Ninh Binh is a small city on the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam. Surrounding areas like Tam Coc and Trang An are filled with caves, limestone karsts, mountains, rivers and rice fields. The (intensely green) landscape is dotted with cute, little homestays that sit at the end of dirt paths that turn into mud during the rain. Although it was rainy and misty for the entirety of my short time spent in Tam Coc, it gave the beautiful scenery an almost eery feel (which I thought was better anyways).
I got to stay here and it was amazing and adorable and amazing. 
On my first day in Ninh Binh, I took a river boat tour in Trang An through hundred-year-old pagodas, caves, and the island where one of the King Kong movies was filmed (I don’t know which one because I don’t really care, but it was mentioned profusely by the paddle boat guide, so I thought I’d tell you).
Cool, old, Chinese temple 
In a cave! 
Rowing through limestone karsts 
It’s purty 
Look at the tourists! 
Neat.
After the boat tour, I went to Hang Mua, a mountain with a cave (that I didn’t go in because after Phong Nha I feel pretty done with caves). Instead, I walked the 500 steps that lead up to a pagoda and dragon statue with a panoramic view of the countryside. I was told that normally the view is amazing, but for me it was mostly just really misty. It was still cool though, and I got some unplanned exercise since I hadn’t researched Hang Mua at all and didn’t know about the steps.
Still cool even though it’s foggy, right? 
At least it wasn’t hot outside. 
I mean, it would’ve been nice to see farther but what can you do. 
This is an artsy pic, right? 
I was too scared to walk closer to the edge because it was SUPER slippery.
Kenzie, the photos are cool but your commentary is awesome.
Awwww thanks Sherry!!
My gosh, Kenzie, these places you are traveling to could not possibly be more exotic. I love them! And you are so good at capturing them with photos, and then giving us such a personal perspective on your discovery of them. Sherry is right, your commentary is awesome!