Do you want to visit Hang Mua Viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
In this article I have put together everything you need to know about Hang Mua Caves and their stunning viewpoint. Including where it is, how to get there, what to do once there, the best tours and more!
Hang Mua Viewpoint is one of the most recognisable sights in Ninh Binh, if not all of Vietnam. From here you can get that iconic view of the towering mountains, green rice fields and snaking rivers.
It’s the most popular viewpoint in Ninh Binh, and rightly so. Add to the view a pagoda, a unique dragon statue and picturesque limestone cliffs, and you have an all-round winner.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover everything you need to know about visiting Hang Mua Viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Vietnam!
Table of Contents
What is Hang Mua Viewpoint?
Located down a dusty road and surrounded by rice fields, Huang Mua Cave has become a must-visit attraction in Ninh Binh. Translating to ‘Cave of Dance’, the cave itself isn’t actually the star of the show.
What brings people to this location is the incredible views from the viewpoint high above. But to get up to the Mua Caves viewpoint, you first need to climb almost 500 or so steps to reach the top.
The climb to the peak is not as straight forward as you might think, arriving prepared with good shoes for climbing and enough water is a must.
Where is Hang Mua Caves?
Hang Mua Cave is close to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh. You can get there by following the Google Maps position embedded below.
How to get to Hang Mua Viewpoint
Most people choose to get to Mua Caves from Ninh Binh, which is around five kilometres away. There are several different ways to get there, from independent day trips to guided tours.
By motorbike: Travellers who are used to driving motorbikes may want to consider hopping on a bike to get to the caves. Motorbikes are available for hire from most of the town’s hostels and hotels within Ninh Binh.
Bicycle: If you base yourself nearer to the caves in Tam Coc, you might be close enough to cycle over.
Bicycles are a fun way to see the surrounding scenery, and you can usually hire a bike for a small price from your accommodation.
With a tour: If you don’t want to drive or ride a bike, you could join a tour to take you to Hang Mua viewpoint.
Tours to Hang Mua viewpoint will usually also include stops at all other main sights in Ninh Binh, making it a fully packed day trip.
Trip to Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Mua Cave with Lunch
This Mua Caves Vietnam tour takes you to see the ancient city of Hoa Lu, Bich Dong Pagoda and includes a hike Mua Cave viewpoint and a local lunch.
Click here to book your full-day tour to Hang Mua Viewpoint from Ninh Binh!
Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip
If you don’t have much time to spend in Vietnam, but really want to see the Mua Caves and surrounding landscape, there’s the option of taking an organised day trip from Hanoi.
This tour includes visits to Tam Coc (including also a boat trip!), Hoa Lu and Mua Caves.
Check out prices & availability for a Ninh Binh and Hang Mua Caves tour from Hanoi here!
Best time to visit Mua Caves Viewpoint
Best time of the year to visit Mua Caves
The dry season runs between November and February. This is the best time to visit the Mua Caves viewpoint as you’ll have the benefit of clear blue skies.
Visiting during rainy season will mean that the rice fields that carpet the surrounding landscape will be bright green.
You’ll also get that otherworldly mist rising off the land, but realistically, if it’s very misty and grey the view won’t be as impressive.
Best time of the day to visit Mua Caves
Try to plan your visit to the Mua viewpoint to avoid the hottest part of the day. Making a trip there early in the morning will mean you might be able to catch an incredible sunrise from the peak.
Visiting late in the afternoon will offer up a stunning sunset.
Visiting outside of peak visiting hours will also mean that you don’t have to contend with the crowds in the middle of the day, and you’ll also have best light for snapping photos.
What is there to do at Hang Mua?
Visiting Hang Mua is all about being surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery. This isn’t a huge, well-developed tourist attraction so don’t turn up expecting too much in terms of amenities.
When you arrive in the area of the caves you will be greeted by a pretty route from the entrance to the base of the mountains. Along the way there are some fun props where you can snap fun pictures for Instagram.
There’s also a cool wooden walkway that weaves through the rocky landscape and over lush crevices along with the one which cuts across the large lotus pond.
There are caves to explore too of course, but most people don’t actually spend much time in the caves. Visitors usually head for the viewpoints rather than exploring all of the caverns in the caves themselves.
Finally, there’s the hike up all of those hundreds of steps to reach the viewpoint at the top of the mountain.
The Hang Mua Peak Viewpoints
The cool thing about Hang Mua is that there is more than one viewpoint. There’s actually a collection of different viewpoints that you can spend a couple of hours discovering.
As you climb up the stairs, at the first crossing you go right and arrive at the pagoda viewpoint. From here, you can see the lush lotus ponds and the soaring peaks of the surrounding mountains.
After you walk down from the pagoda, climb the stairs on the left you’ll find two more viewpoints along this path.
Make sure not to miss these viewpoints – they are easily overlooked, but from here you can get a good view of the pagoda and the river cruising along the waterway.
And then it’s onwards to the summit. The main Huang Mua Cave viewpoint is dominated by the dramatic Lying dragon mountain. Here, a colourful sculpture of a dragon dances out across the curing top of the mountain.
Hang Mua Opening Hours and Entrance Fees
Mua Caves, Vietman are open every day. The opening hours are Monday to Sunday, from 6AM to 7PM.
The entrance fee is 100,000 VND, which is around 4 USD, or 3.50 USD.
Is Visiting Hang Mua Viewpoint Worth It?
Yes, it’s well worth taking the time to visit the Hang Mua viewpoint. It can get very busy and can feel touristy, but don’t let that put you off.
Alongside Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hang Mua Peak is one of the main attractions in Ninh Binh for a reason.
The view from the top is pretty unique but not only that, the chance to see all of the pristine surrounding countryside, walk among the lotus ponds and stop off at all of the other viewpoints makes the trip even more worth the effort.
Overall, it’s a really fun way to spend a few hours. Just make sure to plan your visit for earlier on in the day so you can miss the bulk of the tourist crowds.
Where to stay to visit Hang Mua Viewpoint
There are lots of great places to stay in Ninh Binh, from which you can easily reach Hang Mua Viewpoint. Tam Coc is the closest town, but you can also stay in Trang An, which is just a 15-minute scooter drive away.
Here are some great places to stay in both Tam Coc and Trang An for every budget.
Budget: Trang An Lamia Bungalow – If you’re looking for an affordable and unique stay, these bamboo bungalows are the perfect place for you!
Click here to book your stay at Trang An Lamia Bungalow!
Mid-range: Green Mountain Homestay– This is where we stayed and I can honestly say it’s a great place to stay in Ninh Binh. Affordable, nestled amongst the mountains and rice fields, with a pool and friendly staff.
Click here to book your stay at Green Mountain Homestay!
Luxury: Mua Caves Ecolodge– Located past the Mud Caves ticket barrier, this ecolodge is simply wonderful. It has a pool, bungalows with view and offers a delicious breakfast buffer. Plus, you can visit Mua Caves viewpoint early in the morning before the crowds arrive!
Click here to book your stay at Mua Caves Ecolodge!
Final thoughts on Mua Cave in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting Hang Mua Caves in Ninh Binh, Vietnam! Have you visited Hang Mua before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
Ninh Binh is often defined as Halong Bay on land, and the view from Hang Mua Caves really gives it that perspective. Seeing the tall limestone cliffs towering above the rice fields and rivers is simply stunning.
Driving through the mountains at street level is cool, but seeing it from above really gives you the insight of how huge these mountains are, and just how many there are.
Ninh Binh was my favourite place we visited in Vietnam (although it’s a very close tie with Sapa), and enjoying the view from Hang Mua is one of the best things to do there.
I hope you find my Hang Mua Caves guide useful in visiting this stunning viewpoint yourself! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
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