Kong Skull Island in Ninh Binh: Exploring the real-life cinematic landscape

In 2017, the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island introduced the world to a prehistoric paradise of jagged peaks and emerald waters. That paradise was not a green-screen creation, but the very real landscape of Ninh Binh, Vietnam. While the movie props have since been removed to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage site, the dramatic scenery that served as the home of the giant ape remains untouched. Visiting the filming locations in the Trang An Landscape Complex allows travelers to step directly into the frame of a major motion picture and experience the raw, cinematic beauty of Vietnam.

About the Kong Skull Island filmset

"Skull Island" is the popular nickname given to the area within the Trang An Landscape Complex where key scenes of the movie were filmed. Specifically, this area was the setting for the "Aboriginal Village," a refuge surrounded by water and towering limestone walls. For several years after the film's release, a reconstructed movie set featuring bamboo huts, plane wreckage models, and actors dressed as villagers was open to tourists, drawing thousands of visitors daily.

However, in September 2019, the management board officially dismantled the reconstructed film set. This decision was made to protect the ecological integrity of the core heritage zone and follow UNESCO's recommendations for sustainable tourism. Today, while you won't find the fake tribal huts or the "Kong" props, the site remains a popular stop on the boat tours. The allure now lies in the authentic, majestic landscape itself—the same towering cliffs and mysterious rivers that convinced the director to choose Ninh Binh over other locations around the world.

What makes this destination special?

The "cinematic" boat routes

To visit the filming location, you must take Route 2 or Route 3 of the Trang An boat tour. These routes wind through the wildest and most secluded parts of the complex, passing through the exact valleys where the movie's expedition team "landed." As your small boat drifts through the towering limestone corridors, it is easy to imagine a giant hand reaching down from the peaks; the scale of the mountains here is truly humbling and identical to what you saw on the silver screen.

A landscape untouched by time

What made Ninh Binh perfect for Kong: Skull Island is its timeless quality. The area known as "Skull Island" (often associated with the isolated valleys near Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Palace) feels completely cut off from the modern world. The water is exceptionally clear, revealing mossy aquatic plants beneath, and the sheer cliffs rise vertically from the river, creating a natural fortress. Without the artificial movie props, the site has returned to its pristine state, offering a more peaceful and authentic connection to nature.

Dot Cave (Hang Dot)

On Route 3, visitors pass through Dot Cave, the longest cave in Trang An (1000 meters). This cave plays a significant role in the atmospheric experience of the "Kong" tour. Navigating its dark, cool interior for 20 minutes adds a layer of adventure and mystery that fits perfectly with the movie's exploration theme, emerging on the other side into a hidden valley that feels like a lost world.

dot-cave-hang-dot

Nearby attractions you cannot miss

Since the filming location is part of the wider Trang An complex, you are perfectly positioned to explore other major sights.

Vu Lam Royal Steps (Hanh Cung Vu Lam): Located on the same boat routes (2 and 3), this historical site sits on an island and dates back to the Tran Dynasty. The wooden pavilion reflects beautifully on the water and offers a cultural counterpoint to the wild nature of the "Kong" valley.

Mua Cave (Hang Mua): For a "Kong's eye view" of the landscape, head to Mua Cave nearby. Climbing the 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain gives you a panoramic aerial view of the entire winding river system and limestone ranges where the movie was filmed.

Van Long Nature Reserve: If you want to see where the "wetland" scenes were filmed, take a separate trip to Van Long. This reserve was also a key filming location for the movie and is famous for its calm waters and the critical population of Delacour's langurs.

Kong Skull Island in Ninh Binh may no longer host the Hollywood props, but the magic of the location is very much alive. The towering karsts and silent waters that played the role of a mythical monster's home are real, majestic, and waiting to be explored. If you still can't decide how to plan your trip, let us help you tailor your memorable and worry-free trip with our local experts.