Since Ninh Binh was the filming location for the famous movie “Kong: Skull Island”, it’s such an unnecessary thing to mention how beautiful and dramatic the landscape of Ninh Binh is. Recognized by UNESCO as a natural and cultural world heritage, Ninh Binh is a place where the drastic beauties of karst formations meet the idyll of floating paddy fields and visitors must go on an expedition to visit the well-hidden and sacred temples.
With immense beauties in culture and nature, there’re a lot of things to do in Ninh Binh Vietnam, of which some shouldn’t be missed such as boat ride, caving and visiting Bai Dinh pagoda. Vietnam Shore Excursions will show you in detail what to do for your trip to Ninh Binh and how to get the most of it.
Top Things to Do in Ninh Binh
Trang An
Trang An is the top attraction in Ninh Binh which you can visit first or later but never should skip, for whatever reason. Being a complex of ecotourism zone with a various system of limestone cliffs and karst caves, Trang An boasts bountifulness of biology and geographical diversity.
There are hundreds of limestone islands, islets and river caves constructed by Sao Khe and Ngo Dong rivers. Some of them you can’t miss: Dia Linh cave, Sinh Duoc cave and May cave. Each cave is different in beauty and has its own legend. Dark Cave has wide and narrow parts while Light Cave is adorned with magnificent sparkling stalactites.
Covering such a vast area Trang An is a biological treasure trove obtaining over 350 species of plants, animals and many other rare species. Taking a boat through 9 caves of Trang An complex and visiting some historical and cultural places on the way are highly recommended.
From Trang An, visitors shouldn’t miss Bai Dinh pagoda – the largest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam with impressive architecture.
Tam Coc
Tam Coc, meaning 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.
The first cave, Hang Ca, is the largest cave and the most beautiful one with a total length of 127 meters, lying under a limestone mountain towering on the water.
You can’t help but feel the trills when you are going to the most beautiful and mysterious tunneling water cave in Ninh Binh. It’s like you’re on a hunt for treasure. Only 2 km away from Tam Coc Wharf, Bich Dong Pagoda is a solemn place where the pagoda entrance was built on a limestone island. Visitors will walk on a thin stone bridge to pass the gate to come deep into the chambers of Bich Dong Grotto – ‘the second nicest grotto’ in Vietnam. Come and find out if the grotto’s beauties really live up to its given title.
Thien Huong grotto can be visited on your way to Thai Vi temple. This grotto is wide, located on a mountain and looks very much like a colossal light well since the ceiling of the grotto is a hole. So, it also has another name – Sky Grotto. Thai Vi temple is a place to worship many national characters and heroes: King Tran Thai Tong, King Tran Thanh Tong, General Tran Hung Dao, General Tran Quang Khai and Queen Tran Thi Dung.
Maybe you are interested in North Vietnam Tours as follows:
- Ban Gioc Waterfall Tour – 3 Days from Hanoi
- Halong Bay Tour Package – 3 Days from Hanoi
- Sapa Tour – 3 Days from Hanoi
- Ba Be National Park Tour – 3 Days from Hanoi
Van Long Nature Reserve
In recent years, Van Long Nature Reserve has appeared on many visitors’ bucket list of Ninh Binh’s top things to do. Vietnamese people have this saying to describe the natural beauty: the mountains and the water found harmony, and that harmony is found in Van Long.
Served as a nature reserve with a wide range of fauna and flora species, including the rare species listed in Red Book and one of them are the silver langurs. A boat trip is the best way to enjoy the beauties and the atmosphere of Ninh Binh’s hidden gem.
Mua Cave
If you are looking for a short mountain trek, amazing panoramic views and photos of a dragon on the mountaintop, Mua Cave is your 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. From there, not only you can see a giant dragon stone statue but also can take your great photos
Boat Ride in Tam Coc
The boat ride follows the 3-kilometer Ngo Dong River to wander amazing limestone mountains and the three famous caves. If you visit Tam Coc at the right time of the year, the river will be surrounded by golden rice fields on both sides.
