During our time in Vietnam, the view from the top of Mua Caves was one of the highlights of the trip. While it might not get as much attention as other tourist attractions in the country, the Mua Caves – more commonly known as the Hang Mua viewpoint – should be at the top of your bucket list.

The view from the top of Hang Mua is pretty special, with endless rice fields, mountains and rivers seen all around you. In recent times, it has now become one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh.

If you are planning a trip to the Mua Caves, then you have arrived at the right place. This travel guide will explore everything you need to know about visiting the Hang Mua viewpoint, including the best times to visit, entrance fees, photo tips, and much more.

Where is the Mua Caves

You will be able to find the Hang Mua viewpoint within the Ninh Binh province, in northern Vietnam. Mua Caves is only a short 10-15 minute drive away from the popular tourist town of Tam Coc.

From Hanoi, the Hang Mua viewpoint is around 2 hours away, with a total distance of approximately 100 kilometres. This makes it a great option for a day trip from the capital city.

Planning a trip to Tam Coc? Make sure to check out our Hanoi to Ninh Binh guide!

How to get to the Hang Mua viewpoint

Due to the popularity of the Mua Caves, getting there is extremely easy. Here are your best options!

Take a day tour from Hanoi

One of the easiest ways to get to the Mua Caves is to take a full day tour from Hanoi. As Ninh Binh is only a short drive away, most of the attractions can be visited in one day. A day tour from Hanoi is also especially handy for those short on time, as you will return to the city on the same day.

Day tours include return transport from the city, as well as the opportunity to visit some of the best places in Ninh Binh, including the Hang Mua viewpoint and Bich Dong Pagoda.

Join a tour from Ninh Binh

If you are already in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, then a great option is to take a full day tour from Ninh Binh. Just like above, the tour will include all transport, and will take you back to your hotel in Ninh Binh in the evening upon completion of the tour.

Rent a scooter in Ninh Binh

If you would rather visit the Hang Mua viewpoint independently, then we would recommend renting a scooter or motorbike when you get to Ninh Binh.

There are lots of scooter rental agencies here, especially in Tam Coc. You will also find that the majority of hotels in the area can help you rent a scooter. Expect to pay around 150,00 Dong (around $5 USD) per day.

From Tam Coc, the drive to Mua Caves takes anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. For directions, you can’t go wrong with Google Maps, so make sure you have some data on your phone.

Best time to visit the Mua Caves

Hang Mua viewpoint, and Ninh Binh generally, are great to visit all year round. However, there are some times that are better than others!

Go for sunrise or sunset

If you want the best possible conditions for your trip to Hang Mua, then try and go for golden hour. Sunrise and sunset are both great options to consider.

Keep in mind that visiting for sunrise might only be possible if you are travelling to the Mua Caves independently, as most tours visit during the day and later in the afternoon.

By visiting during golden hour, the weather will be at its best, and also give you some amazing conditions for photography! We personally visited for sunset and it was amazing. Watching the sun set over limestone cliffs and rice paddies never gets old.

Try to avoid rainy season

While this one isn’t overly important, keep in mind that during the hot and humid months of June-August, there is a higher chance of heavy rain. To put this into context, we visited the Mua Caves in June, and the weather was pretty good!

While there is no guarantee, it does mean that rain could be more likely, but it is hardly a deal breaker.

Avoiding the crowds

It should come as no great surprise that the Hang Mua viewpoint can get pretty busy. If you would rather avoid the majority of the crowds, then the quietest time to visit is early in the morning.

You might just get the entire place to yourself, making for an extra-special travel experience.

Try and avoid visiting in the middle of the afternoon, which often attracts the majority of visitors.

Mua Caves entrance fee

Visitors will be charged 100,000 Dong for entry to the Hang Mua viewpoint. Keep in mind that if you are driving independently with a scooter or motorbike, you will need to pay for parking. There are several spots to park, with many locals using their own garages and land nearby as small car parks.

Expect to pay around 10,000 Dong to park your scooter near the Mua Caves.

Hang Mua opening hours

The official opening hours at the Mua Caves is from 6am till 7pm, and it opens every day. In saying this, we have heard reports from several travellers who have said it is okay to arrive before 6 in the morning.

This is relevant if you are planning on reaching the top of Hang Mua viewpoint for sunrise. Arriving around 30 minutes before official opening hours does not appear to be a problem.

Is the hike to Hang Mua viewpoint difficult

While getting to the top of the Mua Caves hike isn’t easy, we wouldn’t say it is overly difficult either. If you have a reasonable level of fitness, you should have absolutely no issues getting to the top.

There are around 500 steps to get to the top, so remember to take your time. If you are struggling, simply stop for a few minutes and rest.

Getting to the top of the Hang Mua viewpoint should take anywhere between 20-40 minutes from the base of the mountain.

Keep in mind that if you are visiting in the middle of the day when the heat is at its most intense, the hike will be slightly more difficult than usual.

Keep hydrated and bring plenty of water, and you should have no major issues!

What to expect during a visit to the Mua Caves

After arriving at the entrance and parking your scooter if required, you will be able to see the route up to the top straight ahead.

The trail zig-zags back and forth up to the top, and you will likely be able to see a few people on their way up to the peak.

At around the 3/4 mark of the Hang Mua hike, you will reach an intersection with two possible routes. Each route takes you to two different vantage points, and we would recommend visiting both.

Visiting the highest peak

After reaching the point where the route splits into two, choose the stairs heading to the left. This will take you to the highest point at the Mua Caves, which offers the best view out of the two different viewpoints.

You will know you have reached the top when you get to a smal pagoda at the top. There is also a long dragon statue just above the pagoda.

From here, you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Limestone karts, rice paddies, and rivers will be in full view from here, and it a pretty special sight.

You will also notice a smaller peak directly in front of you, which is the 2nd Hang Mua viewpoint where you will be going next.

Be sure to take some photos from the top, as the views are incredible, especially during good weather.

Just below the pagoda, you will find a small stone wall, which offers another great view of the valley below and the limestone mountains.

This is arguably the most famous view from the Mua Caves, so be sure to spend some time admiring the beautiful landscapes.

Walking to the 2nd Hang Mua viewpoint

After you have spend some time at the highest point of the Mua Caves, head back to the part of the trail where it splits into two. Take the path to the right this time, which will eventually lead you to the other viewpoint that you seen from above.

There is no question that the main Hang Mua viewpoint is better, however this one is more than worth a visit. You are closer to the rice paddies and mountains, which offers a slightly different perspective of the surrounding landscape.

There is a small shrine that marks the summit of this viewpoint, so you will know when you have reached the top!

The return journey

After you have seen both of the views at Hang Mua, there isn’t much else to do here. Simply take the same stairs down to the entrance and head back to your tour bus or motorbike!

The route down does not take as long, so you will find you might reach the bottom in around 15 minutes.

How long to spend at the Mua Caves

We would recommend allowing around 1.5-2 hours for visiting the Hang Mua viewpoint. This will allow for enough time to get up and down the mountain, while also being able to enjoy the views and take photos at the top.

Depending on the weather and how interested you are in taking some photos, you could easily spend slightly less or longer at Mua Caves, so use this as an approximation.

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Photo Tips

If you are a keen travel photographer, you will be happy to know that the Hang Mua viewpoint is an incredible place to take photos. The amazing scenery on offer makes it a favourite amongst landscape photography enthusiasts.

For the best possible photos, try visiting for sunrise or sunset if possible. The soft, golden light will add another dimension to your images, which should set them apart from the rest.

If you are travelling with a drone, the Mua Caves is one of the best places in Vietnam to fly. From above, you can get a real feel for how impressive the landscape is, with the limestone karts and rice fields being particularly photogenic.

Our personal favourite photo spot is the view from the highest point in Hang Mua, which looks out onto the 2nd viewpoint with the shrine at the top. You will be able to get some awesome shots of fellow travellers climbing to the top, which looks epic!

Don’t forget travel insurance

Always remember to get travel insurance for your travels in Vietnam! While it is a safe country, things can still go wrong.

We have been using SafetyWing for years, with their flexible policies and affordable prices making it a no-brainer. There is also the opportunity to get add on electronics insurance, which is a lifesaver if you travel with cameras and laptops.

If you are planning on renting a scooter while in Vietnam, SafetyWing will also cover for any accidents, as long as you are properly licensed with your International Drivers Permit.

The best part about SafetyWing is that you can start your insurance even if you have left your home country, making it one of the only insurers on the market which allows this.

Final Thoughts

We loved our visit to the Mua Caves, and we are confident you will too. If you need any more information concerning the Hang Mua viewpoint, or Vietnam in general, feel free to leave a comment below – safe travels!

For more Vietnam travel inspiration, be sure to check out our guides on Hanoi train street and the best coffee shops in Hanoi.