Draft-Ninh Binh Heritage Discovery: 2-day Adventures from Hanoi

07:30 – 08:00 | Pick-Up from Your Hotel
Your journey begins with a hotel pick-up from Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Travel comfortably in a modern, air-conditioned minivan as you leave the city behind for the serene province of Ninh Binh.

09:15 | Short Refreshment Stop
Stretch your legs and enjoy a brief 15–20-minute break before continuing the drive through the northern countryside.

10:30 | Discover Bai Dinh Pagoda
Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Walk among:

• 500 intricately carved stone Arhat statues

• The massive bronze bell tower

• A 10-meter tall Golden statue of the Goddess of Mercy
  This spiritual sanctuary offers breathtaking views and deep insight into Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

12:15 – 12:30 | Lunch at Trang An Heritage Garden
Savor a set-menu lunch featuring local specialties in a peaceful garden setting. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

13:30 | Trang An Boat Tour – A Natural Wonder
Glide through Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its network of river tunnels and towering limestone karsts. Take a 1.5-hour boat trip through mysterious caves and lush jungle scenery, featured in the Hollywood film Kong: Skull Island.

15:30 | Transfer to Accommodation
Return to Trang An Heritage Garden for check-in and a short rest.

16:00 – 16:15 | Leisure Time
Settle into your room and, if traveling in warmer months, enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool surrounded by gardens and limestone peaks.

19:00 – 20:00 | Dinner and Overnight Stay
Enjoy a peaceful dinner at the on-site restaurant, offering warm hospitality and fresh, regional cuisine. Overnight at Trang An Heritage Garden.

Day 2: Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave – Return to Hanoi

07:00 – 08:00 | Breakfast at the Garden
Begin your day with a relaxed breakfast in the tranquil setting of your garden resort.

09:30 – 09:45 | Check-Out
Pack up and get ready for a day of immersive exploration.

10:15 – 10:30 | Village Cycling or Free Time
Join a 30-minute cycling tour through the local countryside. Ride past rice paddies, limestone cliffs, and small rural homes—an intimate look into the daily life of Ninh Binh residents. Prefer to relax? Feel free to stay back at the garden to unwind.

11:15 | Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Visit the remnants of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital from 968 to 1010. Explore the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, and hear fascinating stories of early Vietnamese dynasties and resistance against foreign invasions.

12:15 – 12:30 | Buffet Lunch
Return to Trang An Heritage Garden for a delicious buffet lunch before continuing your journey.

13:30 | Tam Coc Boat Ride
Set off on a 1.5-hour rowboat tour down the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc, aptly nicknamed Halong Bay on Land. Sail between rice paddies and beneath towering limestone cliffs, passing through three magical caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.

15:30 | Mua Cave Hike
Conclude your tour with a visit to Mua Cave, known for its panoramic summit. Climb 500 stone steps to reach the top of Dragon Mountain and take in sweeping views of the Tam Coc valley below—a breathtaking reward to cap your trip.

17:00 | Return to Hanoi
Board your minivan for the comfortable journey back to the capital.

19:30 – 19:45 | Hotel Drop-Off
Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Tour ends with wonderful memories of Ninh Binh’s sacred sites and stunning natural wonders.

Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc or Trang An – Mua Cave

07:30 – 08:00 | Hotel Pick-Up
Depart Hanoi in a comfortable limousine van with your guide. The drive takes you south into the peaceful countryside of Ninh Binh.

09:15 | Short Refreshment Break
Stretch your legs and enjoy a light snack or coffee before continuing your journey.

10:30 | Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Discover Vietnam’s capital from the 10th and 11th centuries. Visit the atmospheric temples of King Dinh and King Le, nestled among towering limestone mountains and rice fields. Your guide will share stories of dynastic glory, resilience, and transformation.

11:15 – 11:45 | Village Cycling or Leisure Time
Pedal through local villages and farmlands on a 30-minute scenic ride. For a more relaxed pace, stay back at the restaurant for lakeside views and peaceful surroundings.

12:00 | Lunch at Trang An Heritage Garden
Enjoy a buffet of local specialties in the shaded garden restaurant. Vegetarian options available.

13:15 – 14:45 | Choose Your Waterway Adventure

• Option 1: Tam Coc – Sail along the Ngo Dong River, passing golden rice fields and dramatic karst cliffs. Drift through three caves—Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba—for a raw and romantic waterway experience.

• Option 2: Trang An – Journey into a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of limestone valleys and sacred cave temples. Featured in Kong: Skull Island, Trang An offers a more expansive and spiritual boat route.

15:30 | Hike Mua Cave
Climb 500 steps to the top of Mua Cave (Hang Múa), where panoramic views of Tam Coc and the river delta await. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in Vietnam.

17:00 | Return to Trang An Heritage Garden
Check in, rest, or take a dip in the pool if you're traveling during warmer months.

19:00 – 19:30 | Dinner at the Garden Restaurant
A relaxing dinner surrounded by nature. Overnight in your peaceful garden bungalow.

Day 2: Thai Vi Temple – Bich Dong Pagoda – Thung Nham Bird Valley – Hanoi

07:00 – 08:00 | Breakfast
Fuel up with a wholesome breakfast in the garden before the day’s excursions.

08:15 | Check-Out and Morning Transfer
Pack up and meet your guide for your next journey through Ninh Binh’s spiritual and natural landmarks.

