The Ninh Binh tourism complex is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage site, including the eco-tourism area of Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Among them, Trang An is a scenic area with mountains and caves, while Bai Dinh is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Trang An and Bai Dinh together form a complex of mountain temples, a unique national scenic spot in Southeast Asia that combines natural beauty and spiritual tourism.
1. Where is the Trang An Bai Dinh tourist area located?
The Trang An boat dock is located 3km south of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, 7km from Ninh Binh city along Trang An Avenue, 16km from Tam Diep city to the north, and 96km from Hanoi to the south.
Trang An is a famous eco-tourism area in Ninh Binh with a large area of over 2000ha, the Trang An tourism complex is a beauty of forests, mountains, and stunning caves.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a temple complex located on Bai Dinh Mountain in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, 5km northwest of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and 12km from Ninh Binh city. Bai Dinh Pagoda is located at the western gateway of the Hoa Lu heritage site, along national highway 38B, 95km from Hanoi. Bai Dinh Pagoda is located north of the Trang An world heritage site.
Located in the ancient capital region, Trang An – Bai Dinh are two famous key tourist spots in Ninh Binh, attracting not only domestic but also foreign tourists.
2. The most “ideal” time to visit Bai Dinh Trang An
Spring from January to March in the lunar calendar, when the weather is warm during the transitional season, is the best time to visit Bai Dinh Trang An. You can combine sightseeing, temple visits for good luck, and participate in major festivals in both Trang An and Bai Dinh.
The Bai Dinh temple festival is a spring festival, starting from the evening of the 1st day of Tet, opening on the 6th day of Tet and lasting until the end of March, marking the beginning of pilgrimage festivals to the ancient land of Hoa Lu. Therefore, you can plan a spring trip during the Lunar New Year with your family to the ancient land of Hoa Lu, visit Bai Dinh temple to participate in this traditional festival of the ethnic group!
However, this is also the peak festival tourism season, so visitors here are very crowded, which can lead to overcrowding, pushing, and theft. In addition, you can also visit Bai Dinh temple at other times of the year to avoid crowds, but avoid the period from June to September due to hot weather, which can make you very tired for a long journey, or the flood season, which can disappoint you as you may not be able to visit the caves when they are flooded.
3. Transportation and directions to Bai Dinh Trang An
Cuong knows that during every Tet holiday and spring season, many tourists from Hanoi embark on a New Year’s spring trip combining temple visits and Buddhist ceremonies, and one of the preferred tourist destinations in Ninh Binh is the Trang An Bai Dinh tourist area.
The city of Ninh Binh is about 110km from Hanoi. If you depart from Hanoi, you can catch daily buses to Ninh Binh from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus stations, with a bus departing every 20 minutes. The ticket price is around 70,000 – 80,000 VND per person.
Upon arriving at Ninh Binh bus station, you can continue by taking a bus, taxi, or motorbike taxi for about 130,000 VND one way to reach the Bai Dinh pagoda area, passing through Trang An on the way. The distance from Ninh Binh city to Trang An is 7km, and from Trang An to Bai Dinh is another 7km.
If you want to save some costs and enjoy the scenery along the way, you can ride a motorbike to Ninh Binh via National Highway 1A as the distance is not too far. If traveling from the center of Hanoi, you should head towards Van Dien – Thuong Tin and then follow National Highway 1A towards Ninh Binh city. The road is relatively easy to travel, so it will only take you 2 – 3 hours to reach Ninh Binh. When traveling to Trang An Bai Dinh by motorbike, be cautious of slippery and prone-to-fall road sections, especially during rainy weather.
4. Ticket Prices for Visiting Trang An Bai Dinh Scenic Area
The Bai Dinh Pagoda premises are very spacious. If you are limited on time, you can take an electric car up to the pagoda. The electric car ticket at Bai Dinh Pagoda is 30,000 VND/way. Additionally, if you go by motorbike to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, you will have to park your bike at a parking lot about 3 km away from the pagoda. Therefore, to save energy, you should take the electric car. Motorbike parking fee: 10,000 VND. Bao Thap entrance fee: 50,000 VND/person/visit.
To explore the scenic Trang An, you will spend over 3 hours on a boat, usually with 4-5 people per boat. The ticket price is 150,000 VND/person. During peak season, there are usually a lot of tourists coming here for sightseeing, so overcrowding often occurs at ticket counters, boat docks, and you need to be cautious to prevent theft and pickpocketing.
