Ninh Binh is diverse, stunning and extremely traveler friendly destination to visit on the tours of Vietnam. It is a fascinating place where in addition to inspiring scenery, visitors have easy access to the most rural and authentic side Vietnam. This Ninh Binh travel guide has all you need to know to plan your trip here with plenty of interesting things to see and do.
Why you should visit Ninh Binh?
Located in northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh province has hundreds of limestone cliffs emerging from the ground scattered across the rice fields. Ninh Binh is alsonamed the “Halong Bay on land” and recognized by UNESCO as a natural and cultural world heritage site. This is a place where has the drastic beauties of karst formations and visitors must go on an expedition to visit the well-hidden and sacred temples. Besides beautiful landscapes, Ninh Binh is also located in an extremely favorable position for tourism. This is also a place with many options for day trips and very affordable accommodation.
How to get there from Hanoi ?
Located just about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the southernmost gateway of the north and Red River Delta region. This location makes Ninh Binh a perfect destination for a day trip to escape Hanoi.
By train, you can reach Ninh Binh city with 3 southbound trains available (SE5, SE7, SE19). It takes about over 2 hours and $4,5 to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
A more convenient option is the bus departs at Giap Bat bus terminal, with prices starting at about $3 (2-3hours).
Besides, the taxi is a great option for you to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. It takes 2 hours with the price of about $60.
If you want to be safer, faster and more enjoyable, you should take daily Ninh Binh tours organized by Viet Impression travel.
Getting around Ninh Binh: by motorbike and bike.
Ninh Binh is one of the places you absolutely need to get your own transport. In fact, one of the highlights of this place was to make your way through the rice fields on a motorbike with the wind. It is the best way to explore the surroundings. You can rent it with about $5 per day from hostels or travel agents.
The other option is to rent a bike. Almost all the region is pretty much flat and both the main and secondary – are in decent conditions. So, biking is a great option to get around Ninh Binh.
If the weather is bad or you’re short on time, you can hire a car and driver to take you around for the day. The price for a car ranges from about 50 to 100 USD, depending on how far afield you want to travel. Your guesthouse or hotel should be able to organise this for you.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
There are many reasonably priced accommodation options in Ninh Binh, including dorm beds, guesthouses, homestays, hotels and resorts. Many hotels and guesthouses are located on Luong Van Tuy, Truong Han Sieu and Le Hong Phong Streets but some great options can also be found near the train and bus stations which are both more conveniently located if you just want a bed for the night.
Besides, if you want to stay somewhere more peaceful, it is the best option for checking out the hotels around Tam Coc where the selection of accommodation isn’t as wide and they are further from attractions such as Trang An and Hoa Lu, but a stay here makes exploring Tam Coc, Bich Dong and the surrounding countryside far easier and the setting’s more attractive. A taxi from Ninh Binh bus or train station will cost around $5.
Rental rates for accommodation in Ninh Binh often range from about $10 – $100.
On the tourism season, you should contact to book room in advance to avoid running out of hotels.
How long to spend in Ninh Binh?
You should spend at least a day trip to NinhBinh, visit hightlightsuch as: Tam Coc, Bich Dong or Trang An, Bai Dinh.
If you want to see everything in Ninh Binh and enjoy the atmosphere, you should spend two or three full days. If you’re at the point in your Vietnam itinerary where you need a break, Ninh Binh is definitely a perfect place to chill out for a few days.
When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh?
Almost any time of the year is suitable to visit Ninh Binh. The weather from May to October in Ninh Binh is hot, humid and with high rainfall like in all the North Vietnam. The region can be vulnerable to typhoons during September. It tends to be cooler and dry in November to April months. However, the rainy season is also when the rice fields are at the best vivid green, it is a good idea to consider the timing of the rice harvest in your visit.
Where to see in Ninh Binh?
Trang An, Tam Coc, Thung Nham Bird Garden and Cuc Phuong National Park are some interesting destinations for visitors to have experiences of natural beauty, cultural and historical values.
