Full-day excursion to Ninh Binh with cycling and boat trip in the Van Long Nature Reserve

Join us for a day out in the rural province of Ninh Binh, where breathtaking scenery unfolds among rice fields, local villages, and towering limestone mountains.

Your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel, and together you’ll head south from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Province – often referred to as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’. After around a 2½ hours’ drive, you’ll reach Gia Vien District, where your bike ride of around 14 km begins. Hop on your bicycle and pedal at an easy pace along quiet paths through emerald rice paddies and past charming villages on your way to the Van Long Nature Reserve. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos along the way.

In the small village of Mai Trung, you’ll visit a local family who will give you a warm welcome into their home. Here, you’ll gain a genuine insight into rural life, taking part in seasonal activities such as working in the rice fields, gardening, or feeding fish and poultry. These tasks offer an authentic glimpse of everyday life in the Vietnamese countryside.

After the visit, the family will invite you into their kitchen for an informal cookery class. They’ll introduce you to the flavours of Vietnamese cuisine, and you’ll have the chance to take part in preparing the dishes yourself. The experience concludes with a delicious home-cooked lunch enjoyed in the family’s relaxed surroundings.

Afterwards, you’ll cycle back to the starting point – it only takes a few minutes. You’ll leave your bike there and continue by car to Van Long, where you board a traditional rowing boat and glide quietly through the peaceful nature reserve. Here, you’ll experience tranquil wetlands, striking limestone cliffs, and a wealth of birdlife, all combining to create a wonderfully atmospheric setting. The limestone mountains rise dramatically above the water, their lush greenery reflected beautifully on the mirror-like surface.

Late in the afternoon, your guide and driver will take you back to your hotel in Hanoi after a day filled with meaningful encounters and stunning natural experiences.

Duration: approx. 9 hours

This excursion is open to TourCompass’ own guests only.

We recommend that you book the excursion when booking the tour.