Ninh Binh Day Trip to Hoa Lu Temples & Van Long Wetland : Nature, History & Scenic Boat Ride

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1 Day Trip From HANOI
Private Tour
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Overview

Tour Map
Start/End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Route: Hanoi - Van Long Nature Reserve - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - Hanoi
Duration: 1 Day - Private Tour
Tour guide in: English

Trip Highlights

Overview of Ninh Binh Day Tour to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Van Long Wetland

Escape the busy streets of Hanoi and discover the peaceful beauty of Ninh Binh on this relaxing Ninh Binh day tour to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Van Long Nature Reserve. Unlike the more crowded tourist areas, Van Long offers a tranquil escape with breathtaking limestone mountains, hidden caves, and rich wildlife in one of Northern Vietnam’s most beautiful wetland reserves.

This Ninh Binh day trip also takes you back in time with a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the political center of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries. Enjoy scenic boat rides, countryside biking, cultural discoveries, and unforgettable natural landscapes throughout the journey

Hoa Lu - Van Long Nature Reserve Day Tour11

Special Highlights of Ninh Binh Day Trip to Hoa Lu & Van Long Nature Reserve

  • Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and discover Vietnam’s fascinating early history by visiting the historic temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le
  • Enjoy a peaceful bamboo boat ride through the stunning landscapes of Van Long Nature Reserve – chances to spot rare wildlife including birds, storks, herons, and the endangered Delacour’s langurs
  • Experience a relaxing bamboo boat ride through limestone mountains, rivers, caves, and untouched landscapes
  • Take part in a relaxing biking tour through peaceful villages and beautiful countryside scenery
  • Perfect combination of nature, culture, history, and outdoor activities on a full-day trip from Hanoi

Boat ride in Van Long nature reserve at noon time

Itinerary

In The Morning :

  • The tour starts at 8:00 am when the passengers will be picked up by our private car with driver and taken to the Hoa Lu ancient capital in Ninh Binh. After arriving at the capital, you will visit two temples dedicate to King Dinh and King Le, where you can learn about the region’s rich history.
  • You will then have a lunch of local Vietnamese dishes at a local restaurant.

Hoa Lu ancient capital - Dinh temple

Dinh temple in Hoa Lu ancient capital

In The Afternoon:

  • After lunch, you will head to the Van Long Nature Reserve by car. This reserve is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Delacour’s Langur, which lives in the limestone ecology of the area. Many of the species here are listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book.

Van Long Nature reserve delacour

the Delacour’s Langur in Van Long wetland

  • You will go on a scenic bike ride to explore the beauty of the reserve and surrounding local villages for an hour.
  • Then, you will take a bamboo boat trip to immerse yourself in the stunning natural scenery of limestone mountains, rivers, caves, and wildlife in Van Long Nature Reserve for 1.2 hour.
  • Finally, you will head back to the pier to meet your private driver for the return trip to Hanoi.

Notes : It’s worth noting that a minimum of 2 individuals is required to operate this tour, and it’s important to dress appropriately for a visit to the temple

The Trip’s Inclusions :

  • Private transfer, pick up and drop off at hotel
  • Entrance fees & boat trip
  • Lunch at the restaurant
  • English speaking guide
  • Bike rental fees
  • Two bottles of mineral water/pax/day

The Trip’s Exclusions :

  • Tips to driver, guide & boat rower
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses and other not mentioned above

Frequently Asked Questions

Van Long Nature Reserve is the ideal choice for travelers seeking tranquility and biodiversity. Unlike the busier hubs of Tam Coc or Trang An, Van Long is a “no-motor” zone, meaning you only hear the sound of the oars and the calls of birds. It is also the best place in the world to spot the Delacour’s Langur, one of the rarest primates on Earth, in its natural wild habitat among the limestone cliffs.

Hoa Lu was the first capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, serving as the political center for the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. Visiting the ancient temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh allows you to see 1,000-year-old architectural vestiges and learn about the foundations of the Vietnamese nation in a beautiful mountain-protected valley.

 

The boat trip in Van Long is a gentle, 1.5-hour journey on a traditional bamboo sampan. You will glide through a “mirror-like” flooded wetland, passing through limestone caves and beneath towering karsts. Because the water is so clear, you can often see the underwater vegetation and fish, creating a peaceful “Halong Bay on land” experience without the crowds.

 

The tour typically lasts about 9 to 10 hours. You depart from Hanoi around 8:00 AM and arrive back by 6:00 PM. The drive is approximately 2 hours each way via the modern expressway. Booking with Golden Holiday Travel ensures a private, climate-controlled vehicle, making the transition from the city to the countryside seamless and comfortable.

 

Yes, this is one of our most accessible tours. The walking at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is on flat ground, and the boat trip at Van Long is very stable and relaxing. There are no steep climbs (unlike Mua Cave), making it an excellent option for families with young children or seniors who want to enjoy the scenery of Ninh Binh at a comfortable pace.

