Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Incense Village, Tam Coc Boat & Hoa Lu

Summary

Incense village colors, Tam Coc river caves & ancient Hoa Lu

You’ll meet incense makers in Quang Phu Cau village, drift through Tam Coc’s limestone caves by boat with a local rower, share lunch in Ninh Binh province, and wander ancient courtyards at Hoa Lu with your guide’s stories echoing around you. It’s more than sightseeing — expect small surprises and moments that linger after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell — sweet and smoky, almost like cinnamon but sharper. We’d just stepped out of the van in Quang Phu Cau, and a woman with red-stained hands waved us over to see how she shapes incense sticks. Our guide, Minh, tried to translate my clumsy “xin chào” (I think I got a laugh). The whole place looked unreal: bundles of incense drying in sunbursts across the courtyard, red everywhere against the dust. It felt like walking into someone’s family photo album — people chatting, kids chasing each other around piles of sticks. Minh explained how these families have been doing this for generations; he pointed out his cousin working in one corner. I tried rolling a stick myself — not as easy as it looks.

The drive to Ninh Binh was quiet except for the radio playing something soft in Vietnamese. By noon we were at Tam Coc village for lunch — simple rice, pork with lemongrass (the kind of food that makes you want to eat slow). Afterward we climbed into these low wooden boats; a local rower named Lan paddled us down the river using her feet, which honestly blew my mind. The water was still and green, with limestone cliffs rising up on both sides and birds darting low over the surface. We floated under dark caves where it got chilly for a second — you could hear every drip echo off the stone. Sometimes Lan would point out water lilies or wave at farmers working knee-deep in mud along the banks.

Later at Hoa Lu, Minh walked us through mossy courtyards and told stories about Vietnam’s first emperor that I’d never heard before (I’m still not sure how much was legend). The old stone walls felt cool under my hand. There were hardly any other groups there — just us and a few local kids playing soccer nearby. The sun was lower by then and everything looked gold and quiet. On the way back to Hanoi I kept thinking about those incense colors and how even though it was just a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, it felt like we’d been somewhere much farther away.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Incense Village and Ninh Binh

• Pick up from Hanoi accommodation
• Arrive at Quang Phu Cau Incense Village
• Photograph incense making and village life
• Visit local houses and learn culture
• Depart for Ninh Binh
• Lunch at local restaurant in Tam Coc
• Boat ride on Tam Coc river
• See caves and limestone mountains
• Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital
• Tour temple of Vietnam's first Emperor
• Return to Hanoi and end tour

Top questions

How many people are on this Hanoi to Ninh Binh tour?

The group size is limited to 9 travelers for a more personal experience.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Hanoi?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included within Hanoi's Old Quarter area.

What villages or sites do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, Tam Coc boat area, and Hoa Lu ancient capital.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch with Vietnamese cuisine is included at a local restaurant in Tam Coc village.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

All entrance tickets are included as part of the tour package.

How long does the full day trip last?

The tour starts around 7:15 am with return to Hanoi by about 6:00 pm.

Do we have an English-speaking guide?

An English-speaking local guide accompanies you throughout the day.

What is special about Tam Coc on this itinerary?

You’ll take a sampan boat ride through caves and rice fields surrounded by limestone mountains—often called “Halong Bay on land.”

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Hanoi’s Old Quarter, all entry tickets for each site visited, an English-speaking guide who shares stories along the way, bottled water throughout the journey, air-conditioned transport between stops, plus a Vietnamese lunch in Tam Coc before heading back to Hanoi in the evening.