5. Famous landscapes in Trang An – Halong Bay on land
Trang An is an eco-tourism area located within the Trang An World Heritage Complex. This place has been classified by the government as a particularly important national monument and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2014.
Nature has favored Trang An with both mountains and water, blending harmoniously with the sky. The clear water reflects the towering limestone cliffs. The mountain ranges, lakes, and caves form a continuous landscape. Each lake is a different watercolor painting of the mountains and their shapes. The magical thing about Trang An is that the lakes are connected by various short underwater caves. The water flows through these caves from one mountain valley to another, creating a closed-loop waterway that is likened to a mystical chessboard.
Tràng An is also famous for its biodiversity with two main ecosystems: the limestone ecosystem and the aquatic ecosystem. Tràng An Ninh Bình is surrounded by limestone mountains in the shape of a bow in the midst of a flooded valley. The diverse natural environment harmoniously combines living creatures, mountains, forests, caves, and water bodies, creating a rare and magnificent world of green mountains and blue water.
The journey to Tràng An is a journey to paradise as you pass through green rice fields or golden ripe fields that change with the seasons, displaying a stunning beauty that captivates the heart. Tràng An with its diverse natural limestone mountains and caves forms valleys that are likened to a “Hạ Long Bay on land”. Exploring Tràng An on a boat, you will have the opportunity to admire an open space with limestone mountains intertwined with vegetation and clear water valleys at the foot of the cliffs.
When visiting Trang An, you will float along the Ma Khe stream on a small boat rowed by hand, similar to tours to Perfume Pagoda and Tam Coc. You will explore the solid stone citadel here, with stunning underwater caves at the foot of the mountains, along with beautiful scenery and attractions that unfold like a watercolor painting before your eyes.
What’s special about Trang An is that the lakes can form multiple closed-loop water routes without having to turn back. This cave system is likened to a mystical chessboard. The mountain ranges, lakes, and caves form a continuous strategic formation.
Currently, tourists visiting Trang An often participate in a 3-hour boat tour, starting from the central reception area located on Trang An Avenue, passing through various tourist spots: Ferry – Trinh Temple – Dia Linh Cave – Dark Cave – Bright Cave – Tran Temple Cave – Tran Temple – Si Cave – Sinh Cave – Tinh Cave – Ba Giot Cave – Wine Making Cave – Phu Khong – Phu Khong Cave – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave – Ferry (through 12 different caves and 3 temples). The entrance fee is 150,000 VND per person.
There is nothing more exciting than boating through about 12 caves within a 5km radius. You will experience the thrill as the boat ventures deep into caves that are only about 3 meters wide.
During the journey to explore Trang An, you will pass through the prominent tourist spots of this tourist area as follows:
The Trinh Temple – a sacred thousand-year-old temple and also the first stop on the journey.
The Tran Temple is the next destination. This ancient temple worships Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong, a general from the time of the Hung Kings. The temple was built with stone from the year 968, with intricate carvings that showcase the craftsmanship of contemporary artisans. To reach the Tran Temple, you must climb 175 steep steps. It is advisable to limit the amount of luggage you carry and wear soft fabric shoes.
The Phu Khong is where Dinh Cong, a minister from the Dinh dynasty, is worshipped. In front of the temple stands a thousand-year-old sacred ancient tree.
With a system of interconnected caves that seem endless such as: Dia Linh Cave, Seo Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou Cave, Khong Cave, Sang Cave, Toi Cave… Each cave has its own beauty, associated with different legends.
I would like to introduce you to a very interesting cave called Nau Ruou Cave, inside which there is a deep well of about 15 meters, with very clear and cool water. According to legend, ancient people discovered this well and used its water to make wine. The cave was named after that. During the excavation of the cave, many jars, vats, mortars, and tools used in the wine-making process were found.
If you go on a one-day tour to Bai Dinh Trang An, after visiting Trang An, you can have lunch right at the boat dock. The restaurants here are quite elegant, clean, air-conditioned, and reasonably priced, or you can have a free lunch break at the waiting house.
After lunch, you can move on to Bai Dinh Pagoda, which is about 7km away from Trang An. The electric car fare at Bai Dinh is 60,000 VND for a round trip. Bai Dinh Pagoda is open from 6 am every day of the week and usually closes at 9 pm.
6. Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh – A temple holding many records in Vietnam
The Bai Dinh Pagoda has a spacious area of 539 hectares, including 27 hectares of the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda and 80 hectares of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda. The main hall of the pagoda is extremely beautiful with 3 floors and 12 curved roofs shaped like a sword blade, covered with traditional tiled roofs. The steps are decorated with dragon-shaped stone carvings from the Ly dynasty, and the wide stone courtyard overlooks the pearl well. Surrounding the corridors are stone statues of arhats that encircle the pagoda’s grounds, and inside the pagoda, there are small gardens with green trees, with the most planted being the Bodhi tree, sourced from temples in India. The space at Bai Dinh Pagoda is very serene and cool, making it an ideal place for monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers to come for worship and meditation.
At the ancient Bai Dinh area, you can visit the caves in the morning and evening, as well as the shrines dedicated to Saint Nguyen and the Mountain God.
Ascending 300 stone steps to the three-door gate, looking to the side of the slope is a junction leading to the bright cave and dark cave.
The bright cave is a place of worship for Gods and Buddhas, as its name suggests, the cave is filled with natural light, right outside the entrance are statues of two majestic gods with stern and fierce faces, deep inside is where the Buddha statue is placed. The cave is about 25 meters deep, 15 meters wide, and over 2 meters high, walking to the end of the cave will lead you to the sacred temple of the Cao Son deity.
On the side of the dark cave, a system of lights is arranged to create a quite mystical scene, above the layers of limestone rocks formed by underground water currents. The steps of the path are vividly decorated with twisting dragon images. In the center, there is a natural water well that regulates the air, making visitors feel cool when entering the cave. This place houses statues of the mother goddess and fairies, with many statues placed deep in the stone niches and with their own worship items.
6.1 Saint Nguyen Temple
Also from the intersection at the beginning of the slope (heading towards the three-gate entrance), you will reach the Saint Nguyen Temple. The temple is an architectural feature of the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex built leaning against the mountain overlooking the river.
Inside the temple is a statue of the Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong. Once, while climbing the mountain to find medicine to cure the king’s illness, he accidentally discovered a beautiful cave that was suitable for building a Buddhist temple. He was not only a famous doctor who prescribed medicine to help the people, but he was also revered as the master of the copper casting profession. For a long time, he dedicated himself to researching the origins of the ancient Dong Son civilization in ancient Vietnam, collecting ancient copper items to revive the traditional copper casting profession that was fading away.
In remembrance and gratitude for the contributions of the Zen master – doctor Nguyen Minh Khong, the people have erected a statue to worship him at Bai Dinh Pagoda. Additionally, he is also worshipped in many places throughout Ninh Binh province.
The overall architecture of the temple follows the style of “first front, later back”. The front part is designed in the shape of the word “First”, while the back part is designed in the shape of the word “Back”, creating a solid “First front, later back” architectural form that harmoniously blends traditional elements. Inside, there are many ancient architectural elements intricately carved, with vivid images of fresh flowers, strong and powerful dragons, and vigorous unicorns.
6.2 Ngoc Well
It is said that the monk Nguyen Minh Khong used the water from this well to make medicine to cure the king and the people. Surrounding the stone fence is a large circle, standing on the palace looking down at the well, which stands out in the large green garden covered with trees, the emerald green water is a highlight in the overall view of Bai Dinh Pagoda. This is also the well of the pagoda that holds the record for being the largest in Vietnam.
In the new Bai Dinh area, there are many national records and many areas for you to visit. Bai Dinh Pagoda holds many records such as having the largest bronze gilded Buddha statue in Asia; the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia; the largest bronze bell in Vietnam; the largest area of a pagoda in Vietnam; the most Arhat statues in Vietnam; the largest pagoda in Vietnam; the most Bodhi trees in Vietnam; and the largest jade well in Vietnam.
6.3 Giant Laughing Buddha Statue
The bronze statue of Buddha, weighing 80 tons and standing 10 meters tall, resting on a hill at Bai Dinh Pagoda has been recognized by the Vietnam Record Center – Vietkings as the largest Maitreya Buddha statue in the country.
