Ninh Binh Excursion – 2 Days

A 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of Vietnam’s ancient capital before Hanoi took its leading role in the 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. Explore the glimmering Bai Dinh Pagoda complexes with the massive magnificent architecture of Vietnamese tradition refined scenically setting in picturesque nature that will take your breath away. Take a boat trip to visit the Trang An’s cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou, located in wildness, see scenery and near rivers leading to Halong Bay…

Start city: Hanoi (Vietnam)

End city: Hanoi (Vietnam)

Duration: 1 Day

Departure: Private tour. Daily, upon your request.

Cities to visit: Ninh Binh

– Extendable with optional tours from Hanoi (Vietnam)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Take boat rides and explore beautiful natural limestone karst landscapes: Tam Coc & Trang An.
Visit Bich Dong Pagoda with spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Explore Hoa Lu Citadel to visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh.
Visit the glimmering massive pagoda complex, the most magnificent architectures ever built: Bai Dinh Pagoda.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Ninh Binh

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then take the pleasant drive to Tam Coc takes two and a half hours. Along the way, stop where you wish to take photographs of local villages and the surrounding landscape. On arrival in Tam Coc Town, board your private sampan boat. For ninety minutes your private oarswoman / man will take you down the Ngo Dong River. Pass through the three caves that made Vietnam famous in the French film ‘Indochine’, Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi. On the way visit Bich Dong Pagoda, set among pink lotuses, the temple offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Back in Tam Coc Town for a delicious Vietnamese lunch. Following lunch drive to Hoa Lu to visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been ruined) once covered an area of three square kilometres.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

Day 2: Ninh Binh – Hanoi

After breakfast, leave the hotel for Buddha Prayer place in Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues, biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam 10 metre in height, 100 tons in weight.
Continue to visit Trang An Scenic Landscape complex nearby which recently recognized as an UNESCO World natural heritage, get on a rowing boat (small sampan) traveling along the small river with scenic mountain and green fields landscape. Boat takes you to visit cave complex of Trang An: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, the scenery of mountain and rivers – Halong on land of Ninh Binh.
Late afternoon, drive back to your hotel in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch.