Tam Cốc Countryside, Boat Ride, and Hoa Lư Ancient Capital
07.15-07.45 am: Pick up from your hotel or private address in Hanoi Old Quarter, followed by a comfortable transfer to Ninh Bình.
09.00 am: Take a short break to relax in Đồng Văn.
10.30 am: Arrive in the Tam Cốc area. The journey starts with a visit to a local family in Tam Cốc. Here, you will have the chance to see the house architecture, observe their everyday life, and learn more about their traditional embroidery occupation. After this, get on a bike and ride through the rice fields and limestone mountains for about 1 hour along a unique 8 km route.
11.30 am: Return to the host family and enjoy a special lunch prepared by the home chef, featuring local cuisine. After lunch, take a break with a cup of Vietnamese green tea or coffee before continuing the journey to Tam Cốc - the "Halong Bay on land."
1.30 pm: Visit Tam Cốc in a small boat rowed by locals. Tam Cốc is the name of the limestone caves area stretching along the Ngô Đồng River. The boat trip is a pleasant journey, as the river is surrounded by serene limestone mountains, rice paddy fields, and some temples. If traveling during harvest season, you may have the chance to see a carpet of yellow paddy fields along the river banks.
3.30 pm: Arrive in Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, and visit the temple of King Đinh. Hoa Lư existed as the capital of Vietnam for 41 years (968 AD - 1009 AD), 12 years of which were under the Đinh dynasty, ruled by King Đinh Tiên Hoàng, when the country was known as Đại Cồ Việt. Your local guide will explain the related Vietnamese history.
4.30 pm: Leave Tam Cốc and return to Hanoi.
6.30 pm: Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel or private address in Hanoi Old Quarter.
