Bich Dong is one of the popular tourist destinations in Ninh Binh Province because of its pagodas that are rich in history and culture. The province itself is a historical paradise which makes it known among visitors from all over the world. Ninh Binh is composed of three different landscapes: wetlands; coastal delta; and uplands. Among its famous tourist spots are the Cuc Phuong National Park, Van Long Nature Reserve, and of particular interest, the Tam Coc-Bich Dong Grotto.
 
Bich Dong has three old pagodas in a grotto situated in the Ngu Hanh Son mountain range, Dam hamlet, Minh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district. According to history, in the 18th century, King Tu Duc visited Bich Dong. When he saw the mountains, rivers, and cliff top pagodas, he was so enamored at the breathtaking views that he officially named Bich Dong “The Second Most Beautiful Grotto in Vietnam” next to Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay, Hanoi.
 
Though the Tam Coc grotto is more popular than Bich Dong, the latter is still visit-worthy and in fact, still a favorite destination among tourists. Bich Dong is not like the other and usual pagodas. It doesn’t have monks or nuns. Instead, visitors will be met by local boat hirers. It has a cave surrounded by Hoang Long River and lots of lotus plants which make the place look especially romantic and serene. On the way to the pagoda, one will see a limestone mountain and a lush of green trees. Souvenir shops line the way for tourists to have something to bring home and remember the place with.
 
The Ha (Lower) Pagoda features tradition and history with its specially-patterned roofs that look like the tail of a phoenix. Trung (Middle) Pagoda was patterned after a popular pagoda model. Its primary rectory is a Buddha altar designed with a big calligraphic character inscripted with the words “Linh Son Phat Hoi.” The Dark Grotto or Toi has a copper bell and bridge where it was said that victims of injustice then rang the bell three times as a cry for justice and then their pain would all go away. But during the French colonial period, it merely became a place for producing weapons for Vietnamese patriots. Moreover, the Dark Grotto has stalactites which have become a part of the local folklore because of the strange and interesting shapes they make at night. It worships the Buddha and the Mau Thuong Ngan.
 
The Thuong (Upper) or East Pagoda is considered to the “smallest-scale” pagoda among the three since it “only” worships Phat Ba Quan Am. The Temples of the God of Mountain and of Land are situated at each side of the pagoda. It has a spectacular scenery of landscapes, villages, mountains and forests.
 
The three pagodas of Bich Dong all represent beautiful ancient architecture and traditional values. And though it is considered to be only second among the other grottos, its natural beauty and historical richness are more than enough to make it number one among those who know and appreciate nature and history.