6.4 The largest Maitreya Buddha statue in Asia
The Buddha statue placed solemnly in the Main Hall of Bai Dinh Pagoda weighs up to 100 tons and is 9.5 meters tall. Standing in front of the statue, you will feel overwhelmed by the majestic and splendid presence of the statue.
6.5 The largest bronze bell in Vietnam
The bell is 5.5 meters tall, 3.5 meters wide, and weighs up to 36 tons. The bronze bell is carved with many ancient Chinese characters and decorated with vivid dragon motifs.
6.6 Three Buddha statues in Tam The Temple:
The three Buddha statues representing the past, present, and future are gilded, looking majestic and magnificent. This work deserves to achieve the record of the largest Tam The statues in Vietnam.
Chùa Bái Đính is a very large area and moving around can be tiring, so you should consider visiting only some main points such as: Tam Thế and Pháp Chủ shrines, the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Southeast Asia weighing 100 tons.
Chùa Bái Đính has professional tour guides, you should contact them for full information and the guides will introduce you to the must-see areas on your pilgrimage to Chùa Bái Đính.
7. Accommodation at Bái Đính Tràng An
If you only spend a day exploring, you can visit the entire Bai Dinh Trang An tourist area. However, if you plan to stay longer, there are many guesthouses in the Trang An tourist area for you to choose from, making it convenient for your travels. Some reputable and affordable options include Thiên Trường guesthouse, Hoa Lư hotel, Thùy Anh hotel, Non Nước hotel, Tràng An hotel… Or you can go to Ninh Binh city to book a hotel room and explore Ninh Binh at night.
During peak season, it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance to avoid price pressure and room shortages.
8. Must-try specialties of Ninh Binh when visiting Bai Dinh Trang An
Ninh Binh is famous for its unique and exotic local specialties. There are many restaurants to choose from in the Bai Dinh Trang An area. Therefore, when you visit, don’t miss out on Ninh Binh’s famous specialties, especially the burnt rice and mountain goat dishes. However, when buying food or souvenirs, make sure to inquire about the prices to avoid being overcharged at Ninh Binh tourist sites.
At the spiritual tourist area of Bai Dinh Pagoda, Cao Sơn or Thăng Long restaurants are quite delicious and reasonably priced, you can consider these two places.
8.1 Burnt rice:
One of the most famous specialties in Ninh Binh, “cơm cháy” (burned rice) is always at the top of the list of foods you should try when you come here. “Cơm cháy” is special from the way it is fried to the accompanying sauce, crispy and fatty but not overwhelming.
8.2 Goat meat:
Goat meat is one of the must-try dishes when visiting Ninh Binh. Goat meat can be prepared in various ways such as rare goat meat, steamed goat, grilled goat, goat spring rolls… The tender goat meat is skillfully cooked with distinctive spices, making it a memorable dish.
8.3 Ant egg sticky rice:
True to its name, ant egg sticky rice is made from the eggs of brown ants, abundant in the rugged limestone mountainous areas of Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh. The ant egg season is not long, mainly in the second lunar month, so if you have the chance, come and enjoy it right away. The sticky rice is fragrant and soft, combined with rich and creamy ant eggs, and aromatic dried shallots, making it a special dish that you will remember forever.
8.4 Fish cake with noodles:
The limestone mountains surrounding the rice fields in Ninh Binh are home to delicious fish, so the fish noodle soup here is one of the dishes you should try when visiting Ninh Binh.
8.5 Package of “cá nhệch” fish:
In Ninh Binh, you can enjoy this dish in many places. The fish chosen for the salad must be fresh and delicious, carefully prepared and marinated to eliminate the fishy smell, creating a special flavor that blends with the nutty taste of roasted sticky rice, the sourness of vinegar, the spiciness of ginger, pepper, lemongrass, and chili in the dipping sauce.
8.6 Chim Tràng An:
It is said that since ancient times, many dishes served to kings were made from wild birds. The meat of wild birds is very nutritious, fresh, and still retains a natural flavor that pleases guests.
8.7 Mountain snails:
Mountain snails are not a common dish in Ninh Binh and not everyone who travels to Ninh Binh has had the opportunity to enjoy this dish. This type of snail is usually only found in the limestone mountain areas of Tam Diep town, Yen Mo, Nho Quan, Ninh Binh during the rainy season. Mountain snail meat is distinctive for its chewy, crispy, sweet texture, and when prepared in dishes like steamed with ginger, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili, it becomes even more delicious when combined with spices. Therefore, enjoy it when you have the chance because this type of snail is only available in the new season.
