Around 90–100 km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is a landscape of limestone towers rising from rice fields and rivers, often called “Ha Long Bay on land”. The Trang An Landscape Complex — karst, caves, rivers and archaeological sites — was listed by UNESCO in 2014.
A classic day trip combines a rowing boat trip through caves and between cliffs at Trang An or Tam Coc, the temples of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital in the 10th century, or the vast modern Bai Dinh pagoda complex, and the climb of several hundred steps at Mua Cave to a viewpoint with a stone dragon over the Tam Coc valley.
What to see and do: Ninh Binh: Trang An, Tam Coc & Mua Cave
Row through Trang An
Boats are rowed by local women and men through several caves; the trip takes two to three hours.
Tam Coc
Three caves and the rice fields beside the river; the paddies are most striking when green or golden (roughly May–June).
Climb Mua Cave
Around 500 steps to the top. Go early or late to avoid the heat.
Hoa Lu ancient capital
Temples to the Dinh and Le kings in a valley among the karsts.
How to get to Ninh Binh: Trang An, Tam Coc & Mua Cave
- On a day tour: the easiest way. Ninh Binh day trips include transport, the boat, lunch and entrance fees, typically returning around 7–8 pm.
- By limousine van or bus: about 2–2.5 hours to Ninh Binh or Tam Coc; then rent a bicycle or scooter.
- By train: trains on the north–south line stop at Ninh Binh station, roughly 2–2.5 hours from Hanoi.
Insider tips
- Stay a night in Tam Coc: early morning and evening are magical and quiet.
- Bring sun protection; the boats are open.
- Weekends and holidays are busy with domestic visitors.
Best tours & tickets for Ninh Binh: Trang An, Tam Coc & Mua Cave
These GetYourGuide experiences include Ninh Binh: Trang An, Tam Coc & Mua Cave or pair well with it:
Day trip from €43 Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh/Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave Tour
The classic Ninh Binh day: the old capital at Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh pagoda, a rowing-boat trip through the caves of Trang An and the climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint. More than 11,000 reviews.
- Trang An rowing-boat trip
- Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh
- Mua Cave viewpoint
Day trip from €45 Hanoi – Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Trang An Boat Ride & Mua Cave Tour
A similar, equally well-reviewed Ninh Binh day trip covering Hoa Lu, the Trang An boats and the Mua Cave climb.
- Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Trang An boat ride
- Mua Cave viewpoint
Day trip from €24 Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc or Trang An & Mua Cave Day Trip
A lower-priced Ninh Binh day trip that lets you choose between the Tam Coc and Trang An boat trips.
- Choose Tam Coc or Trang An
- Hoa Lu temples
- Mua Cave
Multi-day tour from €198 Hanoi: 3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise
Northern Vietnam’s two great landscapes in three days: Ninh Binh’s karst valleys and an overnight cruise in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
- Ninh Binh and the bays in one trip
- Night on a cruise ship
- Transport arranged
