1. Hoa Lư and Tam Cốc with Bike Ride and Family Visit
Depart Hanoi and travel to the ancient city of Hoa Lư, capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Explore the remains of the Citadel and learn more about the Đinh Dynasty and its ruler Đinh Tiên Hoàng. Next, meet a local family in Tam Cốc and hear about their daily activities and traditional embroidery. Enjoy a special lunch of local food prepared by the hostess, such as soup, chicken with lemongrass, fried fish, and steamed rice. Then, experience life on the water as a local rows you by boat to the impressive limestone caves that stretch along the Ngô Đồng River. See some of the local temples amongst the karst mountains and paddy fields, where the rice can turn the fields yellow during the harvest. Ride a bike among the rice fields and mountains of Ninh Binh Province for about an hour before returning to Hanoi.