Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc boat & Mua Cave tour with lunch

Summary

Ride bamboo boats through Tam Coc & climb to the dragon’s view in Ninh Binh

You’ll cycle through ancient Hoa Lu with a local guide, share laughs over a buffet lunch, float by foot-rowed boats through Tam Coc’s caves, and climb up Mua Cave for sweeping views you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it got after we left Hanoi — like the air itself changed. Our guide, Minh, had this habit of humming softly when the bus slowed down for villages. I didn’t expect to feel nervous about cycling in Hoa Lu (I’m not exactly Tour de France material), but somehow pedaling past those old stone gates and seeing kids wave made me forget my wobbly start. The smell of incense drifted from a temple doorway; Minh told us a story about the old kings that I only half caught because I was distracted by a rooster strutting nearby.

Lunch was this buffet spread — goat meat, fried rice, things I couldn’t name but tried anyway. There was a moment where someone at our table tried to eat with chopsticks left-handed and just gave up laughing. After that, we floated down the river in Tam Coc on these long bamboo boats. The woman rowing ours used her feet instead of hands (seriously), and she grinned every time we ducked under the low cave ceilings. It smelled like wet limestone and river grass — not unpleasant, just sharp and green. The cliffs looked almost painted on.

I thought climbing Mua Cave would be easy until step 200 or so — my legs disagreed. But reaching the top, with that dragon statue curling above us and all of Tam Coc laid out below… well, I still think about that view when I’m stuck in city traffic now. Minh pointed out where we’d rowed earlier; it felt strange seeing our whole day from above like that. We were all sweaty and out of breath but nobody seemed to care much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ninh Binh Exploration and Boat Trip

• Pickup and travel to Ninh Binh
• Visit Hoa Lư ancient capital and buffet lunch
• Tam Coc bamboo boat trip and village cycling
• Visit Mua Cave and return to Hanoi

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Ninh Binh tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Hanoi is included at the start of your day trip.

How long does the Tam Coc boat ride last?

The bamboo boat trip in Tam Coc lasts about 1.5 hours along the river.

What kind of food is served at lunch?

The buffet lunch includes local dishes like goat meat, fish, chicken, fried rice, plus vegetarian options.

How many steps are there at Mua Cave?

You’ll climb almost 500 steps to reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain at Mua Cave.

Is cycling included on this day trip from Hanoi?

Yes, there’s a cycling activity around Hoa Lu village as part of the itinerary.

Are entrance fees covered in this tour?

All entrance fees for attractions are included in your booking price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hanoi by limousine bus with an experienced driver, entry fees for Hoa Lu and Mua Cave, a guided cycling tour around local villages, a 1.5-hour bamboo boat ride in Tam Coc with a local rower (who might surprise you), bottled water throughout the journey, and a buffet lunch featuring Vietnamese cuisine before returning to Hanoi in the evening.