7:45 am - 8:15 am: Meet your friendly, professional guide at your hotel (located in Hanoi Old Quarter) and set off for Ninh Binh province, about 90km south of Hanoi. There will be a stop halfway through the drive to stretch and peruse the variety of traditional handicrafts available for purchase. Shop for paintings, embroideries and lacquer wares and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding rice fields. Upon arriving in Hoa Lu around 10:30am, learn about the important role the area played in Vietnam’s history. This city was the ancient capital of the country in the 10th and 11th centuries and was built by the Dinh and Le dynasties. Hoa Lu is surrounded by limestone mountains and the Hoang Long River, naturally protecting it and making for an incredibly picturesque setting. At 11am, head for the ruins of the temples left by the Dinh and Le dynasties. Explore the excavation area at the Le Dai Hanh temple and the remains of the 10th-Century Royal Palaces. Next it’s time to board the bus and drive to Tam Coc, known for its resemblance to famous Ha Long Bay and gorgeous rise paddies. Meaning ‘three caves,’ Tam Coc is the perfect place for countryside exploring. Chose to do an optional 40-minute bike ride from Tam Boc to the Bich Dong Pagoda, a total of 5km in length that passes along a country road through lush rice paddies. Then it will be time for a delicious buffet lunch in a nearby restaurant. At 2pm, get in 2-person sampan boats and drive down the river to three different caves. Explore their natural wonders and then return to the dock, where a bus will be waiting to drive back to Hanoi. The guide will return you to your hotel (Located in Hanoi Old Quarter) at the end of the tour.