Ninh Binh – the ultimate guide & 9 things to do

Ninh Binh is often referred to as a Ha Long Bay on land. As soon as we entered the area, we could easily see why. The whole landscape is dotted with towering limestone mountains.

Through the valley, multiple river canals create an impressive maze. Most of the surrounding area is covered in lush green rice fields, adding to the charm of Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

The area is slowly becoming more and more popular. If you’re planning a trip to North Vietnam soon, this guide will provide all the information you need for your visit.

We’ll cover how to get there, where to stay, things to do in Ninh Binh, and much more.

How much time to spend in Ninh Binh

You could visit Ninh Binh on a day trip from Hanoi and visit the must-see attractions. But since this beautiful and relaxed area has much more to offer, we recommend spending at least two full days in Ninh Binh.

If you have even more time, we’ll share a few more distant places you can add to your itinerary.

How to get to Ninh Binh

By train

You can catch direct trains from multiple cities, including Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, or even Saigon. Hanoi is the closest one, and the train ride only takes around 2.5-3 hours.

We recommend using Vietnam Railways to check the recent train schedule. But we found that 12Go is the cheapest, with prices starting at as low as 187 000 VND (around 7€).

By bus

Another option is taking a bus. Getting to Ninh Binh can be easily organized from any tourist destination all over Vietnam. The buses are way more frequent compared to the trains, and it also costs less.

The trip from Hanoi takes around 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. Ticket prices start from 130 000 VND (around 5€), and you can choose between a minivan, a typical bus with seats, or classical Vietnamese sleeper buses.

Once again, we recommend using 12Go to book your tickets. This is the only platform we ever use for transport around Asian countries, and so far we’ve only had good experiences.

Private van

Lastly, you might also be able to book a private van for the trip, but expect to pay much more for it.

Best time to visit Ninh Binh

We recommend heading to Ninh Binh during the dry season between November and April. Avoid the rainy season, especially its peak in August and September, as there are often heavy rains, floods, and typhoons.

The blooming of lotus flowers also attracts many visitors between May and July.

We traveled around North Vietnam at the end of March and the beginning of April. While we mostly had great weather with little to no rain, there was a lot of smog in the air, resulting in limited visibility.

Where to stay in Ninh Binh

While you could also stay directly in Ninh Binh City, we recommend heading to either Tam Coc or Trang An.

Ninh Binh is a rather loud and busy place, further away from all the attractions mentioned in this guide.

Trang An and Tam Coc are both around 10km far from the city. However, they both offer an incredible atmosphere with plenty of homestays and restaurants to choose from.

In comparison, Trang An is not as touristy, with fewer accommodation options. Because of this, it’s the perfect choice if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some peace in the countryside.

Tam Coc offers proximity to most sights worth a visit, as well as lots of dining and accommodation options.

We stayed in Tam Coc and absolutely fell in love with its laid-back atmosphere.

Best restaurants in Ninh Binh

• Family Restaurant – They serve divine roasted duck you simply can’t miss!
• + Xanh Cafe – The best coconut coffee ever! The place is in a cozy garden and offers some tasty food as well.
• Hoang Cuisine – The place to go to enjoy scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine.
• Monalisa bar & restaurant – If you’re after authentic Italian pizza, there’s no better place to go. Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cocktail with your dinner.

How to get around Ninh Binh

If you decide to stay in Ninh Binh or Trang An, you’ll have to get a taxi to get to most of the attractions.

We stayed in Tam Coc and rented a bicycle. In my opinion, it’s the best way to explore, and you can easily cycle to most attractions.

Things to do in Ninh Binh

Tam Coc Boat Tour

Floating down the river on a small boat, which locals paddle with their feet, is a truly unmissable experience. The whole trip took us around 2 hours and we passed through two caves along the way.

We followed the river bends through rice fields and surrounding hills towering above us the whole time. The beautiful landscape provided so many photo opportunities. It is easily one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.

