Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Day Tour (From Hanoi)

7.30 – 8.00: Shuttle bus pick up at the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, heading to Ninh Binh with a short break on the halfway.

10:15  Arrive at Hoa Lu ancient capital, visit the Temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties, the last remaining structures from the 10th-century capital, learn about the history and cultural life of Vietnam.

12:00 Have buffet lunch at a local restaurant

13:30  Take a sampan boat trip in Tam Coc, passing through three enormous caves on the Ngo Dong river (named: Hang Ca, Hang Hai & Hang Ba) and the limestone karst formation on the water. In the harvest season, there would be amazing rice fields on the banks of the river (in the harvest season)

Optional:  Cycling through the rice fields and local villages nearby

16:00 Leave Tam Coc and get on the shuttle bus back to Hanoi

18:30 Arrive in Hanoi. Tour ends.

Visiting sites in the tour 

Hoa Lu ancient capital 

Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th century ( during a period of 42 years). Although the old Hoa Lu citadel no longer exists, there are still some relics and temples to witness this historical place.

In Hoa Lu, you will visit two temples of Kinh Dinh and King Le, which were built on the main hall of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, The two temples are close to each other, at the foot of Ma Yen mountain. In front of the temples is the Hoa Lu Square and a museum room with relics of the old palace and some ancient ceramics. These temples are symbols of the Vietnamese people’s reverence and gratitude for the country’s heroes.

Hoa Lu ancient capital area also has some pagodas such as Ngan Xuyen pagoda, Nhat Tru pagoda…

Tam Coc boat tour 

Tam Coc means “Three Caves” named Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. All of these 3 caves are above the water of the Ngo Dong River. Exploring Tam Coc, you will spend a 2-hour boat tour from Van Lam pier rowing through these 3 caves, admiring the unique karst rocks and rice fields in the harvesting season (May & June).

Guest Reviews

Beautiful scenery

Hoa Lu temples are okay but Tam Coc is really nice. The scenery is gorgeous with the round trip boat ride. It was a long boat ride under the hot sun (about 1.5 hours) but it was worth it. We could go through the cave and see the stalagmites. A memorable experience. We skipped the bike riding as we couldn’t bear the heat.

Relaxing and beautiful boat ride in Ninh Binh

Relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery all around you. This 2-hour boat ride is just amazing, passing through Grottoes, rice paddies and rocks covered in vegetation. The ride is smooth with only the sounds of the oars hitting the water gently. There was a water market at one end and we were advised not to buy anything. Also at the end of the tour, you are expected to tip. Several rowers hassled people that the tip was not enough, stick to what you want, it is voluntary.

Breathtaking Nature

Physically demanding yet spiritually uplifting. Once you lay eyes on those beautiful sceneries, all those aches will vanish into thin air. Don’t you dare leave Vietnam without cycling and rowing in Hoa Lu Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.

It’s a MUST VISIT!

A fantastic day tour incorporating a tour of the old capital city followed by a bike ride and a relaxing boat journey through some breathtaking scenery. Recommended to anyone wanting a relaxing day.

The tour guide was interesting and knowledgeable and spoke good English. The coach trip from Hanoi was interesting in the Hanoi traffic!

Lunch was a buffet that catered for all types of meals