From Tam Coc, pay a visit to Thai Vi Pagoda which is just stunning with unique architecture and charming natural landscapes. The costs in Tam Coc are quite high: you’ll have to pay 150,000VND for the fee, including boat fee and caves visiting.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest religious complex in Vietnam covering a total area of 539 hectares, featuring the most dramatic and beautiful backdrop of limestone cliffs and rivers. Bai Dinh is dedicated to the worshiping of ancestors, Buddha, Genie Cao Son. Two caves here are Bright Cave and Dark Cave which are also dedicated for worshiping. Inside the pagoda, you can find some really valuable worshiping monuments including a 10m high Buddha Sykamuni statue made of bronze.
Each year, Bai Dinh Pagoda temple is also held on the sixth day of the lunar first month which is considered one of the most important cultural events in Vietnamese culture.
Discover Wine Making Cave in Trang An
The Wine Making Cave, the cave that appears in legends and myths, can only be accessed by boat. Once you have been inside the cave, the old-fashioned wine containing jars will appear like a little surprise. Legend has it that the ancestors knew there was a 10m-deep groundwater flowing in this cave hence Wine Making Cave became the place where the old folks took the water to make wine for the king. You can visit Wine Making Cave by booking boat tours in Trang An.
Hike your way to the temples of Trang An
Besides the towering limestone cliffs, beautiful waterway and caves, Trang An also has beautifully located temples with unique architecture. The backdrop of mountains and water in Ninh Binh adorns them even more.
Hoa Lu used to be the ancient capital of Vietnam in three periods of early emperors due to its strategic location. Surrounded by rugged mountains and Hoang Long River, Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel was almost impossible to penetrate by invaders. The visit to Hoa Lu is easy.
Trinh Temple has been around for about 1000 years, and is located at the foot of a mountain. Thanks to several renovations and repairs, Trinh Temple is even more beautiful and spacious. The architecture of Trinh Temple boasts sophistication through its eight roofs and ancient bell “Phu Nghia Tu Chung”. A visit to Trinh Temple should be included in your trip to Trang An.
Other temples in the area that are worth your visit: Tran Temple, Tu Tru Temple, Dia Linh Temple…
* Tips when visiting temples and pagodas:
– Wear clothes that cover from your shoulders to knees. Be respectful at the sacred worshiping places.
– The temples can be crowded, so choose something comfortable to wear.
– Mind when you speak and walk – talking too loudly and making noises while walking are also not appreciated.
Visit Kong: Skull Island Movie Set and Tribal Village
You’ve watched the film and would love to see the film set of this Hollywood blockbuster, wait no longer and visit Trang An to live in the movie’s alternative universe. The tribal village you’ve come alive with the rattan huts, tribal people with all the decorative items just like in the film.
At this site, you can also find models of ships and airplanes mimicking the movie. Tribal villagers are role-played by the locals and you can take photographs or selfies with them. With the magnificent backdrop of Trang An landscape, this village makes a unique place to produce impressive photos.
Trek 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 over three provinces. What you can find in this paradise of wildlife are limestone mountains with hidden caves, thousand-year trees and lush valleys.
Cuc Phuong is home to a biodiversity of flora and fauna, including 97 species of mammals, langurs; 300 species of birds, 11 species of fish; 2,000 species of vascular plants, and thousands of species of insects.
To visit Cuc Phuong National Park, you’ll have to pay 40,000VND for admission. Firstly, you’ll come to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which is responsible for rescuing individual animals of rare primates and home to over 140 creatures and 100 offspring in all from 15 species of gibbon (long-armed, fruit-eating ape), languor (long-tailed tree-dwelling monkey) and Lories (smaller nocturnal primate with large eyes).
The second stop is Prehistoric People Cave – the place where ancient people were living 7500 years ago. The most special feature of the park is the 1000-year-old Cho Tree with a diameter of 5.5m.
Son Cung Cave and 648-m Silver Cloud Mountain are the slightly more challenging options for your trek.
A visit to this nature paradise 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.
* What to bring for your trek to Cuc Phuong National Park:
– Hiking shoes which are the best water-resistant and shouldn’t be slippery
– Bug repellent for your exposed skin area
– Enough water for your long trek
– Food – there are places you can eat
If you want to camp, rent in advance (from Hanoi) tents and necessary equipment.
Soak up the countryside’s atmosphere
Ninh Binh has a 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 people, especially the children. It’s just a wonderful experience to see where people live, work and their daily life.
Watch Birds at Thung Nham 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 Tam Coc, often missed in the list of tourists to Ninh Binh. Come to the garden, not only birds here that you’ll have a chance to see but also an impressive hidden Mermaid Cave and peaceful landscapes. Mermaid Cave or Dong Tien Ca is a flooded cave deep under the ground. A beautifully made stone stair will lead you down and around the cave.
Visitors coming to Thung Nham will have a chance to see all types of the birds gathering on the tree branches – a truly wonder of nature to behold.
Admire the masterpiece of architecture Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is considered the Catholic capital in Vietnam, well-known for its very special fusion of Western and Vietnamese architecture styles. The construction of Phat Diem Cathedral took a total 24 years, with the stones of the cathedral being taken from the very limestone mountains in the region.
Phat Diem cathedral is a complex including a cathedral, a stone church, a lake, a bell house, and 3 artificial grottoes. The bell house which in Vietnamese is called Phuong Dinh is a 3-level building and completely made out of stone.
On four towers of the bell house stand 4 statues of 4 historical saints which are imprinted with Vietnamese architectural characteristics. The cathedral and the bell house are designed much similar to traditional Vietnamese pagodas and temples.
Ninh Binh Food
Com Chay (Rice Crust or Burnt Rice)
This is the national-wide famous Ninh Binh food which is loved from north to south. This dish is mostly made from burnt rice topped with Rousong (meat floss), or pork, beef or onions. Larger rice crust is cut into smaller pieces.
To make this dish, the chef will prepare dried rice rounds and when orders come, he will just fry them until crispy with sesame oil. Lastly, vegetables, beef or pork will be put on the rice; and a bowl of sauce will be made to use with this dish.
Eel Vermicelli Soup
Unlike Com Chay, Mien Luon (Eel Vermicelli Soup) is not as well-known but just as tasty. The soup’s broth is quite dark because the eels were simmered for a long time. The eel meat is spiced thoroughly to enhance the flavors of the dish. This soup is best to serve with a lot of herbs.
Fermented Pork Roll
Nem Chua Yen Mac (Yen Mac fermented pork roll) has its name recognized for a long time ago. To make this dish, a secret recipe is required with a lot of effort and passion. The rolls are fresh, slightly sour, used with herbs and sauce.
Best time to visit Ninh Binh Vietnam
Rice fields season: There are two periods to see the green rice fields. This is from May to early July, when the locals harvest the rice, and from September to October.
Dry season: From November to April, you can enjoy quite cool and dry weather, but bring something warm.
Rainy season: From May to October the weather is warmer, more humid and the chance of rain is higher.
Best Hotels in Ninh Binh
Best area to stay in Ninh Binh is not lacking in reasonably priced accommodation options. There are several places in the region where you can stay overnight. The largest city in the region is Ninh Binh. Almost all buses also arrive here. However, we do not recommend staying here because it is the least pleasant place.
It is best to stay outside the city, such as in Tam Coc, Trang An or somewhere in the countryside. In Tam Coc you will also find some restaurants, but of course not in the countryside. However, this is often a more special experience, because you stay directly in the beautiful landscape for which Ninh Binh is so famous.
Best hotels in Ninh Binh
- Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (from $ 85) – Quite stylish resort with modern rooms.
