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Hoa Lu & Tam Coc: Scenic Ninh Binh Day Tour
4.8
37 Ratings
Hoàn Kiếm
Embark on a luxury day tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, exploring Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Mua Cave. Enjoy a boat ride, cycling, buffet lunch, and panoramic views of Ninh Binh’s karst formations. Perfect for active travelers who love nature and discovery.
Embark on a luxury day tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, exploring Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Mua Cave. Enjoy a boat ride, cycling, buffet lunch, and panoramic views of Ninh Binh’s karst formations. Perfect for active travelers who love nature and discovery.
Duration:
11 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hanoi Opera House - 07:30 - 08:00 The guide will collect guests from hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter. The journey begins with a 110km drive in a comfortable limousine through lush landscapes, with a rest stop along the way. For those staying outside the Old Quarter, please meet at the Hanoi Opera House at 7:50 am to join the tour group (note that…
- Hanoi Opera House - 07:30 - 08:00 The guide will collect guests from hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter. The journey begins with a 110km drive in a comfortable limousine through lush landscapes, with a rest stop along the way. For those staying outside the Old Quarter, please meet at the Hanoi Opera House at 7:50 am to join the tour group (note that the Opera House is a pickup point, not a tour site).
- Hoa Lu Temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties - 10:30 Explore the ancient Citadel of Hoa Lu, featuring the King Dinh Temple from the 10th Century. This former capital offers numerous historical sites, including temples honoring the Emperors and royalty who ruled over 1000 years ago. Hoa Lu still preserves remnants of the ancient fortress built by the Dinh dynasty. The Imperial palace, buried 3 meters underground, is a fascinating site to visit. The tour continues with a 30-minute bike ride in a rural village to experience local life. This biking activity is optional and free, offering a chance to enjoy the serene rural scenery. If biking is not preferred, guests can walk around, take photos, or relax at the restaurant while others cycle.
- Ninh Binh Mountain Side Homestay & Cafe - 12:30 Enjoy a buffet lunch at the restaurant featuring local dishes such as goat meat, fried rice, and rice crackers, with vegetarian options available.
- Tam Coc - (Optional) Post-lunch, the group visits Tam Coc. A sampan boat trip, rowed by locals, gently glides along the Ngo Dong River, showcasing stunning views of Karst hills, rice fields, and tranquil villages, passing through “Hang Ca” (First Grotto), “Hang Hai” (Second Grotto), and “Hang Ba” (Third Grotto). This boat trip promises unforgettable memories. Note: The tour guide will assist in purchasing tickets for this activity, which costs 250,000 VND or 9 USD per person.
- Mua Caves - (Optional) Arrive at Mua Cave and embark on an exhilarating hike to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain (Lying Dragon Mountain) for breathtaking views of the rice valley and natural beauty. The cave, meaning ‘Cave of Dance,’ offers panoramic views from the peak. A stone staircase beside the cave entrance winds through the karst, with nearly 500 steps leading to a simple altar to Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy). From the top, enjoy views of the Ngo Dong River meandering through Tam Coc. The climb is paved but steep in parts, so bring water and allow an hour for the round trip. Note: The tour guide will assist in purchasing tickets for this activity, which costs 100,000 VND or 4 USD per person.
- Hanoi Opera House - After visiting Mua Cave, return to the tour bus for the journey back to Hanoi. Guests will be dropped off at their hotels in the Hanoi Old Quarter or at the meeting point (Hanoi Opera House). The tour concludes around 19:30 - 19:45 at the hotel.

What's Included
- Limousine bus transfers (pickup/drop off in Hanoi Old Quarter)
- Good Air-conditioned limousine vehicle
- English speaking guide, all entrance fees, boat trip, bike
- A buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes
- Small bottle of water in the vehicle
- Limousine bus transfers (pickup/drop off in Hanoi Old Quarter)
- Good Air-conditioned limousine vehicle
- English speaking guide, all entrance fees, boat trip, bike
- A buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes
- Small bottle of water in the vehicle
What's Not Included
- Drinks in the restaurant
- Ticket for Tam Coc boat
- Ticket for Mua Cave
- Tipping (In case the boat rower asks you for a tip, you can give tip or ignore if you dont want to)
- Drinks in the restaurant
- Ticket for Tam Coc boat
- Ticket for Mua Cave
- Tipping (In case the boat rower asks you for a tip, you can give tip or ignore if you dont want to)
Additional Information
- On a day trip with a small group from Hanoi, experience a luxurious tour to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the stunning Tam Coc rivers, and the Mua Caves with their impressive karst formations and caves.
- The itinerary features a sampan (a small steel boat) ride along the river system to explore Tam Coc, often referred to as the inland version of Ha…
- On a day trip with a small group from Hanoi, experience a luxurious tour to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the stunning Tam Coc rivers, and the Mua Caves with their impressive karst formations and caves.
