Description
Dig deeper into Vietnam history with this day trip to the picturesque Ninh Binh province south of Hanoi. Discover Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries with two temples dedicated to the two great kings. Hop on a sampan sailing down the river to Tam Coc which is often referred to as ‘inland Halong Bay’ of karst formation outcrop sweeping up from rice paddies. There are options to float down Trang An or biking trip among the breathtaking grottoes and limestone karst mountains.
Detail Itinerary
8:00 Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi downtown and then transfer in a private coach about 100 km South of Hanoi to Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province. The driving time is approximately 2 hours.
Arrive in Hoa Lu, discover the first capital of Vietnam, which was founded in the 10th Century by the Dinh Dynasty as a stronghold against the Northern invaders and shortly later was inherited by the Le Dynasty. Visit the two old temples one dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang, the only king of the Dinh Dynasty and also Vietnam’s first emperor and the other to the succeeding kings of the Le Dynasty. The Ding chose this site to put some distance between them and China. Have lunch at local restaurant with traditional food
Afternoon, start a boating tour of Tam Coc, which is also referred to as “an inland Ha Long” for its strikingly similar terrain of rugged rocky mountains rising up from the lush wetland and constituting a magnificent maze. Cruise along the meandering river through paddy fields and past the karst formations before entering the half-submerged entrances of three caves for a visit. These are major representatives of a host of natural caves and grottoes present in local mountains. Stop for a short break near a small shrine before returning to Ha Noi capital.
