Hoa Lu & Tam Coc

Hoa Lu was the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Ding Dynasty (968-80) and Early Le dynasty (980-1009). Hoa Lu consists of three areas: Thanh Ngoai, Thanh Noi and Thanh Nam.
Thanh Ngoai Palace was where King Dinh Tien Hoang erected a flag. Thanh Noi was the residence of the children and servants of the Royal.

Thanh Nam is surrounded by high mountains, like the ramparts at the south of the ancient city.
Ma Yen Mountain is in front of the Palace. It provides a scenic backdrop for Hoa Lu’s two remaining temples of the Dinh and Le Kings built during the 17th century. The tombs of the two Kings can be seen in the Ma Yen Mountain.
Hoa Lu is approximately 100km south of Hanoi

Tam Coc
Tam Coc means three caves. A rowboat trip on Ngo Dong River will take you through three caves of Hang Ca (the first cave with 127m long), Hang Giua (the second cave with 70m long) and Hang Cuoi (the third cave with 40m long). 

You can enjoy very peaceful surroundings during about three-hour boat trip.Tam Coc is also called "Halong Bay on the rice paddies” 
About 2km past Tam Coc is Bich Dong cave, which has a built-in temple. Bich Dong is easily get either by river or road. Tam Coc is about more than 100km south of Hanoi.

Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is located 160km south of Hanoi, conveniently on the route to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc-Bich Dong. It is one of Vietnams’ most important nature preserves and home to an amazing variety of animal and plant life, including about 2,000 species of flora and 450 species of the fauna, accounts for 38% of the national fauna. 

Cuc Phuong National Park is surrounded by limestone cliffs, which offers many beautiful caves including Trang Khuyet Cave, Con Moong Cave, Pho Ma Cave, Nguoi Xua Cave...The best time for visiting the park is in the dry months from December to April.