Things to do in Hoa Lu

To make your trip unforgettable, we offer 02 interesting OPTIONS: This one-day tour begins with your choice of visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda or cycling around Hoa Lu countryside, followed by a scenic Trang An boat trip and hike up to Mua Cave. 07:20 - 08:00: Pick you up at hotel located in the Hanoi Old Quarter by a Limousine Shuttle Bus. On the way, we have a break around 15 minutes. Option: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave (Top Rated) 10:00 - 10:30: Discover Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - Visiting the Vietnam’s first capital city, dating back to the 10th century. Explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le. Then, enjoy a gentle cycling tour through scenic villages to experience authentic rural life. Option: Hanoi - Bai Dinh - Trang An - Mua Cave (Top Pick) 10:00 - 10:30: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex: Explore the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam and a must-visit cultural landmark. This awe-inspiring site combines ancient charm with modern grandeur, featuring majestic temples, giant Buddha statues, and the longest Arhat corridor in Asia. You can admire the massive 10-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue and explore peaceful courtyards surrounded by limestone mountains. 12:00 - 12:30 Vietnamese Buffet Lunch: Savor a delicious buffet with a wide variety of local favorites, including vegetarian dishes. 13:30: Boat Tour in Trang An - Cruise along crystal-clear rivers on a traditional sampan boat (4 people/boat), gliding gently through mystical caves and under limestone arches draped in greenery. Trang An is called “Ha Long Bay on land” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 16:00 Hike up to Mua Cave Peak - one of the spectacular panoramic views of Tam Coc valley and surrounding limestone mountains. Mua Cave is also a favorite destination for tourists. • Return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel in the Old Quarter between 19:00 – 19:30. THANK YOU!!!

07h15 – 8h00: Pick up from your hotel in the Old Quarter area and departure for Ninh Binh. Due to the ban on buses picking up passengers on some streets between 6:30 and 8:30 from 1 March 2025, we may need you to come to one of our meeting points depending on your location to wait for us. We appreciate your support. 09h15: Have a short break for relaxing & rest room at a stop-over about 15 - 20 minutes. 10h00- 10h30: Arrive at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, visit the King temples. Under the introduction of our local guide, you will get to know more about the Vietnamese history. Relax before lunch: - A short bike ride with tour guide : Get on a bike and start cycling to explore the beautiful scenery and limestone mountains with a unique route (optional and free of charge) - If you don't wish to cycle, feel free to explore the village on foot or rest at a local restaurant. 12h00: Enjoy buffet lunch at a local restaurant – goat meat dishes is the local specialty ( Vegetarian foods are avaiable ) 13h30: Arrive Trang An and spend about 1h40 - 2 hours exploring Trang An– the core of natural heritage in a Sampan boat (4 people per boat), rowed by a local people. Explore the amazing cave tunnel system and passing through sacred temples associated with legends in the history of Trang An. Get back to limousine bus then leave for Mua Cave. Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here. Leave Ninh Binh and drive back to Hanoi. 19:00 – 19:30 Arrive in Hanoi, drop you back to your hotel . Trip ends.

7h30 - 8h00: The air-conditioned bus will pick you up at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Follow the ban on buses picking up passengers on some streets in Hanoi between 6h30 and 8h30, we maybe need you to come to our good meeting points to start your trip. It’s take more or less 2,0 hours from Hanoi to Hoa Lu with a short break about 20 minutes on the half way. 10h30 - 10h40: You will reach to Hoa Lu ancient capital of Vietnam. You will visit Dinh King temple and Le King temple in the 10th centery, finding out the heroic histories of this two kings in Chinese Wars. 11h50 - 12h00: You will have a lunch at the restaurant ( vegetarian food is also available) 13h00 - 13h05: Option 1: Get on the bus continue going to Tam Coc wharf, take the sampan go along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc (three different caves) Option 2: Get on the bus go to Trang An wharf for enjoying unique sampan to visit Trang An cave complex 15h00 - 15h05: Biking to visit the local village in Ninh Binh (Optional), If you don't want to cycle, you can explore the village on foot or take rest at the local restaurant 15h30 - 15h35: Keep going to visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with it’s many interesting stories. In here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. 16h45 - 17h00: Get on the bus to return Ha Noi. 19h00 - 19h30: Arrive Ha Noi, drop off at your hotel/ at the meeting point in Ha Noi Old Quarter. End the tour!

