Mua Cave - Best hiking tour of Ninh Binh in 2025

Right in the middle of the flora of Ninh Binh's natural beauty, Mua Cave (Hang Mua) boomed with great recordings of the number of visitors, with many travelers christening it the "Great Wall of Vietnam" due to the iconic stone steps leading up and epic panoramic views. 
I guess the main goal of this trek of Mua caves is the Mua cave viewpoint (actually two viewpoints!) but the path leading up to the peak is also quite scenic as it will have a complete Tam Coc ​nearby!

Perched on Ngoa Long Mountain, Hang Mua not only offers vistas over the Ngo Dong River and ultra green rice fields but also lies within the core zone of the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site

1. Why do they call it Mua Cave?

Mua means "dance" in Vietnamese, and it traces its origin to the very legend of the Tran Dynasty king (King Tran Thai Tong) who visited the place to watch the local performers present their dances. It is not only a scenic location but also a site of historic importance. 

You can feel this story woven through the heart of Hoa Lu’s ancient capital, bringing the site’s rich history vividly to life.

2. Getting to Mua Cave: Directions & Transportation

Mua Cave is located in Ninh Binh Province, and it is 5 km away from Tam Coc. Most tourists begin with Hanoi; it takes about 2.5 hours by train or bus to reach Ninh Binh from Hanoi, then go to Mua Cave by bike, scooter, or taxi. Bike rental in Ninh Binh offers a perfect way of touring around the area since there are Tam Coc and Trang An nearby, famous for boat trips of limestone caves.

Hop on a bike and follow a picturesque route through caves in Ninh Binh, roll past the charming Khe Dau Ha village, and arrive at the impressive Bai Dinh complex. I can guarantee, that 8 out of 10 tourists you will meet on your Vietnam trip will have no idea about these places i.e they really are hidden gems!

3. Entrance Fee and Amenities

Entrance into Mua Cave costs about 100,000 VND. Then there's the small extra amount paid for parking: 5,000 VND for bicycles, 10,000 VND for motorbikes.
Best paid in the official parking area inside of the entrance to avoid the continuous offerings by the locals on approach.

4. How to climb the 500 steps - difficulty & tips

The stairway leading up Mua Cave starts up some 500 stone steps up Ngoa Long Mountain, with steep sections giving even seasoned trekkers a workout. Ornately carved dragons and phoenixes form balustrades in traditional style on either side of the staircase up to two main viewpoints.

• Dragon View: Take the left fork past the statue of the dragon, looking out over Tam Coc rice paddies, the winding Ngo Dong River, and distant karst peaks.

• Pagoda Viewpoint: A shorter climb to the right, offering a more secluded setting to envision the ancientvalley and lotus ponds nearby.

It should take about an hour, well considered with photo stops on the way up.

5. Best Time to Visit Mua Cave

The timings that will work amazingly well for great views with good lighting are:

• Morning: Arriving around sunrise (6 AM) avoids crowds, with softer light enhancing photography. We recommend very early morning since it can get pretty hot and humid later in the day which might make it not so fun to climb while you are sweating profusely!

• Evening: Another spectacular view is during Sunset. It may be busier, though. For Sunrise, to ensure making it to the top, arrive well in advance. You would need a bit of patience if you are planning to take a lot of pictures due to it being a crowded time to visit.

6. Nearby: Tam Coc, Trang An & more

• Tam Coc Boat Tour: This is highly recommended within a few kilometers of Mua Cave to explore the limestone caves along the Ngo Dong river. Rice fields line both sides of the river.

• Trang An Complex: It is also known as "Halong Bay on land," featuring the land boat trip through its scenic landscape with historic temples. We highly recommend doing a Trang An boat tour if you only have a day in Ninh Binh, you won’t regret it!

• Bich Dong Pagoda: Located in a scenic mountain, it effectively blends beautiful temple architecture with natural caves. It has the best views of the Hoa Lu District countryside.

• Bai Dinh: Home to Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda lies 15 km north and can be combined in a day trip. 

7. Essentials to Carry to Mua Cave

Due to steep grade and frequent hot, humid conditions, carry with you:

• Comfy shoes

• Water (available with some vendors en route)

• Sunscreen and a hat

• A light jacket if visiting early in the morning, as it is somewhat cool.

8. Where to stay

Tam Coc or Ninh Binh will be quite comfortable to stay in and access Mua Cave besides other attractions in its surroundings. Note that Hang Mua Ecolodge is very well located, enjoying a great view of the mountain, perfect for early risers.

FAQs about Mua Cave

• Why is it called Mua Cave? 

Mua means “dance” in Vietnamese, named after a king who watched performances here, adding a layer of cultural heritage to its scenic beauty.

• Where is the Mua Cave? 

Mua Cave is located in Ninh Binh Province, approximately 5 km from Tam Coc and about 100 km south of Hanoi.

• Is Mua Cave difficult to climb? 

The climb involves 500 steps, which are steep and can be strenuous, especially in the heat. However, the views make it worthwhile, and rest stops along the way help make it manageable.

• How long does it take to walk up the Mua Cave? 

On average, the climb takes about 20-30 minutes, though it could take longer depending on fitness level and rest breaks.

• How far is Trang An from Mua Cave? 

Trang An is about 4 km from Mua Cave, making it a short drive or bike ride away.

• Do you have to pay for parking at Mua Cave? 

Yes, there is a small parking fee (5,000 VND for bikes and 10,000 VND for motorbikes) at the official parking lot inside the entrance.

Pro Tip: Many locals will try to stop you and offer parking on the way to Mua Cave, DO NOT STOP! You will end up paying more and walking a long distance too. Just continue ahead till you reach the end of the road where you will find the official parking at the entrance gate.

• How many steps are there at Hang Mua? 

The climb to the viewpoint has around 500 stone steps.

• Should I see the sunrise or sunset at Hang Mua viewpoint? 

Both are beautiful; sunrise offers fewer crowds, while sunset casts a warm glow over the landscape, popular for photos.

• How do I go to Mua Cave from Tam Coc? 

Mua Cave is about a 10-minute drive from Tam Coc. Many visitors rent bikes or scooters from Tam Coc, following the well-marked path to the cave entrance. Bikes on rent will cost you a maximum of around 150K VND (6 USD).

• I plan to do Tam Coc trip after Mua Cave. Do I need a guide for Tam Coc boat trip? 

No. You do not need a guide at all for Tam Coc! Just buy the tickets from boat station and hop on the boat. Nothing else is required since the boat rower is the only one who will show you around.

• When is the best time to see the rice fields from Mua Cave?

Late May-June for bright green rice; June-July for lotus. Try to arrive at sunrise or late afternoon.

• Do you need a ticket for Tam Coc boat and Hang Mua separately?

Yes. Tam Coc boat tickets are separate from Hang Mua entrance.

• Is the climb safe for kids?

I have personally seen kids around 6-7 years old climb with ease. Just note that some sections are steep so you gotta supervise the kids and avoid rainy/slippery days.