. It takes about 10-20 minutes via scooter or car.

Be sure to arrange your transport back from the mountain before the hike, as it can be a challenge to get transport back to your accommodation after the hike.

There are no safety concerns regarding people on the mountain. There are usually lots of people doing the hike unless there is bad weather, or it is early in the morning.

Perhaps the only thing to be mindful of is that at the top of Ngoa Long at the Lying Dragon statue, there is a big crevice in the rocks which you could fall into. Be careful where you step as you would get badly injured if you fell into it.