Ninh Binh is located in the north of Vietnam, 93 km south of Hanoi. You can go to Ninh Binh easily because it is only a 2 hours drive from Hanoi, the capital. Find out in this article to see what are the different awesome things to do in Ninh Binh.
A trip to Ninh Binh can be taken ideally within one, two days. If you have more time, why not experience all of the Ninh Binh offerings.
If you like calm, authenticity and small quiet villages, cycling is one of the must things to do in Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh is quiet and you can find small peaceful villages, far from the noise of big cities. If you like biking, don't hesitate, you can do small or big rides. You can freely cycle the following path, however it would be more wonderful to have a tour guide. He or she can be both a translator and a wikipedia for you.
During your bike rides, you will be able to admire the landscape which is beautiful and natural. But also meet the local people when you will cross villages. You will see, Vietnamese people are very friendly and will be happy to help you, don't hesitate if you ever need help to find your way.
Tips for cycling trip:
Boat trip is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh where the landscape is so supportive for this activity. Some of the most popular and hidden places to enjoy a boat trip are:
Tam Coc
Tam Coc also called Halong Bay in land, which offers you an embarkation on a small traditional boat called sampan, rowed by a local inhabitant, what is rather funny is that the person who directs the boat, rows with his feet. You will have the opportunity to admire the landscape and pass through 3 small caves during 1h30. The boat can accommodate between 2 or 4 people maximum per boat so if you are a big group, you will have to split the group in several parts.
Trang An
This small cruise in a traditional boat also hand rowed by a local, you have the choice between 3 different routes. Between 1 hour for the small route and more than 2 hours for the big one. You will discover beautiful scenery such as one of the places where the movie King Kong was shot, you will make several stops and get off the boat to discover temples, hidden pagodas to stretch your legs 5 or 10 minutes before returning to your boat. Oars are available in the boat if you want to have fun rowing too.
Trang An tour is bigger than the previous one but also more famous and therefore more touristic with more people, please note that you will not be the only boat.
Van Long
Van Long nature reserve is just popular recently so it is still less touristy and really authentic for those who want to immerse in serene nature. You may have the chance to observe some rare animals as well, like langurs for example.
Thien Ha - Galaxy Cave
A lesser-known but worthy place for boat ride is Thien Ha wet cave. The cave is famous for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its underground river that runs through it. The cave's name "Galaxy" comes from the sparkling effect of the stalactites that look like stars in the night sky. With a good imagination, you can see many interesting rock formations such as the Buddha's hand, the Milky Way,...
Tips for your boat trip:
If you are in Ninh Binh, you can make a detour and go to the Mua cave. You will have to climb more than 500 steps for 30 minutes before reaching the summit but it is worth it. You have the opportunity to watch the stunning scenery of Red River Delta and towering rock mountains. Especially if you take the Hang Mua tour in the afternoon, you can admire the sunset from the top, which is more than beautiful.
You should visit early in the morning or at sunset to avoid the heat and take a water bottle with you along the way.
Far from the touristy places, Thung Nham is the ideal place for birdwatching and other nature activities. This is home to over 40 species of birds, including rare and endangered species such as the Delacour's Langur, the Black-faced Spoonbill, and the Red-billed Starling. You also have a chance to admire the diverse range of fauna and flora, especially many species of orchids and butterflies.
The land can be explored by trekking, cycling and rowing boats. At sunset, you also can take a boat ride to see thousands of birds returning home. If you are a nature enthusiast and love exploring Vietnam wildlife, don’t miss Thung Nham Bird Park out of your itinerary.
>> Read more about Thung Nham Bird Park
Do you like to walk in a quiet, mountainous, and relaxing landscape? Then it is possible to do it in Ninh Binh. Your travel consultants can help you find routes according to your preferences. You can do small tours or big ones, the 3-hour tour is the most popular.
