Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel
Venturing into the heart of Vietnam, we uncovered the captivating ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Once the thriving seat of the nation after winning independence from China in 968, this enchanting location remains veiled in history and nestled amidst picturesque mountains. The remnants of thick city walls still stand, a testament to its former grandeur. Despite the passage of time, Hoa Lu’s allure endures, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s rich heritage. A day trip to Ninh Binh revealed the essence of this historical gem, leaving us spellbound by its beauty and timeless significance.
Amidst the historical wonders, an unexpected delight awaited us – Tara’s enchanting ride on a water buffalo. This playful interlude added a touch of joy to our day, reminding us that travel is about embracing spontaneous moments of delight and wonder.
Tam Coc
After lunch we visted Tam Coc which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon entering our rowboat we were pleasently surprised when our lady rowing the boat began rowing with her feet. I can’t imagine the practice and coordination this takes. We enjoyed the rowboat ride through three caves and along the rice fields. It was a relaxing beautiful trip. The young lady rowing our boat was 64 years old, she rowed the entire way. She told us her age by the way, I did not ask, which is very common here in Vietnam, they like to ask very inquistive questions about you 🙂 This is a trip we would highly recommend.
Lying Dragon Mountain
After the boat trip we then drove back toward Hanoi and stopped at the Lying Dragon Moutain. There is a beautiful overlook at the top of the 500 steps to the top of the mountain. We had time to walk through this park area and take lots of pictures.
More pictures from the trip…
