Vietnam · Boating

Ninh Binh Day Trip To Hoa Lu Capital & Sampan Boat to Tam Coc

1 Day Round trip from Pickup service provided in Ninh Bình. Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam
02 Explore King Dinh and King Le Temple
03 Enjoy a sampan boat ride along the Ngo Dong River
04 Pass limestone karsts, rice fields, villages, and Tam Coc caves
05 Cycle along quiet country roads near the village
06 Buffet lunch with Vietnamese cuisine included
07 Round-trip transportation included from Hanoi Old Quarter
08 Suitable for all fitness levels

Discover the highlights of Ninh Binh on a full-day journey from Hanoi, combining history, scenery, and gentle outdoor activity. Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, where temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le offer a glimpse into the country’s early royal past.

Then continue to Tam Coc for a relaxing sampan boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, drifting past limestone karsts, rice fields, peaceful villages, and the caves of Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. With a local buffet lunch and a leisurely cycling segment through the countryside, this trip is a well-rounded way to experience one of northern Vietnam’s most scenic regions.

Then continue to Tam Coc for a relaxing sampan boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, drifting past limestone karsts, rice fields, peaceful villages, and the caves of Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hoa Lư, Tam Cốc-Bích Động, Cúc Phương National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Ninh Binh Day Trip To Hoa Lu Capital & Sampan Boat to Tam Coc

Just 110 km and 2.5 hours driving from Hanoi center, you have a chance to enjoy landscape in one of the most famous tourist province in the north of Vietnam. Most of backpacker chooses Ninhbinh as a stop-over for the trip through Vietnam. Among plenty of tourist sites such: Tam Coc - Halong bay on land, Cuc Phuong National Park, Van long Floating Chanel, Trang An Eco...

Hoalu - Tam Coc is perfect combination for a day trip to learn about a dark period when Vietnam was conquested by Northern Invader. Hoalu is a sacred land with two temple worshiping those kings in 10 century who gave great contribution for the nation. Next, let's take a boat trip along the Ngo Dong river to enjoy landscape in Tam Coc. You will know why it's named Halong Bay on Land

HIGHLIGHT:

Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Biking and Boat Day Trip from Hanoi
Tour Hoa Lu and Tam Coc
Biking trip to Bich Dong Pagoda
Enjoy the epic landscapes of northern Vietnam with a professional guide
Perfect for all fitness levels
Round-trip hotel transportation is included (in the Old Quarter area only)

ITINERARY:

08:00 – 08:30 – Our guide will meet you at your hotel/stay and start 120km modern bus-journey through verdant landscape. Stop over for a rest on the way.

10:30 – Arrive Hoa Lu, once ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Having been eroded over the millennia, the dilapidated ruins have nearly been absorbed by the spectacular scenery creating a mystical atmosphere that will besure to titillate your imagination, visit King Dinh and Le Temple.

12:00 – Enjoy a lavish buffet lunch in a local restaurant, a great place to savor the intense flavours of Vietnamese food then go to Tam Coc for a stunning boat trip.

13:00 – Board the sampan boats, owned by locals, gently sailing along Ngo Dong river, capturing the wonderful scenery of Karst hills, rice fields, and peaceful villages, and passing “Hang Ca”, “Hang Hai” and “Hang Ba”.

15:00 – Leisurely cycling on country road around village 16:00 – Get on shuttle bus to return to Hanoi

18:30 – Drop off at your hotel/ accommodation’s door steps in Hanoi Old Quarter. Trip ends.

The route