Ninh Binh is one of the most scenic regions that I’ve ever visited. This area is also known as the “Halong Bay on land”. I visited both, and personally, I found Ninh Binh to be even more scenic, exotic, and filled with breathtaking landscapes, including the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex.
This area is more peaceful and offers a wide variety of activities, from cycling through the rice fields, boat trips and jungle walks to enjoying magical Hoa Lu city at night. It has something for everyone, which is exactly what I loved most about it.
As Ninh Binh has so much to offer, I created an ultimate travel guide for first timers, featuring the best things to do and see in Ninh Binh.
If you want to visit Hanoi and don’t know how to start the planning, here is an article that could help you: Best Things To Do in Hanoi: Complete Travel Guide.
Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh for First-Timers
As I said, I’m not a full time traveler. I just love to travel, and that’s why most of my guides are for first-timers. So the list contains all the places I visited, but also some of them that I missed and I would like to visit them. There were so many beautiful things to do, that I can’t rank them in a top list.
1. Go on a boat tour on Tam Coc or Trang An
One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is to take a bout tour. If you’re short on time, you can choose one of them. Personally, I chose Trang An because I explored the Tam Coc area by bicycle instead.
Trang An Boat Ride
Trang An Landscape Complex, located right on the edge of the Red River Delta, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even though the boat tour here is more touristy, I still had a very peaceful experience.
This area is famous for its countless limestone karts mountains covered with tropical forests, connected by caves and underground passages. During the trip, you’ll also pass beautiful rice fields and water lilies while riding in traditional sampan boats. Another highlight is Kong Island, which got its name because it was used as a filming location for the movie Kong: Skull Island.
So I recommend taking this opportunity to relax and enjoy both the spectacular scenery and the temples you will visit throughout the tour.
Now, going for the practical part: when you visit Trang An, you’ll have 3 options of boat trips:
Route 1
Duration: 3-4 hours;
Route Details: 2 temples, one palace, one pagoda and 8 caves.
Route 2
Duration: 2-3 hours;
Route Details: 2 temples, one palace, 4 caves and Dia Linh Mountain and Pen Tower;
Highlights: Pen Tower, the filming location for the movie Kong: Skull Island.
Route 3
Duration: 3 hours;
Route Details: 2 temples, one palace, 3 caves and Dia Linh Mountain and Pen Tower;
Highlights: Pen Tower, the filming location for the movie Kong: Skull Island and Dot Cave which is the largest cave from all.
Personally, I chose Route 3 because it included the highlights that interested me the most. Even though 3 hours may sound long, time flies because the scenery is constantly changing, and you’ll also have breaks and time to walk around the temples on the islands.
Useful Tips
- Tickets are purchased at the Trang An Departure Boat Ticket;
- Price: 11.4$;
- Open hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily;
- Duration: around 3-4h;
- Best time to visit: early in the morning or late . Avoid the midday as it’s very hot;
- What to wear: wear sunscreen, hut or sunglasses.
Tam Coc Boat Ride
Tam Coc is located in the heart of the tourist area. The boat tour takes you along the Ngo Dong River in a traditional sampan rowed by a local, often using their feet.
The tour lasts around 1.5-2h round trip and passes through three natural caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. The landscape is similar as the Trang An, with limestone mountains covered in tropical forests and surrounded by rice paddies.
Useful Tips
- Tickets are purchased at the Van Lam Pier;
- Price: 250000 VND (10$);
- Open hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily;
- Duration: around 2h;
- Best time to visit: early in the morning before the buses with tourists arrive or late before it’s closing. Avoid the midday as it’s very hot;
- What to wear: wear sunscreen, hut or sunglasses;
- What to expect: I heard that there will be vendors on the river which will try to sell souvenirs, drinks, snacks.
2. Into the Wild: Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam, established in 1962. In the past, this area was populated by the Muong hill tribe, who lived in traditional stilt houses. I consider it a must-see destination because it has a lot to offer: from a wonderfully rich ecosystem and jungle trekking trails to primate and turtle conservation centers. If you have a permit that allows you to ride a scooter, it’s even better, as you can explore the park more freely and enjoy it at your own pace.
It offers several trekking routes, but only one is about 2 hours long and can be done without a local guide. Along the trail, you’ll visit the Cave of Prehistoric Man and a thousand year old tree known as Dang tree. The other routes are only available with a guide and are longer.
The park has a 20 km paved road to the center. It is possible to get there by a scooter or private car. The scooter ride is more scenic, but it takes about 2 hours round trip with stops, so you should expect to spend most of the day there.
You can ask for guidance or book a tour at your hotel in Ninh Binh. Alternatively, you can contact the staff at Cuc Phuong National Park if you arrive early in the day, but I don’t know if they could help you.
Useful Tips
- More details about opening hours, tickets on Vietnam Airlines ;
- Location: here;
- Duration: it will take a time so prepare to stay at least half a day.
- What to wear: sunscreen, a hat, long pants, a blouse, and good shoes because the terrain is muddy.
- If you visit in April or May, it’s butterfly season.
3. One of the Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh: Cycle Through Rice Fields
One of the best ways to experience the Vietnamese countryside is cycling through the lush, greenery rice fields.
There are many forest roads and scenic paths where you can cycle along the Tam Coc river, passing temples and local villages. Along the way, you’ll see ducks, baby ducks and also the beautiful water buffalo grazing in the fields.
Honestly, I never imagined this kind of experience would be possible. But once I started researching Ninh Binh, I was so thrilled and excited about it. It’s really one of the most peaceful and beautiful ways to explore the area.
As I mentioned, you’ll have the chance to visit several temples, such as Thai Vi Temple(entrance free), and the famous Bich Dong Pagoda, which is also next on my list.
The next place I didn’t visit as we decided to book ahead a car to Hanoi and I really regret it, so I will put here: Thung Nham Bird Garden, Bird valley viewpoint along the way you’ll pass more caves: Vai Gioi Cave, Mermaid Cave, Hang But Hien.
Thung Nham Bird Garden & Caves
It’s a little bit far so that’s why if you are short on time, I think its kind of difficult to do it. It depends on your preferences. Most visitors explore the area by bicycle. It’s slower but more flexible, allowing you to stop whenever you like. You can visit visiting this with the bicycle as you can be more flexible and stop every time you need. Here you can visit the caves: Vai Gioi Cave, Mermaid Cave, Hang But Hien or just to visit directly the Bird Valley.
Useful Tips
- Location: Thung Nham Bird Garden;
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the summer, and 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM in the winter;
- Price: 150000 VND per ticket;
- Best time to visit: arrive late in the afternoon around 4:30-5:00 PM;
- What to wear: wear sunscreen, hut, sunglasses, bottle of water;
- When is the best time of the year: September to April;
- You can rent a bike around Van Lam Pier.
4. Climb Mua Cave for the Best View in Ninh Binh
The Mua Cave(Dragon Mountain) features around 500 stone steps that lead you up to a viewpoint overlooking the Ninh Binh region, especially Tam Coc valley. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the river, rice fields and limestone mountains stretching across the landscape.
At the top of the hike, it’s a small pagoda and a massive dragon statue, which symbolizes the guardian of the Lying Dragon Mountain (Ngoa Long Mountain).
Useful Tips
- Location: Mua Cave;
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM;
- Price: 100000 VND (approximately $4 USD) per adult. You’ll have to pay also for the parking spot;
- Best time to visit: the sunrise and sunset;
- What to wear: good shoes, hut, sunscreen, water bottle.
5. Hidden Beauty of Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong Pagoda, located in Ngu Nhac Mountain, is a spiritual site that attracts visitors from all over the world. Dating back to 1428, it has become one of the most peaceful places in the region, offering unique and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Here, you have the chance to learn more about Buddhism in Vietnam, while also appreciating the beauty of a small pagoda built into a limestone mountain.
The visit typically takes around 30-50 minutes, depending on your pace and how long you choose to explore the site.
Useful Tips
- Location: here;
- Opening hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm;
- Price: entrance free.
6. Exploring in the Night the Glowing Ancient Town of Hoa Lu
Even if the city is small and has just 2 main streets, the boats glowing with lanterns on the river and the illuminated pagodas were magnificent. I just loved how everything was, it was simple magical. Walk around the two main streets along the river and enjoy the views. But here are some of the best things to do in the city:
- Walk on the Trang An, Trang 2 Streets and around them were are more people;
- Go to the historical landmark Núi Kỳ Lân;
- Go to Tempio where you can see Hoa Lu Ancient Town from above.
7. Discovering Hoa Lu, the Ancient Capital of Vietnam
In the history of the Vietnam, Hoa Lu has an important role as once served as the political and cultural center of the country. I didn’t make time to visit it, but if you have enough time I suggest to do it. It has a significant meaning in the history of Vietnam and I heard that is a really beautiful place.
Useful Tips
- Location: here;
- Opening hours: 7am – 5pm daily;
- Price: 20000 VND.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several ways to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Before taking the decision decision, review all the available options and take the most suitable for you:
– Ask your accommodation in Hanoi to help you book a transfer. This is often the easiest option;
– Ask your hotel in Ninh Binh to arrange transportation for you. Many hotels can organize a private car or a shared minivan;
– Book a private car yourself through the Grab app;
– Take a train;
– Take a bus.
Of course, the train and bus options are cheaper, but in our opinion, the extra comfort and convenience of a private transfer were worth it. We chose to have our hotel in Hanoi arrange a minivan directly to our hotel in Ninh Binh.
To fully enjoy the region at a relaxed pace, I would recommend spending 3 days in Ninh Binh. You can certainly visit in 1 or 2 days, but your itinerary will be much more rushed, and you may not have enough time to enjoy all the beautiful landscapes.
We stayed near Trang An, which was a great location. However, after the experience staying closer to Tam Coc is even better, as it provides easy access to many of the reagion’s main attractions.
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is from March to May and from September to December, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities.
Yes, Ninh Binh is generally considered very safe for tourists. However, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and watch out for common issues such as taxi scams and pickpocketing.
Absolutely!! Don’t miss it. Ninh Binh was one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam, and I would love to return one day to explore it more deeply.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh was undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of our vacation. The region’s diverse landscapes, peaceful atmosphere, and unique natural beauty made us fall in love with it. I highly recommend adding Ninh Binh to your Vietnam itinerary.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing trip here. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to help.
