Trang An, Ninh Binh

Often called “Halong Bay on land”, the countryside around Ninh Binh is a landscape of jagged limestone peaks rising from rivers, rice fields and flooded valleys. It was listed by UNESCO in 2014 as the Trang An Landscape Complex, for both its scenery and its long human history.

The highlight is a trip of two to three hours in a small rowing boat that glides along the river and through low caves beneath the mountains, stopping at riverside temples on the way. Nearby, Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s capital in the tenth century and still has temples to its early kings.

Ninh Binh is about two hours from Hanoi, so it makes a full-day trip, or an overnight stay if you would like to cycle among the paddies at a gentler pace. The boats are open, so bring a hat and sunscreen.