Ninh Binh Full Day Tour: Bai Dinh, Trang An Boats and Mua Cave

A giant bronze Buddha, a Vietnamese buffet and a climb to the top

Ride a boat through the karst mountains of Trang An, climb 500 stone steps at Mua Cave for a view over the Ngo Dong river, and see the biggest pagoda in Vietnam at Bai Dinh. This full day tour from Hanoi covers all three in Ninh Binh, with a Vietnamese buffet lunch and an expert guide along the way.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 59 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Pickup and drop-off in Ninh Binh 08:15 Guide in English Travel in a new 16-seat air-conditioned van, not a limousine; pickup is included

Small group: 19 to 21 passengers 07:30 Guide in English Departs from Hanoi on a limousine bus with a maximum of 21 passengers; pickup is included

None of these options right for you? See 12 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ninh Binh's highlights

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Transfer to Ninh Binh via highway
• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda and learn about Buddhism
• Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese cuisine
• Travel to Trang An wharf
• Boat trip through Trang An Cave complex
• Visit Mua Cave and climb stone steps
• Return to Hanoi by limousine bus
• Arrive back at hotel in Old Quarter

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. Hanoi passing by
2. Bai Dinh Pagoda Entry included 2h
3. Trang An Landscape Complex Entry included 3h
4. Mua Caves Entry included 1h
5. Hanoi passing by

What’s included

• Expert tour guide.
• Entrance fees for every stop on the itinerary.
• Bottle of mineral water, 0.5 litre.
• Vietnamese buffet lunch.
• Sampan boat ride on Trang An and electric car at Bai Dinh.
• Climb up to Mua Cave.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Old Quarter by limousine bus.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Every day 07:30 08:15

Information

You'll ride a boat through Trang An's karst mountains, then climb 500 stone steps at Mua Cave for views over the Ngo Dong river, with a buffet lunch in between.

Group Up to 18 1 similar private tour ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 902 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Ages Adult (8 to 75 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (under 5)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.78 ★★★★★ Excellent 65 verified traveler reviews 86% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 56

4 ★ 6

3 ★ 1

2 ★ 2

1 ★ 0

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The first stop is Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam. Among its 500 La Han statues stands a bronze Buddha about 10 meters tall, weighing around 100 tons. You have free time with the guide to look around and learn about Buddhism, and an electric car is included for getting across the site. Lunch follows, a buffet of Vietnamese dishes that gives you time to slow down before the afternoon.

After lunch the day moves onto the water. At Trang An Landscape Complex you board a boat and glide through the cave complex, past karst mountains that are very unique in Vietnam and Asia. The place is said to be "Ha Long bay on land," and from the boat you can see why people make that comparison. The view changes with every bend in the water.

Then comes the climb. Mua Cave asks you to take 500 stone steps, and the reward is a panoramic view of the countryside, the Ngo Dong river and all the way to Tam Coc. The cave is known for its many interesting stories. Along the day you pass rural villages and rice paddy fields, and you head back to Hanoi with that view still in mind.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 902 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (under 5).

Does the Bai Dinh Pagoda visit include a guide?

Yes, you have free time at Bai Dinh Pagoda with your tour guide, who helps you learn more about Buddhism during the visit.

Will I go inside the caves at Trang An?

Yes, a boat trip takes you through the Trang An cave complex, moving through its karst mountains.

How many steps do you climb at Mua Cave?

You climb 500 stone steps at Mua Cave, and from the top you can see all the way to Tam Coc.

Why is Trang An compared to Ha Long Bay?

Trang An is said to be "Ha Long bay on land," because its karst mountains are very unique in Vietnam and Asia.

Is there a car to get around Bai Dinh?

Yes, an electric car visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda is included, so you do not have to walk the whole site.

Does the day include rural villages and rice fields?

Yes, the day explores rural villages and rice paddy fields in Ninh Binh alongside the pagoda, boat and cave stops.

Operated by Hanoi Explore Travel. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago