Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Tam Coc Countryside Discovery
07:30 – 08:30 | Hotel Pick-up & Transfer to Ninh Binh
Your journey begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Travel south through the fertile Red River Delta, where picturesque villages, rice paddies, and rural landscapes offer a glimpse into traditional Vietnamese life.
10:30 – 12:00 | Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties (968–1009). Discover the ancient beauty and unique architecture of the historic King Dinh Temple and King Le Temple complex while learning about the foundations of Vietnam’s first centralized feudal state.
12:00 – 13:30 | Traditional Ninh Binh Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties such as crispy rice (Com Chay) and mountain goat dishes, two culinary icons of Ninh Binh.
14:00 – 15:00 | Hotel Check-in & Relaxation
Check in at your hotel or resort in the Tam Coc area. Enjoy some free time to relax and appreciate the peaceful countryside atmosphere.
15:30 – 17:30 | Tam Coc Boat Trip & Countryside Cycling
Board a traditional sampan boat for a scenic journey through Tam Coc, often called “Ha Long Bay on Land." Drift along the Ngo Dong River, passing beneath spectacular limestone caves and surrounded by emerald rice fields and towering karst formations.
After the boat trip, enjoy a leisurely cycling excursion through quiet villages, lotus ponds, and rural pathways, providing excellent opportunities to observe local life and photograph the stunning landscape.
18:30 | Dinner at Leisure & Overnight in Tam Coc
Spend the evening at your own pace. You may explore local cafés, restaurants, and the charming atmosphere of Tam Coc before an overnight stay.
Meals: Lunch
Overnight: Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Day 2: Mua Cave – Bai Dinh Pagoda or Trang An – Return to Hanoi
07:00 – 08:00 | Breakfast at Hotel
Start your day with breakfast while enjoying views of Ninh Binh’s tranquil countryside.
08:30 – 10:30 | Conquer Mua Cave Viewpoint
Visit Mua Cave, one of the region’s most iconic attractions. Climb nearly 500 stone steps to Ngoa Long Peak, where breathtaking panoramic views reveal the winding rivers, rice fields, and limestone mountains that define Ninh Binh’s landscape.
11:00 – 12:00 | Hotel Check-out
Return to the hotel, check out, and prepare for the afternoon excursion.
12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch at Local Restaurant
Enjoy another authentic Vietnamese lunch before continuing your exploration.
13:30 – 16:30 | Option 1: Bai Dinh Pagoda
Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam. Explore its magnificent halls, giant bronze Buddha statues, bell tower, and the famous Arhat Corridor lined with hundreds of stone statues.
OR
13:30 – 16:30 | Option 2: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Discover the UNESCO-listed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex on a traditional rowing boat. Cruise through a network of rivers, caves, and limestone valleys while visiting sacred temples hidden within the dramatic karst landscape.
17:00 – 19:30 | Return to Hanoi
Depart Ninh Binh and travel back to Hanoi by limousine vehicle. Arrive in the capital in the early evening, concluding one of the most rewarding Ninh Binh package tours featured in our Vietnam Package Tours collection.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch