Below are 3 of the most popular and optimal 2-day, 1-night Hanoi – Ninh Binh tour itineraries , helping you fully explore the “Ha Long Bay on land,” from its culture and history to its majestic natural beauty.
Introduction to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is one of Vietnam’s most attractive tourist destinations, located on the southern edge of the Northern Delta, about 90km from the capital Hanoi. It is often described as a “miniature Vietnam” thanks to its perfect blend of magnificent natural landscapes, rich ecosystems, and long-standing history and culture.
Natural Landscape : “Ha Long Bay on Land”
Ninh Binh is world-renowned for its karst heritage landscape, formed over millions of years.
- Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex: Recognized by UNESCO as the only mixed World Heritage Site (both cultural and natural) in Southeast Asia. It boasts a system of sheer limestone cliffs and water-filled valleys permeated by mysterious underwater caves.
- Tam Coc – Bich Dong: The Ngo Dong River meanders through fields of golden ripe rice in May and June, interspersed with majestic limestone mountains.
- Hang Mua: The most spectacular panoramic check-in spot, featuring an ancient-style stone tower atop the mountain and a winding staircase resembling a miniature Great Wall of China.
Rich in History and Spirituality
Ninh Binh is not only blessed with natural beauty, but it is also a land of outstanding people and rich historical value.
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: The first capital of the centralized feudal state of Vietnam under the three dynasties of Dinh, Early Le, and Ly (10th – 11th centuries).
- Bai Dinh Pagoda: The largest pagoda complex in Vietnam, it boasts a number of impressive records such as: the largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia, and the longest Arhat corridor in Southeast Asia.
- Phat Diem Stone Cathedral: A masterpiece of architecture, a unique blend of Western Catholicism and traditional Eastern temple architecture.
Pristine Ecosystem Diversity
Ninh Binh has preserved invaluable wetland ecosystems and primeval forests.
- Cuc Phuong National Park: Vietnam’s oldest pristine tropical rainforest, famous for its diverse flora and fauna and the abundance of butterflies that fill the skies in late spring.
- Van Long Lagoon & Thung Nham Bird Sanctuary: These pristine wetland conservation areas are a safe haven for thousands of waterbird species and the rare and endangered White-faced Langur.
Famous Local Specialty Cuisine
When visiting Ninh Binh, you can’t miss the culinary map that perfectly captures the essence of the mountainous region:
- Ninh Binh crispy rice: Crunchy, often served with a rich and smooth sauce made from pork heart and kidneys or mountain goat meat.
- Mountain goat meat: Goats raised naturally on limestone mountains have firm, lean, and flavorful meat, which can be prepared in many dishes such as goat meat with lemon, grilled goat meat with shrimp paste, and steamed goat meat.
- Mountain snails & Yen Mac fermented pork sausage: Rustic dishes, perfect for enjoying with Kim Son specialty wine.
Itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night tour of Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Hang Mua, Bai Dinh, and Trang An.
Below is a detailed 2-day, 1-night itinerary combining all 5 points of interest: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Bai Dinh, and Trang An . This is the most optimal route to avoid going in the opposite direction and to steer clear of peak hours.
Summary of the Ninh Binh tour itinerary : 2 days, 1 night
- Day 1 : Hanoi – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Tam Coc – Mua Cave (Overnight stay in Tam Coc)
- Day 2 : Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An Ecological Park – Hanoi
Day 1 Details : History of the Ancient Capital & Ha Long Bay on Land
- 07:30 – 08:00 : The vehicle will pick you up in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and depart for Ninh Binh via the Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway (approximately 2 hours).
- 10:00 AM : Arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital .
- Visit the temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hành.
- Listen to the tour guide’s explanation about the history of Vietnam’s first capital in the 10th century.
- 11:30 AM : Travel to the Tam Coc area. Enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant with specialties such as mountain goat meat, crispy rice, and free-range chicken.
- 13:00 : Arrive at Tam Coc boat dock .
- The boat ride along the Ngo Dong River takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- The boat travels through three caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba, offering views of the towering limestone cliffs.
- 15:30 : Travel to Mua Cave (about 4km from Tam Coc).
- Conquer nearly 500 stone steps, modeled after the Great Wall of China, to reach the summit of Mua Mountain.
- Check in with the sacred Dragon statue and admire the panoramic view of Tam Coc valley from above.
- 17:30 : Arrive at your homestay/hotel in the Tam Coc area, check in, and rest.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. In the evening, you are free to stroll along the Tam Coc pedestrian street or relax at a cafe.
