Try goat meat — the local specialty of Ninh Binh

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)

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

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

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