Ninh Binh
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 8 min
Top 5 things to do in Ninh Binh
After the hustle and bustle of the cities and the adventurous journey through the Ha Giang Loop, it's time to relax and take a moment to unwind in the beautiful Ninh Binh. This region in Vietnam is often referred to as the ‘Ha Long Bay on land’ due to its gigantic limestone cliffs and stunning rivers and lakes.
Ninh Binh is the name of the province in Vietnam but also the name of the capital of that province. Before coming to Ninh Binh it can be a little confusing. What is Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, and Trang An, so let’s clear up that confusion!
Ninh Binh, in northern Vietnam, includes both the province and its capital city. Most accommodations are found in Tam Coc, a nearby town popular with tourists. Tam Coc offers tasty dining options and plenty of activities. It's conveniently located for exploring nearby attractions like boat tours in Trang An or visiting Ninh Binh City. This area provides a peaceful escape surrounded by nature's limestone cliffs and is a favorite spot for backpackers.
Perhaps you've already read somewhere, but Ninh Binh's history dates back to ancient Vietnam. Over the centuries, Ninh Binh has been influenced by different dynasties and rulers, shaping its rich cultural and historical heritage. At one point, during the Dinh Dynasty (968-980 AD) and the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009 AD), it was even Vietnam's capital. While it's no longer the capital, Ninh Binh still holds onto its historical and cultural importance, continuing to be a significant center in Vietnam.
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| TABLE OF CONTENTS
Trang An Boot Tour
Lotus Pond
Mua Caves
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Chua Ky Lan - Ninh Binh City
Where to stay
Where to eat
Where to go out
Where to shop
Trang An boot tour
The Trang An boat tour is a must if you're in Ninh Binh! The area you sail through is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and it's easy to see why. With its high limestone cliffs, long caves, and stunning nature, it is breathtaking.
When purchasing a ticket for the boat tour, you can choose from several routes. One route is slightly longer than the other, with different paths across the lake and through the rivers. In line, many people strongly recommended route 3, claiming it has the most spectacular views. For only 250,000 dong (approximately €9.60), you can get a ticket and join the queue for the tour. If you want to have the lake to yourself, I recommend arriving early. We arrived around 10:25 in the morning, and it was already fairly crowded. However, once on the water, you won’t notice the crowd as much since the area is quite large. If you prefer a less crowded experience, it might be better to arrive earlier.
The boat tour lasts about 3 hours, which may seem long, but the time flies by quickly. The people who are paddling the boat are mainly older women. It is hard physical work, so that is why our group helped paddle as well. It’s up to you, but they would really appreciate it and you’ll go through the tour a little faster if you help paddle.
Once on the boat, you sail past small islands with temples built on them. Here, you stop for a while to look around before continuing the tour. You also sail through caves up to 500 meters long and very low. This is incredibly impressive! But be aware that if you have claustrophobia, you might want to avoid this boat route. Another fun fact is that this natural area was used in the film King Kong which the Vietnamese in Ninh Binh are very proud of. In route 3, you also pass by the location featured in the film!
Lotus Pond
The lotus pond is a stunning part of Ninh Binh. The journey there takes you past small lakes nestled among rice fields and limestone cliffs. Additionally, the lotus pond is located near the Mua Caves, so it's like hitting two birds with one stone! Not all lotuses bloom year-round, but even during the off-season, you can still catch a glimpse of some!
Various bridges have been built over the small lake, allowing you to stroll around and admire the lotuses on the water. Once you've taken in the beauty of the lotus pond, it's time to lace up your good shoes and get ready for the climb up to the Mua Caves!!
Mua Caves
If you’re going to Ninh Binh, you’ve probably heard about the Mua Caves! At the base of the Mua Cave lies the lotus pond we just talked about, and even further down are small caves you can walk through. However, the main attraction everyone talks about is the climb of 500 steps to the top for a panoramic view over the Tam Coc valley and the Ngo Dong river.
