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While staying in Hanoi, Vietnam, I had a day to spare and wanted to venture outside the capital. I decided to join a group day tour to Ninh Binh — and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my entire trip. Fun fact: Ninh Binh briefly served as the capital of Vietnam during the 10th century, thanks to its surrounding mountains that provided natural protection from invasions. The day was filled with nature, culture, and stunning views. Here’s what I did on this beautiful day trip!

From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

The day started early with my tour guide picking me up right from my hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. If you’re planning a trip like this, especially during spring or summer, here are a few essentials you’ll want to pack before your tour:

• Bottle of water – Stay hydrated, especially during the hotter months
• Hat – For sun protection during outdoor activities
• Sunscreen – Trust me, you’ll need it!!

We rode in a comfortable van with strong AC (thank goodness — the heat can really sneak up on you!) and even had wifi onboard. The drive from Hanoi to Ninh Binh took about 2 hours, with a quick stop at a rest area along the way. It’s the perfect time to use the restroom, grab some snacks, or pick up a small souvenir.

Pro tip: Eat a real breakfast before the tour starts. I made the mistake of only having a smoothie, thinking it would be enough… but I nearly fainted while climbing the Mua Caves (more on that later).

After about 30 minutes at the stop, we were back on the road — next stop, Ninh Binh!

Visiting Hoa Lu: Former Capital and Home to the Dinh & Le Temples

Once we arrived in the city, our first stop was the Hoa Lu Temples.If you’re wearing shorts, don’t worry — they provide long skirts or cover-ups at the entrance so you can enter respectfully. The temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties are surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains, and walking through them felt like stepping back in time.

Hiking the Mua Caves

The Mua Caves hike has about 500 steps up to the mountain — but trust me, it’s easier said than done (at least for me hahaha). The site has restaurants and stalls where you can buy food and drinks, which definitely come in handy. A lot of us were struggling with the climb, and the intense heat didn’t make it any easier. I started seeing stars halfway up and decided it was smarter to turn back before I actually passed out.

Even from where I stopped, the view of the mountains and river was still beautiful. Lesson learned — next time I’ll definitely eat a proper meal beforehand! Aside from the hike, there’s a super photogenic lotus pond nearby that’s perfect for pictures.

Scenic Boat Ride Through Tam Coc

After the strenuous hike (with beautiful views), it was finally time for something more relaxing. We headed to Tam Coc for its iconic sampan boat ride — and it was exactly what I needed. The peaceful ride through the river, surrounded by limestone mountains and passing through low water caves, was such a calming experience. One thing that stood out to me was how the boat operators rowed using their feet — something I had never seen before and found so fascinating.

Tip: Bring some cash to tip your boat rower — they truly deserve it!

After the ride, our tour guide took us to a nearby restaurant for lunch. The spread included fresh fruits, desserts, and a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes — all super flavorful and satisfying.

Bicycling to Bich Dong Pagoda

After we finished eating and chatting with each other, it was time for the next activity — a bike ride through the countryside to reach Bich Dong Pagoda. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous at first since I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid, but after a few wobbly tries, I got the hang of it. Cycling through the quiet roads, rice fields, and surrounding nature felt so refreshing and peaceful.

We arrived at Bich Dong Pagoda, an ancient temple built into a mountain with beautiful arched gates and stone steps leading up through the caves. The blend of nature and spiritual history made it such a unique and serene stop.

After exploring, we rode back to return the bikes — then it was time to head back to Hanoi to wrap up the day.

Back to Hanoi and Full of Memories

This day trip was packed with beautiful memories and a mix of activities. If you enjoy nature, light physical challenges, and exploring cultural sites, I highly recommend adding Ninh Binh to your Vietnam itinerary.

Sure, there were a few things I’d do differently next time (like making sure I eat a proper breakfast before all the action), but overall it was such a rewarding experience. As a solo traveler, I met so many kind and friendly people in the group, learned more about Vietnam’s history, and got to see some truly stunning landscapes. I’d absolutely go back again in the future!