Tip:
One specialty you will notice right away when you arrive in Ninh Binh is the goat. There are wild goats everywhere. And these end up on the menu of many restaurants. If you are a goat meat lover, this is the ideal city to try. This animal is cooked in many different ways, with different spices and flavors depending on the recipe.
But you can also find culinary specialties of Ninh Binh such as mountain snails, raw fish, glutinous rice with ant eggs of Nho Quan, Com Chay,...
Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the important national parks of Vietnam. Its landscape contains a greatly rich ecosystem. You can go cycling, hiking, kayaking,... even camping to see the surrounding nature in your own style. Cuc Phuong area was home to Muong ethnic villages, hence you are also able to add an excursion to scattered stilt houses and enjoy bamboo rafting. If you are more adventurous, let’s visit caves which remain the remnants of prehistoric time.
Butterflies season in Cuc Phuong is from April to May, so if you are nature lovers and visit Vietnam during this time, don’t miss out the chance to visit this national park.
In addition, an activity that could be interesting for you is the night visit. Indeed, at night, some animals come out of their hiding places and we propose you to observe them in the heart of the forest. Some accommodations are available around the park for those who prefer to visit in several days.
>> See more about: Cuc Phuong National Park
Bich Dong Pagoda
This pagoda with the entrance that is a big door as a well-known symbol, is a quiet and restful place, in total connection with nature. In reality, it is 3 small pagodas, in order to visit all of them, you will have to climb several stairs.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Known as the pagoda of all records, with the largest bronze bell, the largest statue of Arhat,... the list goes on. This place is full of statue and monuments to discover. This place is very spiritual, so you will see a lot of people coming to pray. For a more spectacular experience, you should go there during festivals like Lunar New Year for example.
Dinh Tien Hoang temple and Le Dai Hanh temple
The temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh is in the complex of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital. These are the places of worship for the king and his sons, surrounded by mountains and naturally beautiful landscape. Visit these places, you can learn more about the history and different dynasties of Vietnam. So a tourist guide is highly recommended.
Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral is a unique Catholic architectural masterpiece, built entirely of stone and wood in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style. It is located in a beautiful rural area, surrounded by rice paddies and limestone karst formations, so visitors can take a stunning view besides learning about the history of Catholicism here.
Reminder: concerning the pagodas and temples, don't forget to dress properly, no sexy clothes. We raise our hats when we enter the pagoda and we also take off our shoes.
What more to do in Ninh Binh? During your trip in Ninh Binh, you may meet and exchange culture with several friendly local people. A stop at these area would be an unforgettable experience for you:
Lang Noi village
Located next to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, near Trang An Ecotourism Complex and Cuc Phuong National Park, you will find men and women embroidering designs by hand. Discover the manufacturing secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation through an embroidery workshop. It's a unique experience so try.
Thung La temple
A trip to Thung la temple is really interesting and authentic to add to your list of things to do in Ninh Binh. Listen to traditional instrumentals played by local artists. You can have fun, learn and play instruments in a temple as well as interact with the local population, a real moment of exchange.
Northern Vietnam’s incredibly tranquil scenery offers a great stay overnight with local people. Hence, staying with a local inhabitant, to eat and sleep like a local is would be a unique experience. There are accommodation types of bungalows, private rooms in local houses or common rooms in stilt houses. This is a great way to understand how they live and to make unforgettable encounters. Even just one night can be enough and you will never forget it.
Some good-reviewed homestay recommendations for you:
To finish the list of top things to do in Ninh Binh, it is recommended to look at the weather forecast before closing your suitcase and to arrange your best itinerary. Just be flexible with any change to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
To experience Vietnam in real, book one of those excellent guided tours:
>> Authentic Van Long Nature Reserve Tour
>> Best Bai Dinh Pagoda & Trang An Boat Tour
>> Ninh Binh Excursion: Phat Diem Catholic Capital & Galaxy Cave
>> Tam Coc Tour: Biking and Trekking Mua Cave
