Stop At: Bai Dinh Pagoda, Gia Sinh, Ninh Binh Province This vast expanse of religious monuments, completed in 2014, is Vietnam's largest Buddhist complex. Highlights include a 40-ton (36-tonne) bell, a 32-foot (10-meter) Buddha, a 13-storey pagoda, and an avenue lined with 500 statues. You'll break for an included lunch at 12:30pm – your chance to sample local specialties including goat meat. Duration: 2 hours Stop At: Trang An Grottoes, Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Province It's about half an hour's drive to the Trang An eco-tourism complex, and its staggering UNESCO-listed karst landscapes, replete with secret grottoes, towering peaks, and tranquil streams. Relax on a boat trip through Trang An's spectacular network of caves, archways, and grottoes, including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Sinh Cave. Alternate between darkness and light as you experience stunning views of the mainland's answer to Halong Bay. It's a 2-hour journey back to Hanoi, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel around 6:30-7:30pm.

Visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda