Escape the crowds and discover the tranquil beauty of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, one of the most pristine landscapes featured in our Ninh Binh Tours. While many travellers visit busy attractions such as Trang An and Tam Coc, Van Long offers a peaceful journey through crystal-clear waterways, towering limestone mountains, and rich biodiversity. Home to rare wildlife, including the endangered Delacour’s langur, the reserve provides an authentic eco-tourism experience in northern Vietnam. Our Van Long Eco Tour Full Day combines a relaxing sampan boat trip, scenic countryside exploration, local cultural encounters, and breathtaking natural scenery. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers, this tour reveals a quieter, more untouched side of Ninh Binh waiting to be explored.
So, where exactly is this hidden wonder that travelers on Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve? To the south around 80 kilometers away from Hanoi, you can enter the tranquil nature reserve at Bai Dinh Pagoda hidden away in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province.
The good news? Getting there is a breeze, and Impress Travel has made it smoother!
For those visiting with Ninh Binh Tours, we offer a private car transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to the tranquil scenery of Van Long Nature Reserve. It’s the perfect way to kick off your visit in comfort and style, with a knowledgeable local driver on a flexible timetable.
Prefer to go on your own? Independent travelers can take this route:
Oh, and yes, it’s on the map, look up “Van Long Nature Reserve, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh” on Google Maps for an easy route.
One of the best things about Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is that you can visit year-round, but some seasons give a special charm:
So if you’re hunting for blooming lotus or flocks of storks, Ninh Binh Tours will take you to nature at its most magical.
Van Long Nature Reserve (Source: lonelyplanet)
Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, an attraction in Ninh Binh tours offers a special feature is only wetland the largest inland Vietnam. Covering more than 3,500 hectares, this stunning reserve is not only a place of natural beauty but also an ecological wonderland wedged between rugged limestone peaks and manmade sparkling floodplains with its important biodiversity.
This is no ordinary tourist stop. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem open to inquisitive travelers, wildlife photographers, conservationists, and those seeking serenity. And trust us, when you’re paddling around on a boat here, you’ll see why it’s known as “the bay with no waves.”
Here, the landscape is simply extraordinary. With towering karst limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from peaceful wetlands, Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve provides a unique environment that is both majestic and calming. Classic Journeys Jetset to Ninh Binh. Unlike many hooting tour circuits, Van Long whispers rather than sings out, beckoning you to slow down, pay attention, and savor each natural nuance.
From secret caves, such as Hang Ca and Hang Bong, to floating reed beds and glassy water that mirrors the sky and stone behind, this is the ideal palette for travelers who want to plug themselves directly into nature without interference.
This is where the Ninh Binh Tours come not just scenic, but scientifically significant. Van Long is home to more than 100 Delacour’s langurs, an endangered species of primate endemic to northern Vietnam. Distinguished by their white “trousers,” these graceful animals inhabit the cliffs, and are now protected by international conservation groups due to their clustering in this very reserve.
A trip with Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is not just sightseeing, but a unique opportunity to see a global hotspot of biodiversity playing out before your eyes. And with a bit of luck (and a good pair of binoculars), you may get lucky and spot these bashful creatures jumping amid the karsts!
Your boat will glide silently across the still surface of Van Long on perhaps the most poetic stretch of your journey. Unlike the bobbing rivers of Tam Coc or Trang An, the water here is crystal clear and undulating, giving it the nickname “vinh khong song”, the bay without waves.
You’ll be able to see water plants swaying in their environment beneath the surface, limestone mountains reflected on the surface above , and wildlife weaving between them. Every minute spent on the boat is like swimming through a painting, hushed and surreal and kind of goddamn soothing.
Hang Ca (Source: vietnamoriginal)
Day 1: Hanoi – Van Long – Cave Discovery – Sunset Cycling
08:00 – Departure from Hanoi
Your private vehicle, provided by Ninh Binh Tours, will collect you from your hotel. As we depart the hustle and bustle of the capital, you’ll be in for a scenic ride through rice paddies and limestone ranges, welcome to the real countryside of Northern Vietnam!
11:00 – Arrival in Van Long & Local Lunch
This is Ninh Binh Tours when we pull over to a local restaurant for mouthwatering regional delicacies: grilled mountain goat, crispy rice with dipping sauce, and charcoal-grilled snakehead fish.
13:30 – Explore the Caves of Van Long
Visit Hang Ca, Hang Bong, and Hang Rua which have different shapes and legends. The limestone formations are surreal and provide a silent beauty that can only be appreciated by those who come to Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
15:30 – Check-in at Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Check into your deluxe garden-view room at this 4-star eco-resort amid lush greenery, lotus ponds, and traditional Northern architecture.
16:30 – Sunset Cycling around Gia Van Wetlands
As the light goes golden, hop in the saddle with your guide for a tranquil cycling tour along village routes and wetlands paths. The moment with birds returning to their nests and mountains reflecting off the glass water became one of the most memorable parts of the tour.
19:00 – Dinner at Organic Restaurant (Resort)
We enjoyed a gourmet meal with local produce perfect for the cosy and quiet dining experience. Meditate on the experiences of the day in perfect tranquility.
Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh (Source: booking)
Day 2: Sunrise Boat Trip – Local Market – Return to Hanoi
06:00 – Sunrise Sampan Boat Trip through Van Long
Get up at dawn for the most magical part of the trip. On a traditional bamboo boat, you’ll slide noiselessly over glassy water as the wetlands stir to life, Delacour’s langurs, flocks of birds, and limestone pinnacles basked in the day’s earliest light. And that’s what makes Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve such an incredible experience.
07:30 – Back to the resort for a light breakfast
08:30 – Visit 600-Year-Old Persimmon Tree & Gia Vien Local Market
The cultural side of Ninh Binh Tours, a sacred tree worshiped by the local people (an ancient tree), and a walk through a countryside market in which locals sell all vegetables, herbs, and hand-made goods. It’s a chance to be in touch with real rural life.
11:00 – Enjoy Lunch Before Departure
One more flavorful meal to seal the journey, another taste of Ninh Binh’s hospitality.
12:30 – Transfer back to Hanoi
The journey may come to an end, however, nature’s silence, the reflection of the mountains, and the rare wildlife of Van Long will remain in your heart long after the trip comes to an end.
Sunrise Boat Trip (Source: vivuhalong)
Day 1: Hanoi – Van Long – Cave Discovery – Sunset Cycling
Same as Day 1 of the 2-Day Tour
Includes:
Day 2: Mountain Hike – Traditional Village – Scenic Countryside Dining
This bonus day helps you slow down, dive deeper, and find even more of what makes Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve so special.
08:00 – Breakfast at Emeralda Resort
Wake up with a wind energy breakfast buffet with Vietnamese and Western specialties.
09:00 – Light hike to Meo Cao & Da Ban mountains
Start the morning with an easy hike to a pair of Van Long’s signature limestone summits. These towering formations overlook the wetlands below, a time for quiet contemplation and spectacular pictures.
11:30 – Back to the resort & leisure time
12:30 – Countryside lunch with local dishes
Dig into a light meal of seasonal produce and rural flavors.
14:00 – Visit to handicraft village near Den Thanh Nguyen Temple
In the afternoon, you’ll enter a centuries-old world of artistry and tradition. Interact with local artisans, watch how baskets are made, and find out about the spiritual legacy of this ancient region, one of the more genuine experiences of any of your Ninh Binh Tours.
17:00 – Scenic transfer to Tam Coc
Just as the sun starts setting, take a short ride through golden rice paddies to one of the most scenic spots around.
18:00 – Dinner at Tam Coc Rice Fields Restaurant
Overlooked by the rice fields and limestone backdrops, this is not just dinner; It is a moment of full immersion in rural Vietnam.
19:30 – Return to resort and relax
Tam Coc (Source: top7vietnam)
Day 3: Sunrise Sampan Ride – Local Culture – Return to Hanoi
Same as Day 2 of the 2-Day Tour
Includes:
Boat trip through Van Long Wetlands Boat trip through Van Long Wetlands
To enjoy your time in Van Long, comfort and protection are what you need. We recommend packing:
With Ninh Binh Tours, we are going to take care of the logistics, it always improves your traveling experience, though, to be prepared.
Your boat trip is the highlight of every Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve itinerary, and we want you to keep it safe and sustainable. A few key guidelines:
By visiting it responsibly, you’re helping us to preserve the magic of Van Long for future generations.
Want to swap the city buzz for nature’s stillness? Let Ninh Binh Tours explore Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve be your escape, where every bank ushers peace, every face inspires awe, and every minute feels truly meaningful. Ninh Binh Tours has it all, and more; not only do you travel with the time of a lifetime, but you also find a slowscale, soft adventure across the heart of Vietnam.
Contact Impress Travel today to reserve your tour:
Experience the untouched beauty of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, one of the most peaceful destinations in northern Vietnam. This eco journey takes visitors on a traditional bamboo boat ride through crystal-clear waters surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and lush wetlands. Known as the largest wetland reserve in the Red River Delta, Van Long is home to diverse birdlife and the rare Delacour’s langur. As part of our Ninh Binh Eco Tours, travellers can enjoy breathtaking scenery, discover local culture, and escape the crowds found at more popular attractions. The Van Long Eco Tour Full Day is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking an authentic and relaxing experience in Vietnam’s spectacular countryside.
Photo is copied and sourced from (https://www.legendtravelgroup.com/)
| Tour Package | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Van Long Eco Boat Trip & Countryside Cycling | Full Day | Van Long bamboo boat, village cycling, rice fields, local life |
| Van Long & Cuc Phuong National Park Eco Tour | Full Day | Van Long wetland, Endangered Primate Rescue Center, ancient forest trek |
| Van Long – Thung Nham Bird Park Cycling Tour | Full Day | Bamboo boat ride, countryside cycling, bird sanctuary, cave exploration |
| Van Long – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital & Cycling | Full Day | Van Long nature reserve, Hoa Lu temples, rural cycling routes |
| Van Long – Mua Cave – Cuc Phuong Explorer | 2 Days / 1 Night | Van Long boat trip, Mua Cave viewpoint, Cuc Phuong rainforest and wildlife |
