Welcome to our Ninh Binh travel guide! Often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land”, Ninh Binh was one of the most mesmerizing highlights of our Vietnam trip. Having just left Sapa, a region boasting some of the greenest and most natural landscapes we’ve ever seen, we didn’t think anything could surprise us. We were delightfully wrong! Riding a bike through the lush rice fields of Ninh Binh is an unforgettable experience and a must-add to your itinerary.
Ninh Binh Travel Guide: How many days do I need?
In our Ninh Binh travel guide, we recommend planning for at least 2-3 days to fully experience the beauty and tranquility of Ninh Binh. Initially, we planned to spend 2 nights in Ninh Binh, but we found the place so peaceful and relaxing (especially after the hustle and bustle of Hanoi!) that we extended our stay to 3 nights. This will give you time to fully enjoy the place and to stop to smell the flowers.
How expensive is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is incredibly affordable, even by Vietnam’s standards. You can find decent accommodation for $10 or enjoy a meal for $3-4. Some attractions are on the pricier side, such as the Bird Park or the Tam Coc Lake tour, but especially the latter is a must.
Getting to Ninh Binh
Our Ninh Binh travel guide wouldn’t be complete without practical tips on how to get there. Before we do that, it’s important to clarify that people often refer to the area as Ninh Binh, and that’s fine. But the main attractions are in a town called Tam Coc, in the province of Ninh Binh.
We arrived from Hanoi, but the options would be the same from any other destination. Here are the steps to get to Tam Coc:
- Get to Ninh Binh station
- Train: The ticket costs $5-10 depending on the type. The station is next to the “train road” in Hanoi and it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. There are 3 ticket options: 4-people cabin, 6-people cabin, and seats.
- Bus: The ticket costs $6 and the journey takes 3 hours. It’s less safe than the train.
- Ninh Binh station to Tam Coc: Prepare for some hassle. There will be about 10 taxi drivers waiting for you at the station. Just choose one, offer half the money of what they ask for and in 15 minutes you will be at your hostel.
If you want to buy the tickets online, you can do it here: bus and train.
Best Place to Stay in Ninh Binh
These outstanding bungalows are surrounded by amazing landscapes. The atmosphere and the staff are both simply incredible. It’s a very solid option, probably the best place to stay in Ninh Binh.
Moving Around in Ninh Binh
There are mainly 2 options to get the most out of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh:
- Bike: $1-2
- Motorbike: $3-4
Pretty much every hostel will be happy to provide you with your choice. We personally recommend cycling around on a regular bike, as you get to enjoy more of the landscape and the distances are not that far. However, if you plan to visit Cuc Phuong National Park, book a motorbike for that day as it’s quite far.
Must-See Attractions in Ninh Binh
Tam Coc Lake tour
Right in the centre of Tam Coc’s town, this is probably the most popular attraction in Ninh Binh. Get to the lake early in the morning (it gets crowded later in the day) and book yourself a small boat. The ride is one hour and a half and is AMAZING. The landscape is really similar to the one you get to enjoy in Ha Long Bay. Be aware that the price is quite expensive, especially by Vietnamese standards:
- Boat: 120k dongs ($5)
- Per person: 150k ($6.5)
- Tip for your guide: I’d like to say it’s optional but they pretty much demand it. To be fair, it is really a hard job and they probably see very little of the ticket money.
Bich Dong Pagoda
Just 2.8km from Tam Coc, about 20 minutes of cycling. We were amazed by the landscapes and the rice fields on our way to the Pagoda, definitely one of the most amazing memories we brought from Vietnam!
Once you get to the Pagoda (it’s free!), park your bike, get some water and have a stroll around it. This Pagoda dates from 1428 and goes back to the era of the dynasty Bich Dong.
If you hike to the top you will find a cave with a temple inside, pretty cool! Not that cool the bats flying around!
Funny anecdote: Vietnamese mothers take their kids to the pagoda and “force” their kids to practise English with tourists like us. The kids were so sweet!
Thung Nham Bird Park
To be done on the same day as the Pagoda (4.3 km from there) you’ll find the Thung Nham Bird Park. The price for the park is 100k dongs per person ($4), so it’s a bit on the pricey side.
Thung Nham Bird Park it’s a very relaxed natural reserve where you can enjoy green scenery, lakes and see different bird species. Just make sure you visit early in the morning or early evening as the birds are not around all day. The park is the perfect place to cycle around!
TIP: there is a small lake where locals offer a boat trip inside a cave for 30K dongs ($1). Very fresh and relaxed experience, totally worth it for the money.
Mua Cave Viewpoint
Probably our favorite activity in Tam Coc. To be done on a different day as it’s in a different direction to the previous two attractions. From Tam Coc it takes about 30 minutes to get here, adding 4km either way to our existing burning calories counter! Who said traveling is about luxury and eating? Ha!
Despite the name, don’t think of Mua Cave as a cave experience. There is indeed a cave, but it lacks much interest and you get to see it in 30 seconds. Instead, turn to the left and you will see the first steps of the 500 steps that take you to the top of a huge mountain. Before you start climbing the steps, make sure you buy some water for the Vietnamese woman next (she knows where to do good business!) as you will thank her later.
The pictures speak for themselves, the views from the top are breathtaking and make the visit to Tam Coc and Ninh Binh worth it.
Cuc Phong National Park
If you have an extra day, rent a motorbike or a taxi and go to Cuc Phong National Park (50 km from Tam Coc). This is a one-day trip and some people even spend a night in the park (there are camping facilities if you’re into camping!).
Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to the park as it was pouring the day we were meant to go. If you go or you’ve been, please let us know how it is!
Ninh Binh Travel Guide Conclusion
Ninh Binh is a treasure trove of natural beauty and historical intrigue. From the serene Tam Coc Lake to the panoramic views from Mua Cave Viewpoint, there’s something for every traveler. While this guide covers the highlights, there’s much more to discover. So, take your time, explore, and let Ninh Binh surprise you. Happy travels!
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