Ha Long Bay's inland twin
Ninh Binh province, a short journey south of Hanoi, is often called Ha Long Bay on land. Here the limestone karsts rise from rice fields and rivers rather than the sea. At Trang An and Tam Coc, local women row small boats through caves and along quiet waterways, sometimes rowing with their feet. Hoa Lu was Vietnam's capital in the 10th century and keeps temples to its early kings, and a climb of around five hundred steps at Hang Mua gives the classic view across the valley.