- Bai Dinh Garden Resort (from $ 70) – Beautiful resort with bungalow style rooms. Good restaurant and pool.
- Trang An Retreat (from $ 36) – Top rated accommodation. Good and beautiful location, with restaurant and swimming pool.
- Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa (from $ 34) – Good location, nice bed, spacious bathroom with rain shower, nice pool.
- Tam Coc Sunshine Homestay (from $ 22) – A very helpful family with a homestay in a good location.
- Trang An River View Homestay (from $ 8) – Beautiful homestay with pool. Popular among backpackers.
- For You Homestay (from $ 6) – Beautiful location, great views, and great pool.
How to get around Ninh Binh?
The most recommended way to get around Ninh Binh is by bicycle. Cycling is fun and easy and most sights in Ninh Binh are not too far from each other. The roads in the area are flat so it’s not exhausting and there is almost no traffic. Bicycles are often free at the accommodation.
You can also use motorbikes/scooters instead of bikes. You can rent them almost anywhere, including directly at your accommodation. The prices for renting a motorbike in Ninh Binh start from 100,000 VND.
As an alternative you can rent a car with a driver to drive you to the sights. It is very comfortable and makes it easier to go to the further sights, such as Cuc Phuong National Park and the wetlands of Van Long. For short distances between your accommodation and the train station you can take a taxi.
Recommended restaurants in Ninh Binh
- Trung Tuyet – The most popular restaurant in Ninh Binh, with possibly the best food. Prices from 40,000 VND.
- Bamboo Bar and Restaurant – Cozy restaurant and good service with typical Vietnamese food.
- Chookies – Good value Vietnamese and Western meals and cheap beer.
- Family Restaurant – Popular place for real local and good Vietnamese food.
- Bao Anh Restaurant – Another popular place with tasty meals and cheap beers. There is also a separate vegetarian menu.
Ninh Binh Tours
Ninh Binh is just south of Hanoi, just 90 kilometers away from the capital of Vietnam. This convenient location makes Ninh Binh a wonderful destination to visit within a day. You can possibly make a quick tour in north Vietnam from Hanoi to Ninh Binh and Ha Long for Hanoi Tour Package 8 Days. Or you can do 1 day tour or 2 day trip from Hanoi as follows:
You might find it an interesting experience when you have a chance to compare the two world’s heritage Ha Long and Ninh Binh which are also called by the nickname ‘Ha Long Bay on Land”.
How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
With its location close to Hanoi and rail and highway connections, it is not hard to get to Ninh Binh.
Flights to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh does not have an airport, but 120 km further is Hanoi’s airport Noi Bai international airport. There are direct buses and minivans traveling between the airport and Ninh Binh and it takes about 2 hours.
The closest airport to Ninh Binh is Tho Xuan Airport in Than Hoa province. It is located 100 km from Ninh Binh, but it will also take 2 hours. Another drawback is that it is not an international airport and does not serve many domestic flights either.
Busses to Ninh Binh
There are plenty of buses to and from Ninh Binh: Hanoi (2 hours), Halong City (4 hours), Hue (10 hours), Phong Nha (8 hours). Ninh Binh is also a stop for open tour buses between Hanoi and Hue.
Between Hanoi and Ninh Binh are also comfortable minivans including pick up and drop off at your hotel.
Trains to Ninh Binh
There is also a train station in Ninh Binh. You can reach from both Hanoi in the north and Hue, Dong Hoi and Da Nang in the south. There are at least 4 trains a day for both directions. To Hanoi takes around 3 hours.
If you prefer even more convenient transportation options, you can book a tour with Vietnam Shore Excursions. It’s safer, faster and more enjoyable.
We’ve shown you all the worthy things to do in Ninh Binh together with all practical information to help you get the most out of your Ninh Binh experience. Need more? Please contact us to request a Ninh Binh tailor-made tour.
