Private & tailor-made · 1–4 guests · From Hanoi or Ninh Binh
Private Tours of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Hoa Lu Old Town
Stay for the lanterns.
Your own licensed local guide, fluent in English. Your own car, on a route built around you. The kings’ temples by daylight, the old town as its lanterns come on, every ticket and boat covered — from $55 per person.
What is Hoa Lu Old Town?
Hoa Lu Old Town is a lantern-lit quarter opened in 2022 in Ninh Binh, two hours from Hanoi; the real Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, seat of Vietnam’s kings from 968 to 1010, is 12 km away. See the temples by day, the old town at dusk. With a local guide you get more than the photo: who the first kings were, and what the old town recreates.
On our tours every ticket, boat and meal is already included.
The temples of two kings
On the old palace ground stand the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, rebuilt in the 17th century, with the carved stone dragon bed in front of King Dinh’s.
A capital walled by mountains
The kings chose a basin ringed by limestone hills and closed the gaps with earth walls. The same hills now make up Trang An, listed by UNESCO in 2014.
The old town after dark
Timber houses, craft and food stalls and small boats on Ky Lan Lake. Free to walk and at its best from dusk, when the lanterns come on.
Shared group tour vs. private tour
Shared group tours suit travellers who are happy to follow a big group on a fixed plan. Here is what actually changes when the day is yours.
Shared group tour
- One guide shared by a coach of up to 20 guests
- Fixed route and timetable — no changes on the day
- The coach heads back to Hanoi in the afternoon, before the old town lights up
- Entrance tickets and fees often paid on the spot
- A rest stop on the road that doubles as a souvenir shop is common
Fixed plan · extras paid on the day
Your private day with us
- Just your group of 1–4, with a licensed local guide fluent in English
- Your route and pace — any itinerary can be changed on request
- Both tours stay for dusk: the old town, a lantern boat and dinner
- Every ticket and every fee pre-paid
- Picked up and returned to your hotel — no shop stops, in writing
Made for your group · everything included
Our promises — in writing
No hidden costs
The group price is final. Tickets, boats, meals and drinks as listed are all pre-paid.
No shop stops
We earn from the tour price alone. Your time goes to the temples, the river and the lanterns, not a souvenir showroom.
Door to door
Pickup and drop-off at any Hanoi or Ninh Binh hotel — never “meet us by the lake” after dark.
Licensed local guides
Locals fluent in English who know Hoa Lu inside out. They explain the customs and the story behind each temple, step by step.
Two sample itineraries, both ending under the lanterns. Each one can be tailored to you.
Book one as it is, or treat it as a starting point — tell us what to add, skip or slow down and we will reshape the day. Car, guide, tickets, boats and meals are always included.
Hoa Lu Night Tour: Ancient Capital and Old Town by Lantern Light
About 5.5 hours · 15:00 (Oct-Mar) or 15:30 (Apr-Sep) · The kings’ temples in the late sun, then the old town as its lanterns come on.
from · $55 · / person
Book this tour ›
Choose your group size · price is the group total
Solo traveller$130 BOOK →2 guests$160 BOOK →3 guests$190 BOOK →4 guests$220 BOOK →- King Dinh and King Le temples in the late sun
- Lantern boat on Ky Lan Lake at dusk
- Dinner of Ninh Binh dishes included
★ Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave Private Day Tour from Hanoi
About 14 hours · 07:45 from Hanoi · The Ninh Binh day that stays for the lanterns.
from · $134 · / person
Book this tour ›
Choose your group size · price is the group total
Solo traveller$315 BOOK →2 guests$385 BOOK →3 guests$460 BOOK →4 guests$535 BOOK →- Hoa Lu temples, Trang An boat and Mua Cave
- Stays for Hoa Lu Old Town at dusk
- Lunch, dinner and every ticket included
Want a different route, pace or group size? WhatsApp +84 368 938 081 — we will plan your day and send you an all-inclusive quote.
Questions people ask before booking
Is Hoa Lu Old Town the same as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital?
No. The old town is a lantern quarter opened in 2022 around Ky Lan Lake in Ninh Binh city, free to walk and at its best after dark. The ancient capital is 12 km away at Truong Yen, where the temples of King Dinh and King Le stand, and it is worth seeing in daylight. Both our tours include both.
How far is Hoa Lu from Hanoi?
About 100 km, roughly two hours each way on the expressway. From Tam Coc or Ninh Binh city the ancient capital is about 20 minutes by car and the old town 10 to 15.
What exactly is included in the price?
Private car with driver, a licensed local guide who speaks fluent English, hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Hanoi or Ninh Binh, all entrance and boat fees, and meals with drinks as listed on each tour. The only things not included are personal shopping and optional tips.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
Yes — free cancellation up to 3 days before departure, and free rescheduling subject to availability. Within 3 days of departure, 30% of the tour price is charged because the car and guide are already committed.
Can the tour be tailored for children, older parents or our own interests?
Yes — every itinerary can be adjusted. Tell us who is travelling and what you enjoy, and we will change the stops and the pace to suit. Hoa Lu and the old town are almost flat; the one real climb is roughly 500 steps at Mua Cave on the full day, and it can be skipped.
How do I pay, and when?
Two ways: pay the full price online by card, or pay a 30% deposit online and the rest in cash on the day of the tour, in US dollars or Vietnamese dong. We can also send a secure payment link on WhatsApp. The booking is confirmed once the online payment goes through, and your pickup time and guide’s name arrive in writing.
How far ahead should I book?
A few days is comfortable in the busy months from October to April; at quieter times next-day requests often work. Message us and we will tell you honestly what is still open.
The temples by daylight. The lanterns by dusk. One private day.
Every tour tailored on request · licensed local guides · free cancellation up to 3 days before.