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

Watch the golden rice harvest (late May–June and September–October) — the paddies turn stunning gold

Boat ride through Tam Coc ("Three Caves") — a sampan ride along the Ngo Dong River through rice fields and cave tunnels (~$3–5 for the boat)

Explore Hoa Lu — the 10th-century capital of Vietnam with two ancient temples

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