Traveling to Ninh Binh has been a hot topic in recent years. But how to visit Ninh Binh? What to do in Ninh Binh? How to travel to Ninh Binh economically is not known to everyone. Read this article to have a complete trip to Ninh Binh.
What’s attractive in Ninh Binh
- Being very close to Hanoi, you can combine Ninh Binh – Hanoi in the same trip, travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes about 1h30′
- There are too many beautiful landscapes, everything looks like a painting, perfect for virtual living purposes.
- Easy transportation, suitable for young people who want to travel but have limited time, exploring Ninh Binh only takes 2 days on the weekend.
When to travel to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is beautiful in every season. For example, in January, February, March, the late winter and early spring season in Ninh Binh is very cool and the vegetation is lush. April, May, June is the rice season in Ninh Binh, very beautiful, July, August, September is a cool and pleasant climate to visit Ninh Binh, while October, November, December is the winter season with fewer tourists, making it very comfortable and quiet to visit Ninh Binh.
How to travel to Ninh Binh
Traveling to Ninh Binh is very convenient, if you are far away and have to travel by plane, you can fly to Hanoi airport, then travel to Ninh Binh by car, which takes about 1h30′, you can also choose to travel by train with Ninh Binh station right in the city of Ninh Binh. Or the north-south bus routes to Hanoi all pass through Ninh Binh.
If you live in Hanoi, it’s easy, just go to the bus station, especially Giap Bat or Luong Yen, there will be buses to Ninh Binh, I’m not sure if there are buses from My Dinh to Ninh Binh. For those traveling to Hanoi and staying in the Old Quarter area, you can contact the hotel reception because as far as I know, there are daily buses from the Old Quarter to Ninh Binh.
Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (limousine):
- If stopping in the city, it costs 135k/way
- If stopping at tourist spots, it costs 150k/way
Note: If you travel by bus to Ninh Binh, it’s recommended to rent a motorbike for convenient transportation between tourist spots, it’s cheap and flexible.
Transportation in Ninh Binh
- Renting a motorbike: the roads are easy to navigate, so riding a motorbike is quite okay, no issues. Before going, people say that the traffic police here often check administrative documents, so make sure to bring your driver’s license and papers. Luckily, during my 2-day trip, I didn’t encounter any traffic police.
- Taking a taxi, during holidays here, the taxi meters are not used, so you have to negotiate the price beforehand. At Tam Coc, I saw a sign with the taxi rates, 800k for a 4-seater taxi per day, and prices for other destinations (but I forgot to take a picture).
Hotels in Ninh Binh
When visiting Ninh Binh, there are usually 2 choices: 1 is staying in the city, 2 is staying near tourist spots.
Last time I went to Ninh Binh, I chose to stay in the city and all the tourist spots were at least 8km away from where I stayed (like backpacking). If I go again, I will choose a homestay for a more relaxed atmosphere and easier access to attractions.In the city, there are places to eat and drink coffee at night, but in reality, there’s not much, so I still recommend staying near tourist areas.
What to eat in Ninh Binh?
With the determination to enjoy Ninh Binh’s specialties, I asked the homestay owner and was advised to try “cơm cháy” (burned rice) and goat meat. Just hearing about it made me excited, especially since there was a restaurant named Thăng Long right next to my homestay. The motto here is to try the local specialties wherever you go, so the “cơm cháy” and goat meat are must-try dishes. They truly are unique dishes; normally, “cơm cháy” on its own is delicious, but here it is served with a special sauce that is indescribably good. The sauce is made with goat liver, fried with shallots, carrots, tomatoes, and mushrooms. As for the goat meat, it’s simply outstanding. Words cannot fully describe the taste, so if you ever visit Ninh Binh, make sure to try these two specialties.
I was initially hesitant to try goat meat due to its smell, but when I tried the goat meat with lemon at Ba Cua restaurant, I finished a whole plate by myself and praised its deliciousness. So, you should definitely give it a try. The restaurant is located near Trang An area. It’s tucked away in an alley, but the food is delicious and reasonably priced. The staff is also quick, friendly, and efficient. Overall, it’s a highly recommended dining spot.
