Ninh Binh Group Tours from Hanoi: Shared Day Trips to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Trang An and Mua Cave
Ninh Binh group tours are shared day trips from Hanoi to the karst landscapes about 95–100 km south of the city. Our four group tours all visit the 10th-century temples of Hoa Lu, add a short village bike ride and a buffet lunch, then finish with either a 1.5-hour Tam Coc boat ride past rice fields or a 2.5–3-hour Trang An boat trip through caves and temples ; two of them add the 500-step climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint – from US$63 per person.
- Duration: 1 full day, about 10.5–12 hours, hotel pick-up 7:30–8:00.
- Transport: shared limousine van (US$73–79) or shuttle bus (US$63–69).
- Included: English-speaking guide, entrance fees, Tam Coc or Trang An boat, bicycle, buffet lunch, water.
- UNESCO: Hoa Lu and Tam Coc lie inside the Trang An Landscape Complex (2014).
Two days? Our 2-day group tours add a night in Ninh Binh and either a Halong Bay day cruise (from US$199) or Cuc Phuong National Park (from US$185). Compare our Ninh Binh group tours below, or see the private versions if you prefer your own guide and car.
Good to know (2026): Ninh Binh province merged with Ha Nam and Nam Dinh on 1 July 2025, but the sights and routes are unchanged. Tam Coc’s rice is golden only from late May to early June; boat trips can pause briefly after very heavy rain.
Our Ninh Binh Group Tours at a Glance
| Tour |
Duration |
Highlights |
Price per person |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Group Tour 1 Day |
1 day (10.5–11 h) |
Hoa Lu temples, village cycling, buffet lunch, 1.5-hour Tam Coc boat |
US$63 (shuttle bus) · US$73 (limousine) |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An Group Tour 1 Day |
1 day (about 11 h) |
Hoa Lu temples, village cycling, buffet lunch, 2.5–3-hour Trang An boat through caves |
US$63 (shuttle bus) · US$73 (limousine) |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave Group Tour 1 Day |
1 day (11.5–12 h) |
Hoa Lu temples, cycling, buffet lunch, 1.5-hour Tam Coc boat, 500-step Mua Cave viewpoint |
US$69 (shuttle bus) · US$79 (limousine) |
| Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave Group Tour 1 Day |
1 day (11.5–12 h) |
Hoa Lu temples, cycling, buffet lunch, 2–2.5-hour Trang An cave boat, 500-step Mua Cave viewpoint |
US$69 (shuttle bus) · US$79 (limousine) |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Group Tour 2 Days |
2 days, 1 night |
Hoa Lu, Tam Coc or Trang An, Mua Cave, night at Trang An Heritage Garden, Halong Bay day cruise |
US$199 (2+ guests) · US$219 (solo) |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Cuc Phuong National Park Group Tour 2 Days |
2 days, 1 night |
Hoa Lu, Tam Coc or Trang An, Mua Cave, night at Trang An Heritage Garden, Cuc Phuong National Park |
From US$185 (2+ guests) · US$229 (solo) |
Prefer your own guide and timing? The same routes run as private day trips: Hoa Lu – Trang An, Mua Cave – Tam Coc and Mua Cave – Trang An.
How to Choose a Ninh Binh Group Tour
- Limousine or shuttle bus: both are shared and follow the same itinerary; the limousine van has larger, reclining seats for the 2–2.5-hour drive.
- Tam Coc or Trang An: choose Tam Coc for rice fields and a shorter 1.5-hour boat ride; choose Trang An for more caves and temples on a longer loop.
- Group or private: group tours are cheaper per person; private tours let you add Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda or Bai Dinh Pagoda and set your own times.
Best Time for a Ninh Binh Day Trip
| When |
What to expect |
| October – December |
Dry, mild and clear – very good for boat trips and cycling. |
| January – April |
Cool, sometimes misty; busy with temple festivals after Lunar New Year. |
| Late May – early June |
Golden rice at Tam Coc – the most photogenic weeks, but hot. |
| June – September |
Hot and humid with heavy showers; green fields after the harvest. |
What Our Ninh Binh Group Tours Include
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter, shared transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, the boat ticket and rowing boat, bicycles, a buffet lunch with a vegetarian option, bottled water, and free use of conical hats and raincoats. Drinks, tips and public-holiday surcharges are extra.
Tips by Jimmy
- Book a few days ahead in late May, early June and around Vietnamese holidays, when seats sell out.
- Bring small dong notes for drinks and optional tips for your boat rower.
- Sit on the left of the vehicle going south for countryside views as you approach Ninh Binh.
- Read our Ninh Binh travel guide and Ninh Binh food guide if you plan to stay longer.
Ready to go? Choose a tour above, or contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.