8:00 -8:40 AM - Our tour guide and van will pick you up at your hotel or homestay in Tam Coc, Trang An, or Ninh Binh. 9:00 AM - Visit Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010. You will have a chance to learn about Vietnamese history in the feudal system under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties. 10:00 AM - Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the most famous and biggest pagoda in Southeast Asia with many records set such as 500 stone Arhat statues, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton-Budhha statue. 12:00 PM - Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines and vegetarian foods. 1:30 PM - Continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island. Hop on a wooden boat to navigate through its quiet rivers, discover mysterious caves, and admire towering limestone karsts covered with tropical plants 3:30 PM - Arrive at Mua Cave (Mua cave means dancing cave) with 500 steps up to the top of Dragon Moutain. At the top, you can overview all the nice scenery of Hoa Lu and enjoy the majestic natural scenery along with the sunset, a scene that will make us keep beautiful memories of Ninh Binh. 5:20 PM: Get on the bus and back to your hotel.

Discover some of Vietnam's most picturesque locations on this multiday trip with a 5-star cruise. Visit Ninh Binh, Lan Ha, and more with roundtrip transportation from Hanoi included. You'll also get to swim, kayak, make traditional cuisine, and learn about local culture. Day 1: Hanoi - Ninh Binh 7:20-7:40 am Tour guide and bus will pick-up all traveler from the Hanoi Old Quarter and head to Ninh Binh Province. Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, the largest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam, and check out the impressive pagoda. Have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Float through the tranquil rivers of Trang An on a wooden boat and climb to the top of Mua Caves for striking panoramic views of Tam Coc before heading to the homestay for an overnight stay. 16:30 check in Ninh Binh Bungalow and free cycling around Village 19:00 Dinner at Bungalow restaurant and free time relaxing and stay overnight at Ninh Binh Bungalow Day 2: Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay 6:30 am Have breakfast at Ninh Binh Bungalow and bus will come to pick-up to Halong Bay 7:10-7:30am The Limousine bus pickup from Ninh Binh, transfer to Ha Long Bay. Check in for the cruise and have lunch. Cruise through Con Vit Islet, Thumb Islet, Gia Luan Harbor, and Lan Ha Bay. Drop anchor for some kayaking or swimming at Ba Trai Dao Beach or, depending on the weather, visit Dark Cave and Bright Cave. As the sun sinks below the horizon, gather on the deck to enjoy the brilliant colors in the sky and relax with tea and coffee or learn how to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls during a cooking demonstration. Make new friends at the sunset party or relax in the onboard. After dinner, enjoy a large selection of cocktails at the panoramic bar or play board games, watch a movie, or go squid fishing Day 3 Lan Ha Bay - Ha Long Bay - Hanoi Start your day with an early morning Tai Chi session on the deck to focus the mind and condition the body. Enjoy a light breakfast while taking in stunning views of the bay and its dramatic limestone islets. We will provided one of 2 options at below (depending one of our cruise will do one option activities at below) Option 1: Sail through the calm emerald waters to Ao Ech for a kayaking trip and swimming. Option 2: will visit the Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island After exploring the caves, enjoy some Vietnamese cuisine for lunch. Disembark from the cruise and take a speedboat back to Tuan Chau Marina before heading back to your accommodation in Hanoi. 11:30 Check out the cruise and bus come to pick-up and transfer back to Hanoi 14:30-15:00 The bus will drop off at Hanoi Old Quarter, the end trip at Hanoi Old Quarter Free offer a birthday cake if client have a birthday on cruise (need request before one tour by email) Free set-up honeymoon or anniversary cabin (need request before one tour by email)

