Is it worth to visit Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is one of the top places to visit in Vietnam, and for many travelers, it was the best of his trip around the country. Many highlighted that in Ninh Binh, there is a great variety of things to do, and the scenery is absolutely stunning.

The main attraction of Ninh Binh are the scenic walks in rowing boat for rivers in valleys and caves that lead to the temples are centuries old and offer the traveller an unforgettable experience. Ninh Binh is also a great place to discover the vietnamese life more rural. For example, it is very likely that during your visit you see farmers working their land, majestic water buffalo grazing near the fields, or flocks of ducks swimming in the river. It is a nice place, pleasant, and accommodations well-prepared to meet the needs of the tourist hispanic.

Before you begin, save this file with recommendations of restaurants, accommodations, tours in Ninh Binh collected from travelers who formn part of my group FB on Vietnam and the group of WhatsApp on Vietnam.

What to do in Ninh Binh?

In this area there are many boat trips, historical sites to visit. I, in fact, I have visited this area many times, and each time I come I add any new visit. But, what are the visits must-haves if you come one or two days?

Boat ride to Trang An or Tam Coc

Make a boat trip is the most popular activity in Ninh Binh. There are many tours available, but the two most highly recommended are Trang An and Tam Coc. The landscape in both locations is fairly similar, and is the subject of debate among travelers which of the two rides is worth.

📌 Boat ride in Trang An – Pros and cons

Trang An world heritage by the UNESCO, is in my opinion the best place prepared for tourism.

✅ The tour boat takes between 2.5 h and 3h.
✅ The rowers do not expect tips from travelers.
✅ It is possible to traverse in a boat a cave of 1 km in length.
✅ The walks of Trang An, which include stops at several temples and places of interest.
❌ The workers try that in each pot be for 4 persons and, if you are only two, you’ll have to wait to come in 2 more people.
❌ It is more or less 10km from the area of Tam Coc, which hosts the majority of tourists.
👉 By including stops, it may not be the best choice for people with reduced mobility.

Price: 250.000 VND (10€) adult, 120.000 VND (4.8€) children of 1-1.3 m, free children of less than 1m.
Duration: 2.5 h – 3h
Routes: There are 3 routes available. Route 1 is more historical and passes by 9 various cuevas, route 2, and 3 have included both caves as stops in some temples. Route 3 is the most popular, and the only one that takes you through a cave of 1 km in length.

📌 Boat ride in Tam Coc – Pros and cons

Tam Coc is also a great place for you to discover the breathtaking landscapes of this region of Ninh Binh.

✅ It is just as impressive as Trang An.
✅ Many rowers paddle with their feet, which is something that is eye-catching.
✅ The rowers are provided to make photos in specific locations.
✅ 2 people can go independent in a boat.
✅ It is located in the area that is most often host tourists.
❌ Does not include stops at temples, or other places.
❌ The mariners expect a tip at the end of the tour (I usually leave 50.000 VND – (2€)).
👉 It is possible that during the tour, an approaching boat-shop that tries to sell you drinks and snacks (sometimes at higher prices than normal). Question the price before you buy.
👉 Best option for people with reduced mobility (it goes up and down out of the boat at one time).

Price: 120.000 VND 4.8€ per boat + to 120,000 VND per adult or 60,000 VND 2.4€ per child (max. 2 occupants per pot, although you can go 3 if necessary).
Duration: 1.5 h approx.
Tips: the boatmen will try to enjoy the journey, but they will expect a tip at the end (I usually leave 50.000 VND – 2€).

Mua Cave

From this place you will be able to experience one of the most impressive panoramic views of the country, with rivers and mountains that stretch to the horizon. Yes, to get there, walk about 500 steps, which may be tired, especially on hot days.

The climb can be done in 20 minutes walking fast. For those of you who are less fit I recommend taking a bit more time, but I truly believe that most people can climb up to the top without a problem. Mua Cave means “cave of the dance” and this place is known with this name because in the past, when the capital of Vietnam is located in this region (X-XI centuries), the monarchs used to come to one of the small caves of this mountain to see dance shows.

Price: 100.000 VND/4€
Duration: minimum 1 hour and 15 minutes
a Poolside snack bar: There is a snack bar that it is possible to buy cold drinks, snacks or ice cream along the way. It is a good place to take a break or pick up supplies to make them up.
Best moment of the day: the best time of day to upload is the early morning or at dusk.
Howessential? In my opinion, this place is a must.
Notice bikers: sometimes people parkins private try to stand in the road for you to go to your parking. If I see smiles and continues to move forward, the parking officer is at the end of the road.

Bich Dong Pagoda

This has been a place of worship since the FIFTEENTH century. The pagodas of today were built by two monks at the beginning of the EIGHTEENTH century. The two most striking things Bich Dong pagoda are its input, which is a very nice place to take pictures, and the upper temple, inside a cave, where you can experience a mystical atmosphere.

Price: free
Tip: when you walk up all the stairs you will see a temple dug in the cave. On the left hand side you are able to continue way into the cave until the last floor, where you’ll find a last set of statues.
Howessential? It is not necessary, although if you have time it’s an enjoyable visit.

Buddhist complex of Bai Dinh

With an area of about 550 acres, this is the buddhist complex is Vietnam’s largest, and one of the main places of pilgrimage in the country. In this place you’ll find large pagodas with the walls completely covered with golden statuettes of Buddha in the meditation posture framing to other statues of a much larger size. The precinct includes walks galleries of wood with decorations buddhist and taoist, a tower 100m height to which you can climb up on a lift to see some breathtaking panoramic views, a temple with the bell largest buddhist vietnam (weighs 36 tons, and has all the exterior carved), and the great walk of the turtle, an animal that symbolizes the permanence in front of the passage of time.

Price: 60.000 VND (2.4€) for the electric car from the parking garage to the pagoda (back and forth) + 30.000 (1.2€ per climb the tower)
Cost of the guided tour: 500.000 VND (20.2€)
recommended Length: 3-4 hours
Tip of experienced traveler: if you go by the morning it is possible that you get time to eat during your visit to the temple. The hotel’s restaurant, inside the enclosure, it has air conditioning and offers some basic dishes such as my xao bo (noodles fried with beef) at a good price.
Howessential? Bai Dinh is a recommended place if you come to Ninh Binh at least 2 days.

Natural reserve of Van Long

This boat will allow you to experience a different landscape to that of Tam Coc or Trang An,. In the case of Van Long, the boat crosses a wetland which visitors highlight your calm and serenity. It is possible to spot aquatic birds, such as the platalea minor, or the goose pygmy cotton, and some have been able to see langurs of delacour, a few monkeys, endemic to northern Vietnam in danger of extinction.

When I did this visit, the person who was carrying the boat was an older woman who didn’t speak much English, but was very warm and offered to lend photos in different places of the route. The boats are made of bamboo, they are designed to cross shallow water and support a maximum of two people per boat. When I went, I left a tip of 50,000 VND (2€).

Price: 90.000 VND per person (3.5€) (price found on the Internet).
Duration: 1h-2h.
Howessential? Only if you have time and you want to experience a boat ride on different by the area of Tam Coc.
Recommendation: it is a route especially beautiful at dusk.

Vietnamese cooking class

Ideal activity for rainy days and for those who enjoy cooking and interact with local people. You will learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as mango salad, banh xeo, or grilled beef wrapped in leaves of the lot. The cooking experience lasts 3 hours, after which you’ll be able to eat the food that you prepare. Includes welcome drink, a recipe book and a certificate of chef.

How to get to Ninh Binh?

Mini-van Limo from Hanoi

If you come from Hanoi, andl transport is recommended a mini-van limousine. These vehicles 7-9 seater spacious leather seats, and often include a USB connector and even massage vibration. I normally go with the company Trang An which you can hire at Baolau and leaves you and/or pick up from your hotel in Ninh Binh. On the page you can also find other options that depart from different points of Hanoi.

Other transports to Ninh Binh

• Transportation from the airport from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Transport from Halong bay to Ninh Binh
• Transport to and from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh
• Train or bus from Hue to Ninh Binh

How to move in Ninh Binh?

In bike

An option that many people use to navigate in the area of Ninh Binh is to rent a bike. The price is usually of between 120,000 VND (4.7€) and 150,000 VND (5.9€) per day, and nearly all the accommodations will be able to alquilarte a bike.

Data of interest to rent a scooter in Ninh Binh:

• Bikes for rent by the day, which was not meant as 24h, but rather from the morning until the evening (unless you have agreed otherwise). There is often a possibility of renting for half a day.
• Pay for the parking of the bike is something usual in Vietnam (5,000 VND (0.2€) and 10,000 VND (0.4€) per stop).
• In some places, such as Mua Cave, the owners of private parking is often planted in the middle of the road and tell you that you can stick to your parking. These car parks are often away from the entrance, and are not the most convenient, so I advise you to smile, to deny with the head and continue until the end of the road (where you’ll find the parking main).

In bike

Another interesting option is to visit places such as Tam Coc, Bich Dong, and Mua Cave travel in bike, as there are only a few kilometres of distance between these places. In hot days this option may be too tired, and to get to other places further away such as Trang An and Bai Dinh probably going to need alternative transportation, as these locations are farther away. Many accommodations feature bike for free at the disposal of the guests, or to 50,000 VND (2€) per day.

In addition, if you decide to dedicate a day to ride a bike and give you a good walk will have a better chance of finding special scenes and everyday life of this region.

By car or taxi

A last option is to travel by car or taxi in the area. It is very possible that your accommodation in Ninh Binh can help you rent a car with driver to make one or more visits. If you want to rent a car with driver in Hanoi, you might include the trip to Ninh Binh for up to 4 people, visits to the main sites and back to Hanoi by 70€-90€. You can book your accommodation in Ninh Binh or through a travel agency (write to aventurasconalberto@gmail.com if you need recommendations).

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I invite you to download this file with recommended accommodation in Vietnam, based on the opinions of travelers who are part of my group FB and group of WhatsApp.

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Where to stay in Ninh Binh?

There are many options of quality and at a reasonable price. Ninh Binh one of the most important tourist places of the country, and visitors will find that the vast majority of accommodations and comply with international standards. As I have been many times in Ninh Binh, I have a few accommodations to recommend.

BUNGALOW Good Nice and Cheap

In my most recent visit to Ninh Binh I stayed at Mr. Cau Homestay and it was a success. The price seemed more than reasonable, and the pool is in front of the door of the room. The woman didn’t speak much English, but has good attitude, and is a nice person that will try to help. As a note that reveals the human quality, this woman I booked the limo to go back to Hanoi without hitting a tip, which says a lot.

Recommended HOTELS

One of the most recommended hotels for travelers is Tam Coc Holiday hotel & villa, with a large outdoor swimming pool, free bikes available for guests, a good buffet breakfast and reasonable prices.

Tam Coc Sunshine homestay is a hotel that I personally loved, as much for a room with very comfortable bed and decor of wood, like to spend time in the outside, with tables in front of the rice fields and a swimming pool that is appreciated on hot days. It is worth noting the kindness of Nga, the owner of the homestay, you will do everything possible to help you to resolve any problem and to make you feel at home. This accommodation also offers free bikes are at guests ‘ disposal.

Three accommodations that are also worth a visit, and have been recommended by several travelers followers of this page are Tam Coc Melody Homestay, Tam Coc Ngoc Linh Homestay and Tamcoc Center Boutique Hotel.

HOSTELS recommended

The Banana tree hostel is without a doubt the best hostel in the area of Ninh Binh-Tam Coc. This hostel, which is located near the pier of Tam Coc, is very neat and clean rooms. in Addition, it has bar area and restaurant, a staff that will treat you to help with any problem, and the pool. Is a hostel with areas to relax and socialize, but without being a party hostel (it is generally pretty quiet, especially from 23:00). An alternative recomedable if this hostel is full could be Ninh Binh Central Backpackers hostel.

Recommended restaurants in Ninh Binh

Thao Beo Restaurat Bar was recommended to me by a visitor commented that it has a great variety of meals, and the owner speaks very good English and has a actitiud super welcoming to travelers. Another recommended restaurant is the Family Restaurant in Tam Coc, which they described as an authentic restaurant with delicious food, affordable price and friendly atmosphere.

As a note of interest, in Ninh Binh is typical to eat goat (in vietnamese “dê”) and also duck to the bbq (in vietnamese “Vịt”). If you are going to take a stroll through the area very likely to find herds of goats or banks of ducks stumbling to and fro, so that you know why it tastes so good.

How many days to devote to Ninh Binh?

I highly recommend giving this area a minimum of one full day (it is possible to go and return to Hanoi in a day in a private car to see the main attractions). Two days would be ideal, and with three you will have time to eat a little more calm, and, for example, to visit places a little more side, walking aimlessly, or give yourself a day of shopping, swimming pool and bike ride at sunset.

How is the weather in Ninh Binh?

The region of Ninh Binh can be visited and enjoyed in all seasons of the year,. it Is true that everything looks more beautiful on sunny days, but the beauty of the place can be seen even in the days of light rain.

In the spring (march to may), temperatures are generally warm, with a risk of rain in April and may, the month in which begins the wet season in the country. In summer (June to August) is usually high temperatures, high humidity, and occasional storms that usually last a short time (1 or 2 hours), and usually do not pose a great problem for sightseeing. In the autumn (September to November), the temperatures are cooler in the summer, although there are many warm sunny days and. In autumn there is a risk of tropical storms, which can be an inconvenience for travellers, but it is a matter of luck and it is possible to come at this time and find no rains at all. In winter (December to February), temperatures are generally cool, with a few weeks of cooler and more temperate, generally with a low risk of rain.

For me, the best time to visit Ninh Binh are the autumn and spring, because in these times we will be able to enjoy milder weather and many days of clouds and clear, which makes the visit to this area very nice.

Is it worth it to visit the city of Ninh Binh?

I personally have never visited the city of Ninh Binh, but everything I’ve heard about this is that it is a city vietnamese-very normal without great things to highlight. Therefore, my advice to travelers is that not invirtáis time in visiting the city, and I centréis in the area of Tam Coc, Trang An, etc

Do you have any tips extra?

My final advice is that if you’re going to Ninh Binh you take the visit with a calm and don’t try to see everything. In Ninh Binh, there are plenty of places to visit, but travel should not be a career, and enjoy what you see is more important than to see it all. If you have time, I recommend that one day you pass by the area messing roads aimlessly, observing the small details, and why not, taking pictures of the funny things that you’ll find on the way.