Ninh Binh HIGHTLIGHT & HIDDEN GEM Tour From Hanoi: Skip-The-Line
Overview
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Discover the authentic charm of northern Vietnam with our luxury & Small Group Ninh Binh Tour from Hanoi. This immersive day trip blends food, adventure, culture, and breathtaking nature, allowing you to explore the highlights & hidden gems of the UNESCO-listed Ninh Binh region, often called “Ha Long Bay on Land.”
What sets our tour apart?
✅ Early departure – avoid crowds & traffic
✅ Small group for a personalized experience
✅ Combination of boat, bike/scooter & hike in one day
✅ Local insights from friendly, English-speaking guides
✅ Luxury comfort with authentic local touches
✅ Experience the best Ninh Binh Tour from Hanoi — where every moment combines natural beauty, culture, and unforgettable adventure.
● 18:00 – 18:30, you are back in Hanoi, You got time for a night planned in Hanoi.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Old Quarter
6:30 - 6:45 AM, you get picked up from your hotel or meeting point. Waking up early for this tour will ensure that you have the best day ever for three reasons. ● We can avoid the heavy traffic in Hanoi. Navigating through the busy city center can be time-consuming during rush hour. However, if we depart at 6:30 AM - 6:45 AM, we can bypass this congestion and reach Ninh Binh in just 20 minutes, saving us precious time. ● Being early birds allows us to beat the crowds at the tourist sites. We can enjoy the attractions without encountering many people or waiting in long queues. This way, we can maximize our time and fully immerse ourselves in the experience. ● Starting our morning hike up to Mua cave early helps us beat the heat of the day. We can enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the area while feeling refreshed and energized. "Early to bed, early to rise," let us assist you in having a fantastic day by waking up early and experiencing the best that this tour has to offer.
Mua Caves
After a 2-hour car journey from Hanoi, it's time for us to engage in some physical activity by ascending the magnificent natural Great Wall of Mua mountain, as well as exploring the Mua cave. This location offers the most optimal spot to admire the breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area. Additionally, embarking on an early hike would allow us to avoid the oppressive heat and the large crowds that gather later in the day. As the day progresses, the heat intensifies and the site becomes heavily thronged by hundreds of thousands of tourists, all due to its viral fame. If you don’t like the touristy hike, alternatively, we have a 300-step, rugged hidden gem hike at the holy and secret mountain where you could feel the serenity of nature and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, forest, and surrounding villages.
What‘s Included
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda , a beautiful old temple nestled of the mountains
Authentic Countryside Vietnamese home food experiences at the riverside restaurant
Visiting Coi Khe Village and experiencing local daily lives and cultural exchanges
1.5 Hour Boat ride in Tam Coc or Trang An depending on the season of the year.
2 Hour Countryside Cycling or Scooter riding ( we provide Scooter driver, you are pillion passenger)
30 minutes - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital visit
Round trip stransfer Hanoi - Ninh Binh ( Pick-up & drop-off from your hotels in the Old Quarter
Vistiting Thai Vi & Ben Thanh rice fields and valleys
Climbing 500 steps up to Mua Cave for spectacular panoramic review of mountain, river & villages
Professional English speaking tour guide through out the trip
Tip & gratuity
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Scooter Ride around Tam Coc
Vespa/ Scooter/ Motorbike
Small Group with Scooter
Duration: 12 hours
Lunch at local family
Vespa, Motorbike or Scooter
Pickup included
Cycling around Tam coc
Cycling
Comfortable
Duration: 2 hours
bicycle, Bike, moutain bike
Pickup included
Reviews
4,204 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Friendly, punctual, and enthusiastic in helping.
stevenbB4353JE,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a fantastic experience. Our guide, Louis, was very friendly and always accompanied us with a smile throughout the trip. He went to great lengths to help us have a fun trip and learn about the country's history and culture. We walked, climbed stairs, took boat trips, rode motorbikes, visited temples, ancient citadels, and rivers and caves. It was amazing!
Visit the real Vietnam
samflemings,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just a short distance from bustling Hanoi, you'll find yourself in a completely different world. Stunning scenery and peaceful surroundings. Our guide, Luis, was fantastic. A day trip definitely worth trying.
Great day
Dipak G,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience. Guide is superb. Knowledgeable and cheerful. He is one of the best guide I had with Viator tours so far.
Full day of activities in Ninh Binh with Hiu
colettel0,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hui was a great guide and took us on a great tour through Ninh Binh! The day trip was filled with activities (hike, temple, river boat cruise, lunch, and scooter tour). Very efficient with the time time and organized. Would definitely recommend😊
Great trip
lucaswL6664HD,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hiu was a great tour guide. Had great local knowledge and was able to provide a fun and entertaining experience. With Hiu we were able to get to the front of the lines and it was very efficient.
Nin Binh tour with Hiu
R1891ZFhollyc,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing trip, Hiu (Hugh Jackman 🙂) was the best tour guide. So much fun and entertaining. He kept me really informed before the trip with timings, what time expect etc. Highly recommend to everyone
Great tour in ninh binh
phol382,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic trip!!! Lewis was probably the most fun tour guide I've ever had. It was a long day, a perfect blend of activity and relaxation. Definitely worth the experience!
Awesome trip!
halliw2026,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic day in Ninh Binh with Louis on a small group tour, and it was perfect for our family. The trip was very well planned — we started with a 500-step climb, then took a boat trip, enjoyed a Vietnamese lunch, and finished with a bike ride through the countryside. The activity was quite energetic but still under control, and everything went very smoothly without any rush. The views from the top were amazing and definitely worth starting the day with a hike. Louis was an excellent guide. He was calm, knowledgeable, and very patient, and made sure everyone in the group was comfortable and enjoying the trip. The small group size made the trip more relaxed and intimate than purely touristy. The boat trip was very peaceful and scenic, the Vietnamese lunch was delicious and a great break, and the bike ride through the villages was a perfect way to end the day.
5 star experience
Wander760391,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely loved this tour. Tim was amazing throughout the whole day, so engaging and had so much knowledge. The food was delicious and so filling. Highly recommend this tour.
Full Day Ninh Bin tour.
K7573NEsamanthar,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely brilliant tour and Tim was such a great knowledgeable guide ❤️ looked after in each activity. Lunch very filling 😋 highly recommended by us all👌
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