Ninh Binh Hightlight & Hidden Gem from Hanoi with Skip-The-Line

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 6:30 - 6:45 AM, you get picked up from your hotel or meeting point. Waking up early for this tour will ensure that you have the best day ever for three reasons. ● We can avoid the heavy traffic in Hanoi. Navigating through the busy city center can be time-consuming during rush hour. However, if we depart at 6:30 AM - 6:45 AM, we can bypass this congestion and reach Ninh Binh in just 20 minutes, saving us precious time. ● Being early birds allows us to beat the crowds at the tourist sites. We can enjoy the attractions without encountering many people or waiting in long queues. This way, we can maximize our time and fully immerse ourselves in the experience. ● Starting our morning hike up to Mua cave early helps us beat the heat of the day. We can enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the area while feeling refreshed and energized. "Early to bed, early to rise," let us assist you in having a fantastic day by waking up early and experiencing the best that this tour has to offer.

   25 min

2. After a 2-hour car journey from Hanoi, it's time for us to engage in some physical activity by ascending the magnificent natural Great Wall of Mua mountain, as well as exploring the Mua cave. This location offers the most optimal spot to admire the breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area. Additionally, embarking on an early hike would allow us to avoid the oppressive heat and the large crowds that gather later in the day. As the day progresses, the heat intensifies and the site becomes heavily thronged by hundreds of thousands of tourists, all due to its viral fame. If you don’t like the touristy hike, alternatively, we have a 300-step, rugged hidden gem hike at the holy and secret mountain where you could feel the serenity of nature and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, forest, and surrounding villages.

   2 hAdmission included

3. We then ride to Tam Coc or Trang An, a new addition to UNESCO’s list of heritage sites. It is often referred to as the Halong Bay of the land due to its spectacular scenery. It is a truly wonderful sight to see. We’ll board on row boats for a 2-hour journey through caves, passing local villages along the river system of the Red River Delta. The scenery comprises of lush green rice paddies during the rice growing seasons and the surrounding limestone karsts. Take a seat on the comfortable bamboo boat and soak in the beauty of the surroundings as you glide through the water. Experience the awe-inspiring landscape as you pass through three natural underground caves, all while observing locals engaged in their farming and fishing activities. You may also catch a glimpse of local livestock and cattle along the way. Allow yourself to unwind and appreciate the serene and picturesque boat trip, immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of this remarkable experience.

   2 hAdmission included

4. We will indulge in an authentic Vietnamese dining experience at a local home-hosted restaurant for our lunch. Following this, we will commence our 2-hour Ninh Binh Countryside cycling or scooter riding tour, which undoubtedly provide the finest means to discover the cultural and natural wonders of Ninh Binh countryside. For the scooter ride, we provide skilled drivers for a safe and hassle-Free trip, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a safe and exhilarating ride throughout the area. As you traverse the country-roads, you will be mesmerized by the towering limestone karsts that overlook you, while also taking in the breathtaking scenery. The Ninh Binh countryside cycling or scooter riding tour offers an epic adventure that allows you to explore the highways and byways of this enchanting locale. En route, we will pass by lush rice paddies, charming farms, and quaint villages, granting us a glimpse into the everyday lives of the countryside-dwelling Vietnamese people.

   2 hAdmission included

5. Explore the captivating Ancient Buddhist Pagoda adorned with traditional Vietnamese architecture and exquisite sculptures. Afterward, embark on a scenic hike up to a natural temple nestled within a cave, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance. Follow the trails that lead you up to Bich Dong Peak, and be prepared to be mesmerized by the serene beauty of the surrounding mountainscape. Here, you can revel in the peaceful atmosphere and appreciate the breathtaking views that unfold before your eyes.

   2 hAdmission included

6. On arrival, we visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to learn about Vietnamese Culture, history and traditional architecture.

   2 hAdmission included

7. 18:00 - 18:30, we will be back in Hanoi Old Quarter and the tour will end. You have a couple of optional drop-off locations: 1. Drop off at your hotel 2. Drop off at the Meeting Point Additionally, you have the option to be dropped off at: ● Hanoi Train Street ● Hoan Kiem Lake ● Opera House ● Hanoi Old Quarter night weekend market. Please kindly let your guide and driver know about your preferred drop-off location on the way back, so they can organize it for you. I'll make sure to communicate this information to them.

   15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 4,704 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Great tour, highly recommend!

  This was our best trip in Vietnam. Our guide, Louis, gave a fantastic introduction to Ninh Binh and took excellent care of us. The boat tour was truly wonderful. I will definitely be back.

  Trek63231374102September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Fun Tour :)

  Louis was the best guide for the Ninh Binh trip! He was incredibly funny and shared fascinating insights into Vietnamese history and culture. Everything ran on schedule, and we truly enjoyed every part of the tour. I highly recommend Louis to anyone planning to join this fantastic trip.

  Passport11675980762September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Beautiful NInhbin!

  Our guide, Louis, was fantastic. He was funny, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. Although the day started with flooding, we ended up with plenty of interesting stories to tell. We had a wonderful time.

  E1704PAkentmSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5What a day!

  What an amazing day! Best thing we've done in Vietnam. Every part of the experience was great, and Hiu was a fantastic guide. Knowledgable, energetic, funny, looked after us and my older mother, and generally just a really nice guy :) Highly recommended!

  W1362GJcraigwSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Amazing day trip to Ninh Binh

  The scenery was absolutely stunning. The trip was well worth it. Climbing the 500 steps to the viewpoints was truly rewarding—the view from up there was magnificent. Lewis, our guide, was fantastic. It wasn't too crowded either—that was a huge plus!

  Maps43254299750September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great day out

  Great day out. Despite the Rain! Was a very enjoyable experience. Louis was a great tour guide. Picked us up from the hotel and when the rain started to get really heavy, provided ponchos!

  robbyd795September 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Hanoi

• Its from-price is 42% above the median of the 733 city tours we list in Hanoi.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 5 of 733.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, mixes lakeside temples, French colonial boulevards and an Old Quarter where street food and scooters fill every lane.

The Old Quarter's narrow streets, each once devoted to a single trade, sit just north of Hoan Kiem Lake, where the red Huc Bridge leads to the Temple of the Jade Mountain. Wander at dawn to see tai chi by the water, or after dark when the pavements fill with food stalls and low plastic stools.

Top-ranked sights in Hanoi: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge (Cau Long Bien).

See all 9454 experiences in Hanoi