Ninh Binh Private Tour 2 Days

At around 8:00 am, after enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet our experienced tour guide and driver for a comfortable 2-hour journey to Ninh Binh province, often described as “Halong Bay on land” for its spectacular limestone karst landscapes.

Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred directly to the boat pier where an enchanting adventure awaits. Board a traditional rowing boat to explore the picturesque waterways of the Trang An ecological site, a UNESCO World Heritage destination that captivates visitors with its mystical beauty. Your skilled local rower navigates the sampan through a landscape where forested limestone mountains contrast dramatically against emerald waters, while caves, verdant lowlands, and winding rivers create a fairytale-like scene that seems almost otherworldly.

Your journey takes you through an impressive network of 11 caves, each adorned with beautiful stalactites of all shapes, sizes, and colors. These natural grottoes, carved by water and time over millions of years, range from vast cathedral-like chambers to intimate passages. Some caves are illuminated by shafts of sunlight streaming through openings above, creating magical light effects on the water. Throughout the approximately 3-hour boat trip, you’ll glide past ancient temples perched on hillsides, through narrow waterways flanked by towering cliffs, and across tranquil lagoons where the only sounds are birdsong and the gentle splash of oars.

After completing your boat trip, enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties and fresh ingredients.

Following lunch, visit the magnificent Bai Dinh Pagoda, a sprawling spiritual complex that holds special significance even among Vietnamese locals. This is Vietnam’s largest Buddhist complex, featuring stunning architecture spread across multiple terraced levels. The pagoda is home to the country’s biggest bronze Buddha statue, standing an impressive 10 meters in height and weighing 100 tons. Marvel at the craftsmanship and scale of this sacred figure, then explore the halls containing 500 La Han (Arhat) statues, each with unique facial expressions and poses representing enlightened disciples of Buddha.

Take time to wander through the peaceful gardens, climb the steps for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and absorb the serene atmosphere that makes this one of Vietnam’s most important pilgrimage sites. The complex’s grand architecture, combining traditional Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Buddhist styles, creates a powerful sense of spiritual reverence.

After your visit, transfer to your hotel in Ninh Binh for check-in and relaxation.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at your hotel, prepare for a morning adventure that will reward you with one of Northern Vietnam’s most spectacular panoramic views.

Begin your day with a visit to Mua Cave (Hang Mua), also known as “Dancing Cave.” The highlight of this site is the climb to the mountaintop viewpoint, which requires ascending more than 500 stone steps carved into the limestone mountainside. While the climb is moderately challenging, the breathtaking reward at the summit makes every step worthwhile.

As you ascend, pause at intervals to catch your breath and admire the increasingly expansive views. The stone dragon winding alongside the stairway adds a mythical touch to your journey upward. Upon reaching the peak at approximately 200 meters above sea level, you’ll be greeted by one of the most breathtaking vistas in all of Ninh Binh province.

From this stunning vantage point, the entire valley spreads before you like a living painting. Observe the Ngo Dong River snaking through the landscape in graceful curves, rice paddies forming a patchwork of greens and golds depending on the season, and limestone karsts rising from the flat plain like ancient sentinels. The view encompasses the Tam Coc area and extends to distant mountain ranges, offering endless photo opportunities and moments of quiet contemplation.

After descending and catching your breath, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning your journey back to Hanoi. The approximately 2-hour drive returns you to Vietnam’s capital by late afternoon.

End of service.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch