December 25

The Ninh Binh province is home to spectacular karst spires surrounded by gently flowing rivers connected through limestone caves underneath the mountains. A popular tourist draw in Vietnam only 2 to 3 hours from Hanoi (half of which is simply getting out of the city limits), the region’s top sites are Trang An, Hang Mua Cave and Peak, Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda, and Thung Nham Bird Park. We took only a day trip and packed a ton into it, which was perfect for our timing. But spending two or three days here, based out of a homestay near Tam Coc would be a great way to go with plenty to do at a more relaxed pace.