I found out about this restaurant from a review on Facebook and decided to give it a try. I only saw goats around the Trang An area, and was hesitant to try goat meat elsewhere, fearing it might not be good quality. Luckily, the food turned out to be really delicious.
Tourist attractions in Ninh Binh
Every corner of Ninh Binh is picturesque and charming, with a perfect blend of rivers and mountains. In general, the scenery is beautiful, perfect for taking photos. Each location has its own interesting story. When it comes to Ninh Binh, it’s not just about historical landmarks that bear the marks of time, but also the land of “Hoa Lu Ancient Capital” that impresses with many unique and poetic check-in spots. Today, I will share the top 10 check-in spots that I was fortunate to visit during my previous trips to Ninh Binh.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Known for holding many records in Asia and Vietnam, such as: the largest bronze gilded Buddha statue in Asia, the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia, the largest bronze Di Lac statue in Southeast Asia… That is the spiritual complex of Bai Dinh Pagoda. The entire site covers an area of 500 hectares, divided into two areas: the New Pagoda and the Old Pagoda. The New Pagoda features newly constructed architectural structures, while the Old Pagoda is located on the mountain. To fully explore this ancient pagoda, I think you would need a whole day.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Entrance Fees
- Electric car ticket: 30k/person/way.
- Parking fee: 15k/ 1 car.
- Bao Thap sightseeing ticket: 50k/person.
What makes Bai Dinh Pagoda special
- The pagoda has the largest bronze Buddha statue covered in gold in Asia.
- The pagoda has the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia.
- The pagoda has the largest bronze Di Lac statue in Southeast Asia.
Tips for visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda
- It’s recommended to wear appropriate clothing, avoid wearing too short skirts when entering the pagoda.
- It’s advisable to buy a round-trip electric car ticket. Walking in this weather might make you faint in the middle of the road.
- It’s a good idea to bring water with you. There’s no water for sale inside the pagoda. Occasionally, there are a few people carrying bags selling water along the road, but it’s expensive.
Tam Coc Bich Dong
Tam Coc Bich Dong is likened to the “second most beautiful cave under the Southern sky” in Ninh Binh. As far as I know, Tam Coc means 3 caves, including Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. Ca Cave is about 127m long, Hai Cave is nearly 1km away from Ca Cave and about 60m long, while Ba Cave is nearly 50m long. All three caves are formed by the Ngo Dong River flowing through the rugged mountains.
To cover the long distance of about 6km (round trip) will take nearly 2 hours. If you are going for the first time, you may feel a bit scared because it’s dark inside and there is no electricity. But once you get used to it, you will see the stalactites hanging down shining like magical gemstones. It’s very beautiful.The visiting time for Tam Coc Bich Dong is about 2 hours.
Boat rowing distance at Tam Coc Bich Dong: 6km (round trip).
Ticket prices for Tam Coc Bich Dong
- Ticket price: 120k per person for visiting + 150k per boat.
- Parking fee: 10k per vehicle.
You should: Tip the boat rowers as they work hard rowing the boats.
Trang An
Once you are in Ninh Binh, you cannot miss Trang An. The entrance fee at Trang An is 200k per person, including both the entrance ticket and the boat rowing ticket, unlike at Tam Coc where the scenic ticket and boat ticket are separate. Actually, they are not much different in price. At Tam Coc, for two people, it costs 390k, while at Trang An, it’s 400k for two people. The difference is only 10k. At Trang An, each boat accommodates 4 people, so if you are two, you will be paired with another couple for the tour.
You can choose one of the 3 sightseeing routes, each route will pass through different caves and temples. Routes 2 and 3 used to have the Kong Skull Island film set, but it’s closed now.
- Duration: 3.5 hours.
- Ticket price: 200k per person.
- Distance: 16km (round trip).
When visiting Trang An, you should:
- Check the weather before going, prepare sunscreen and a hat if it’s sunny.
- Avoid visiting on weekends, as it’s crowded and you may spend hours buying tickets and boarding boats.
Mua Cave
Mua Cave, a newly popular check-in spot known as the miniature “Great Wall of China” in Ninh Binh. This is a must-visit spot in the ancient land of Hoa Lu. To reach the top of Mua Cave, you’ll have to climb 500 stone steps. I recommend going in the morning and avoiding weekends as it gets crowded. Once you reach the top, you’ll enjoy the majestic mountainous scenery of Tam Coc. Especially in May and June, during the ripe rice season, the “golden season on the river” creates a beautiful natural landscape.
Mua Cave entrance fee
Entrance fee: 100k per person.
Parking fee: 10k per vehicle.
Duration: 3-4 hours.
Here are some tips for you when visiting Hang Múa:
- Ladies should wear traditional red, yellow, or white clothes for better photos. Remember to bring a hat for both style and sun protection.
- Wear sneakers instead of heels for easier mountain climbing (500 steps). Most people go barefoot up there for photos.
- Climb straight up without resting too much, as more breaks will make you more tired. Remember to carry a water bottle with you.
- Climbing up there is quite dangerous, especially when taking photos at the tower and the Dragon’s spot. So, be careful.
Notes for visiting Hang Múa
- You should: Use the restroom below before climbing if you don’t want to climb twice.
- You need: Carry a bottle of water with you as you will definitely need it.
Đầm Vân Long
Đầm Vân Long is known as the “waveless bay” because when boating on the bay, the water surface is calm and clear, allowing you to see all the way to the bottom. The entrance fee is 50k/1 person, including both boat and sightseeing tickets. Sitting on the old bamboo boat, you will leisurely pass through the mountain crevices, limestone blocks with very strange names like Cat Scratch Mountain, Sticky Rice Mountain, Book Mountain,… Not only does it offer a pristine natural landscape like a watercolor painting, but it is also the habitat of many rare and precious plant and animal species, especially the white-cheeked gibbon. If you are lucky on a beautiful day, you may encounter these white-cheeked gibbons running on the mountain slopes.
Address: Gia Vân commune, Gia Viễn district.
Ticket prices for Đầm Vân Long sightseeing
- Scenic ticket: 20k/1 person.
- Boat ticket: 60k/2 people.
Am Tiên Cave – Tuyệt Tình Cốc
Ninh Binh is known for its charming natural landscapes and Am Tiên Cave is no exception. Am Tiên Cave, also known as Tuyệt Tình Cốc, possesses a poetic beauty with a touch of mystery from the marks of time, creating a unique beauty. Stepping foot here, you will immediately see a water-filled lake surrounded by rocky mountains. To reach Am Tiên Cave, you have to climb about 200 stone steps up the mountain wall. Looking from afar, the cave resembles the mouth of a dragon, hence it is also known as Dragon Cave.
Am Tien Cave is a must-visit destination if you love serene natural landscapes with a touch of melancholy. This place feels completely detached from the outside world, everything seems to be tinted with the colors of time and the ancient cultural values left behind through the years.
Duration of visit: 3 hours.
Am Tien Cave Entrance Fee
- Entrance fee: 20k/person.
- Parking fee: 10k/vehicle.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
It is a vast and magnificent architectural complex with the distinctive cultural characteristics of the Vietnamese people. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is one of the popular tourist spots in Ninh Binh chosen by many visitors due to its sacred temples and famous UNESCO-recognized relics. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital impresses everyone right from the main gate entrance, the stone gate bears the marks of time but still exudes a majestic presence. I recommend you to visit here to learn about how prosperous and bustling the people of the ancient Southern country once lived. The vast grounds with palaces and royal gardens of the ancient kings, although all bear the marks of time, still radiate the opulence and grandeur of that era.
Ticket prices for visiting Hoa Lư
- Entrance ticket: 20k/person.
- Parking ticket: 10k/car.
You should wear simple clothes, long pants and long shirts when visiting.