Embark on a captivating 1-day tour to Ninh Binh, a prime destination for short trips from Hanoi. This tour combines religious worship, cultural exploration, and scenic beauty. Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, climb Mua Cave, and enjoy a boat ride along the river. 7:00 AM: Depart from Hanoi and travel 90 km south to Ninh Binh, with a 20-minute break en route. Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda: Explore Vietnam's largest spiritual complex, featuring stunning architecture, impressive statues, and the giant Buddha. Climb Mua Cave and ascend Ngoa Long Mountain for stunning views of Tam Coc and the surrounding landscape. Arrive in Tam Coc for lunch at the restaurant. Next, head to Trang An for about 2.5 hours of exploration in a sampan boat rowed by locals. Discover the limestone caves along the Sao Khe River, including the King Kong film set and various temples. Experience the stunning tunnel cave system, featuring Sang Cave, Toi Cave, and Nau Ruou Cave. Hop on the bus as we head back to Hanoi, expected to arrive around 7:30 PM. NOTE: Please note that the itinerary may be adjusted due to weather and traffic conditions. However, all attractions included in the tour will still be visited.

Located in Ninh Binh province, 100 km southeast of Hanoi, Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hang Mua are the most picturesque spots in northern Vietnam. For 41 years, from 968 to 1009 CE, Hoa Lu was the ancient capital of Vietnam. Nearby Tam Coc is often referred to as "Ha Long Bay among the rice paddies." Visitors are conveyed by rowboat along the peaceful Tam Coc stream, past green fields and the feet of mountains, into the mouths of caves, where they encounter new surprises, like stalactites and stalagmites that shimmer like gemstones just inches from the water. Itinerary Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave tour: 07:00-07:30: We pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter, and depart for Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the rural areas on the way. 10:30: After arriving in Ninh Binh province, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu, the Ancient Royal Capital of Vietnam. We will visit Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, learning about the heroic histories of these two kings and their battles against the Chinese. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km from Hoa Lu). 11:30: Visit Mua Cave (Mua means "dance") with 500 steps up to the top of Mua Mountain. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Hoa Lu landscape. 12:30: Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will get on a bamboo boat, rowed by local people, on the Hoang Long River to visit Tam Coc (the three caves). You will pass through three enormous caves that provide a brief respite from the intense summer sun. The boat trip takes approximately two hours, and along the way, you will witness local fisherfolk, village life along the river, and the striking limestone karst formations that Tam Coc is famous for. 17:00: Get on the bus and go back to Hanoi. 19:00: Arrive in Hanoi and the tour ends. See you next time!

