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If you’re visiting Hanoi and debating whether a day trip to Ninh Binh is worth giving up a full day for, then I have the answer for you! I did the Ninh Binh HIGHLIGHT & HIDDEN GEM Tour From Hanoi: Skip-The-Line and here’s my honest, detailed review of this day tour.
The morning starts early with a pick up from the Hanoi hotel. Having hotel pickup can oftentimes be overlooked but it is such a nice perk to have all transportation and logistics arranged for you. Since Ninh Binh is about a 2 hour drive away, having everything organized makes the day seamless, give you more time to enjoy all the sights and new experiences.
We boarded a van that fit about 8 people total, so the small group size also made it feel more personal and less rushed than big bus tours.
Mua Caves: The Climb with a View
Our first stop was at Mua Caves. Here we first walked along some wooden walkway above shallow water paddies. The guide also offered to take all our photos with an amazing backdrop of towering mountains behind.
Then the real treat and workout of this stop was the climb up about 500 stone steps to reach an amazing panoramic view of the region. It is a bit of a hike, but not too bad with breaks. Definitely bring a portable fan in case it’s too humid for this hike. But once at the top, the sweeping view of the winding river below and the limestone peaks made it completely worth it.
We were given about an hour to hike up and get back down to meet with our guide, who then brought us to the cave portion of Mua Caves. This part was short but pretty cool to essentially walk through/under a mountain we just climbed.
Tam Coc Boat Ride: An Iconic Experience
The boat ride through Tam Coc is the moment most people come for … and I gotta say it does live up to the hype. You board a small boat with a local who creatively uses their legs and feet to row and steetr the boat! Talk about efficiency! It might be odd at first but you come to realize that it’s probably way better than rowing with your back and arms.
Then you’ll float along a calm river surrounded by towering limestone mountains, rice paddies in the water, and pass under natural caves carved into the mountains. It’s so peaceful, dramatic and such a great experience.
Lunch at a Local Home-style Restaurant
As part of the tour, the rower then dropped us off right at a restaurant off the water where we joined the rest of our tour group at a large dining table. The lunch was a home-style family-style dinner where large entrees and sides were placed at the table and we grab what you’d like from them. All the dishes were fresh and so so delicious!! it was definitely authentic Vietnamese food and felt like we were in someone’s home right be the water.
Ride through the Countryside
Afterwards you hop on your next ride through the countryside! The tour as of now (March 2026) only offers motorbike and bicycle options, but when I went on the tour, I went on the Army jeep vehicle. The vehicle was from the Vietnam War era, so it was pretty old.. but it has an open-air top where we can observe all the views around us in the comfort of a seat. BUT because it was an old jeep, it did break down several times on us during the drive, which really just gave us more time to admire our surroundings. We did eventually make it back to get picked up by our shuttle van, but I suspect the breakdowns is why they no longer offer this option.
Assuming the motorbike and bicycle options follow the same route though, we drove through small towns, rural areas, lush green landscapes with towering mountains.
Bich Dong Pagoda
There was one stop along the route at Bich Dong Pagoda, a temple build right into the mountainside. Here it felt peaceful and unique, almost like it was a hidden gem in this region. There were no crowds so it seemed like we had the place and the views all to ourselves. For women wearing bottoms that were deemed too short, a wrap is provided to cover up.
Hoa Lu: Vietnam’s Ancient Capital
The final stop of the tour was at Vietnam’s ancient capital, Hoa Lu. This stop added historical depth where we learned about this old capital, walked through the temple grounds, and learned about Vietnam’s early dynasties.
Return Hanoi
Then around 3:45 PM, we headed back to Hanoi and returned to our hotel around 6 PM. It was a long day but it felt like we learned so much, saw so many sights, and did so many new and exciting things!
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Thank you!-Jeanie
Is It Worth It?
👍Pros
⚠️Cons
Covers multiple highlights in one day
It’s a long day (10–12 hours total)
Small group = more personalized experience
Limited time at each stop
Variety (boat, motorbike, hiking, temples) keeps it exciting
500-step climb at Mua Caves can be intense in hot weather
Hotel pickup/drop-off from Hanoi Old Quarter
Tam Coc can be busy during peak season
Great for travelers short on time
Not ideal if you prefer slow travel or overnight stays
Scenic, cultural, and active all in one
Weather can impact enjoyment (very hot or rainy days)
Tips to Make the Most of Your Adventure
1. Bring a Portable Fan
It really gets hot and humid so bring a portable fan! You’ll especially want it during the hike up Mua.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be hiking uphill a bit so wear shoes you’re comfortable in! The hike is mostly stairs but there are uneven grounds.
3. Bring Snacks & Water
Be sure to stay hydrated and bring some water, and some snacks to stay nourished. The heat can drain your energy easily.
Where to Stay in Hanoi
In Hanoi, I stayed at the La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa, which is centrally located and within walking distance to Hanoi Old Quarter where you’ll find tons of shopping and eating options. Book your stay by clicking here, or check availability for your dates below and click “Search”:
If you only have a few days in Hanoi and want to experience the dramatic landscapes norther Vietnam without staying overnight, then this tour is definitely an incredible option. You get scenery, you get adventure, you get logistic taken care for you. What more can you want?? I hope this Ninh Binh Day Tour review encourages you to explore adding it to your Hanoi itinerary!
Have you visited Ninh Binh? What was your favorite part – Let me know in the comments below!
Jeanie has traveled to over 50 countries and has a love for new experiences, visiting iconic attractions, and finding breathtaking views. Hoping to help plan unforgettable adventures, Jeanie aims to inspire others to visit new places through her travel stories and photography.
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