The name ‘Mua’ means ‘rain’ in Vietnamese. The caves are named after a legend that says the rainfall created the valley and river at the foot of the hill. Hence, the name Mua Caves.
The Mua Caves are best visited at sunrise or sunset. My recommendation is to go at sunrise. Climbing up involves quite a few steps, so it's nice if it’s not too hot yet. At sunrise, it gradually gets lighter as you climb up, whereas at sunset, it gets progressively darker, and then you have to descend the steep stairs in the dark. Regardless of the time of day you choose, the Mua Caves are always stunning, and the view does not disappoint.
We personally went around 3:00 PM. This is a time when it is quite warm and crowded with tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Further tips: wear good shoes! The steps are not all the same height, they can be quite slippery, and there are many of them. So, don't go up in flip-flops; make sure to wear shoes with good grip.
TIP: Wear shoes with good grip!
The entrance fee for Mua Cave is €7.69.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
A lesser-known attraction among backpackers is the Bai Dinh Pagoda. It is located a bit outside the center of Tam Coc, but with a scooter ride of just over half an hour, you can reach it. The Bai Dinh Pagoda is a Buddhist complex and one of the largest in all of Vietnam.
The complex dates back to ancient times, but in 2003, construction began on the current structure. There are towers, pagodas, and structures on the site that are relatively new. In some buildings, you can still smell the fresh wood.
The temple complex is quite large, and you’ll need some time to see everything. Unfortunately, we realized this too late and arrived just as the sun was setting. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it was the perfect time to see the temples. The sky was still a bit light, but the lights on the pagodas and temples had just started to come on, making it super magical. I think it might even be more beautiful than if you visited in the middle of the day. So when you visit, make sure to go in the late afternoon. This way, you can walk around the complex and see the sunset while the lights illuminate the temples.
TIP: Go late in the afternoon for the sunset and the lights at the temple
Chua Ky Lan - Ninh Binh City
This temple is located in the large city of Ninh Binh, and it takes about half an hour to get there from Tam Coc by scooter. After spending a few days in Tam Coc, it's nice to be in the big city of Ninh Binh and take a stroll around. Here, we came across the Chua Ky Lan temple. If you want to have the place to yourself, I recommend arriving early. By around 10:00 AM, it gets quite busy with tourists. At the temple, you can take a staircase up to a spot with a beautiful view over Ninh Binh. There are also small stalls around, which resemble a sort of Asian/Western shopping street.
Where to stay
One of the best hostels in Tam Coc is Banana Tree Hostel. By Vietnamese standards, it is quite pricey at €10. Generally, you can book everything in Vietnam up until the day before, but this hostel fills up quickly. My tip is to book it a few days in advance. Additionally, Banana Tree is located right in the center of Tam Coc, making it easy to walk to restaurants or the nightlife area.
You can also stay in one of the many homestays. Price-wise, there isn’t a significant difference, and a homestay might even be cheaper. This is a good option if you want more peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy being in nature. These homestays are often well-maintained, with free breakfast, swimming pools, and even organized family dinners. However, these homestays are usually a bit further from the center, so you need to be comfortable riding a scooter or taking a taxi more often to get to the center of Tam Coc.
Book your hostel: https://www.hostelworld.com
Our favorite restaurant in Ninh Binh was the SKill GOLD Bar and Restaurant. Here, you can not only enjoy delicious food but also have a great time with drinks, fun games, and amazing cocktails!
Where to eat
If you've been in Vietnam for a while, you can't avoid karaoke. The Vietnamese love it. In Ninh Binh, there's something called the karaoke bus. These buses are parked in front of Banana Tree Hostel. They are double-deckers converted into karaoke buses. It's a fun experience, especially if you go with a great group of people.
Where to go out
In Hanoi, you can buy a lot of fake branding for lessmoney. So, for example, fake Nikes or North Face. Throughout the city, you'll find small shops selling this kind of stuff. Negotiate hard on the price because often a lot of money can be taken off!
