Climb Mua Cave — 500 steps to a dragon-topped viewpoint overlooking the entire valley

Visit Cuc Phuong National Park — Vietnam's oldest national park (primates, caves, ancient trees)

Trang An boat tour — a larger complex with more caves and routes, UNESCO listed (~$6–8)

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda — Southeast Asia's largest pagoda complex (free entry)

Cycle through the rice paddies around Tam Coc — arguably the best cycling in Vietnam