Trang An
Trang An is the top attraction in Ninh Binh which you should not miss in your journey for any reason. This place is a complex of ecotourism zone with a various system of limestone cliffs and karst caves, and biology and geographical diversity. Here, it is highly recommended for taking a boat through 9 caves of Trang An complex and visiting some historical and cultural places.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
This pagoda is the largest religious complex in Vietnam, featuring the most dramatic and beautiful backdrop of limestone cliffs and rivers. The pagoda is dedicated to the worshiping of ancestors, Buddha, Genie Cao Son. Additionally, here there are two caves like Bright Cave and Dark Cave which are also dedicated for worshiping. Inside the pagoda, you can see some really valuable worshiping monuments including a 10m high Buddha Sykamuni statue made of bronze.
Tam Coc
Meaning of this place is Three Grottoes, includes Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba, concealing a whole world underground. To visit Tam Coc is to ride a boat following the gentle Ngo Dong River, passing the golden floating paddy fields under the towering limestone cliffs, into the depth of the three caves’ chambers.
On your way to Thai Vi temple, you can visit Thien Huong grotto which is wide, located on mountain and looked very much like a colossal lightwell since the ceiling of the grotto is a hole. Thien Huong Grotto has also another name as Sky Grotto. Thai Vi temple is to worship many national characters and heroes.
Mua Cave
If you are looking for a short mountain trek, amazing panoramic views and photos of dragon on mountaintop, Mua Cave is your wonderful destination. Visit Hang Mua first to enjoy the cool air and the stalactites which are formed in many shapes and sizes. Then trek your way up to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain where a stone dragon statue sits. Here, not only you can see a giant dragon stone statue but also can take in the whole view below of rice field being surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is the most famous national park in Vietnam, also the oldest one and the largest nature reserve, spreading out on three provinces. It is considered as the paradise of wildlife with limestone mountains, hidden caves, thousand-year trees and lush valleys.
A trip to this National Park offers you a chance to see a wide range of flora and fauna, caves and hot springs. You’ll be surrounded by a quiet atmosphere, fresh air – it’s literally the best escape from city life.
Soak up the countryside’s atmosphere
Ninh Binh has very beautiful and peaceful rural area. A bike tour will take you to paths in the rice fields where you can see the cows roaming free. The local villages are the place to feel the friendliness of the peoplein living, work and their daily life, especially the children.
Thung Nham Bird Garden
Thung Nham Bird Garden is home to about 40 species of birds – a truly hidden gem in Ninh Binh which is still underrated. Tucked away in the limestone cliffs, Thung Nham sees most of the birds in the region coming to make their nests.
Thung Nham is located near to Tam Coc, often missed in the list of tourists to Ninh Binh. However, a visit to the garden, visitors see not onlybirds here but also an impressive hidden Mermaid Cave and peaceful landscapes. Visitors coming to Thung Nham will have a chance to see all types of the birds gathering on the tree branches – a true wonder of nature to behold.
What to eat?
About cuisine, it must be an extremely tempting field that anyone must experience when traveling on any destination. Although specialties are offered from all over the country, Ninh Binh has some unique kinds of special dishes that visitors cannot forget such as Rice Crust or Burnt Rice (Com Chay), Eel Vermicelli Soup, Fermented Pork Roll, Kim Son Swarm Eel Spring Roll (Gỏi Cá Nhệch Kim Sơn), Undercooked Goat Meat With Lime (Dê Tái Chanh), etc.
Important note:
- Take your time to unwind: You can have a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, but it seems not enough to truly feel the essence of Ninh Binh. You should spend at least about 2-3 days and don’t rush your daily activities.
- Make sure you bring enough cash: there are no ATMs in Tam Coc. So, if you are staying there, you should prepare money in advance or you will have to go to Ninh Binh City (7km away) to withdraw money in your cash.
- Keep your calm when crossing the roads: Vietnamese can be a bit crazy on the road in anywhere and if you hear a lot of honks, you should keep your calm when crossing the roads.The honks just like to announce to everyone.The above is the basic information about Ninh Binh tourism, hope that it is very useful and gives you an overview of a beautiful and friendly Ninh Binh city. Be quick to discover Ninh Binh for great experiences with Viet Impression Travel.
