Review Author: Andrew 1986

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: What an extraordinary trip we had in Ninh Binh! This destination is genuinely a must-see when visiting Vietnam, offering breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning scenery, lush rice paddies, and dramatic limestone cliffs that made this region so unique. Our guide, Lewis, truly elevated our experience. He spoke perfect English and was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly engaging. Throughout the trip, he shared fascinating insights about the local culture, history, and natural wonders, providing context that enriched our understanding of the area. His enthusiasm for Ninh Binh was infectious, and he went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible. Lewis’s warmth and hospitality left a lasting impression on us. He was attentive to our needs and made us feel welcome every step of the way. Whether it was suggesting local dishes to try or accommodating our interests, he made our journey smooth and enjoyable. His passion for his work was evident, and it made the trip not just informative, but genuinely fun. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough! If you're planning to explore Ninh Binh, I strongly suggest you make it a priority. And when you do, be sure to request Lewis as your guide—you won't regret it! His expertise and friendliness will undoubtedly make your travel experience unforgettable.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Autumn

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: What an extraordinary trip we had in Ninh Binh! This destination is genuinely a must-see when visiting Vietnam, offering breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural experiences. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning scenery, lush rice paddies, and dramatic limestone cliffs that made this region so unique. Our guide, Lewis, truly elevated our experience. He spoke perfect English and was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly engaging. Throughout the trip, he shared fascinating insights about the local culture, history, and natural wonders, providing context that enriched our understanding of the area. His enthusiasm for Ninh Binh was infectious, and he went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible. Lewis’s warmth and hospitality left a lasting impression on us. He was attentive to our needs and made us feel welcome every step of the way. Whether it was suggesting local dishes to try or accommodating our interests, he made our journey smooth and enjoyable. His passion for his work was evident, and it made the trip not just informative, but genuinely fun. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough! If you're planning to explore Ninh Binh, I strongly suggest you make it a priority. And when you do, be sure to request Lewis as your guide—you won't regret it! His expertise and friendliness will undoubtedly make your travel experience unforgettable.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Susan_lovetravel

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: Ninh Binh Jeep Tour, Best tour in Hanoi. I had a fantastic experience during our recent tour, largely thanks to our wonderful tour guide, Johnny. From the moment we began, it was clear that he was not only highly knowledgeable about the attractions we visited, but he also had a genuine passion for sharing that information with us. His engaging storytelling and vivid descriptions brought each location to life, making our journey feel truly immersive. Johnny’s friendly demeanor made everyone feel at ease, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day. He encouraged questions and actively engaged with all of us, ensuring that everyone felt included and valued as part of the group. It was evident that he cared deeply about our experience, and his enthusiasm was infectious. I also want to extend a heartfelt shout-out to the drivers who accompanied us during the tour. They were exceptional as well—professional, courteous, and skilled at navigating through traffic while ensuring our safety. Their smooth driving made our trip comfortable and enjoyable, allowing us to focus on the sights and experiences that surrounded us. All in all, this was a memorable day thanks to Johnny and the incredible team behind the scenes. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an enriching and enjoyable experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: G

Review Date: 24 Nov 2024

Review Body: Overall an awesome trip. There was a hiccup at the beginning but the experiences and info were very enjoyable and I feel I got a lot out of it for 1 day. I actually enjoyed the Vespa ride the best. A good bunch on the tour. Shoutout to Lewis for interesting snippets of info and good explanations. A suggestion for improvement is to include the tip to the boat trip in the package as we were advised to give a 50k ‘tip’ to the driver but he got angry and demanded more whereas other tourists didn’t have that exp. As we didn’t know how much drivers get from the entrance and sightseeing tickets it would be good if the tour comes to an agreement with them to avoid this only negative exp.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucy

Review Date: 22 Jul 2026

Review Body: Our guide Tuna took us on a magical trip through Ninh Binh, including temple visits, a hike up Lightning Dragon mountain, a vespa tour through the countryside, lunch at a scenic restaurant and a boat ride through the cave systems of Ngo Dong river. We could not have asked for a more perfect day, and Tuna facilitated this for us with enthusiasm, seemingly endless local and folkloric knowledge, and always a can-do attitude. And with plenty of opportunities for hydration! You’d be absolutely remiss to not book a tour with him: when I say it was the highlight of our trip, I truly mean it. Thank you Tuna!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: SH

Review Date: 12 Dec 2024

Review Body: Jim was a good tour guide! He was knowledgeable, engaging, and ensured our safety throughout the trip, especially during the Vespa tour. His insights and tips on navigating tourist traps were invaluable. The tour was well-organised, with timely pick-up and drop-off. We were back in Hanoi by 5:30 PM, earlier than expected. While the itinerary suggested a choice between Trang An and Tam Coc, we were guided to Tam Coc. Despite this slight deviation, the experience was still positive.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Mason P

Review Date: 06 Apr 2026

Review Body: 10/10 experience and can recommend to anyone visiting Ha Noi!! Danny was an incredible tour guide - so attentive and kind. Being able to leave early to beat the massive crowds in Ninh Binh is beyond worth it. We got to see everything we wanted to see in one day trip and we had it all pretty much to ourselves! Also the food is great, the van is super comfy (and so convenient picking you up from your hotel), and the whole itinerary is so well thought out! Very happy.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Annelie

Review Date: 07 Apr 2026

Review Body: Hiu did a good job explaining historical context and significance to us as we packed a lot in to a day’s tour. It was a great experience and the Vespa tour, boat trip and hike up the dragon steps were highlights. It was very very hot in April when we went, so maybe bring towels and swim gear to use the pool at the lunch restaurant. On that note lunch was excellent and there was a lot of variety too. Thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Mavis

