The Ultimate Ninh Binh Travel Guide: Best Things to See & Do
Planning a trip to North Vietnam? If you’re craving epic landscapes, peaceful river rides, soaring limestone peaks and ancient cave temples, then this Ninh Binh travel guide is exactly what you need.
Just two hours south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh offers stunning scenery and peaceful landscapes that rival Halong Bay. I’ve visited Vietnam twice as a solo traveler and on my most recent trip, I spent four days exploring this province. and I loved the gorgeous scenery and serene temples.
In this guide to Ninh Binh, I’ll walk you through the most memorable things to see and do, from rowing through cave tunnels in Trang An to cycling past rice paddies in Tam Coc.
Whether you’re plotting a peaceful getaway or an adventurous stop on your Vietnam itinerary, this post covers everything you need: what to do, where to stay, how to get there, and my own tips from traveling the region solo.
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Is a Day Trip to Ninh Binh a Good Idea?
Yes, a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is a good idea if you’re short of time. It’s certainly better than not going at all. Ninh Binh Province is stunning and I suggest spending at least 1 day (longer if possible) immersing yourself in the history and stunning scenery of the area.
TIP: On a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, explore the scenic landscapes of Ninh Binh. Visit Hoa Lu Temple, climb Mua Cave, take a boat ride through Trang An Scenic Landscape, and discover the beauty of Tam Coc.
Join a Ninh Binh Highlights tour from Hanoi to see ancient ruins of Hoa Lu, enjoy stunning views from Mua Cave and see Thung Nham Bird Valley at sunset, a magical experience watching the birds return to their nest amidst incredible mountain scenery.
The Ultimate Ninh Binh Travel Guide – Best Things to See and Do
This ultimate Ninh Binh travel guide includes exerything you need to know for a successful and enjoyable visit but let’s start with what to do in Ninh Binh.
The rural landscape around Ninh Binh is full of sites and activities to enjoy but the most well-known is the Trang An UNESCO World Heritage Area.
1.Trang An Boat Tour
A Trang An Boat tour is at the top of the list of things to do in Ninh Binh and involves a ride in a traditional rowboat on a beautiful river through flooded caves and past ancient temples surrounded by majestic limestone mountains and forests.
The remarkable karst landscape in Trang An is similar to the stunning scenery of Ha Long Bay, recognised by UNESCO for its natural beauty and geological significance.
In Trang An, the boats take 3 different routes on the river and you can choose a short 1.5 hour trip, a 2 or a 3 hour boat ride. I took a 2 hour boat ride on route 2 and it was long enough to sit on the hard wooden seats in the boat.
The scenery was spectacular and we passed three temples and paddled through four limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites. At times it was a bit crowded on the water and at one stage there was a long queue of boats waiting to row single file through a narrow cave. My boat waited around half an hour in the queue but it was fun rowing through the cave.
The Trang An eco-tourism complex is set up for huge numbers of tourists and although there were hundreds of boats on the water, it was still a peaceful escape from the city into the lush natural landscape.
ExploringTrang An by boat is one of the main attractions in Ninh Binh and a highlight of visiting the area on a north Vietnam itinerary. For a more relaxing experience, avoid weekends and arrive early to escape the crowds of visitors.
Cost: VND250,000 (US$10)
2. Tam Coc Boat Tour
A similar boat tour is available in Tam Coc, and this area is also part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Boats leave from the dock in town and row up the Ngo Dong River under bridges and past temples surrounded by tall jungle-covered mountains and sheer limestone cliffs.
The boatmen and women use their feet to paddle the boat and the river runs through several limestone caves. We stopped at a temple in a scenic spot beneath the mountains.
I enjoyed the ride but was unimpressed when our boatman tried to sell us souvenirs in the boat and asked for a tip at the end of the ride.
The Tam Coc boat ride takes around 2.5 hours and the scenery is beautiful, similar to Trang An, but the experience is more touristy and less well-organised. The ticket office is in the car park, quite a distance from the dock area.