Bích Động Pagoda
Bích Động Pagoda is part of the Tam Cốc Bích Động complex, in the same area. After visiting Tam Cốc, I think you should visit the pagoda to explore this mystical spiritual place. The ancient pagoda carries the essence of ancient Vietnamese folklore. Outside the pagoda, on both sides are beautiful lotus ponds, inside there is a Dark Cave for those who like to explore, the view is very beautiful if you are willing to climb to the top. The space here, and almost all other places in Ninh Binh, are covered in green, with mountains, lakes, and lush greenery surrounding the natural scenery. The fresh, peaceful air will make you feel like life is slowing down, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Thung Nham Bird Garden
Thung Nham Bird Garden is located about 5km from Bích Động Pagoda. This is the habitat of many bird species, about 40 species and over 50 thousand individuals. The best time to watch the birds return home after foraging is around 5pm. However, if you visit in winter, the birds will return home earlier, so pay attention if you want to explore this place in winter. In my opinion, the best time to visit Thung Nham Bird Garden is in autumn, when the weather is not too hot like in summer, nor too cold like in winter, perfect for exploring the Thung Nham ecosystem.
Address: Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lư district, Ninh Bình province
Ticket prices for Thung Nham Bird Garden
- Entrance fee: 100k/person.
- Boat ticket to visit the Bird Garden: 20k/person.
- But Cave ticket: 20k/person.
Cuc Phuong National Park
For those who love animals, nature, small creatures, giant primates, or slow-moving turtles, Cuc Phuong is a place worth experiencing. Compared to other tourist spots in Ninh Binh like Trang An, Bai Dinh, or Tam Coc Bich Dong, Cuc Phuong Forest is further away from the city center. In my opinion, the best time for everyone to explore and experience Cuc Phuong Forest is from December to the end of May. This is when the weather is cool, comfortable, and suitable for various activities. Especially in May, if you’re lucky, you can see a “butterfly forest” that looks magical like in a movie.
Ticket prices for Cuc Phuong Forest
- Adults: 60k/person.
- Students: 20k/person.
- Children: 10k/person.
When visiting Cuc Phuong Forest, you should:
- If camping and staying in the forest, bring a thin sweater and a blanket to protect against rain and the cold mist at night.
- Bring insect repellents, insect repellent spray, and skin ointments to avoid mosquito bites or forest leeches.
Ninh Binh has many Instagrammable spots. If you only have 2 days on the weekend to explore Ninh Binh, you can only visit a few basic places. Ninh Binh is incredibly beautiful, so make sure to visit at least once in your youth.
Some tips when traveling to Ninh Binh
- Ask for prices, always inquire about prices before buying anything.
- Always carry water with you.
- Choose clothing like ao dai with conical hats, boho, or vintage-style outfits…
- Always bring at least one power bank to prevent running out of battery while taking photos.
- When walking or hiking, avoid wearing high heels.
TRAVEL DIARY IN NINH BINH
Below is a suggested itinerary for traveling to Ninh Binh for your reference, plan your program accordingly
2-day 1-night itinerary to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
Travel by limousine from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.I chose Duy Khang limousine, very comfortable ride.Make a reservation (many trips available, takes about 1.5 hours to arrive)
if you choose to be picked up at the airport, it costs 260k, if picked up in the center of Hanoi, it’s 135k.(If you fly from other provinces to Hanoi, I recommend being picked up at the airport because taking a Grab to the center will cost around 200-250k)
Day 1: Trang An
Arrive at 11:30 am, rest until 1 pm and start the Trang An tour.Ticket 200k/person (1 boat for 4 people)
But I wanted to go with just 2 people to take photos without bothering others, so I bought an extra ticket.
There are 3 routes to choose from, that day I chose the second route, in my opinion, routes 2 and 3 are good, visiting temples, caves, and the King Kong film set.