9. Things to keep in mind when visiting Bai Dinh Trang An
Because you will have to climb mountains and visit many temples, it’s best to wear comfortable sports shoes instead of high heels or ballet flats to protect your feet and make it easier to move around. Choose appropriate attire when visiting temples; female visitors should avoid wearing short or revealing clothing to maintain a respectful appearance in sacred places. Wear comfortable clothes and avoid tight-fitting or non-breathable garments to prevent sweating.
At Bai Dinh Pagoda, there are many souvenir shops and tempting local specialties, but prices on the mountain are much higher than outside. If you plan to buy local specialties as gifts, it’s better to purchase them at the foot of the mountain where prices are lower.
During the early spring, there may be light drizzles, so it’s advisable to bring a small foldable umbrella as a precaution.
Cuong knows that many people have the habit of bringing some loose change when going to the temple to make merit. However, you should not place money on Buddha statues as it ruins the aesthetic of the temple area; instead, put it in the merit donation boxes here.
It’s advisable to inquire about prices before eating, buying souvenirs, or using any services in Trang An. For any tourist spot in Ninh Binh, always ask about prices beforehand to avoid being overcharged.
If you are planning to stay in a hotel in Ninh Binh for a few days, it’s recommended to book your room 2 weeks to 1 month in advance to manage your time effectively.
Before buying or using any service, you should ask for the price, don’t hesitate to bargain, negotiate a reasonable price.
At the tourist spot Trang An – Bai Dinh, do not buy anything from the locals who row boats, follow you around, sell goods on the street, or lure you into buying things.
Do not give money, candy to children begging, or buy goods from street vendors.
For photographers, if you agree to take photos, it’s best to ask for the price; if you don’t want to take photos, then avoid being bothered.
When finishing the boat ride, tourists should tip the boat driver (around 20,000 – 50,000 VND) to support the local people.
10. Tourist destinations near Bai Dinh Trang An in Ninh Binh
If you are traveling to Ninh Binh for several days, you should also visit other attractive destinations such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Non Nuoc Mountain, Cuc Phuong National Park, Phat Diem Stone Church, Kenh Ga hot spring, and Van Long Nature Reserve. These are all famous and appealing tourist destinations in Ninh Binh that attract many domestic and international tourists.
Next, Cuong will introduce you to some specific famous tourist destinations in Ninh Binh.
10.1 Thung Nham boat dock
When arriving at the Thung Nham boat dock, visitors will sit on small bamboo boats, meandering through the flooded forest, immersing themselves in the natural scenery of the river with rows of longan trees on both sides, leaning against the limestone mountains covered in a light green hue. After about 30 minutes of rowing the boat, a magnificent scene will appear before the visitors with a pristine small island. This is an important nesting place for many water birds, such as egrets, herons, and storks. As dusk falls, flocks of birds return here to roost for the night. They fly back to perch densely on the waterlogged land in the valley, creating a unique landscape of mountains and water. This is the most distinctive beauty of Thung Nham that cannot be found anywhere else.
10.2 Tam Coc – Bich Dong
This is considered the “second most beautiful cave in the South”. Tam Coc has 3 caves: Ca cave, Hai cave, and Ba cave. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is the oldest and most famous tourist destination in Ninh Binh.
10.3 Phat Diem Cathedral
This is a stone church over 120 years old, entirely made of stone and ironwood, known as the Catholic capital of Vietnam. It is also considered the most beautiful Catholic church complex in Vietnam, built over a period of 30 years. Despite being a Catholic church, the architecture of Phat Diem stone church mimics the traditional temple architecture of Vietnam with numerous curved roofs resembling the shape of a boat.
So Cuong has introduced you to the famous tourist destinations in Trang An Bai Dinh Ninh Binh, but the scope of the article is limited, Cuong cannot provide detailed information down to the smallest detail. You can refer to the Trang An Bai Dinh full-day or 2-day 1-night tour packages to have the most detailed introduction from tour guides about the caves, temples, and hidden legends in Trang An, as well as visit the Buddha statues, pagodas, and bronze bells that hold many records in Vietnam and Southeast Asia at Bai Dinh Pagoda!
