Discover Ninh Binh in One Day
Small Group Tour (Max. 9 Guests) | Luxury DCar Limousine. DAILY DEPARTURE.
Escape the crowds and discover the beauty of Ninh Binh in a small group of no more than 9 guests. Just 2 hours from Hanoi, explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, enjoy a peaceful boat ride through Tam Coc or Trang An, and hike to Mua Cave for breathtaking panoramic views of the limestone mountains and rice fields.
Choose your preferred itinerary:
Option 1: Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Boat Tour – Mua Cave ( Hiking )
Option 2: Hoa Lu – Trang An Boat Tour – Mua Cave
Tour Options
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave
Transferred by Dcar Limousine
Pickup included
Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave
Transferred by Dcar Limosine
Pickup included
Itinerary
120 min
*OPTION 01: HOA LU - TAM COC - MUA CAVE
*OPTION 02: HOA LU - TRANG AN - MUA CAVE
7:10 - 7:30 Start with a morning pickup service from your hotels in Hanoi Old Town. Head to Hoa Lu which was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Have a short break on the way to Ninh Binh.
10:00 Take a short walk to visit the King Dinh Temple where you can get to know about Vietnamese history under these dynasties.
11:45: Having lunch in the local restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine.
Enjoy 1.5 hour a peaceful bamboo boat ride through Tam Coc or 2 hours boat ride at Trang An. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural landscape. The Trang An recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Explore Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps to reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for amazing panoramic views of Tam Coc. This is one of the best photo spots in Ninh Binh.
*Return to your accommodation at around 6:30 - 6:45 P.M
Admission included60 min
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries, serving as the political and cultural center of the country under the Dinh, Early Le, and Ly dynasties. Located in the northern province of Ninh Bình, about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi, Hoa Lu is an ancient historical site surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and lush valleys.
The capital city was strategically chosen due to its natural defenses and its proximity to both the Red River Delta and the sea. It flourished for more than 40 years before being moved to Thang Long (modern-day Hanoi) in 1010 during the reign of the Ly Dynasty.
Today, Hoa Lu remains an important archaeological and historical site. Visitors can explore remnants of ancient temples dedicated to past emperors, such as the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and the Le Dai Hanh Temple.
Admission included90 min
The Tam Coc bamboo boat ride offers a tranquil journey through one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking landscapes. As you sit in a traditional hand-rowed sampan, local boatwomen gently paddle you along the Ngo Dong River, weaving between towering limestone karsts, lush rice paddies, and mysterious caves. The name "Tam Coc" means "Three Caves," and during the ride, you’ll pass through Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba — natural water tunnels carved through the mountains.
Admission included105 min
Located in Ninh Binh Province, about 100 km south of Hanoi, Trang An is often called “Ha Long Bay on land” thanks to its dramatic limestone karst mountains rising from peaceful rivers and lush green valleys.
The Trang An Landscape Complex is one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural and cultural destinations, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Admission included70 min
Mua Cave (also known as Múa Cave) is a stunning natural attraction located in Ninh Bình Province, northern Vietnam. It is part of the Múa Cave complex and sits at the foot of Múa Mountain in the Hoa Lư District, which is famous for its dramatic karst landscapes and historical significance. Múa Cave is not just a cave but a cultural and natural landmark that draws visitors for its scenic beauty, historical sites, and the challenging hike that leads to panoramic views of the region.
The main attraction of Múa Cave is the hike up Múa Mountain, which is often called the “stairway to heaven” due to its 500 stone steps that lead to the summit. The hike can be moderately challenging, but the reward is a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape, including the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and the winding Ngo Dong River that flows through the lush valleys and rice paddies.
120 min
16:30: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi.
18:30 – 18:45: Drop you off at your hotel. The trip ends.
Highlights
Sightseeing Tickets
Bottled water on the bus
Lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
Free pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you're staying outside, Kindly meet us at 6 Cua Nam Street
Experienced driver & English speaking tour guide
Maximum 9 travelers
What's included
Included
Sightseeing Tickets
Bottled water on the bus
Lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
Free pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you're staying outside, Kindly meet us at 6 Cua Nam Street
Experienced driver & English speaking tour guide
Maximum 9 travelers
Not included
Drinks for lunch ( Beer, Coffee, Soft-drink...)
Tips / Gratuities
Children taller than 1.2m are considered adults. Please pay the same price as adults.
Pickup Locations & Times
07:10 – 07:30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you are staying outside the Old Quarter, please come to 6 Cua Nam Street for pickup.
