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Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Trang An)
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Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Trang An)

Rowing Through Limestone Karst and Rice Fields

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹1,660From / night₹810Food / day₹920Entry

Two hours south of Hanoi, limestone towers rise out of rice fields and rivers: "Ha Long Bay on land". Trang An (a UNESCO site since 2014) and Tam Coc are explored by rowing boat through caves, Mua Cave's 500 steps give the view over the valley, and Hoa Lu was Vietnam's capital a thousand years ago. Stay in Tam Coc to cycle the lanes at dawn; a day trip from Hanoi is possible but rushed.

Highlights

  • Trang An boat through the caves
  • Tam Coc rowing boat (rowed with the feet)
  • Mua Cave's 500 steps and dragon ridge
  • Hoa Lu ancient capital
  • Bai Dinh Pagoda
  • Cycling the rice-field lanes
  • Van Long wetland and langurs
  • Goat meat and burnt rice, the local dishes

Things to do

  • Trang An boat trip through the grottoesMorning · 3h
  • Mua Cave climb for the valley viewAfternoon · 2h
  • Cycle the Tam Coc lanes and Bich Dong PagodaMorning · 3h
  • Hoa Lu ancient capital templesAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Bai Dinh PagodaMorning · 2h 30m
  • Van Long Nature Reserve bamboo boatAfternoon · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: October – April; late May – June for golden rice

Worth knowing

Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush

Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.

  • Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.

Part of a longer route

Ninh Binh (Tam Coc & Trang An) is a stop on a curated circuit through Vietnam.

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Northern Vietnam

Stop 3 of 4 · 9 days · moderate