Ninh Binh Highlights Day Trip from Hanoi

From$83
11 hours
Hanoi, Vietnam

About this activity

Experience Ninh Binh's stunning landscapes, ancient temples, and local culture on this full-day guided tour from Hanoi, including boat rides, hiking, and cycling.

Highlights

  • Scenic boat ride through Tam Coc's limestone caves
  • Explore the ancient temples of Hoa Lu
  • Hike to Mua Cave's panoramic viewpoint
  • Cycle through picturesque rural landscapes
  • Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch

Full description

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Ninh Binh on this full-day tour from Hanoi. Begin with a scenic boat ride through Tam Coc's limestone caves, often referred to as 'Halong Bay on land.' Explore the ancient temples of Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, and hike to Mua Cave's panoramic viewpoint for stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Cycle through picturesque rural landscapes, immersing yourself in the local culture. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Hanoi, creating memories of a lifetime.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Hanoi
  • Guided boat tour through Tam Coc's limestone caves
  • Visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Mua Cave viewpoint
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

Itinerary

1

7.00 – 07:15: Pick up guests in hotels from Hanoi Old Quarter 09:15: Arrive at Hoa Lu ancient capital, Visit Dinh King temple 10:30: Visit Mua Cave and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic river and mountains view by climb 500 steps up tp Lying Dragon Mountain 12:00: Enjoy traditional Vietnamese set menu lunch at local Bungalow 13:15: Enjoy a sampan boat trip in Tam Coc, passing through three caves: Hang Ca- Frist cave, Hang Hai – the second cave and Hang Ba- third Cave. 15:00: Cycle through the rice fields and villages to visit Bich Dong Pagoda 15:30: Visit the ancient pagoda- Bich Dong was built in 1428. Then Cyling through villages back to the parking area. 16:00: Leave Tam Coc for Hanoi after having a fair-well drink 18:30: The tour is ended in Hanoi

Duration: 6 hoursAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Visit the first ancient capital of Vietnam in 10th and 11th century. You will hang out about 45 minutes to see Dinh King temple at the mountainous area

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES
3

-Hiking 500 steps to the top of the mountain to enjoy the breaktaking views of river, mountain and Ninh Binh City - Visit dry Cave - Visit lotus farm with colorful flowers with amazing photos in the lotus season in the summer

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
4

Have a sampan boat trip on Ngo Dong River to pass three emeral water caves, among limestone mountains and rice field by local rowers.

Duration: 1h 45mAdmission: YES
5

Visit an ancient pagoda, was built in 1428 in the village. Climb 200 steps to see three parts of pagoda: the lower pagoda at the foot of mountain, the middle pagoda at the half of mountain and the top pagoda on the top of mountain.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES

Important information

Know before you book

  • This tour involves moderate physical activity, including walking and cycling.
  • Vegetarian meal options are available upon request; please inform in advance.
  • The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for the forecast.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for walking and cycling.
  • Bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent for sun protection and comfort.
  • Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Service Animals Allowed
  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infant Seats Available

Traveler reviews

5.0
8,575 reviews
5
8,370
4
165
3
21
2
16
1
3

A truly magical experience

I have been on several guided tours at this point, and this was by far one of my favorites. Ninh Binh was completely out of this world and I have never experienced anywhere quite like it. The excursions we did fit perfectly into our day. We covered so many activities without ever feeling rushed or like the itinerary was too packed. I still had enough energy as a 31-year-old to head out to the Old Town Night Market afterward! We unfortunately happened to go on the hottest day of the year so far, but that is nobody’s fault. Our driver was a very friendly man who carefully took us to every destination. I believe his name was Lucky. The energy of our tour guide, Phong, is what truly made the experience magical. He was incredibly knowledgeable and high energy, and we got some amazing photos thanks to him. Honestly, this was one of the best experiences I have ever had anywhere in the world.

Jet31928365748May 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Must do in the Hanoi area!!!

If you are visiting Hanoi, this is absolutely a must-do experience. Aloha Vietnam made the day very smooth and handled everything which removed the stress of planning a day trip. Our tour guide, Steven, was incredibly kind, helpful, and informative. At each stop, he provided plenty of information about the area's history. The group was around 8 people, and it was nice getting to connect with other travelers and learn about Ninh Binh together. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this tour to take a day-long break from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi!

C3119ZRjuliawMay 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR

If you’re not staying in...

If you’re not staying in Nihn Bihn, this tour is the best way to see it from Hanoi. Phong was a great tour guide and kept us entertained all day.

Kevin_CMay 25, 2026VIATOR

Great experience

Great tour! Highly recommend. Jimmy the tour guide was very informative and had a great sense of humour. Food incredible, experience 10/10

Q3670XHemilypMay 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Ninh Binh Day Tour

We had a wonderful experience on the Ninh Binh tour. Everything was very well organized and smoothly managed from start to finish. The schedule was perfectly on time, transportation was comfortable, and the entire tour was conducted professionally. Our guide was very informative, friendly, and shared interesting insights throughout the trip, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to explore the beautiful places without feeling rushed. Overall, it was a fantastic and memorable experience. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Ninh Binh.

rohank135May 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR