Must-see
The most visited places
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Vietnam's only mixed World Heritage site. Glide by rowing boat through dozens of water caves between limestone peaks, stopping at ancient temples and the Kong film set.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Mua Cave
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
All attractions
Scenic sites
Featured Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Vietnam's only mixed World Heritage site. Glide by rowing boat through dozens of water caves between limestone peaks, stopping at ancient temples and the Kong film set.
Scenic sites
Featured Tam Coc – Bich Dong
The "Halong Bay on land": the Ngo Dong river runs through three caves amid rice fields. Best in late May to early June when the rice turns gold.
Cave
Featured Mua Cave
Climb nearly 500 stone steps to the Lying Dragon peak for a sweeping view over Tam Coc and its rice fields. Go at sunrise or sunset.
Pagoda
Featured Bai Dinh Pagoda
One of Vietnam's largest pagoda complexes, with a corridor of 500 arhat statues, a 13-storey stupa and a giant bronze bell. Free entry; electric shuttle is extra.
Scenic sites
Featured Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Vietnam's first feudal capital from the 10th century, home to the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh.
Nature
Featured Van Long Nature Reserve
A vast, mirror-still wetland reflecting limestone peaks and home to the rare Delacour's langur. Quieter than Trang An.
Religious site
Featured Phat Diem Stone Cathedral
A late-19th-century church complex of stone and ironwood that blends Vietnamese pagoda architecture with a Catholic cathedral. Free entry.
Nature
Featured Cuc Phuong National Park
Vietnam's first national park: primary forest, thousand-year-old trees and rescue centres for primates and turtles. Great for hiking and camping.
Pagoda
Featured Tam Chuc Pagoda
A vast pagoda complex on a wide lake, backed by the Seven Stars mountains. Electric shuttles, lake boats and tea or meditation packages.
Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc)
A hidden valley with a jade-green lake ringed by mountains, linked to legends of the Dinh dynasty. A famous photo spot.
Eco & wellness
Thung Nham Bird Park
An eco-park where thousands of egrets and herons return to roost every evening. Bird-watching by boat, caves and cool streams.
Thien Ha Cave
A cave of glittering stalactites "like the Milky Way", with boat routes on an underground river and walking trails. Unspoilt and uncrowded.
Thach Bich – Thung Nang
A small valley next to Tam Coc: boat through dark caves and lotus fields. Few visitors and good-value boats for groups.
Historic site
Thai Vi Temple
An ancient temple to the Tran kings on the Tam Coc boat route, with finely carved stonework in a quiet setting at the foot of the mountains.
Experiences
Hoa Lu Old Quarter
A night walking street in the city centre with lantern releases on Ky Lan lake, street food and weekend cultural shows.
Linh Coc – Hai Nham Caves
A boat route through three caves tied to Buddhist and Mother Goddess worship, in wild, little-developed river scenery.
Eco & wellness
Kenh Ga Hot Springs
Natural hot mineral springs among limestone hills, with pools, spa and foot baths. Ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.