Ninh Binh · Day tour
Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu + Tam Coc + Mua Cave Day Tour
Great for couplesGreat for familiesGreat for backpackersModerate fitness levelDaily departures
From
From $65 /person
Duration
Day trip (~12h)
Departure
Daily
Pickup
Hanoi Old Quarter (any hotel)
Group size
1+ guests
Fitness
Moderate
Type
Culture & heritage
Itinerary
07:00-07:50
Hotel pickup (Hanoi Old Quarter)
09:15
Rest stop (15-20 min)
10:30
Hoa Lu ancient capital
Capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010. Visit temples of Dinh + Le Kings.
11:15-11:45
Optional cycling (30 min)
Or relax at restaurant view lake & valley.
12:00
Buffet lunch at Trang An Eco Holiday Retreat
Local specialties. Vegetarian option available.
13:15-13:30
Tam Coc boat ride (~1.5h)
"Halong Bay on land". Rowing along Ngo Dong River through: - Hang Ca cave - Hang Hai cave - Hang Ba cave - Limestone karst formations + paddy fields
15:30
Mua Cave climb
500 steps to peak of Ngoa Long Mountain. Panorama Ninh Binh city + Tam Coc below.
16:30-17:00
Bus back to Hanoi
19:00-19:30
Hotel drop-off
Notes
- Tam Coc paddy fields golden ~late May-early June
- Itinerary subject to weather changes
- Walking street weekend closures may shift drop-off point
✓ Included
- Pickup from hotel in Old Quarter
- Round-trip transfer (selected tier)
- English-speaking guide
- Buffet lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
- 1 bottle of water/person
- Entrance fees
- Cycling through countryside (Limousine bus tier only)
- Boat trip in Tam Coc
✕ Not included
- VAT 10%
- Beverages
- Tips for tour guide and personal expenses
🎒 What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes (Mua Cave 500 steps)
- Hat + sunscreen
- Cash for boat rower tip (custom)
Travelling with children
- Free for children under 5
- Full price from age 9
Good questions about this tour
Will the Tam Coc boat rowers pressure us for tips?
Just so you're prepared - tipping the rowers is a common local custom and they often expect it. It's not mandatory, but to avoid any awkwardness we'd suggest around 50,000-100,000 VND per boat (about $2-4).
Should I choose Tam Coc or Trang An?
Tam Coc gives you a more authentic countryside experience with rice paddies along the river. Trang An is the grander, UNESCO-listed cave system and was a Kong: Skull Island filming location. Go for Tam Coc if you want raw, rural charm; Trang An if you want dramatic landscape.
Do I have to climb the 500 steps at Mua Cave?
Mua Cave's 500 steps are completely optional - you can skip the climb and the rest of the group will meet back at the base. Or take it at your own pace if you'd like to give it a go; the views from the top are stunning.