Review Date: 15 Jan 2026

Review Body: Book it! Definitely worth it to be picked up at your hotel in a very comfortable van, hosted by very polite and kind tour guides to see and learn about things that are a bit off the beaten path. And if you get Danny as a guide, you will have hit the jackpot! He really cares about his guests, goes above and beyond and everyone who was on our tour said that he was the best travel guide they had ever encountered.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: T Le Duc

Review Date: 22 Jul 2026

Review Body: We had a fabulous day with Hui our guide. I would thoroughly recommend the day trip, we did and saw so much, Ninh Binh is so beautiful and the morning climb and views were spectacular, the boat ride is stunning and relaxing and the Vespa ride was so enjoyable. I also recommend our guide Hui. He was so much fun and looked after us all so well. Thank you for a great day Hui.. and Backstreet tours and Seek Sophie

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucie

Review Date: 17 Jun 2026

Review Body: We had a great trip with our guide Louis to Ninh Binh. Louis was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. We carefully chose the day tour because it was a small group and started early to help miss the crowds. There was nothing to fault in the entire day, we did and saw everything we wanted to, and to top it off, the rest of the people in the tour group were great.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Suzanne

Review Date: 13 Feb 2025

Review Body: A great tour with Danny. Very comfortable and spacious airconditioned minivan with a good driver. Danny was fun, knowledgeable, kind and helpful. The tour had a lot of elements: relaxing boat trip, stenuous hike (483 steps - but you didn't have to do it and 80% to the top is OK!) to top of mountain, fun jeep ride and lovely lunch. We recommend this trip! Thanks Danny!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Cindy H

Review Date: 08 Dec 2025

Review Body: Excellent tour!! The curation of activities and pacing was exactly what our group of 6 was looking for and enjoyed every minute of it! Our tour guide Danny was super informative and made it such a fun, friendly experience that it felt like we were hanging out with a friend. Definitely recommend this tour if you want just a little more than other tours!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: The Best Ninh Binh tour with small group and Countryside Jeep ride

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: Chris our tour guide was great! He kept us informed and prepared for the whole day trip, giving us water, extra fans, and umbrellas to use for shade. He also took great pics of us hiking and boating! Getting up early to hike was definitely the best decision since it wasn’t too crowded and the views were so great.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nukudo

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: Absolutely perfect, I booked this tour online through Seek Sophie and would definitely recommend. Our guide Lewis was a great guide, very knowledgeable and funny. We did so many interesting things today. One of my favorite days in northern Vietnam. Ninh Binh is the must see places when you check in Việt Nam.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 02 Jan 2025

Review Body: This was an action packed day. It included very popular tourist spots, though the jeep ride was more off the beaten track and the other visits were timed to avoid the worst of the crowds. Our guide Johnson was very attentive and shared lots of useful information!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: NINH BINH JEEP TOUR FROM HANOI

Review Date: 22 Nov 2024

Review Body: This was a fantastic, action packed tour. Louis is the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had in Vietnam, we felt lucky to have him with us today. Learned so much from him. Every stop was beautiful. The bus and driver were both great. Highly recommended

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Claire and Angus Pinder

Review Date: 08 Jun 2026

Review Body: You are always asked to leave a 5* review but this one is genuine. Louis our guide was incredible. Full of info and so attentive. Only 5 in group. Lots of laughing, full packed day. Such great value. Couldn’t ask for more

Review rating: 5

Review Author: C Cheung

Review Date: 26 Sep 2026

Review Body: A fantastic tour Hiu is a very friendly tour guide who gave us a lot of history background and arranged so well Highly recommended

Review rating: 5

Review Author: X2Kiwi

Review Date: 09 Oct 2026

Review Body: Engaging & enjoyable day trip from Hanoi with the informative Oggy as our guide. Delicious & generous lunch in Ninh Bin

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Hoa Lu - Mua Cave - Tam Coc - Countryside detours - Thai Vi or Bich Dong temple

Itinerary Description: Most of tour buses leave Hanoi for Ninh Binh around 8:00 AM that’s why we leave at 6:45. Our journey begins with a 2 hour drive in a car/ mini van from the hectic capital of Hanoi to the rural province of Ninh Binh, approximately 100 kilometers away. On arrival, we visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to learn about Vietnamese Culture, history and traditional architecture. We the start our morning exercise by a 30 minutes hike up and down to Mua cave to admire the spectacular panorama view of Tam Coc valley and Ngo Dong river. If you don’t like the touristy hike, alternatively, we have a 300-step, rugged hidden gem hike at the holy and secret mountain where you could feel the serenity of nature and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, forest, and surrounding villages. We then ride to Tam Coc. It is often referred to as the Halong Bay of the land due to its spectacular scenery. It is a truly wonderful sight to see. We’ll board on row boats for a 1.5-hour journey through caves, passing local villages along the river system of the Red River Delta. The scenery comprises of lush green rice paddies during the rice growing seasons and the surrounding limestone karsts make for a stunning backdrop, presenting many photo opportunities for the keen photographers amongst the group. We will have lunch at a local restaurant for an authentic Vietnamese meal. After lunch, we will start our Ninh Binh Vespa/Scooter tour, It is definitely the best way to discover the cultural and natural beauties of Ninh Binh countryside. As you sitting in the back of our experienced drivers for a safe and fun ride throughout the area. The detours of country-roads featuring with limestone karsts, towering above you as you ride along back-roads and beautiful scenery. Ninh Binh Vespa/Scooter tour is an epic that you could explore through the highway and byway of this beautiful place. En route, we are passing rice paddies, farms and villages to experience the day-in-the-life of Vietnamese people. Also, we stop to visit a thousand-year-old lime-stone temple of Thai Vi or Bich Dong temple. Drive back to Hanoi and back in the city around 18:30. Tour ends!