However, as it’s become a very touristy attraction, locals keep trying to sell you different drinks and snacks from their boats. At the end of the tour, the rowers also keep asking for tips, often complaining that the given sum is not enough.

Trang An Boat Tour

The whole experience is very similar to the Tam Coc Boat Tour. You’re gonna see the same environment, but you can choose from multiple routes, each taking 3 hours. Expect to see temples, pass through caves, and enjoy the protected nature.

What many tourists appreciate about Tran An is that you won’t find any sellers forcing you to buy something, nor will you be asked so impolitely to leave any tips.

Bich Dong Pagoda

Bich Dong Pagoda is a charming series of caves and temples surrounded by stunning landscape. At the entrance, a stone bridge surrounded by a lake full of lotus pads led us to the ancient gate. This spot is nothing short of spectacular.

Soon, we entered the sacred area dotted with different temples. We followed the stairs through the dark caves and explored the three pagodas along the way. The steps are rather steep, but the beautiful view at the top is worth it.

As some parts of the cave are dark, make sure to have some light handy. Don’t forget to respect the dress code.

Hang Mua Cave viewpoint

Han Mua Cave is known for its incredible viewpoints, offering a bird’s eye view of the area. At the top, you’ll find two different mountains – one overlooking the Tam Coc river and row boats, and the other one offering views of rice fields and the Lotus Bridge.

In order to get the most out of your visit here, make sure to come before 8 am. Later on, expect flocks of tourists and extremely crowded viewpoints. After all, it’s one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.

In order to reach the top, you have to walk up many stairs, which takes around 15 – 20 minutes.

Rent a bicycle and explore

Renting a bicycle is not only the best way to explore the Tam Coc area, but it’s also an amazing thing to do in Ninh Binh! Nothing compares to cycling through the lush green rice fields, passing many mountains and local temples along the way.

While you can cycle in any direction, we recommend heading towards Bich Dong Pagoda. Along the way, you can turn from the main road and cycle around local farms.

We even found this cute coffee shop right next to a river.

Bikes can be rented either on the street or at most hotels and homestays.

Go bird watching

Whether you love wildlife activities and birds, or you’re a nature enthusiast, you’ll enjoy the possibility to visit the surrounding nature parks.

Thung Nam Bird Valley is only around 8 kilometers far from Tam Coc, making it accessible by bicycle if you’re in for a small workout. Optionally, you can rent a motorbike for this trip.

You can either cruise around the park on your bike, or park and explore the surrounding caves and go bird watching.

A bit further from the town is the Van Long Nature Reserve. You must either rent a scooter or pay for a taxi to get here both from Tam Coc or Trang An.

The reserve is mostly known for its boat tour, which takes you along the river canals through limestone mountains. Expect to see many caves and birds along the way.

Relax by the pool

Most hotels and homestays in Tam Coc and Trang An have a lovely garden with a pool. It would be a pity not to use this opportunity to slow down and enjoy some peace while sipping iced coconut coffee or a cocktail.

Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam (for history buffs)

History lovers will love the opportunity to visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of the Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet. Once in the complex, you can visit different temples, tombs, and Nhat Tru Pagoda built in the 10th century.

You can also attempt one of many annual festivals if you time your visit right.

Cúc Phương National Park (for nature lovers)

The oldest national park in Vietnam called Cúc Phương is home to some of the rarest animal species in Asia. Some of the mammals you can meet are Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur, and Owston’s Civet.

The best activities to do in the park include trekking, wildlife night-watching, and camping.

Final thoughts on visiting Ninh Binh in Vietnam

Ninh Binh was a beautiful stop on our Vietnam trip, which we truly enjoyed a lot. Despite quite a few tourists, we felt like this place had a relaxed and laid-back vibe.

We believe Ninh Binh should be a part of any Vietnam itinerary, especially when exploring the north of the country. With so many great things to do in Ninh Binh, it’s easily one of the best destinations to visit!