Full-Day Ninh Bình and Tam Cốc Tour with Hoa Lư and River Caves

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of Vietnam
• 02 Enjoy lunch at Duc Tuan restaurant with a bird's-eye view over the Tam Cốc river
• 03 Take a locally rowed boat through three spectacular caves and limestone karsts
• 04 Admire peaceful mountains, rice paddy fields, and temples in Tam Cốc
• 05 Enjoy an optional bicycle ride through the Vietnamese countryside

Sign up for this full-day tour to explore Hoa Lư, the ancient capital, and Tam Cốc's beautiful rural landscape from Hanoi. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Duc Tuan restaurant with a bird's-eye view over the winding Tam Cốc river, then take a locally rowed boat ride through three spectacular caves and limestone karsts. You can also enjoy a bicycle ride through the countryside to admire the real beauty of Vietnam and experience local daily life.

Sign up for this full-day tour to explore Hoa Lư, the ancient capital, and Tam Cốc's beautiful rural landscape from Hanoi.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hoa Lư, Tam Cốc-Bích Động

Languages English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Hoa Lư Ancient Capital and Tam Cốc River Experience

• 8:00-8:30 am: Meet your tour guide upon arrival, get picked up from your hotel in the Old Quarter, and depart for Ninh Bình city.
• 10:30-11:00 am: Reach Hoa Lư, the ancient capital.
• 12:00 pm: Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant in Tam Cốc called Duc Tuan Restaurant. The food is served in an Asian style with local dishes and organic vegetables. Duc Tuan has a bird's-eye view over the Tam Cốc river, so you can marvel at the amazing aerial views while enjoying lunch.
• 1:30 pm: Take a rowboat from Tam Cốc Harbour. Arranged by local people, the boat is rowed by both hands and legs. It will take you through three spectacular caves with hundreds of limestone karsts. If you travel during the harvest season, you will see many terraced rice fields in golden bloom. The rowboat will navigate along the river for approximately two hours.
• See the peaceful scenery of mountains, rice paddy fields, and temples, and learn about local people's culture and daily lives.
• Optional activity: Enjoy a bicycle ride through the countryside after the boat trip.
• 4:00 pm: Leave Tam Cốc and drive back to Hanoi.
• 6:30 pm: Arrive in Hanoi and finish this unforgettable full-day trip at your hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: Vietnamese/Asian food
• Transfers during the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Boat trip on the Ngo Dong River rowed by local people
• Bicycle rental and tour
• English- and French-speaking Vietnamese tour guide
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• One bottle of water per person on the bus

What's Not Included

• Beverages and other meals not indicated in the program
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tipping/gratuities (optional)

Know before you go

• In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself king. Since then, Hoa Lư existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 - 1009), of which 12 years were under the Dinh dynasty under King Dinh Tien Hoang, who named the country Dai Co Viet, and the following 29 years were under the Le dynasty under King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lư to Thang Long - present-day Hanoi. Hoa Lư then became the old citadel. In Hoa Lư, there are now two temples built on the grounds of the old royal palace. One is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, and the other is dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
• As an ancient capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and Le dynasties, Hoa Lư has a variety of historical places for visitors to explore during the trip.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Ninh Bình, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam

Tour start

Ninh Bình, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.