Best things to do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

One of our absolute favourite places in Vietnam was Ninh Binh.  After the chaos of Hanoi, it felt like a prefect escape to the countryside, full of limestone karsts, winding rivers and green paddy fields.  It was the second place we visited on our 14-day itinerary, before returning directly to Halong Bay.

Often described as Ha Long Bay on Land, Ninh Binh offers the same breathtaking scenery, just without the water.

Many people visit on a day trip from Hanoi, but we wanted to explore properly, so we stayed for three nights.  That turned out to be ideal, just enough time to see the top Ninh Binh tourist attractions, try some local food, and still have lazy afternoons by the pool.

In this guide, we’ll share our favourite things to do in Ninh Binh, what we’d skip next time and some practical tips to help you plan your visit.

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Before we get into the main things to do in Ninh Binh, it helps to know that Ninh Binh is actually a province, not just a single town.  The city of Ninh Binh is an urban hub, handy for trains and buses, but the real beauty lies in the surrounding countryside.

We stayed in Tam Coc, which is one of the most popular bases for travellers.  It’s surrounded by rice fields and limestone peaks, and has plenty of cafés, restaurants, and homestays.  It’s touristy but provides a great base for exploring and relaxing.

If you prefer something quieter, consider Trang An.  The landscapes are spectacular, and you’ll find some amazing accommodation here, though with fewer places to eat and drink in the evenings.

Ninh Binh is around 100 km south of Hanoi, so it’s very easy to reach.  The journey takes around two hours, making it one of the easiest day trips from Hanoi.  A day trip would give you the chance to see a few main attractions but would restrict you to a strict schedule.

We chose a longer visit and travelled travelled by private minibus for the four of us.  This was a was comfortable and convenient option, as it only took 1.5 hours door-to-door to our homestay in Tam Coc.

Other travel options include:

• Train: Around 2 – 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Ninh Binh city
• Bus: The cheapest option (2 – 3 hours), with regular departures from Giap Bat and My Dinh bus stations in Hanoi
• Private car: A bit pricier but more convenient and quicker
• Guided tour:  Being so close, day trips from Hanoi are a popular way to visit

Once you arrive in Tam Coc, getting around is easy, so you don’t need a car.

• On foot: Tam Coc is small enough to explore everywhere by walking
• By Bike: The best way to experience the scenery.  Most homestays lend or rent bikes
• Motorbike: This is another popular option, though we were travelling with teens, so it wasn’t for us.
• Grab taxi: Reliable and inexpensive (Asia’s version of Uber).  We used Grab to visit attractions a little further out, like Trang An and Mua Cave.

Climbing to the Mua Cave Viewpoint was one of the highlights of our trip.

The 500 steps to the top are tough, especially in the heat, but the view from the top is absolutely worth it.  About two thirds of the way up,  you’ll reach a fork.  The path to the right leads to a small pagoda and the left continues higher to the famous stone dragon.  The last section to reach the dragon is a bit of a scramble up the rocks and it can get crowded with people lining up for the perfect photo.

Coming back down is much easier, and you can stop to peek into the small Tiger Cave near the base.  Afterwards, wander around the lotus fields below.  The main “Lotus Season” is from late May to July, though we were lucky enough to catch the end of the season in August.

Just 2km from Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda is a beautiful Buddhist temple built into the side of a limestone mountain.

To reach the entrance, you cross a pretty stone bridge over a lily-covered pond that’s so picturesque it looks like something from a postcard.  From here a series of stone steps lead to pagodas built across three levels. Along the way you’ll meet with locals selling souvenirs or fanning visitors.

At the top, there’s a large walk-through cave.  Look up and you’ll see bats sleeping on the ceiling.

Entrance is free, and there are cafés and souvenir shops along the road.

We walked there from Tam Coc, which took about 30 minutes.  The walk follows a busy main road, but with rice paddies, a duck farm, and goats on either side, it’s quite scenic.  You could easily cycle or get a grab taxi.

Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s capital in the 10^th century, during the Dinh and Tien Le dynasties, and now sits within the Trang An Landscape Complex .

It’s a historical site, with ancient temples, stone gates, statues, and courtyards.  There isn’t a huge amount to see, but it’s worth a visit if you enjoy history or are in the area.

We cycled from Tam Coc to Hoa Lu, which was amazing and a fantastic way to enjoy the local countryside.  However, you could easily take a bus or taxi.

There is a large car park in front of the complex.  Attendants will offer “free parking” but will expect you to buy food when you return.  Alternatively, you could take your bike right up to the entrance and not pay at all!

Tam Coc is a lovely little town centred around a lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs and rice paddies.  It’s become the main base for travellers exploring the Ninh Binh province and the main street is  lively with restaurants, shops, and cafés.

During the day, you can walk around the lake, go for lunch,  or take the Tam Coc boat ride.  The boatmen use a traditional way of rowing with their feet, which is fascinating to watch.  It’s one of the classic things to do in Tam Coc but be prepared for hawkers trying to sell snacks or souvenirs from their boat.

We opted for the Trang An boat ride instead.  However, if you’re short of time or on a day trip from Hanoi the Tam Coc boat ride is ideal.

The Trang An boat ride is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh, and it’s easy to see why as the landscape is stunning.

There are three routes, ranging from 1-3 hours.  Route 1 is the longest and best for escaping the crowds, whilst Route 3 is the shortest but also the busiest, as it’s often taken by day-trippers from Hanoi.

After weighing up the pros and cons, we chose Route 1.  However, heavy rainfall earlier in the week meant everyone had to follow the same shortened route (about 1.5 hours) and that we couldn’t go through the caves.

In the end we were quite glad we hadn’t done 3 hours –  the seats are very hard,  there’s no shade in the boat, so the shorter route felt better.

One of the best activities in Ninh Binh is exploring the countryside by bike.  The area is wonderfully flat, and incredibly scenic, making it easy for all levels of cyclists.

Once you get away from the main roads you can follow small tracks through rice paddies, passing goats and the occasional water buffalo.  The teenagers loved it, and it ended up being of the highlights of our Ninh Binh itinerary.  Most homestays will lend or rent bikes for free or a small fee.  If you’re not up to cycling, you could try a tour on an electric bike!

If you have a little extra time, there are few more great Ninh Binh attractions worth visiting beyond Tam Coc and Trang An.

Van Long Nature Reserve is a wetlands area, which you could choose as a quieter alternative to Trang An. It’s home to a variety of birds and other wildlife, including the Langur.

Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam’s oldest national park, about an hour from Tam Coc, and great if you love wildlife and hiking.  There are several walking trails, a 1000-year-old tree, and a primate rescue centre.   Book a jungle hike and wildlife day trip to Cuc Phuong.

We stayed at Lavender Homestay, a lovely family-run guest house just a 2-minute walk from the lake in Tam Coc.  The rooms were basic, but clean and comfortable.  Breakfast was included and there was even a pool, which we loved after a day of sightseeing.

If you’re looking for something similar, Tam Coc Golden Sky and Tam Coc Three Princess Homestay are both great options near the lake and good value for money.

For travellers wanting more luxury, there are some fantastic Ninh Binh hotels just outside town.  Tam Coc Golden Fields Retreat is a stunning property at the foot of the mountains, with excellent facilities and beautiful views across the rice fields.

Alternatively, for a more remote stay, head towards Trang An.  The Trang An Ecolodge offers resort-style accommodation with spa facilities and incredible scenery.  Another highly rated choice nearby is The Goat Boutique Resort, a stylish hideaway that’s perfect if you don’t mind being away from the main town.

Whether you stay in Tam Coc for convenience or Trang An for the scenery, there’s a huge range of accommodation in Ninh Binh to suit every budget.

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