Day 2 Details: Spiritual Buddhist Land & World Heritage Sites
- 07:30 : Have breakfast at the accommodation. Check out.
- 08:30 : The bus will take the group to Bai Dinh Pagoda (the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam).
- Take an electric tram into the temple grounds.
- Visit record-breaking structures: Tam The Temple, Phap Chu Temple, the Arhat Corridor with 500 monolithic stone statues, and the largest bronze bell tower in Vietnam.
- 11:30 : Return to the restaurant for lunch and a short rest.
- 13:00 : Travel to Trang An Ecological Park (right next to Bai Dinh).
- Board the boat and choose one of three tour routes (We recommend Route 2 or Route 3 to pass through the longest caves and historical film sets, and ancient temples).
- Experience paddling through the underwater caves and admiring the crystal-clear water where you can see the algae at the bottom.
- 16:30 : The boat docks. Gather to board the limousines for departure back to the capital.
- 7:00 PM : The bus arrives back in Hanoi. The 2-day, 1-night tour concludes.
Important Notes for Your Trip
- Clothing : On Day 1, for climbing Mua Cave, wear comfortable athletic shoes. On Day 2, for visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, wear polite clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Getting around : The Bai Dinh complex is very large, so you should buy a round-trip electric tram ticket (approximately 60,000 VND/person) to save energy for the afternoon boat trip in Trang An.
- Preparation : Bring a wide-brimmed hat, an umbrella, sunscreen, and a small bottle of water when traveling by boat, as there is no shade on the river.
If you’d like to book a package tour, I can help you check daily group tour prices or suggest beautiful homestays in Tam Coc . Do you need any further information?
Itinerary for the 2-day, 1-night tour of Mua Cave, Thung Nham Valley, and Bich Dong Pagoda.
Below is a detailed 2-day, 1-night itinerary combining 3 points of interest: Mua Cave, Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area, and Bich Dong Pagoda .
This route is incredibly relaxing because all three destinations are located very close together in the Tam Coc – Hai Nham area. The biggest highlight of the itinerary is that you’ll get to spend the night surrounded by nature and watch the sunset as birds return to their nests.
Summary of the Ninh Binh tour itinerary: 2 days, 1 night
- Day 1 : Hanoi – Mua Cave – Check-in and rest – Sunset at Thung Nham Bird Garden (Overnight stay in Thung Nham or Tam Coc)
- Day 2 : Bich Dong Pagoda – Explore Thung Nham Cave (Vai Gioi Cave/But Cave) – Hanoi
Day 1 Details : Conquering Mua Mountain Peak & Watching Birds Return to Their Nests
- 08:00 – 08:30 : The vehicle will pick you up in Hanoi and depart for Ninh Binh via the highway (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours).
- 10:15 AM : Arrive at Mua Cave – the sun is just rising beautifully at this time, and taking photos at the lotus pond at the foot of the mountain (if you go in summer) will be very spectacular.
- Challenge yourself with nearly 500 zigzag stone steps to the mountaintop.
- Enjoy a panoramic view of the winding Ngo Dong River and the Ninh Binh countryside from the top of the ancient stone tower.
- 12:00 PM : Descend the mountain and have lunch at a restaurant at the foot of Mua Mountain or in the Tam Coc area. Enjoy Ninh Binh’s crispy rice with shredded pork floss and goat meat marinated in lime.
- 13:30 : Travel to Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area to check in and rest (or check into a bungalow in the nearby Tam Coc/Bich Dong area).
- 16:00 : Experience a boat ride into the Bird Garden (Thung Nham) .
- Tip : This is the most beautiful time of day. As the sun sets, you’ll witness thousands of egrets, herons, and other birds flying across the sky back to their nests, covering the entire flooded area in a blanket of white.
- 6:30 PM : Dinner at a restaurant featuring lake fish and free-range chicken from the Thung Nham valley. Enjoy the peaceful evening, free from the noise of traffic.
Day 2 Details: Ancient Colors of “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong” (The Second Cave of Southern Heaven)
- 07:00 : Wake up early to admire the mist drifting over the limestone mountains. Have breakfast at the resort/homestay.
- 08:30 : Cycle or drive a short distance by motorbike/car to Bich Dong Pagoda (an ancient and sacred pagoda known as “the second most beautiful cave in Southern Vietnam”).
- Check in at the small stone bridge spanning the lotus pond leading to the temple gate, which boasts a distinctly ancient architectural style.
- Take a leisurely stroll through the three levels of the temple: the Lower Temple, the Middle Temple (located halfway into a mountain cave), and the Upper Temple (situated highest on the mountainside).
