Experience the Magic of 'Halong Bay on Land' with All-Inclusive Day Trips & Boat Tickets
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Hand-picked experiences loved by thousands of travelers
Explore Hoa Lu's ancient citadel, Am Tien Cave's views, and a 2.5-hour Trang An boat trip with buffet lunch.
Visit SE Asia's largest pagoda, enjoy local goat meat lunch, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trang An.
Discover Vietnam's first capital at Hoa Lu, enjoy rural scenery, and take a boat trip through the Trang An caves.
Travel by limousine bus from Hanoi to explore Bai Dinh pagoda and the "Halong Bay on land" at Trang An eco-tourism.
Experience a private tour in a D-Car limousine featuring a local family visit, Bich Dong pagoda, and Trang An boat ride.
![[Private] Trang An Boat Ride and Hoa Lu Temples - Day tour](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/06/6b/71/8a.jpg)
Visit the UNESCO-recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu on this private day tour.
Discover Hoa Lu's ancient temples, enjoy a local buffet lunch, and climb 500 steps for views at Mua Cave.
Climb to Am Tien and Mua Caves for panoramic views, then cruise through the 1000m long caves of Trang An.
Enjoy a private tour to Mua Caves' Dragon mountain and the UNESCO wonders of Trang An with a dedicated local guide.
Escape the crowds on a small-group tour featuring a 2-hour Trang An boat ride and the culture of Hoa Lu.
All the details about your upcoming adventure in one place
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Trang An, Vietnam's first UNESCO World Heritage mixed natural and cultural site. Often described as 'Halong Bay on Land,' this spectacular eco-tourism complex features a majestic landscape of towering limestone karst peaks permeated by valleys and winding rivers. Your journey takes you aboard a traditional sampan boat, rowed by locals, gliding through mysterious water caves and stopping at ancient temples rich in history. Whether you choose to explore the longest caves on Route 1, the balanced mix of scenery on Route 2, or the famous Dot Cave on Route 3, you'll be immersed in a tranquil world of emerald waters and geological wonders. Most travelers visit as part of a convenient day trip from Hanoi, which often combines the boat ride with other Ninh Binh highlights like the panoramic views from Mua Cave or the historic Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
We partner exclusively with top-rated local operators like Viator to ensure safety and service quality
Read thousands of real experiences from travelers who have actually taken these specific boat tours
Skip the hassle of figuring out public transport—most tours include seamless round-trip transfer from Hanoi
Compare options instantly to find the best value for combined tours including lunch and entry fees
We select tours that combine the boat ride with must-see spots like Mua Cave and Hoa Lu for a full experience
Secure your spot in advance, especially important during peak seasons and holidays
Spring (Jan-Mar) for festivals|Summer (May-Jun) for golden rice harvest|Autumn (Sep-Oct) for pleasant weather
Comfortable walking shoes|Modest clothing for temples (shoulders/knees covered)|Sun hat and sunglasses|Light rain jacket or umbrella
Home to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (10th & 11th centuries), the first capital of the Vietnamese feudal state.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Share your experience: #TrangAn #NinhBinh #VietnamTravel #HalongBayOnLand #UNESCO
4h 30min
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3h 30min
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Real experiences from real travelers
The boat ride was the highlight of our Vietnam trip! It was so peaceful gliding through the caves. Our rower was incredibly strong and friendly. We did Route 3 and the 1km cave was mind-blowing.
Booked the full day tour from Hanoi. The organization was perfect. The Trang An landscape is even more beautiful than the photos. Lunch was delicious goat meat (local specialty). Highly recommend!
The scenery is breathtaking. We went during Tet holiday so it was quite crowded, but the operation is very efficient. The temples are lovely. Make sure to bring a hat as the sun can be strong.
Don't miss this. We combined it with Mua Cave which was a tough climb but worth it for the view. The boat ride was a relaxing way to cool down afterwards. The guide spoke great English.
I actually enjoyed this more than Halong Bay because you are closer to the rocks and water. It feels more intimate. The rowers work so hard, please tip them!
Everything you need to know for your journey
There are 3 main routes. Route 1 is the longest with 9 caves. Route 2 is the most popular with a balance of 4 caves and 3 temples. Route 3 features the longest single cave (1km). Route 2 or 3 are generally recommended for the best scenery.
While you can buy tickets at the gate, booking a tour in advance is highly recommended to secure transport from Hanoi and a guide, especially during high season.
Yes, because the boat stops at sacred temples, you should dress modestly. Cover your shoulders and knees, or bring a sarong to wrap around yourself when entering temple grounds.
The boats operate in light rain and umbrellas are often provided or can be used. However, in severe weather or typhoons, operations may pause for safety.
Tipping is not mandatory but is highly appreciated as the rowers work very hard. A tip of 50,000-100,000 VND (approx $2-$4) per boat is standard and generous.
Yes, you can bring water and light snacks. It is recommended to bring water as the ride is 2-3 hours long.
No, the Kong: Skull Island film set was dismantled in 2019 to preserve the UNESCO heritage site. However, the natural scenery remains exactly as seen in the movie.
Trang An is approximately 95km (60 miles) south of Hanoi, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours by bus or car.
Yes, wearing a life jacket is strictly mandatory for all passengers for the entire duration of the boat ride.
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