2-Day Ninh Binh Tour to Kong Skull Island’s Setting Locations : Trang An Scenic Landscapes & Van Long Wetland

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2 Days/ 1 Night From HANOI
Private Tour
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Overview

Tour Map
Start/End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Route: Hanoi - Van Vong Nature Reserve - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - Mua Cave - Bich Dong Pagoda - Trang An - Hanoi
Duration: 2 Days/1 Night - Private Tour
Tour guide in: English

Trip Highlights

Overview of 2 Day Ninh Binh Kong Skull Island Tour to Van Long Wetland &Trang An Ecotourism Complex.

Escape Hanoi for an unforgettable 2-day Ninh Binh Tour exploring the spectacular filming locations of Kong: Skull Island. Known as the “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is famous for its dramatic limestone mountains, peaceful rivers, hidden caves, and authentic countryside landscapes.

This journey takes you to the breathtaking Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and Van Long Nature Reserve – two of the most iconic Kong Skull Island movie settings in Vietnam. Along the way, you’ll also discover the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, hike to the panoramic viewpoint at Mua Cave, and enjoy scenic biking through peaceful rural villages to Bich Dong Pagoda.

Combining nature, history, adventure, and cinematic landscapes, this tour offers one of the best short escapes in Northern Vietnam.

Experience of Vlog Deo Wanders in Van Long with Golden Holiday Travel

Special Highlights of  2-Day Ninh Binh Trip to Van Long Wetland & Trang An Tourism Complex

  • Escape the city’s noise and take part in a peaceful journey to explore the filming locations of the movie “Kong: Skull Island” in Ninh Binh.
  • Enjoy scenic boat tours through the “Halong Bay on land,” experiencing the unspoiled nature of limestone mountains and caves in the Trang An Complex and the serene Van Long Nature Reserve, where you can spot wild birds, storks, and herons.
  • Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from the 10th and 11th centuries, and gain fascinating insights into the early history of the unified nation of Dai Co Viet.
  • Take a leisurely bike trip through local villages to Bich Dong Pagoda, where you’ll learn about the local lifestyle and culture.
  • Experience a breathtaking panoramic view of Ninh Binh’s landscapes on a trekking route with steps leading to Mua Caves
  • Perfect Northern Vietnam getaway combining nature, culture, history, adventure, and movie-inspired landscapes

Itinerary

8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel with a private transfer to Van Long Nature Reserve, a less-touristic and pristine destination in Ninh Binh, known for its stunning scenery featured in the latest King Kong movie.Van Long Nature Reserve is renowned for its spectacular landscapes of mountains and grottos, and it boasts the largest wetland area in Vietnam. This reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered Delacour’s langur, one of the rarest primates in the world.

Upon arrival, board a rowing boat ride to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Van Long Wetland. You will pass by picturesque mountains & glide through a beautiful grotto. Many visitors choose this boat tour for its natural beauty and the chance to see thousands of migratory birds, including herons and storks, as well as the Delacour’s langurs, famously featured in “Kong: Skull Island.”

Ninh Binh Tour-Van Long

After your boat tour, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, which served as the heart of Vietnam for 42 years during the 10th and 11th centuries. Although the royal palaces are no longer standing, you can explore the Dinh and Le temples, built in the 17th century and dedicated to the Dinh and Le families. Learn about the significance of Hoa Lu during this historical period.

The afternoon includes a visit to Mua Cave, where you can get on a rewarding trek to enjoy panoramic views of Ninh Binh city and the picturesque Tam Coc landscapes of rice fields, rivers, and mountains. The trek involves steep steps, but the effort is well worth it for the stunning vistas. Be sure to bring your camera for some great photo opportunities.

After a day of exploring Ninh Binh’s natural beauty, check in the hotel in the Tam Coc area.

Dinner will be at your own expense & Overnight in Ninh Binh

Inclusions : AC car transfer with driver for the day tour, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees of mentioned visiting places, boat ride in Van Long, meals (L- lunch), double/twin shared room in 4* Ninh Binh Hidden Charm or similar

After breakfast, we’ll kick off the day with a morning bike ride through stunning karst mountains, rivers, and peaceful villages. This journey offers a glimpse into the authentic life of the local people, with opportunities to interact with them and visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a 15th-century temple. You’ll also enjoy a scenic hike to the main cave and the top temple.

Ninh Binh tour to Trang An

Next, we’ll head to Trang An for further exploration by a rowing boat ride. This boat journey takes you through caves, past limestone outcrops, and across tranquil landcapes, immersing you in the natural beauty of the area. Known as the “Halong Bay on land,” Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its cultural and natural significance in 2014, and it served as an impressive filming location for the movie “Kong: Skull Island.” The Trang An boat tour promises a memorable adventure full of unique experiences.

After the boat trip, we’ll enjoy lunch before heading back to Hanoi, marking the end of our 2-day Ninh Binh Kong Skull Island Tour.

Inclusions : AC car transfer with driver for the day tour, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees of mentioned visiting places, boat ride in Trang An, bike tour, meals (B- breakfast, L- lunch)

The Trip’s Inclusions :

  • Private transfer during the journey
  • English speaking guide following the trip
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L-Lunch)
  • Hotel room ( twin-shared room on basis) in Ninh Binh
  • Entrance fees of mentined visiting places
  • Biking tour
  • Boat tours in Van Long & Trang An 

The Trip’s Exclusions :

  • Drink
  • Tips & gratuities to ( tourguide, driver, boat rower)
  • Visa to enter Vietnam, Flight Tickets
  • Personal expenses, 
  • Payment fees.
  • Personal expences…..

Frequently Asked Questions

This specific tour takes you deep into the heart of the cinematic landscapes used in the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island. You will take a traditional rowboat through the towering karst mountains and hidden river grottoes of the Trang An UNESCO World Heritage site & Van Long Wetland, which served as the real-world setting for the mythical Skull Island. The towering cliffs and primal, misty valleys make you feel as though you’ve stepped directly onto the movie set.

While Trang An is famous for its grand scale, historical temples, and extensive cave systems, Van Long Nature Reserve is a flooded wetland renowned for its absolute serenity and raw biodiversity. Van Long has minimal tourist development, meaning your boat trip is incredibly quiet. Furthermore, Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in Northern Vietnam and the best place to spot the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur primates in the wild.

To maximize your chances of seeing the rare Delacour’s Langurs feeding on the limestone cliffs, Golden Holiday Travel recommends scheduling your Van Long boat trip during the “golden hours.” This means either early morning between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM or in the late afternoon between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. During these cooler times, the primates descend from their caves to forage, making them easier to spot against the rocky backdrop.

 

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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