- The itinerary features a sampan (a small steel boat) ride along the river system to explore Tam Coc, often referred to as the inland version of Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a serene rowing journey through this unique natural landscape.
- Additionally, climb nearly 500 stone steps to the peak of Lying Dragon for breathtaking panoramic views of Ninh Binh.
- This tour is perfect for active travelers who love nature and discovery.
- Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Savor a buffet lunch featuring Ninh Binh cuisine (included). Door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off in the center of Hanoi’s Old Quarter are provided.
- It takes 2hour drive each way Hanoi to Ninh Binh & Ninh Binh to Hanoi
- 30 minute bike ride is a complimentary activity offered and Free of Charge. It is for fun, relaxing and it is NOT a professional biking tour.
- The bike is not suitable for children under 2 years old. You can skip bike if you don’t know how to bike.
- Customers need to contact us to confirm pick-up place by email: [email protected] or Whatsaap/ phone/ zalo: +84982804399
- Surcharge: Extra 10 USD per person on Vietnamese Tet Festival (Chinese New year festival: Feb 09,10,11,12 of 2024). The customes will pay cash to the local tour operator tour guide.
Location
Hanoi Opera House
Tràng Tiền
This meeting point is needed if your hotels are located outside Hanoi Old Quarter or if you do not need hotel pickup. You are advised to reach the local operator via WhatsApp +84-982-804-399 to confirm the pickup.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(37 Ratings)
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Monica_v
May 14, 2025
Very xulo - Very xulo, amazing views!! Even though a single day I fell short it's okay to see a little ninh binh
Review provided by Viator
Dream10293296931
May 2, 2025
would love to go back - "Cycling through the beautiful landscapes of Hoa Lu , Tam Coc and Mua Cave was a dream! Our tour guide gave great insights into the history of the area. The boat ride was peaceful and picturesque. The guesthouse we stayed at was lovely, and the meals were some of the best Vietnamese food we have ever had .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vacation20248110265
Apr 4, 2025
Everything was great - Exploring Hoa Lu, Tam Coc and Mua Cave was amazing ! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive. Cycling through the peaceful rice fields was magical. The boat trip in Tam Coc was amazing, with skilled boatmen rowing through the limestone caves. Our homestay was cozy and the food was delicious!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside10167991705
Jan 13, 2025
Amazing,highly recommend it - The beauty of Ninh Binh left us speechless. The boat ride throughTam Coc was magical, surrounded by limestone mountains. Exploring the historic temples of Hoa Lu and cycling through lush green fields to Mua Cave added a touch of adventure to tour journey. The panoramic view from the top was the perfect ending. Go there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
68shrutir
Jun 3, 2024
Nice place - Our trip with Paradise Indochina Travel exceeded all expectations. The itinerary was well-planned, the accommodations were fantastic, and the guides were friendly and informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Venture43916307679
May 5, 2024
Ninh binh best trip - The guide Jenny was very good and informative, we had a very nice experience . The boat ride and the cycle ride were very good. The Mua caves and trek to the top of the mountain was worth it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
145nerissat
Apr 22, 2024
Best experience! - The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was fun friendly and tooj care of us. The places were very nice. We reached the top of Mua cave and it was amazing view up there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiina_b
Apr 6, 2024
Team BER go biking. - Kenny was truly great and funny guide. Bike tour could have been longer. It was a fun day!!!!
Totally recommend to all.
Review provided by Viator
Cherrietopdworld
Apr 16, 2025
Beautiful Tour; Poor Operations - Ninh Binh was reallly beautiful- the day was very crowded because of Kings Day Festival and the start of tour was delayed by over an hour due to pickup miscommunications and lack of communication.
It was really annoying because I was contacted the night before about meeting up at the van when the excursion I booked included pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter, and I had confirmed with the operator on WhatsApp that we would be picked up at our hotel. When we got to the van, we waited 1 hour 20 for others to get there (also due to the same pickup issues). My friend and I rushed/skipped breakfast to get to the van on time and had to wait on the poorly ventilated van for over an hour.
Others expressed the same frustrations. The tour host said it was because vans cannot drive thru/pick up in Old Quarter and he didn’t have everyone’s contact information. Poor poor management and organization on the operator’s part
Besides being delayed 1hour 20, the rest of the tour was beautiful. It was very crowded. We biked to the temple from our lunch restaurant, ate a buffet lunch with 50 other tourists, took a boat ride (with 200 other tourists), and then hiked the mountain (with 300 other tourists). We did not bike through the countryside-something I thought was a part of the excursion.
It was challenging to understand the host as his English and pronunciation weren’t great. Overall I would recommend, but make sure you’re not going on a public holiday.
Review provided by Viator
2pbyrne
Sep 9, 2024
Good tour overall - Good tour with a great group of people. Our tour guide Nam was very helpful and gave us good information about the history and the culture of Vietnam. Enjoyable tour overall
Review provided by Tripadvisor