South of the Vietnamese capital is a landscape steeped in mystery and vast beauty. The small city of Ninh Binh has been hailed the inland Ha Long Bay, boasting mammoth limestone karsts and a vast network of rivers shredding through the landscape.

Undoubtedly the best place to see this is from the Mua Cave. Hundreds of stairs lead to one of the highest points in the area offering 360-degree views of the misty landscape and beyond.

Day tours to the Mua Cave from Hanoi is an unmissable experience and the cave's ancient roots still have a firm influence in Vietnamese culture and beliefs.

Here's all you need to know about the Mua Cave, one of the most quintessential day trips from Hanoi.

How to get to the Mua Cave from Hanoi?

The Mua Cave is situated almost directly south of Hanoi and is in the Ninh Binh Province.

From Hanoi to Mua Cave by car

The Mua Cave is almost 2 hours outside of Hanoi and you will drive around 100 kilometers. Both the QL1A and CT01 lead directly south to Ninh Binh and you can drive it by car or motorbike.

From Hanoi to Mua Cave by public transport

Most people prefer to take a bus or the train to Ninh Bihn. Both options are inexpensive and you are dropped off at the Ninh Binh train station. From there you can take a taxi to your accommodation or directly to the cave.

Guided tour to Mua Cave from Hanoi

A guided tour to the Mua Cave is the easiest way to reach this iconic landmark. Vietnamese public transport isn’t known to be the most comfortable and traveling by motorbike on the road can be dangerous.

A guided tour to the Mua Cave will put your mind at ease as an expert tour guide navigates the tricky landscape and takes you to all the must-see locations safely and without hassles.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Mua Cave cost?

Entrance to the cave is 100,000 VND (US$4) per person.

What is the typical itinerary?

The day starts with an early hotel pick-up in Hanoi's old quarter. Set off southward towards Ninh Binh and visit some prolific sites along the way like Vietnam’s ancient capital Hoa Lu or Bai Dinh Pagoda.

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch to fuel up for the second half of the day. The tour stops at Trang An wharf where you will enjoy a tranquil boat trip through the karst cliffs and cave.

The last stop of the day is the Mua Cave complex. Scale the 500 steps to the top and stand in awe of the dazzling landscape stretching out in every direction.

Hop back on board the comfy air-conditioned van and head back to Hanoi for a late afternoon return.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mua Cave?

Tours are not one-size-fits-all but luckily there are many different day trips to Mua Cave to choose from.

Guided tours to Mua Cave from Hanoi

A guided tour to Mua Cave is a jam-packed trip with back-to-back activities all day long. The day starts with hotel pickup and sightseeing on the way to Ninh Binh.

You will enjoy a hearty lunch and take a scenic boat ride through the massive cliffs of Trang An. At the end of the day, you will conquer the 500-step staircase and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Vietnam.

Private tour to Mua Cave from Hanoi

The most luxurious way to visit the Mua Cave is with a private guided tour. Enjoy a private transfer to Ninh Binh and avoid the crowds with a flexible schedule.

You visit all the main sights like Trang An wharf and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital but you can take your time at the Mua Cave and soak in the many angles of the park at your own pace.

2-Day tour to Mua Cave from Hanoi

The Ninh Binh countryside had more than enough to keep you busy over the course of 2 days and an overnight trip is the best way to maximize your time here.

A 2-day tour to Mua Cave starts with a visit to Hoa Lu and the daunting climb to the top of the Mua Cave. This is followed by a delectable lunch and a sampan boat ride in Tam Coc.

The adventure is far from over and you will end the day with a bike ride through the rice paddies and a swim at a homestay.

On the second day you will visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a secluded mountain pagoda. You will venture deeper into the Vietnamese wilderness and visit Thung Nham National Park.

Walk through the untamed surroundings of the park, enjoy a buffet lunch and take a boat ride to see thousands of birds nesting in the treetops and at the water’s edge. Return to Hanoi in comfort as you are dropped off at your hotel at 6 PM.

How much do Mua Cave tours from Hanoi cost?

Group tours to the Mua Cave from Hanoi cost around US$50 per person and include entrance tickets, transportation and lunch.

A private tour costs US$300 per person or US$200 for groups larger than 3 people. A 2-day tour to Mua Cave costs US$150 per person.

What will you see and do?

Mua Cave

The main attraction of the day is a visit to Mua Cave. Unlike what the name suggests, this is not a cave but rather an epic viewpoint reached by climbing 500 stairs up the side of a steep limestone cliff.

At the top, you can visit a pagoda or brave the narrow edge of the mountain to reach a massive cement dragon statue draped across the jagged rock.

Trang An Warf

The rivers that cut through the landscape of Ninh Binh is a major attraction and Trang An wharf is the departure point to access the water.

Take a sampan boat ride through the greenery and weave through rice paddies and cave systems as a thin layer of ever-present fog sets the mood. You will hear nothing but oars rhythmically hitting the water and birds flapping their wings overhead.

Trang An offers optimal tranquility in one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Many of Vietnam’s ancient attractions were destroyed during the war or could not stand the test of time but Hoa Lu is an exception. This was Vietnam’s capital more than 1,000 years ago and many temples and artifacts have been impeccably preserved.

Wander through the citadel and admire the intricate architecture that promotes a sense of calm throughout. Feed the thousands of koi fish that still inhabit the temple ponds and walk through the same gardens that emperors called home centuries ago.

When is Mua Cave open over the year?

The Mua Cave is open all year.

What are the opening times?

The cave is open from 6 AM to 7 PM.

When is the best time to visit Mua Cave?

The weather is relatively constant throughout the year in Ninh Bihn but the best time to see the Mua Cave is when the rice paddies are at their greenest from May to July or from September to October.

The summer might be too hot for some but this is the time that lotus flowers bloom around Ninh Binh, creating an extra special spectacle.

Travel tips

Wear sensible shoes. There are hundreds of stairs to climb and the rocks at the top of the mountain are sharp.
Bring enough water for the whole day. Tap water in Vietnam is not drinkable and there aren’t shops everywhere.
Bring cash on the trip. Most places in Vietnam only accept cash, especially informal traders with souvenirs.
Wear sunscreen. Even though it is often cloudy in Ninh Binh you can still get a sunburn.
If your tour includes a temple visit you cannot wear shorts or have open shoulders. Bring a sarong to cover up.

Mua Cave: Day Trips and Tours from Hanoi