| Activity | Time needed | Indicative price (adult) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat ride at Trang An | 2.5 to 3 hours | 250,000 VND | everyone, UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Boat ride at Tam Coc | about 2 hours | 250,000 VND (combined Tam Coc - Bich Dong ticket) | rice fields and three low caves |
| Hang Mua | 1 to 1.5 hours | 100,000 VND | the view, if you like climbing stairs |
| Hoa Lu ancient capital | 1 to 1.5 hours | depends on the temples | history lovers |
| Bai Dinh pagoda | 1.5 to 2 hours | check on site | large Buddhist complexes |
Prices seen in October 2026 on the March 2025 official table; some websites quote other figures.
The essentials
The boat ride. This is why most people come. Trang An goes through many caves and past temples at the foot of the cliffs; Tam Coc is simpler, with rice fields and three low caves, and connects to the Bich Dong pagoda. To choose, read our page on the Trang An boat ride. Most visitors do only one of the two; with two days, do both.
Hang Mua. A stone staircase leads to two summits where the river winds through the rice fields. Going early in the morning or late afternoon avoids the heat and the tour groups: see Hang Mua. The viewpoint is a few minutes from Tam Coc.
Hoa Lu. The capital of Vietnam in the 10th century still has temples to its first emperors: Hoa Lu.
If you have more time
Bai Dinh pagoda is a very large Buddhist complex. The Van Long reserve is visited by boat among the reeds and is quieter than the main sites. The Thung Nham bird park and Cuc Phuong National Park suit nature lovers; allow another day for those two.
One day or two?
From Hanoi, the day trip is the simplest: see Ninh Binh in one day or, on your own, the Hanoi - Ninh Binh train. A guided tour covering Trang An, Mua Cave and Hoa Lu is listed on GetYourGuide. Sleeping on site lets you see Hang Mua at sunrise: see where to stay in Ninh Binh and the 2-day itinerary.
The Hanoi Authority editorial team, October 2026.
