Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu – Trang An/Tam Coc – Mua Cave

Overview

  • Duration:1 day 0 nights
  • Tour Type:Adventure & Nature
  • Language:English, French, German, Italian
  • Start from:$41/ Person
This full-day trip from Hanoi takes you to Ninh Binh, around 120 km from the capital, to explore major cultural and natural highlights in one route. Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and the temples of King Dinh and King Le, then enjoy a Vietnamese buffet lunch with vegetarian options available. In the afternoon, choose either a Trang An boat trip through caves and river scenery, or a Tam Coc bamboo boat ride followed by village cycling. The day continues at Mua Cave, where a climb of nearly 500 steps rewards you with panoramic views over Tam Coc, before returning to Hanoi in the evening.

Highlights

  • Hotel pick-up in Hanoi and transfer to Ninh Binh province.
  • Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first capital of Vietnam.
  • Explore 17th-century temples of King Dinh and King Le.
  • Enjoy buffet lunch with local Vietnamese dishes and vegetarian options.
  • Choose Trang An UNESCO World Heritage boat experience.
  • Or choose Tam Coc bamboo boat ride with cave landscapes.
  • Continue with village cycling to see local daily life.
  • Climb nearly 500 steps at Mua Cave viewpoint.
  • Capture panoramic views from Lying Dragon Mountain.
  • Return to Hanoi with hotel drop-off in the evening.

Itinerary

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Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu - Trang An/Tam Coc - Mua Cave (from Hanoi)

7h30-08h30: Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We take you to Ninh Binh province which is far from Hanoi city about 120 km.
9h30 : Have a short break for 20 minutes to relax
10h30: The first destination on this trip is to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed by the outstanding architecture when entering the temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel the ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.
11h45: Have a buffet lunch in the restaurant with a lot of local foods: goat meat, fried rice… Vegetarian food is always available at the buffet lunch.
13h00:
Option 1: Visit Trang An which was recognized by UNESCO as The World Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has a wonderful tunnel cave system, so Kong's Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “ Skull Island “. Boat trip to visit Trang An to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as : Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dack cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine), green river and natural view.
Option 2: Visit Tam Coc by 1,5 hour bamboo boat. During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with the paddy field, river, water, clouds, sky and stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people call “ Halong Bay on land”. Continue the tour with 45 minutes cycling around the village to discover the life of local people.
15h30 : Get on the bus to go to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain, and have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.
16h30 – 17h00 : Get on the Bus to return to Hanoi
19h30 : Arrive in Hanoi and get a drop off at the Hotel. The trip ends !

Tour maps

Includes/Excludes

  • Full transfers by A/C Tourist Car
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Water on the Bus
  • Buffet Lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
  • Entrance fee
  • Drinks for lunch
  • Tips for tour guide & driver
  • Or anything is not mentioned above

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

- Most travelers need a visa to enter Vietnam. However, citizens of some countries can enjoy visa exemptions for short stays. You can apply for an e-Visa online, which is valid for up to 90 days for single or multiple entries. For more information, please visit https://evisa.gov.vn/
- To avoid last-minute issues, we strongly recommend applying for your visa as early as possible, especially during peak travel periods or public holidays.
- For urgent cases, we can assist with urgent visa processing and fast-track airport services upon request.

What are food options?

- We cater to diverse dietary needs, such as Halal, Indian, Western, vegan, and gluten-free, provided we are notified in advance.
- Special meal requests at select restaurants may involve additional fees based on local availability. Any extra costs will be communicated to you clearly for your approval.

What should I know before travelling? (Clothing, Power Outlets, Transport, Safety, Tips)

- Bring light, breathable clothing like cotton or linen for warm climates, and pack extra layers if visiting cooler or rainy regions. Comfortable shoes and a raincoat or umbrella are recommended.
- Vietnam uses Type A, C, and D plugs, with a standard voltage of 220V. It is advisable to carry a universal adapter to ensure the safe charging of your electronic devices.
- Vietnam is safe for tourists, including solo women, but watch out for pickpockets in crowds. Use taxi apps like Grab for affordable and safer city transport.
- The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). We recommend you carry some cash for small purchases such as street food or souvenirs.
- Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. If you do Private Tour, tipping fee should be 3 USD/pax/day.

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