Cost: VND 200,000 (US$8)
Is the Trang An or Tam Coc Boat Trip Better?
The Trang An boat ride is better and it’s one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh but they are both worth doing. If you’re short of time, I would skip the Tam Coc boat tour and go to Trang An where the landscape is more dramatic with tall mountains, long narrow caves and larger, more impressive temples.
Trang An offers a choice of boat routes and the dock area is better organised with fewer hawkers and less hassle than you’ll find in Tam Coc.
While the Tam Coc boat trip is very scenic it’s also very touristy and there are too many hawkers selling souvenirs, including the boatmen and women.
TIP: The most peaceful Ninh Binh boat experience is at the Van Long Nature Reserve. I enjoyed these pretty wetlands. There were only a few boats on the water and a handful of tourists when I was there.
3. Mua Cave & Viewpoint
Mua Cave is one of the main attractions in Ninh Binh. The cave temple at the base of Mua Mountain is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and one of the most visited places in Tam Coc. Mua Cave or ”Cave of Dance” sits behind a pretty garden with lily ponds, bridges, and statues.
But for most visitors, the viewpoint at the top of the mountain is the main attraction and one of the most popular things to see in Ninh Binh. The climb to the mountain top is steep and there are 500 steps to the Quan Am, Goddess of Mercy shrine. The Mua cave viewpoint dates back to the 13th century and was used for dancing and singing.
The view is simply breathtaking and well worth the trek up the stairs. From the viewpoint, you can see the Ngo Dong River far below and a procession of small boats rowing from Tam Coc surrounded by tall limestone peaks and lush forests.
Expect to share the view with many other people. The Mua Cave viewpoint is an Instagram-famous photo spot, often full of young people posing for photos.
Mua Cave is just under 5 kilometres from Tam Coc, and I rode a bicycle there on country roads through rice paddies and lotus fields. The temple area is set up to accommodate large numbers of tourists but the steep climb up the mountain was a bit too crowded for me.
TIP: Get there early to beat the crowds. Tour buses arrive from Hanoi late morning.
Entry: VND 100,000 (US$4)
4. Bich Dong Pagoda Tam Coc
Visiting the lovely Bich Dong Pagoda is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh and was another highlight for me. Arriving in the late afternoon on an electric car tour from Tam Coc, I walked across a stone bridge bridge to the temple gate. On the other side of the lake was a pretty grotto and a path leading to the Bich Dong Pagoda.
Within the temple grounds there are 8 scenic spots to explore and at the top of the stairs leading up the mountain is a viewpoint and a cave. Walk through the cave to the other side past an altar. Outside there are more steps to another viewpoint and shrine at the top of the mountain.
The Bich Dong Pagoda is full of surprises and pretty grottos with lovely views over the temple, mountains and lake. It’s a few kilometres outside tam Coc. To get there, ride a bicycle or take the electric car tour from Tam Coc.
5.Tam Coc Electric Car Tour
Electric car tours leave from the ticket office in the big car park in Tam Coc. The open electric vehicles visit the Thai Vi Temple, Thien Huong Cave, Linh Coc Pagoda, the Fairy Cave and the lovely Bich Dong Pagoda.
The electric car drops passengers off at each of the temples. When you’re ready to leave, jump on the next car to come along and it will take you to the next sight.
I enjoyed this tour and and I especially enjoyed visiting the Bich Dong Pagoda,one of the most worthwhile things to do in Ninh Binh. Alternatively, you can cycle to most of the temples and caves on the electric car tour.
Cost: VND 350,000 (US$14) for the Tam Coc electric car + scenic boat ride.
6. Cycling Through Rice Fields
Cycling along the country roads in Tam Coc, through green rice fields, past lakes and rivers with tall karst mountains towering behind is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Ninh Binh.
Allow an afternoon for a gentle ride through the gorgeous scenery and head for the small pagodas, and temples, or simply ride and see where you end up.
7. Am Tien Cave Pagoda
If you’re looking for things to see in Ninh Binh by bicycle, Am Tien Cave Pagoda is one to consider. Located in a hidden valley near Mua Cave the Am Tien Cave Pagoda is around 4 kilometres from Tam Coc.
The Am Tien Cave temple dates back to the 11th century and is a scenic and tranquil place to visit, hidden behind tall mountains.
The complex includes a man-made lake with wide paths and a landscaped garden. Take a leisurely walk around the lake and climb 200 steps to Am Tien Cave, explore the temple and soak in the atmosphere.
Admission: VND 50,000 (US$2)
8. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
One of the most important things to see in Ninh Binh is the Hoa Lu Ancient city. In the 10th and 11th centuries during the Dinh and early Le dynasties, Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam. The ruins are part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and are recognised by UNESCO for their historical significance.
The Hoa Lu ruins are worth visiting as a historical site but there’s not much left of the ancient capital.
The entrance is impressive and has a pretty stone bridge that leads across the river to a pleasant green area with ruined temples, baths and dwellings. The temples were built to honour the emperors Dinh and Le and their tombs can be found nearby on Ma Yen mountain.
The Hoa Lu ancient capital is around 15 kilometres from Tam Coc, and I took a Grab taxi to get there.
Admission: VND 20,000 (US$1)
9. Hoa Lu Old Town
The Hoa Lu Old Town is a historic village with a scenic riverside location in Ninh Binh. The Old Town consists of traditional Vietnamese shops, restaurants and street food stalls. Colourful lanterns decorate the shop fronts and there’s a festive atmosphere and lots of street food stalls.
I tried a sausage on a skewer, a savoury pancake and a delicious caramel tofu and jelly dessert. I spent an enjoyablet couple of hours here enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
There are several new temples here and it’s a very pretty photo spot, popular with young Vietnamese girls.
Visitng the Hoa Lu Old Town is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh on a Sunday afternoon. I booked a Grab taxi to the Old Town by mistake and I’m glad I did. I thought I was going to the Hoa Lu Ancient capital and clicked the wrong Hoa Lu in the Grab app.
The Hoa Lu Old Town is a lovely spot to relax, enjoy a coffee and watch the sunset over the river and it’s very popular with local Vietnamese people who come here to hang out and socialise. While I was there, I met an English teacher and her two young students who wanted to practise their English. We spent some time chatting under a tree by the river.
11. Bai Dinh Pagoda
The Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province is one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple complexes and one of the many things to see in Ninh Binh. Located on Dinh Mountain the temple complex includes an impressive new pagoda and an ancient cave temple at the top of a stairway with 300 steps.
There are several temples within the complex, and resident monks care for the site which houses over 500 Buddha statues in its prayer halls and natural caves.
The Bai Dinh Pagoda is part of the UNESCO Trang An Scenic Landscape complex and is popular with Asian tourists.
10. Van Long Nature Reserve
The Van Long Nature Reserve is a tranquil escape for nature lovers and one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh Province. The reserve is full of wildlife and the home of many local and migratory birds including, stalks and herons.
The best way to explore the wetlands of the reserve is to take a gentle ride in a bamboo boat through the tall grasses, surrounded by picturesque karst towers and limestone cliffs.The boat trip here is a peaceful alternative to touristy Tam Coc and Trang An.
The Van Long wetlands are around 20 kilometres from Tam Coc, and I took a Grab taxi to get there. Grab doesn’t operate inside the Nature Reserve, so after ordering lunch at the onsite restaurant, I asked the waiter to call a taxi for my return trip.
Cost: VND 40,000 (US$2)
12. Thung Nham Bird Park
Hidden away outside Tam Coc, the Thung Nham Bird Park is worth visiting if you’re a nature lover or birdwatcher looking for things to do in Ninh Binh. Over 45 species of birds can be found here thier natural habitat, a beautiful landscape of green forests, tranquil lakes, caves and stunning karst mountains.
The best time to enjoy the Thung Nham wetlands is early morning or late afternoon when the wildlife is most active. Take a boat tour in the wetlands, visit the ancient banyan tree and explore the impressive caves within the park.
The Thung Nham Bird Park is around 7 kilometres from Tam Coc and you can cycle or take a taxi to get there.
Cost: VND 150,000 (US$6)
13. Cúc Phương National Park
Another destination for nature lovers, Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh for hikers and is a bit off the beaten tourist path. The National park has many walking trails to choose from leading to ancient trees, caves and Muong villages with stilt houses.
TIP: For the best experience take a tour to Cuc Phuong National Park from Ninh Binh explore the tropical green forests and biodiversity Vietnam’s largest nature reserve.
In the National Park, you can enjoy wildlife spotting and beautiful scenery with majestic karst mountains and green rice terraces. Cuc Phuong National Park is home to the Clouded Leopard, langur, civet and Asian Black Bear and an abundance of birds.
Cuc Phuong National Park is 53 kilometres from Tam Coc and takes around 1.5 hours by road. Buses leave for the National Park from Ninh Binh.
Park entry VND 60,000 (US$2.50)
TIP: Visit Cuc Phoung National Park & Van Long Reserve from Ninh Binh. Enjoy the tranquil landscapes of Van Long, and visit the tropical green forests of Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s largest nature reserve all in the same day.
14. Spa & Massage
Enjoying a foot and leg massage is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh to relax your tired body after a busy day of hiking or cycling around Tam Coc.
A spa and massage are available next door to the Lotus Hotel in Tam Coc where I was staying.
TIP: On a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture and history. Visit the Bai Dinh Temples, take a scenic boat tour through Trang An, and admire the stunning views from Mua Caves.
Where is Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is located in North Vietnam near the Red River Delta around 100 kilometres south of Vietnam’s capital Hanoi. It takes around 2 hours to get there by road or by train.
How to Get There
You can easily get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi by private car, taxi, bus or train.
I caught the train from Hanoi and it was a comfortable 2 hour trip. At Ninh Binh station I called a Grab taxi for the short ride to my hotel in Tam Coc.
You can also travel by bus or train from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha Ke Bang to see the spectacular caves. Take the train to Dong Hoi and the bus to beautiful Phong Nha.
Ninh Binh to Hue is around 570 kilometres and takes about 10 hours by bus or train. I caught an overnight sleeper train (Livitrain) and had a comfortable trip from Ninh Binh to Hue.
Ninh Binh to Danang or Hoi An is around 12 hours by train and Hoi An is an hour by taxi from Danang station or airport.
TIP: I booked my travel tickets online with 12Go Asia. It’s convenient and reliable for purchasing bus, train and plane tickets in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
How to Get Around
Getting around Tam Coc on foot and by bicycle is easy as the area is very flat. I used Grab taxis to travel longer distances in Ninh Binh province.
Tam Coc is 13 kilometres from Trang An and I used Grab taxis to get there.
Mua Cave is just a few kilometres out of Tam Coc and it’s a pleasant bicycle ride on a back road through rice fields. You can also cycle into Tam Coc and to Bich Dong Pagoda.
How Long to Stay in Ninh Binh
Two days is enough time for the top things to do in Ninh Binh but I suggest 3 or 4 days to relax in the lovely rural surroundings and immerse yourself in the culture and history of the area.
I spent 4 days in Tam Coc and saw most of the sights at a leisurely pace.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh
The best place to stay in Ninh Binh is a few kilometres outside the city in Tam Coc or Trang An, close to the UNESCO World Heritage Area surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers and green rice fields.
Tam Coc is well set up to accommodate tourists and provides a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, and shops. I easily found a pharmacy and ATM facilities in Tam Coc.
Trang An has more upmarket accommodation. It’s a smaller, quieter area near the Trang An Tourist complex where the boat trips leave in the scenic UNESCO World Heritage area. It’s a much smaller town with fewer facilities and less choice of restaurants and cafes than Tam Coc.
Here are my suggestions for where to stay in Ninh Binh:
Budget: The Banana Tree Hostel has a great location in Tam Coc and is just a short walk from the boat station and all the action in the town. Guests love this hostel, and it gets great reviews.
Mid-Range: The Lotus Hotel has a quiet location, just off the main road into Tam Coc, a few kilometres away from the noise and hassle in town. I enjoyed staying at this hotel/homestay. The rooms are bright and comfortable with a pretty outlook over a lotus lake.
The Lotus hotel has a pool and provides free bicycles and meals if required. Nearby there is a good selection of restaurants and shops with foreign money exchange and a spa and massage offered next door.
Upper Mid-Range: The Indochine Boutique Hotel in Tam Coc is near the Bich Dong Pagoda a few kilometres from the centre of Tam Coc and away from the hustle and bustle of the town. This new property has stunning mountain views and gets outstanding reviews.
Luxury: Tam Coc Retreat is a tranquil 5-star escape in a breathtaking setting in Tam Coc. The resort gets exceptional reviews and has a great onsite restaurant.
Where to Eat
Tam Coc has lots of restaurants to choose from. Just head to the main road and you’ll find plenty of options but watch out for inflated tourist prices.
I enjoyed eating at the following places in Tam Coc:
- Mango Restaurant serves good local food
- Relax Homestay has good coffee
- Happy Wind Mexican serves good food & huge portions but is overpriced
- Lotus Hotel serves tasty home-cooked meals.
In Ninh Binh, head to the Hoa Lu Old Town for street food and local treats. The atmosphere is great on a Sunday afternoon.
When to Go
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is in October during the rice harvest when the area is most colourful. The weather is best from March to May and September to November. Avoid July and August during the rainy season.
I was in Vietnam in January and visited Ninh Binh during the winter and the weather was dry and cool, perfect for hiking and cycling but a bit cool for swimming in Ninh Binh. Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island.
One thing to note is the poor air quality in Hanoi and Ninh Binh in the winter months. Dust, pollution and smoke are trapped under low clouds, mist and fog. Consider wearing a face mask if you’re cycling on the main road.
FAQs
Is it better to stay in Tam Coc or Ninh Binh?
It’s better to stay in Tam Coc, rather than Ninh Binh. Tam Coc is a few kilometres outside Ninh Binh City and is close to the scenic UNESCO World Heritage area and the main sites in the area. Tam Coc has a good range of hotels, cafes shops and other facilities for tourists.
Which is better, Ninh Binh or Halong Bay?
You can choose either Ninh Binh or Halong Bay and enjoy stunning scenery with tall karst mountains, sheer cliffs, limestone caves and lush forests but the experience is very different. An overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay is very popular but in Ninh Binh you can ride in a small rowboat, hike to mountain-top temples and cycle through rice paddies surrounded by tall mountains and stunning views.
Final Thoughts: Ninh Binh Things to See & Do
Ninh Binh is just 2 hours from Hanoi by train or bus and a lovely place to relax for a few days amidst a beautiful rural landscape. There are many wonderful things to see in Ninh Binh and it’s a destination that’s becoming increasingly more popular.
With stunning karst towers, rivers, rice fields, and ancient temples Ninh Binh has a lot to offer visitors. The UNESCO Scenic Landscape Complex of Trang An is at the top of the list of things to see in Ninh Binh and the boat ride through the stunning landscape is one to be remembered.
One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is to cycle through the green rice fields to ancient temples and viewpoints surrounded by a stunning karst landscape with tall mountains, forests and limestone cliffs.
If you’re travelling alone in Vietnam or with friends and family, it’s definitely worth including Ninh Binh in your Vietnam itinerary.
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