Escape the bustling streets of Hanoi for a scenic day trip to Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land.” Nestled in the northern region of Vietnam, Ninh Binh is a stunning landscape of limestone mountains, tranquil rivers, and rich historical sites. First Stop: Hoa Lu – The Ancient Capital The first stop of the day is Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties (10th century). This historical site is set amidst a backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains, with well-preserved temples that honor the kings of Vietnam's early dynasties. As you explore these historical landmarks, a local guide will share fascinating stories about the early foundations of Vietnam’s monarchy, adding depth and context to your experience. Lunch: Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine After your boat tour, it’s time to indulge in a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. This break provides an opportunity to relax, recharge, and savor the flavors of Vietnam’s culinary traditions in a peaceful, rural setting. Second Stop: Trang An – A Serene Boat Ride Next, head to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ethereal karst landscape and peaceful waterways. Here, you will board a traditional wooden boat for a leisurely ride through a series of caves, rivers, and lush valleys. The boat trip lasts around 1.5 hours, and as you glide through tranquil waters, you’ll marvel at the towering limestone peaks that rise from the jungle, creating a surreal atmosphere. Along the way, your boatman will guide you through caves and pass ancient pagodas nestled in remote corners of the landscape. The stunning scenery of Trang An has made it a popular filming location, including the famous Kong: Skull Island, and you’ll soon see why. Afternoon: Mua Cave – Panoramic Views Finally, it’s time to head to Mua Cave, one of Ninh Binh’s most famous attractions. Mua Cave is located on the foot of Mua Mountain, and the highlight of this visit is the climb to the top of the mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The ascent involves climbing a series of stone steps (around 500 steps), but the effort is more than worth it when you reach the summit. From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the lush green valley below, dotted with rice paddies, winding rivers, and the towering limestone peaks that Ninh Binh is famous for. The view from Mua Cave is often considered one of the best in the region, making it a perfect spot for photos and a peaceful moment of reflection. This day trip to Ninh Binh offers a perfect combination of nature, history, and adventure. Whether you’re an avid history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing escape from Hanoi’s city buzz, this tour has something for everyone. You’ll be able to explore ancient temples, drift through majestic caves, and climb to panoramic heights – all within a day.

On this 3-day excursion, explore the stunning landscapes and attractions of Ninh Binh province, and enjoy an overnight stay at a local accommodation. Then, take a comfortable shuttle to Tuan Chau Island, where you’ll board a luxury cruise for an unforgettable tour of Ha Long Bay, spending the night on board Day 1: Hanoi – Ninh Binh 7:20–7:40 AM: Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi for the journey to Ninh Binh. 10:30 AM: Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu Enjoy a scenic boat trip through the UNESCO-recognized natural heritage site of Trang An. Hike up to the Hang Mua viewpoint for breathtaking panoramic views of limestone mountains and rice fields in the valley below. Check in to your accommodation and spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding countryside by bike or on foot or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Day 2: Ninh Binh – Ha Long/Lan Ha Bay 7:15–7:30 AM: Depart from Ninh Binh by shuttle bus to Tuan Chau Island, gateway to Ha Long Bay. 11:20–11:45 AM: Arrive at Tuan Chau and wait for cruise check-in. Take a tender boat to your luxury cruise ship. Upon boarding, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and cold towel. After check-in, enjoy lunch in the onboard restaurant as the cruise sails through the serene waters of Ha Long Bay. In the afternoon, enjoy kayaking or a bamboo boat ride to explore the stunning white limestone karsts and the mysterious Dark and Light Caves Return to the ship to relax. You can also join a cooking class or sunset party on deck. After dinner, relax with romantic music, sip a cocktail at the bar, try squid fishing, spa massage (extra fee), or simply rest in your cabin. Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi Wake up early and enjoy a light breakfast as the cruise continues its journey. Depending on the cruise itinerary, you’ll join one of the following morning activities: Option 1: Kayaking and swimming in the peaceful waters of Tra Bau. Option 2: Explore the Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Option 3: Visit the historic Hospital Cave, used during wartime. After the morning activity, return to the boat for a farewell brunch as the ship makes its way back to the harbor. 11:30–11:45 AM: Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. 3:00–3:30 PM: Arrive in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. (If you have a flight afterward, we can help arrange a taxi for an extra fee.) *** Special Cruise Requests: Please let us know in advance if you’d like to arrange any of the following: Birthday Celebration: A complimentary birthday cake if your check-in date falls on your birthday. Honeymoon or Anniversary: Free honeymoon-style room setup for wedding or anniversary celebrations.

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Drive to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and then continue on to visit the King Dinh Temple. Next up, discover Mua Cave Cave and enjoy a mountainous overview from the top. Savor a set lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a bungalow beside Tam Coc river. After lunch, enjoy a Sampan boat trip through the three emerald water caves on the beautiful river and admire the countryside landscape. Cycle through the peaceful country roads to Bich Dong Pagoda and spend some time here before you return to Hanoi.