Our most recommended things to do in Ninh Binh

From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

1. From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Hanoi to Tam Coc and ride a Sampan boat to impressive caves. Experience local life as you cycle through picturesque villages, explore ancient temples, and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. Start your tour early with pickup at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Hop into the luxury van to visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit Dinh king Temple and Le king Temple from the 10th century, and hear about the heroic histories of the two Kings during the Chinese Wars. At midday, sit down for lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant. Continue to Tam Coc and take the sampan go (traditional river boat) along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc's three caves. Head back to Tam Coc wharf, take your bicycle, and cycle around traditional villages and Tam Coc town. Visit Mua cave, which attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps to see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. In the evening, return Ha Noi.

From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

2. From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

Uncover the cultural and natural heritage of the Ninh Binh province on a guided day trip from Hanoi. Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, float through the tranquil rivers of Trang An, and climb to the top of Mua Caves for striking panoramic views of rocky hills. Get picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and depart toward Ninh Binh. Stop at Bai Dinh, the biggest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam, to gaze at the imposing pagoda. See 500 Arhat Statues made out of blue stones, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton Buddha statue, rising up to 10 meters. Take a lunch break in a local restaurant, with a Vietnamese buffet of goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice, as well as vegetarian food options. 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. Finally, climb up 500 steps to the viewpoint of Mua Caves to marvel at panoramic views of Tam Coc before returning to Hanoi.

Hanoi: 3-Day Luxury Ninh Binh & HaLong Bay 5-Star Cruise

3. Hanoi: 3-Day Luxury Ninh Binh & HaLong Bay 5-Star Cruise

On this 3-day excursion, discover the incredible landscape and sights of the Ninh Binh province and enjoy an overnight stay in an eco-lodge. Then, ride your shuttle bus to Tuan Chau Island and take a luxury boat for a tour around Ha Long bay and spend the night on board. Day 1: Hanoi - Ninh Binh trip Sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery on your limousine bus as you make your way to Ninh Binh. Savor the tranquility of the lodge’s amazing location - surrounded by mountains and rivers..  Visit the ancient city of Hoa Lu or climb to the Hang Mua viewpoint, for a breathtaking panorama over the limestone mountains and rice fields of Valley. Enjoy a boat ride to explore Trang An's natural heritage. Check in to the Trang An Ecolodge and head off by bike or on foot to see the local sights, or relax by the pool or in the peaceful gardens.  Day 2: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay Rise bright and early and enjoy a delicious breakfast before leaving for Tuan Chau Island with your shuttle bus. After arriving at the dock, take a small boat to reach your luxury cruise ship, where you will be welcomed aboard with a drink and a refreshing cold towel.  After check-in, enjoy lunch in the onboard restaurant as the boat sails up the winding canals on its way to Ha Long Bay. Then, hop into a canoe or a bamboo boat to explore the dazzling white limestone karsts, emerald green waters, and dark mystery of the Dark and Light Caves. Back on deck, unwind, and admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin from the pool or at the bar. Then, choose from a range of activities: join a traditional cooking class, get a massage, or work out in the high deck gym with panoramic views. After dinner, you can enjoy the landscape of the bay at night from the top deck, relax with romantic music, or sip refreshing drinks at the bar. You can also try your luck at squid fishing, watch a movie, enjoy a spa treatment, or simply relax in your room. Day 3: Halong Bay - Ha Noi Wake up to an early breakfast before stopping off at a charming local fishing village. After returning to the boat, finish your trip with a hearty brunch while the ship sails back to the harbor. Wave goodbye to the boat from the port and ride in back to Hanoi at the end of the afternoon.

Hanoi: 1-Day Ha Long Luxury Cruise w/Buffet Lunch, Transfer

4. Hanoi: 1-Day Ha Long Luxury Cruise w/Buffet Lunch, Transfer

8.15-8.50: Get picked up at the hotel in Hanoi Old Quater/ Opera House to depart for Halong Bay Our journey follows Hanoi – Haiphong- Tuan Chau Highway (about a 3 hour drive) 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor, get on 5 STARS LUXURY CRUISE with our crew’s warmly welcome Enjoy welcome drink then start the excursion to discovery the beauty of the world heritage site 12:30: Enjoy a special lunch with more than 30 dishes on the boat .While having lunch, the boat will passing by the beautiful scenery on both sides with thousands of limestone such as Fighting Chicken and Incense Buner Islets – 2 symbols of Halong Bay 14.00: Arrive at Bo Hon Island, and you will visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave with a lot of stalagmites and stalactites 14.45: Do kayaking or bamboo boat through Luon Cave to discover the beautiful lagoon. 15.15: Visit TiTop Island with its sandy beach. You can go swimming here or trek up to the top of the island for sightseeing all of Halong bay 16.00: Back to the boat for the sunset party (with wine, tea, fruits, and biscuits) meanwhile the boat is cruising back to the harbor 17.45: Arrive back atthe harbor. Get on the bus and return to Hanoi 20:30: Get dropped off at the hotel. Tour ends

From Ninh Binh : Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave one day tour

5. From Ninh Binh : Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave one day tour

Located in Ninh Binh province 100 km southeast of Hanoi, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc are two of the most picturesque spots in all of the north. 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 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 – Trang An – Mua Cave tour: 8:30 - Our touguide and van will pick you up at your hoetel/hometay in Tam Coc, Trang An, Ninh Binh or you can also come to our office Ninh Binh Footprint Travel in Tam Coc 9h30: Visit Mua Cave (Mua mean Dance) with 500 step up to the Top of Mua Moutain. On the Top, you can overview all the nice sence of Hoa Lu. 11h0: Visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple, in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of this two Kings in Chinese Wars. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu). 12:30 - Enjoy the lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines. 13h30: Depart to visit Trang An Eco-Tourism attraction, there is beautiful scenery landscape, you will boarding a small boat to visit Trang An, you will see majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious yet inviting caves, as well as countryside sights, like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields. Take boat trip to visit cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, see scenery of mountain and rivers Ha Long on land of Ninh Binh. 16h30: Get on bus and keep going to visit Bich Dong pagoda ( oldest pagoda in Ninh Binh ) 17h15: We arrival in your hotel and finish the tour. See you next time.

