Hanoi Day Tour: Hao Lu and Tam Coc (Ninh Binh) (full day) - 1 Days
Trip Snapshot
Genders
- Female50%
- Male50%
Average age
Start / End
- Hanoi
- Hanoi
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 25Meals included
1Highlights
- Step back in time to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital, a captivating realm nestled amidst dramatic limestone mountains and verdant green fields. Explore the revered Dinh and Le dynasty temples, marveling at their intricate architecture and rich history.
- Step back in time as you journey to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital, nestled amidst majestic limestone mountains and vibrant green fields. Explore the intricate temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties, discovering royal palaces and monuments that whisper tales of 10th-century Vietnamese history and culture.
- Delve into the captivating history of the mesmerizing Nhat Tru Pagoda, where legends of a princess sentenced to nunnery and her tragic fate by a well still echo. Marvel at its ancient architecture and learn about the significant role it played in Vietnam's royal past.
- Embrace the tranquility of rural Vietnam with an optional 5km cycling excursion from Tam Coc to Bich Dong Pagoda. Pedal through breathtaking landscapes of lush paddy fields and charming villages, immersing yourself in the picturesque countryside.
- Experience the 'Halong Bay on Land' with an unforgettable sampan boat ride along the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc. Glide peacefully past towering karsts, quaint villages, and verdant rice fields, as your boatwoman expertly navigates through three spectacular natural caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese heritage by exploring the vestiges of royal palaces in Hoa Lu, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of ancient Vietnamese royals and the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
- Discover the serene beauty of Ninh Binh Province, often hailed as 'Halong Bay on Land,' with its iconic karst formations, emerald rice paddies, and tranquil waterways, providing a stunning backdrop to your historical and cultural exploration.
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Day-by-day itinerary
Every day mapped out, covering activities, travel times, meals and where you'll stay.Packing & kit list
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Summary
Go back in time on this day tour to the Ninh Binh Providence and explore Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, surrounded by limestone mountains and pristine green fields. Visit the Dinh and Le dynasty temples, palaces, and monuments. Discover the interesting history of the mesmerizing Nhat Tru Pagoda where a princess was sentenced to nunnery and lost her life down a well. Top it all off with a sampan boat ride through three caves! Have your camera ready because these are sites you'll never want to forget.
Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi
Duration: 8-10 hours
Meeting Point: 8:00am Your Hotel in the Old Quarter
Finish Point: Hotel drop-off
Itinerary: Leave the modern Hanoi city life behind and go back in time on this day tour to the ancient city of Hoa Lu surrounded by green limestone mountains. Meet the tour guide in your hotel lobby and depart for the Ninh Binh province, a 90km (60mi) drive south, with a 20 minute break halfway to stretch your legs. Arrive in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from the 10th century, in the Red River Delta with a scenery of green fields and karst mountains. Visit the temples of two dynasties - Dinh and Le - with ancient intricate architecture. Learn the history of the mesmerizing Nhat Tru Pagoda where a princess was sentenced to nunnery and see the well that took her life. Study the various monuments honouring several Vietnamese royals. Learn about the culture through an excavation of vestiges of royal palaces. Arrive at Tam Coc in the afternoon to relax and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Those who enjoy cycling can opt to explore the countryside images of Vietnam on a 5km ride from Tam Coc to Bich Dong Pagoda (3mi). You will be amazed by the beautiful scenery of lush paddy fields. Afterwards, board the sampan boat in Tam Coc and float along the river among the villages, mountains, and rice fields, passing through 3 caves - Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. The boat returns to dock for a bus ride back to Hanoi for an estimated arrival of 7:00pm.
Note that this Day Tour is operated by one of the tour operator preferred suppliers and will be a shared service with other non-the tour operator travellers.
What's Included
Accommodation
Accommodation
Meals
Breakfasts: 0, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 0
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Jul 2026
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Customer reviews & ratings
An exceptionally long day, missed other activities, good guide and driver, and the guide tried to appologise profusely on the way back into Hanoi. I enjoyed the day, but would plan it differently next time. The day tour to Ninh Binh pick up was well organised, bus driver was fantastic and guide was warm and infomative.
Andrea Jun, 2024 VerifiedWe had a really good day, staff were exceptional with their knowledge The staff were friendly and tried to make the day a good experience for each customer
Deborah Jun, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
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