Good to Know

Before travelling to Vietnam, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and has at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and visa purposes.

Citizens from several countries, including France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. Visa policies may change from time to time depending on nationality and travel regulations.

If you intend to stay longer than the visa exemption period, or if your nationality is not included in the visa-free list, you can apply for an e-visa online.You are also welcome to contact our team for updated visa information and travel assistance before your trip to Vietnam.

Travel insurance is not included in our tour package; however, valid travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining the tour. Your policy should provide adequate coverage for:

  • Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation
  • Trip cancellation, delays, or interruptions
  • All activities included in your itinerary, including outdoor and adventure excursions

We also recommend checking whether your credit card offers travel insurance coverage and purchasing additional protection if needed to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your journey.

The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While some hotels and tourist-oriented businesses may accept US dollars or euros, payments are generally preferred in local currency.

Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and larger establishments, especially in major cities and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used for local markets, small shops, and rural areas.

ATMs are easy to find throughout Vietnam, particularly in cities and popular travel destinations. Currency exchange services are available at international airports, banks, hotels, and licensed exchange counters.

Also, please make sure your banknotes are clean and undamaged, as torn, heavily worn, or marked foreign bills may not be accepted for exchange or payment in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a year-round destination, offering diverse weather patterns across its different regions. In general, spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are considered the most comfortable times to visit, thanks to pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall.

As Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south, the climate can vary greatly depending on where you travel:

  • Northern Vietnam: Experiences four distinct seasons, with cool and sometimes chilly winters (December to February) and hot, humid summers (May to August).
  • Central Vietnam: Usually enjoys warm weather, though the rainy season typically occurs between September and November.
  • Southern Vietnam: Has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year, alongside occasional tropical showers during the rainy season from May to October.

We recommend packing light, comfortable clothing as well as seasonal items suited to the regions included in your itinerary.

International flights are not included in our tour prices, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline and flight schedule that best suit your travel plans and budget. If needed, our travel consultants are happy to assist you in finding the most convenient and competitive flight options.

For international departures, we highly recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight to allow enough time for check-in, immigration procedures, and any unexpected delays or issues that may arise.

If your itinerary includes domestic flights within Vietnam, all flight schedules, airline information, and booking details will be included in your final travel documents before departure.

For a smooth journey, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight. Please make sure to carry your passport along with your e-ticket or booking reference.

Baggage Allowance: Checked baggage allowance typically ranges from 20kg to 23kg depending on the airline and ticket class, while cabin baggage is generally limited to 7kg per passenger.

Important Notice: Extra baggage fees may apply for your overweight or oversized luggage. We strongly recommend reviewing the baggage policies of your airline in advance, such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, or Bamboo Airways.

Please note that domestic flight schedules may occasionally change due to airline operations or weather conditions. Should there be any updates, our team will inform you as soon as possible.

If your journey includes a connecting domestic flight within Vietnam, please keep the following information in mind upon arrival:

  • Collect your checked luggage after landing.
  • Complete immigration and customs procedures.
  • Proceed to the domestic terminal for your onward flight. At some airports, this may involve a short walk or shuttle transfer between terminals.
  • Airport staff are usually available to assist passengers, so feel free to ask for directions or support if needed.

Recommended connection time: at least 2 hours 30 minutes

This allows enough time for immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs procedures, terminal transfers, and possible flight delays.

Practical Tip: At major airports such as Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, international and domestic terminals may be located in separate buildings. Please follow airport signage carefully and allow sufficient transfer time.

There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for travelers entering Vietnam. However, depending on the length of your stay and the areas you plan to visit, several vaccinations are commonly recommended by health professionals, particularly for rural or remote travel.

Recommended vaccinations may include:

  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Typhoid
  • Tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis (booster shots advised)
  • Rabies (recommended for extended stays or frequent contact with animals)

If you take regular medication, we strongly advise bringing an adequate supply to cover your entire trip, as certain medicines may not be easily available locally.

Please also carry your medical prescription, ideally translated into English, to assist with customs procedures or in case medical attention is needed during your stay.

Upon your arrival in Vietnam, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport arrival exit according to your flight number and landing time. The driver will be holding a welcome sign displaying: “Golden Holiday Travel – [Your Name]”

Please take a moment to carefully look for your name among the signs at the arrival area. In case you cannot locate our driver immediately, kindly stay near the meeting point and contact our 24/7 support team for quick assistance:

Hotline / WhatsApp: +84 988 451 530

Useful Tip: We recommend activating international roaming or ensuring internet access on your phone upon arrival so we can easily communicate if necessary.

Important Note:At busy airports, many drivers may be waiting in the same area. If you do not see our representative right away, please do not leave the arrival hall – simply contact us and our team will assist you promptly.

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