Hang Mua Viewpoint: A Must Visit Destination in Vietnam

Plan your Trip to Hang Mua Viewpoint

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Don’t worry! Here are the links to hotels, tours, and other services that you can book and start planning your trip right away!

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Transportation: Hanoi to Hang Mua Van Transfer 

Where to Stay: Hang Mua Central Homestay (Budget)

Best Tour from Hanoi: Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour

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Overview of Hang Mua 

Hang Mua, also known as Mua Cave, is a popular tourist destination in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. There are actual caves you can visit at the mountain's base, but it is mostly visited for its viewpoints! 

The Hang Mua viewpoint is approximately 88 meters high and provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of Ninh Binh. From endless rice fields to towering karst mountains and even Tam Coc's Ngo Dong River. 

Aside from that, Hang Mua is easily accessible from Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city, making it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway destination. 

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Read: Plan your Trip to Ninh Binh: 2 Day Itinerary

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The History of Mua Cave in Vietnam

According to legend, the story started when King Tran Tai Tong, the first emperor of the Tran Dynasty, returned to Hoa Lu and constructed the Tai Vi temple. He would go to Mua with his concubine to watch dancing performances and listen to music in his free time. Hence the name, Hang Mua, which means "dancing cave" in Vietnamese. 

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How to Get to Mua Cave Viewpoint

Hang Mua is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ninh Binh and reaching it is very easy from Hanoi. It is located around 5km from Ninh Binh Center and about 2 hours drive from Hanoi. 

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Here are the best ways to reach the Hang Mua viewpoint from Hanoi:

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Van: A comfortable option to get to Hang Mua is taking the van that seats from 9 to 11 people. It also stops at Tam Coc boat dock but you can ask the driver to drop you off close to the entrance. Otherwise, you can take a Grab from the center to the viewpoint. A ticket costs around 11 USD. Book your van here!

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Private Car: Taking a private car from Hanoi is a great choice for families or a group of friends. You can leave whenever you want, and it is convenient. Expect to pay at least 50 USD to book a private car. Book your car here! 

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Hang Mua Viewpoint Tour Options

There are numerous daily tours from Hanoi to Ninh Binh that include a stop at the viewpoint. If you don't have much time or simply want everything organized for you, this is a great way to visit the area.

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If you’re already in Ninh Binh, you can head to the viewpoint on your own without a guide.  

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Here are the best day tours from Hanoi to Ninh Binh:

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Hang Mua Hike Difficulty

The hike at Hang Mua is relatively easy. Depending on your physical condition, it might take about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the highest point of Hang Mua. 

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There are about 500 stone steps that are carved into the rock, so watch out and expect uneven stairs. ​​The rock on the Mua cave steps can be slippery and some parts are steep and high. Keep in mind that they do not always come with hand support.

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Mua Caves Opening Hours & Entrance Fee

The Hang Mua view opens daily and sells tickets from 6am to 7pm. The ticket costs approximately 4 USD and you don't need to book it in advance. Head straight to the small booth where you can buy your ticket. 

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Tip: You should set aside at least 1 hour to climb and enjoy the views at the top. 

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Where to Park

Park your bike right next to the ticket booth for less than a dollar! 

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The road leading to the cave is lined with houses with parking signs. You’ll see locals flagging you to park on their property, or even shout at you. Many online reviews claim that locals dressed in some sort of official uniform will force you to park on their property for a higher fee. Simply ignore them and head straight to the ticket area. 

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It was very early when we visited so we did not see anyone flagging us for parking. 

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Best Month to Visit Hang Mua Viewpoint

You can visit Mua Cave in Vietnam any time of the year but the best months to visit are from April to July. During these months, you will have the best views of Ninh Binh and great photography opportunities. 

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The rice fields will be green in April, but golden yellow during the harvest season, which will be from late May to June. If you want to see the lotus ponds, come in July!

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Read: Best Time to Visit Vietnam

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Best Time to Visit to Avoid Crowds

You’ll most likely avoid the crowds if you visit during the off-season. However, we all want to have great views of Ninh Binh’s landscape including the lush rice fields. 

To have the best experience, we recommend visiting in the morning for sunrise or in the afternoon, around sunset. During these times, you will avoid the tourists on day trips from Hanoi. If you are unable to make it during these times, we recommend waiting until the crowds on tours have dispersed.