Traveller Ratings
5.0
387 reviews
5
377
4
9
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1
1
Important Information
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Ninh Binh Highlights Day Tour from Hanoi - Small Group(Max 9 Pax) lasts about 11 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $53 per person for this Hanoi experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. 07:10 – 07:30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you are staying outside the Old Quarter, please come to 6 Cua Nam Street for pickup. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyEY6K5JIAagmNrdCo+bh/QQ=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyItCnudiGhIzEhWdaGXxyWI=.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 9 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(387)
S
S8996NYnickw
September 9, 2026
Fantastic Ninh Binh tour with Jack
We had a fantastic day exploring Ninh Binh with our guide Jack on the Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Mua Cave and Bich Dong tour. We were picked up directly from our hotel in Hanoi, which made for an easy and convenient start to the day.
Jack was friendly, relaxed and extremely knowledgeable throughout the day. One of the unexpected highlights was hearing him play the traditional Vietnamese flute, which was a lovely touch and made the experience even more memorable.
The climb up the 500 steps at Mua Cave was certainly an adventure. We were caught in a massive rainstorm on the way up, but Jack was incredibly patient with us. There was absolutely no pressure or rushing, and he simply let us take it at our own pace. Reaching the top and seeing the views made it well worth the effort.
We also really enjoyed cycling through the countryside and the beautiful sampan boat trip at Tam Coc. The itinerary had a great variety of experiences and never felt rushed. There was plenty of bottled water provided throughout the day, and we could even borrow traditional Vietnamese nón lá conical hats, which were both practical and great fun for the photos.
We had a lovely group of fellow travellers, and Jack's easy-going personality and sense of humour helped make it a very enjoyable day for everyone. He also took plenty of photos of my wife and me and sent them to us afterwards, another very thoughtful touch.
Ninh Binh is spectacular, but having such a knowledgeable and personable local guide made the day even better. We would happily recommend this tour and especially Jack.
Cảm ơn rất nhiều, Jack!
Y
yenpal
September 7, 2026
Awesome journey with Guide Jack & Driver Ding
What an awesome journey! 🇻🇳
A very special thank you to our wonderful Guide Jack and Driver Ding, who were truly great ambassadors for Vietnam and for the agency.
From start to finish, everything was very well planned and organised. They made our journey safe, enjoyable, wonderful and, above all, truly memorable. Their professionalism, kindness and hospitality made all the difference.
BRAVO to Jack and Ding! 👏👏 You both did a fantastic job and helped us discover the beauty of Vietnam in such a special way.
And a special mention to Jack Daniel — not only a great guide, but also a talented flute player! 🎶 That was a lovely and unexpected touch that added even more charm to our journey.
Our sincere thanks also go to Mevin from Bluesky Agency in Mauritius, who organised this wonderful trip for us and made sure everything came together so smoothly.
Well done to the whole team, and thank you for giving us such beautiful memories of Vietnam. 🇻🇳❤️
Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— Danee & Rajendra Payen, Mauritius 🇲🇺
A
ariss960
September 4, 2026
A day in Ninh Binh
An amazing experience from start to finish. They picked us up from our hotel and drove us to Ninh Binh. Our guide Jack was excellent giving us tips and making us feel welcome during the trip. He knows the area and history very well. Would definitely recommend.
M
Michael_Z
September 3, 2026
Was picked up in a very...
Was picked up in a very comfortable van one of the best I’ve been in. Our tour guide David had very good english speaking skills and gave an interesting deep history of ancient Vietnam which I found to be quite interesting. The tourist lunch stop for food is the only thing that could be improved - the selection and freshness could be better. Overall had a great experience on this tour
E
ehr0lj0hnf
September 3, 2026
Excellent tour guide- Highly Recommended!
We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide, David. He was very friendly, professional, patient, and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip. He explained everything clearly and shared interesting information about the places we visited, which made the tour much more enjoyable and meaningful.
H
H7186MZabhishekb
August 30, 2026
Amazing trip
We had a wonderful experience with Jack on our cycling and boat ride tour. He was friendly, funny, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. Jack was very knowledgeable about the local area and shared interesting stories and insights along the way, which made the tour much more engaging. He was also attentive and made sure we were comfortable throughout the cycling and boat ride. His great sense of humour and easy-going nature made it feel less like a guided tour and more like spending the day with a friend. I would definitely recommend Jack to anyone looking for a fun and memorable experience!
M
mariamW5323GY
August 28, 2026
Incredible views
Very beautiful places and above all...amazing viewsssss
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G1296OAjocelynl
August 28, 2026
Great tour and guide
Alex is a great tour guide. He explains everything with detail and communicates clearly and politely. I recommend to book his guide and tour services.
U
U1090UXlucasm
August 28, 2026
Great guide
Great friendly guide with relevant explanations throughout the day.
M
Maps28271714166
August 26, 2026
Rain in Ninh Binh
The experience of a lifetime, truly one of a kind. Mr Tu was very informative, he shared history and interesting facts about Vietnam. It rained heavily when we came but the tour agency still made things work. The bus was comfortable despite everyone being wet the whole day. The food was pleasant too and was able to accomodate muslims by providing a variety of vegetarian options.
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Ninh Binh Highlights Day Tour from Hanoi - Small Group(Max 9 Pax)