- 10:30 AM : Return to Thung Nham Eco-tourism area to continue exploring land-based attractions:
- Take a walking tour of Vai Gioi Cave (located high in the mountains, the cave has a spacious interior with many sparkling stalactites divided into 3 levels: Hell, Earth, and Heaven).
- Check in at the thousand-year-old banyan tree that has moved and whose roots are deeply embedded in the rock.
- 12:00 PM : Check out and have lunch.
- 14:00 : Explore But Cave – a natural cave nearly 500m long. You will ride a boat in the dark, using flashlights to admire the rare natural stone Buddha statue formed by stalactites.
- 16:00 : Arrive at the bus station, board the limousine and depart for Hanoi.
- 18:00 – 18:30 : The vehicle will drop you off at your original pick-up point in Hanoi. The trip concludes with a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Suggestions for the Most Suitable Accommodation
- Option 1 (Secluded Resort) : Book your stay at Thung Nham Ecology Resort now . You’ll receive free entrance tickets and bird-watching boat tickets, and enjoy an extremely quiet and romantic atmosphere.
- Option 2 (Budget-friendly & Local Experience) : Book bungalows around the Bich Dong Pagoda or Tam Coc area (such as Tam Coc Garden Resort , Chez Loan Hotel , or small homestays). From there, you can borrow bicycles for free to cycle to Bich Dong and Thung Nham, which are very close.
If you’d like to budget for a self-guided trip or find a private tour for your family based on this itinerary, please let me know the number of people in your group !
Itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night tour of Bai Dinh, Trang An, Tuyet Tinh Coc, and Van Long.
Below is a detailed 2-day, 1-night itinerary combining 4 points of interest: Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An Eco-tourism Area, Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien), and Van Long Lagoon .
This route is designed along the northern and northwestern axes of Ninh Binh, making it very convenient to travel, avoiding detours and giving you plenty of time to leisurely take photos.
Summary of the Ninh Binh tour itinerary: 2 days, 1 night
- Day 1 : Hanoi – Tuyet Tinh Coc (Valley of Love) – Trang An Heritage Site (Overnight stay in Trang An or Ninh Binh City)
- Day 2 : Bai Dinh Pagoda – Van Long Wetland Conservation Area – Hanoi
Day 1 Details: Natural Wonders & World Heritage Sites
- 07:30 – 08:00 : The vehicle will pick you up in Hanoi and depart for Ninh Binh via the highway (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours).
- 09:45 : Arrive at Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave) – located within the Hoa Lu ancient capital complex.
- Walk through the mountain tunnel to reach the heart of the isolated valley.
- Check in at the year-round crystal-clear lake, stroll along the ancient stone ramparts, and climb the stairs to visit Am Tien Cave – where Queen Mother Duong Van Nga practiced asceticism in her final years.
- 11:30 AM : Travel to the Trang An area and have lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying specialties such as grilled mountain goat and crispy rice with goat sauce.
- 13:00 : Arrive at the Trang An Ecological Park boat dock . Buy your ticket and choose one of three boat routes (Route 2 or Route 3 is recommended for visiting the long caves and ancient temples).
- Sitting in a small boat gliding gently on the crystal-clear water, you can admire the carpet of seaweed at the bottom.
- The boat travels through a unique system of naturally flooded caves and stops to visit Trinh Temple, Tran Temple, or Khong Palace.
- 16:30 : The boat docks. A vehicle will take you to your homestay/hotel to check in and rest.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. In the evening, you are free to stroll around Hoa Lu Old Town (Ninh Binh city) and admire the shimmering lanterns at night.
Day 2 Details : Sacred Buddhist Land & Pristine Wetlands
- 07:00 : Have breakfast at the accommodation. Check out.
- 08:00 : The vehicle will take the group to the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex – a pagoda that holds many Asian and Vietnamese records.
- You should take the electric tram to go directly to the new temple complex.
- Explore the longest Arhat Corridor in Southeast Asia, the magnificent Dharma Master Hall, the Three Worlds Hall, and check in at the towering 13-story pagoda.
- 11:00 AM : Leaving Bai Dinh Pagoda, the vehicle travels approximately 15km towards Gia Vien district.
- 11:45 : Lunch at a restaurant near Van Long area with local dishes such as grilled snakehead fish salad and sour soup from the countryside.
- 13:30 : Explore Van Long Lagoon Nature Reserve (the main setting for the blockbuster film Kong: Skull Island ).
- Go down to the rustic bamboo boats (each boat carries a maximum of 2 people).