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Hang Mua Viewpoints

The Hang Mua peak has two main areas to visit: the dragon and the pagoda. However, there are good photo opportunities all around.

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Here are some of the best areas you can go to snap those instagram worthy photos!

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Hang Mua Dragon

The lying dragon statue is the highest point in the viewpoint that you can climb. The path to the dragon is quite dangerous, with pointy and sharp rocks and no barriers. There's also not a lot of space, and if it gets busy, people are going in all directions, so if you decide to climb it, you should be extra cautious.

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Hang Mua Pagoda

The small pagoda is located on the right side of Hang Mua mountain. If you visit Mua cave viewpoint for sunrise, the sun rises on this side. There’s not much place to stand at the top, so be careful. On this side, you'll mostly see rice fields and karst mountains.

You won't be hiking uphill in direct sunlight if you hike in the morning when the sun rises behind the mountain. 

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Path Way Split

One of our favorite spots for photos is looking down the stairs just before the path splits. The contrast of the green surroundings with the red flags lining up the stairs of Hang Mua Viewpoint makes for a great photo opportunity!

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There’s a small store located halfway where the path way splits. Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there in the morning and we’re not sure what time it normally opens. It can be nice to buy some refreshing drinks and snacks and enjoy it at the platform. 

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There’s also a big fan in front of the store, so you’ll find some people stopping by for some much needed cooling! 

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Platform 

You’ll find a big platform just before the last hike up to the dragon statue. The platform offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, including the Ngo Dong River, which the Tam Coc Boat Tours pass through.

It’s spacious enough, and there's a bench you can sit on and have some snacks while you enjoy the view! 

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Hang Mua Caves

Most people disregard the cave and just head directly to the viewpoint. However, there are two caves you can visit if you have the time located at the base of the mountain. 

Lily Pod Boardwalk

The boardwalk right before the steps belongs to the Eco Lodge hotel. It’s free to get in and can be an amazing place to take photos, especially if it’s lotus season in July. During this time, the entire area surrounding the pathway will be carpeted with beautiful lotus flowers, creating a lovely backdrop for photographs.

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Our Hang Mua Experience

We visited at the end of May and started climbing early in the morning around 7am. During this time, there were already quite a few people at the top as well as people coming down from the mountain. 

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There was also a heat wave hitting Vietnam on the week we visited Ninh Binh, so the weather was already hot and humid even early in the morning. By 8am, the sun was shining so strongly that we decided to descend. 

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We noticed that more and more people are climbing up at this time with vans and tours starting to arrive. By 8am, the shops at the bottom started opening, so you can buy some cold water on your way out to freshen up! 

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Where to Stay Near Hang Mua Viewpoint 

Looking for places to stay near Hang Mua? There are many accommodations to choose from, but here are some of the most popular ones you can book! 

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Mid-Range

Trang An Lamia Bungalow

High-End

Muong Village Ninh Bình

Other Things to Do Near Hang Mua Viewpoint

After hiking to the Hang Mua viewpoint, you can continue on to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex for a boat tour. This is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh and is only about a 13-minute drive away. 

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You can also check out Tam Coc, where you can take another popular boat tour. It is much shorter than Trang An but still a great activity for sunset! 

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Tips for Visiting Mua Cave Viewpoint

1. Start early. Avoid the tour crowds that are coming from Hanoi and the midday heat by starting early.
2. Bring water. The shops at the bottom are still closed if you visit early, so make sure you buy your water beforehand. 
3. Bring snacks. It’s nice to take your time on the platform and eat some snacks while enjoying the view before going down. 
4. Wear sturdy shoes. Especially if you plan on climbing the dragon statue. The rocks around this area are sharp, so be extra cautious. 
5. Go slow and watch your step. Aside from the stairs, there are no railings at the viewpoints, so take precautions and watch where you step.

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Are you ready for your Vietnam trip? Find out everything you need to know before visiting Vietnam for the first time! 

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And that’s the guide to visiting the Hang Mua Viewpoint in Ninh Binh! 

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We hope you found all of the information you needed to plan your trip to Mua Cave in Ninh Binh! We had a great time visiting this viewpoint and are confident you will enjoy it as much as we did. 

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If you're looking for additional things to do in Vietnam, check out our Vietnam itineraries, which are all packed with helpful details that you won't find anywhere else! 

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Let us know if we’ve missed anything in the comments down below.