Hanoi: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha long, & Lan Ha Bay 5 Star Cruise

6. Hanoi: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha long, & Lan Ha Bay 5 Star Cruise

Discover some of Vietnam's most picturesque locations on this multiday trip with a luxury 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 jacuzzi. 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. Sail through the calm emerald waters to Ao Ech for a kayaking trip at the caves. 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

Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda Tour

7. Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda Tour

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.

Hanoi: 2-Day Halong Luxury Cruise w/Private Balcony, Bathtub

8. Hanoi: 2-Day Halong Luxury Cruise w/Private Balcony, Bathtub

DAY 1: TUAN CHAU - HA LONG BAY – LAN HA BAY – TRA BAU 12:00 :The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at No.34, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh. Phone for receptionist at Peony Cruises lounge: 12:30 :You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Itinerary briefing is announced during this time. 13.00 : Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn't get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay - A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. Enjoy the delicious luncheon of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha bay with the breathtaking scenery. 15:30 : Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands. Immerse yourself in the emerald green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises. 17:30 - 18:30 : Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay. 19.30 : Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting. Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck. DAY 2 : LAN HA BAY – CAT BA ISLAND – TUAN CHAU 6:00 : Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon. 6:45 - 7:15 : Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time maybe adjust and follow the real itinerary) 7:30 - 9:00 : You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of talactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem. 9:30 : Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin. Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any) 10:30 - 11:00 Disembark the Peony Cruises and transferred back to Block #34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage. 11:30 - 12:00 The guests are ready at Tuan Chau Marina. Note: The itinerary is subject to change without notice, in accordance with the weather and other operating conditions.

From Hanoi: Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave Full-Day Tour

9. From Hanoi: Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave Full-Day Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM and drive by bus to Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam. Explore this beautiful Buddhist place of worship, with 500 La Han statues and the largest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam, 10 meters tall. Enjoy some free time with your guide to visit the pagoda and learn more about Buddhism.   Enjoy a lunch of Vietnamese cuisine after you've seen the pagoda. Then hop back on the bus and continue to Trang An wharf. From here, take a boat trip to visit Trang An cave complex. After the boat trip, you'll take a bike to visit traditional villages around the Trang An area.   The tour continues to Mua Cave. Listen to interesting stories about this place from your guide. After climbing 500 stone steps, you'll be able to see all the way to Tam Coc. Enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. At the end of the day you'll get back on the bus and drive back to Hanoi, where you'll be dropped off back at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

Hanoi: Hoa Lu, Trang An Caves, & Mua Cave Day Trip and Lunch

10. Hanoi: Hoa Lu, Trang An Caves, & Mua Cave Day Trip and Lunch

Travel in an air-conditioned van from Hanoi to Hoa Lu on this day trip to uncover the ancient temples of Dinh King and Le King. Savor local flavors with a buffet lunch and travel by boat on the Trang An river admire stunning natural scenery and visit the Trang An cave complex. Start your tour with hotel pickup in the early morning and depart for Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit the Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple from the 10th century, and hear about the heroic histories of these two Kings during the Chinese Wars. At around midday, sit down for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, before you head to Trang An Wharf to take a boat trip along Trang An Stream. Visit Trang An cave complex, including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou, and marvel at the scenery of mountains and rivers.  Then, head back to Trang An wharf to board the luxury limousine, and visit Mua Cave. Climb 500 stone steps to see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. Finally, hop back onto the bus to return to Hanoi, arriving back in the early evening.

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Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,176 reviews

We loved this trip- it’s in our top three trips so far. Our tour guide, Thang, was very nice, informative and prepped us for each leg of the trip. I will say that it a rather active trip with a beautiful but long bike ride and a 500 stair climb at the end but I think for both you can always sit and grab a drink. Both the bike riding and the climb are totally worth it though. Thang is also a great photographer and will take many pictures of you on your camera and then large group photos as well. The boat ride through the caves is stunning and roughly an hour and 40 minutes. The only downfall was the heavy rain but we were provided a poncho and an umbrella on the boat ride. Buffet lunch was okay but Thang warned us of that and paid special detail to the vegetarians and ppl with allergies. Highly recommend!

Our trip was in January, so the weather was cold and windy, that’s why I thought a day trip should be enough, and it was, but you can easily spend more time there, because the place is beautiful. We were there at the time of Tet, so there was a huge crowd everywhere. Our tour guide was excellent, lunch was plenty and okay. The cycling was amazing, I would definitely would have continued for like another 30 minutes. Overall a good experience, maybe with a little luck there won’t be such a big crowd when you decide to go there.

You really need to see this! I was hesitant taking the tour because I have been visiting many places in the region but I think it was probably the best think I experienced in Vietnam.

so very friendly. Great value for money. friendly tour guide. so many wonderful stops. very well organised. I would highly reccomend this company and this tour. March 2023

Brilliant day, great tour guide and an added bonus was the use of cycles through the rice fields