- The boat weaves its way through the reed and rush fields on the calm water, which resembles a giant mirror, surrounded by uniquely shaped limestone mountains (Cat Scratch Mountain, Nghiên Mountain…).
- If you’re lucky, you might see the White-buttocked Langur (a rare primate species listed in the Red Book) swinging from branch to branch on a natural cliff.
- 15:30 : The boat returns to the dock. Gather and board the bus to depart for Hanoi.
- 17:30 – 18:00 : The bus arrives back in Hanoi, dropping off passengers at the initial pick-up point. End of the trip.
Tips and Tricks for This Itinerary
- Protect your skin : Both Trang An and Van Long Lagoon are open-air flooded areas with almost no shade from large trees. You should definitely bring a hat, sun-protective clothing, an umbrella, and sunscreen.
- Accommodation suggestions : This itinerary is very convenient if you choose homestays/bungalows along the Sao Khe River near Trang An to enjoy the mountain air at night, or choose a hotel in the center of Ninh Binh City for easy access to Hoa Lu Ancient Town for evening snacks.
If you’d like more information about the detailed entrance fees for each attraction or need suggestions for some homestays with beautiful mountain views in Trang An, please let me know!
Estimated Self -funded Expenses (for 1 Person)
If you travel independently, the basic cost will range from approximately 1,500,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND per person , specifically:
- Transportation : Round-trip limousine from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (approximately 300,000-400,000 VND). Rent a motorbike in Ninh Binh (120,000 VND/day + fuel).
- Accommodation : Homestay or 3-star hotel in Tam Coc/Trang An (approximately 400,000 VND – 700,000 VND/room/night, split if traveling with 2 people).
- Entrance ticket (Required) :
- Trang An entrance fee: 250,000 VND (including boat trip).
- Tam Coc entrance fee: 250,000 VND (including boat trip).
- Entrance fee to Hang Mua Cave: 100,000 VND.
- Hoa Lu entrance ticket: 20,000 VND.
- Electric car to Bai Dinh (round trip): 60,000 VND.
- Food and drinks : Approximately 400,000 – 500,000 VND for 2 days (3 main meals + 1 breakfast).
Package Tour Options
If you don’t want to worry about planning your own itinerary, finding your way, or booking tickets, daily group tours departing from Hanoi’s Old Quarter are a very convenient option.
- Package tour prices range from 1,600,000 VND to 2,100,000 VND per person (depending on whether you choose to stay in a hotel or a high-end resort/bungalow in the evening).
- Includes : Limousine pick-up and drop-off service, tour guide throughout the trip, all entrance tickets to attractions, and meals as per the itinerary.
Travel Tips
- Prepare your belongings : Bring a wide-brimmed hat, an umbrella, and sunscreen, as the 2-hour boat ride in Trang An/Tam Coc will be quite sunny.
- Clothing : For the trip to Bai Dinh, wear modest, polite clothing that covers your knees. For the trip to Mua Cave, choose comfortable athletic shoes for hiking to avoid sore feet.
To help you plan as accurately as possible, please share the following:
- Are you planning to travel independently or on a package tour ?
- The group includes children or elderly people. Why don’t you let me adjust my schedule to fit?
Contact
- Hotline/ Whatsapp/Line/Viber: +84 986282217
- Email: contact@vietflametours.com
- Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/vietflametours
- Websites: https://vietflametours.com/
Support & Help
 |
Hotline: +84 986282217 |
 |
Zalo: +84 986282217 |
 |
Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/vietflametours |
 |
Email: contact@vietflametours.com |
Q & A
Competitive tour price
We are supported a lot in terms of prices such as hotels, restaurants, tourist cars. From there, we confidently commit to competitive land tour prices and free support from us.
Trusted reputation
Visitors who buy our tours are guaranteed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.
Event & Mice
The event program will need a lot of small details, and that local service relationship is us, contact us to request, we are ready to serve.
Support by love
We support you with all free information such as: self-sufficient travel, study, business, where to eat, where to have fun
Partial Service
To meet the needs of each small group who wants to travel independently, we have services: car rental, hotel booking, events, restaurant orders...
Local Guide
We understand each local restaurant and tourist attraction, which is almost never mentioned in the pure tourist programs.
May be you like
Hanoi- Ninh Binh- Halong Cruise Tour 4D3N
Contact Us
 | Pick-up: | Hanoi |
 | 4 days 3 nights | |
Trang An Boat Tour Ninh Binh 3 Days 2 Nights
Contact Us
| Pick-up: | Hanoi |
| 3 days 2 nights | |