Tam Coc & Hoa Lu.

Take a scenic drive to Vietnam’s old capital, Hoa Lu, site of two ancient citadels. Follow this with a sampan ride on the Ngo Dong River, which takes you through rice paddies with stunning limestone karsts, to the dramatic grottoes of Tam Coc. Politely ignore the hawkers / full day trip (see Very Useful/Exotissimo).