08:30 | Visit Thai Vi Temple
This serene temple honors the Tran Dynasty's kings and generals, quietly nestled between mountains and rice fields. A less-visited gem for those who appreciate history and silence.

09:15 | Explore Bich Dong Pagoda
Climb through three levels of this 15th-century cave pagoda, built into the mountainside and connected by stone paths and mossy staircases. A blend of natural beauty and Zen architecture.

11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch at Trang An Heritage Garden
Return for a final lunch of Ninh Binh’s culinary highlights, fresh and nourishing.

13:30 – 15:30 | Thung Nham Bird Valley
Sail into the lush wetland reserve of Thung Nham. Visit Hang But (Buddhist Cave)—a 500m natural tunnel filled with stalactites—and pass through tropical orchards. As the afternoon sets in, thousands of birds from over 40 species return to roost, filling the sky. A rare and quiet immersion in Vietnam’s wild side.

16:00 – 16:15 | Return to Mua Cave Area
A final stop to refresh or revisit a photo spot before the return journey.

17:00 | Depart for Hanoi
Relax in the limousine van as your driver brings you back to the capital.

19:30 – 19:45 | Hotel Drop-Off
Arrive in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Tour ends.

07:30 – 08:00 | Depart from Hanoi
Start your adventure with a hotel pick-up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Sit back and relax as you’re driven south in a comfortable minivan through the scenic countryside of northern Vietnam.

09:15 | Quick Refreshment Stop
Stretch your legs, grab a coffee or snack, and take in your first breath of rural air before continuing to Ninh Binh.

10:30 | Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Step into Vietnam’s dynastic past at Hoa Lu, the political and cultural center of the country over 1,000 years ago. Wander through temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, and let your guide bring to life the dramatic stories of Vietnam’s founding monarchs and their battles to unify the nation.

11:15 – 11:45 | Cycling through the Countryside
Get closer to local life with a gentle 30-minute bike ride through quiet villages, golden rice fields, and beside limestone outcrops. This peaceful ride is the perfect way to experience the slow rhythm of life in rural Vietnam. Prefer to unwind? Stay behind and enjoy the serenity of the garden setting.

12:00 | Buffet Lunch at Trang An Heritage Garden
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of Ninh Binh specialties in a private garden setting. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

13:15 – 14:45 | Choose Your Scenic Waterway

• Option 1: Tam Coc – Sail along the Ngo Dong River and drift through lush rice fields framed by towering cliffs. Venture into three limestone caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba) for a dramatic and immersive experience.

• Option 2: Trang An – Explore a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its cave-temple system, tranquil rivers, and pristine natural beauty. This cinematic landscape was featured in Kong: Skull Island.

15:30 | Climb Mua Cave
Take on the 500 steps to the summit of Mua Cave, where a sweeping panoramic view of Tam Coc and the surrounding valley awaits. The view is one of the most stunning in Vietnam—ideal for those Instagram-worthy shots.

17:00 | Transfer to Accommodation
Return to Trang An Heritage Garden, your charming countryside retreat for the evening.

17:30 | Check-In & Free Time
Check into your room and, during warmer months, take a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool surrounded by limestone cliffs and quiet gardens.

19:00 – 19:30 | Dinner & Overnight Stay
Enjoy a peaceful dinner at the on-site restaurant, capping off your first day with comforting Vietnamese dishes and a restful night in nature.

Day 2: Cuc Phuong National Park – Hanoi

07:00 – 08:00 | Breakfast in the Garden
Start your morning with a relaxed breakfast, enjoying the cool air and tranquil views of the garden setting.

08:15 | Check-Out & Depart for Cuc Phuong
Say goodbye to Trang An Heritage Garden as you head out for a day of nature exploration. Your guide will accompany you on the drive west to Vietnam’s oldest national park.

09:15 – 09:30 | Arrival at Cuc Phuong National Park
Begin your visit at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, where conservationists care for some of Vietnam’s rarest monkeys and gibbons. Continue to the Turtle Conservation Center to learn about preservation efforts for native turtle species and why this protected park is vital to Vietnam’s biodiversity.

11:00 | Journey Deeper into the Park
Travel 20 km by minivan through the heart of the forest, winding under tall canopies and past rich green landscapes to reach the central area of the park.

11:45 – 12:00 | Lunch in the Forest
Enjoy a rustic, local-style lunch in the heart of Cuc Phuong—simple, fresh, and satisfying.

13:00 – 14:00 | Trek to Ancient Trees
Take a guided walk through dense forest trails to the famed “1000-Year-Old Tree” and other ancient giants of the jungle. Your guide will introduce the medicinal plants, rare flora, and unique fauna that inhabit this living museum of natural history.

14:30 | Explore the Cave of Prehistoric Man
Visit a limestone cave where prehistoric tools and remains dating back over 7,500 years were discovered. The cave offers both a cool retreat and a powerful glimpse into Vietnam’s earliest human history.

15:30 – 15:45 | Return to Mua Cave Area
Take a final rest stop near Mua Cave before returning to the capital.

17:00 | Depart for Hanoi
Relax on the drive back to Hanoi as the landscapes of Ninh Binh fade into evening light.

19:30 – 19:45 | Arrival in Hanoi
Drop-off at your hotel in the Old Quarter. Tour concludes.