It takes 3 hours (bring snacks and water because it’s a long tour), in the evening, I ate at Cho Que Quan Restaurant (because I saw it on the TV show “Vietnam Tươi Đẹp” and it looked delicious with Sỉ Thanh, Diệu Nhi, Yaya Trương Nhi)
Day 2: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Mua Cave
Have breakfast at Bun Cha Tinh Mai restaurant (very delicious)
Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda
Entrance fee to Bai Dinh Pagoda is 60k/person
(if you want a tour guide, it’s an additional 500k, regardless of the number of people, I had 2 people so it was a bit expensive, but I really enjoyed the guided tour, and you can’t explore the whole pagoda on your own, it’s about 5km with 350 steps. The tour takes about 2.5 hours)
After visiting the pagoda, I asked the guide for a restaurant recommendation, she suggested Ho Nui Dinh, which is on the way back and the food is really good.(Also recommend Thang Long restaurant, De Quy goat restaurant)
Passing by Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, I was too tired to go in and take pictures, but you should visit. Along the same road, you can also visit Tuyet Tinh Coc.
Hang Múa (entrance fee 100k / person)
Very beautiful but climbing 500 steps is extremely tiring, but totally worth it (remember to bring water).
After visiting Hang Múa, we stopped by Hồ Sen nearby as it was close to our departure time back to Hanoi, so we quickly took some photos.
End of the trip, take the last bus back to Hanoi at 6 pm.
3-day 2-night itinerary to Ninh Binh
Day 1: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave).
In the scorching heat of June, sweating profusely, the weather was unbearable for most people. However, for a girl who loves to travel, this weather was nothing. The excitement surged within me, and I woke up early in the morning to prepare for my trip. The first place I chose to visit was Bai Dinh Pagoda – the temple holding the most records in Vietnam.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
In the morning, I went to the pagoda by renting a motorbike from the owner of La Casa Homestay. Since it was my first time, I used Google Maps to find the way. It wasn’t far from where I stayed, only about 5km. As soon as I entered the gate, I could see the magnificent scenery of the temple holding many records in Vietnam. The entire complex here is vast, about 500 hectares, divided into 2 areas: New Temple and Old Temple. The New Temple consists of newly constructed architectural structures, while the Old Temple is located on the mountain. Overall, it was very impressive. If you explore the whole area, it might take a whole day. I only had half a day to visit, so I couldn’t see everything.
There are tour guide services available here. If you want to learn more about the history of the temple, it’s recommended to buy a ticket. I think it’s around 300k for a guided tour.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
I only spent the whole morning at Bai Dinh, then I returned to Thang Long restaurant for lunch before heading to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in the afternoon. These places were close to where I stayed, so it was convenient to visit them together.
“Hoa Lư ancient capital was the capital of the first feudal state of Vietnam, which still has many relics of palaces, temples, tombs, Dinh Temple, Le Temple, and the beginning of the Ly dynasty. The Hoa Lư relic area also has some beautiful pagodas such as Ngân Xuyên Pagoda near the foot of Mã Yên mountain, and Nhất Trụ Pagoda. Every year, Hoa Lư attracts many tourists to come and offer incense and admire the scenery.” That’s the theory I gathered from many sources.
And when I set foot here, I couldn’t help but be amazed to witness the relics that have been here for up to 1000 years. Although the marks of time have been imprinted on the relics here, the moss-covered walls, peeling off, but those things only emphasize the ancient beauty that our ancestors built..
Tuyệt tình cốc (Động Am Tiên)
Tuyệt tình cốc – sounds very nice. But I don’t understand why it’s called Tuyệt tình cốc. The actual name of this place is Động Am Tiên, located near the Hoa Lư ancient capital. If you have the opportunity to visit the ancient capital, you should go to Động Am Tiên. To enter inside, you need to buy a ticket outside and go through a mountain tunnel. The first thing I felt inside was a very cool atmosphere, the natural scenery is very poetic. Looking at this scenery, I imagined the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” with several boats rowing for couples taking wedding photos below. It looks like a martial arts movie, guys.
So that’s the end of my first day in Ninh Binh. A day of gathering new knowledge, and also admiring temples and pagodas is more than enough.
Day 2: Tam Cốc Bích Động – Cố Viên Lầu – Chùa Bích Động.
Tam Cốc Bích Động
My second day started with Tam Cốc Bích Động. Known as the “second nicest place under the Southern sky,” when I visited, it was also the time when the locals had just finished harvesting rice. Too bad. Well, I had to sit on the boat and imagine it. To visit this place, you need to buy an entrance ticket and boat fee. Each boat can accommodate 4 Vietnamese guests or 2 Western guests (probably because they are bigger and heavier than me).
As far as I know, Tam Cốc means 3 caves. To go through the 6km route (round trip), you will pass through 3 caves. At first, it was a bit scary to enter because it was dark and there was no electricity. But gradually, I got used to it and even got to admire the stalactites hanging down from the cave ceiling, shining like magical gemstones.
I spent the whole morning experiencing Tam Cốc Bích Động, and my stomach started growling because of hunger. After wandering around to find a lunch spot, I finally stopped at a Family restaurant near the Tam Cốc dock. After eating and resting, around 2 pm, I continued my adventure in the land of the Hoa Lư ancient capital.
Cố Viên Lầu
Located near the Tam Cốc dock, Cố Viên Lầu, also known as the Ancient Vietnamese Village, consists of many ancient houses restored from miniature images of Northern rural villages. Most of the houses here are designed and built in ancient architectural styles (5 compartments, 7 compartments) from precious woods with intricate and unique carvings. Inside the houses, I saw decorations such as ancient utensils like tràng kỷ, tea cabinets, wooden beds, ancestral altars, bas-relief paintings,… closely related to the daily life of our ancestors. Very interesting.
Chùa Bích Động
Located about 2km from the dock, this is a place you shouldn’t miss. Especially in the summer, right in front of the entrance, there are beautiful lotus ponds. I recommend wearing an áo dài with a conical hat for a very beautiful photo shoot. Visiting Chùa Bích Động is free, so don’t miss it. Maybe because I was tired from the whole day, I only spent a little time exploring this place before returning to rest.
After a round of exploration, it was already past 5 pm, the sun was starting to fade, the heat was decreasing. So my second day ended with many interesting experiences.
Day 3: Hang Múa – Vườn Chim Thung Nham – Đan Viện Châu Sơn.
Hang Múa
If you go on a trip, you have to go to the best and most beautiful places. On my second day, I chose a vintage outfit for the main location, Hang Múa. When visiting Hang Múa, I recommend going in the morning. Because it’s less sunny when you climb. Perhaps this place should be called the “paradise of virtual living.” Because when I reached the gate, I saw many places to take pictures, like waterfalls, bridges with lanterns similar to Hoi An, or a clear pond with swings for great photos. But to get even better photos, it’s not that easy, I had to climb about 500 steps to reach the top, the path was quite steep. It was really exhausting, my hair was messy, sweat was pouring, luckily I went in the morning so it was somewhat less tiring. Once I climbed up, I felt it was totally worth it, the view was beautiful from every angle.
Đan Viện Châu Sơn
About 15km from Homestay La Casa, it takes about 30 minutes to get there. When I arrived, the gate was closed, I saw a poster hanging on the wall with a notice: “To maintain a quiet, sacred atmosphere for prayer, please do not freely enter the premises, the church, the Fatima garden,…”. Below was a phone number to contact if anyone wanted to enter for worship. I had to contact several times before being allowed in, but only one person was allowed. When entering, you must wear formal clothes, a high-necked shirt, no off-shoulder tops, or short skirts. I learned that this place is for priests, so it’s very strict here..
These are the reviews of my 3-day, 2-night exploration trip in Ninh Binh. I hope my sharing will help you have a complete and enjoyable trip to Ninh Binh.
In my opinion, Ninh Binh is beautiful, incredibly beautiful, you should visit it once to experience the beauty of the country, the majestic mountains and rivers, the friendly and close people, reasonable prices, cheaper than many other tourist cities.
