5 Unmissable Things to See in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, a small but breathtaking city on the Red River Delta, has so much to see with its spectacular limestone karsts, lush greenery, and reflective marshes. This serene destination is the perfect place to decompress and relax in nature. From riding a bicycle through the limestone karsts to floating on a small wooden boat through them, the views are undeniably beautiful and will never cease to amaze you. For the best ways to explore Ninh Binh, keep reading for a list of 5 must-see experiences.
People refer to Ninh Binh as the Halong Bay on land and, in my opinion, this somewhat still hidden gem is by far better. It is one of my absolute favorite places, not just in Vietnam but in Southeast Asia. It is far less crowded than the congregated areas of Halong Bay and you feel much more secluded with nature. I spent 3 full days here and left feeling like I still had not explored every corner to the fullest.
Fun Fact: Some of King Kong was filmed here on Skull Island.
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Ninh Binh: Unmissable things to do & See
#1: Cycle Through Limestone Karsts
One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is to cycle through the massive limestone karsts. I never really had an exact path on my GPS to follow, and instead rode my bike whichever way I wanted to. You can easily lose track of time during your ride because of how incredible the views are around you. I think I may have stopped every 10-20 seconds to take another photo that endlessly failed to capture the beauty that was before me. I was definitely awe-struck and cannot recommend going to Ninh Binh enough, even if it is just to cycle around.
Ninh Binh is easy to cycle through and offers the best form of transportation when heading to Hang Mua Viewpoint or the boat ride port in the Trang An Landscape Complex. The Trang An Landscape Complex is a newer UNESCO World Heritage Site to help preserve its natural beauty (more on these two places later!).
How to get a bike? Most accommodations offer them free with your stay. If not, there are many smaller local shops to rent from.
#2: Hang Mua Viewpoint
One of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh is to head to the Hang Mua Viewpoint. Climb 500 stone-carved steps to the summit, where a large dragon will welcome you to the panoramic 360° views of Tam Coc, Trang An, and the Ngo Dong River. Take your time climbing and stop to enjoy the views along the way (well and to secretly catch your breath). The climb is completely exposed to the weather, so keep this in mind if climbing on a sunnier day. This is also a great spot to climb for sunrise or sunset.
Many small coffee shops and cafes line the bottom of the summit to grab a bite before heading onward. There is also a small cave to explore and lots of little wooden bridges and decorations to walk around. The caves are believed to have been used as a source of shelter and protection during times of conflict in the early years.
Hang Mua Viewpoint Hours: 6 AM - 7 PM | Entrance Fee: 100,000 VND
#3: A Boat Ride in Tam Coc
It was quite cloudy on the day of my boat tour.
But the landscapes were still undeniably beautiful.
Now that you have experienced Ninh Binh from cycling on land and climbing atop a viewpoint, next on the list is to take in the landscape from the water. There are multiple places within the Trang An Scenic Complex to catch a boat ride through the massive karsts. Since you have already biked through much of the area near Hang Mua Viewpoint and seen it from above, Tam Coc will provide a fresh and unique experience. This boat ride will trail you through the water for more incredible views of Ninh Binh.
There is a small admissions box to purchase a ticket. Once you have your ticket, walk along the dock until you find a local welcoming you onto their boat. Life jackets are required, but I used mine to sit on instead. The boat is quite small so you will sit in a single-file line along the boat with a max of 2 people plus your local guide.
Many of the guides work hard all day long paddling the boats through the 2-3 hour boat rides, some even using their feet! Be sure to thank them with a small tip or by buying one of the trinkets they offer you if you prefer.
Ticketing, Hours, & More:
Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM, Rain or Shine.
Entrance to Tam Coc: 120,000 VND (60,000 for children under 3).
Boat Fee: 150,000 VND for 1 Boat (accommodates 2, in addition to your boat driver).
#4: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda
Inside of Bao Thap Tower, on the top level.
Bao Thap Tower
A little further in the outskirts is the Bai Dinh Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex, containing a Buddhist temple complex. A mix of ancient and new pagodas are laid across nearly 200 miles of land (80 hectares). I recommend heading here later in the day to catch the sunset atop Bao Thap Tower (shown above—the largest temple in Vietnam) and to see the complex lit up once it is dark. The entrance fee to this tower is an additional 50,000 VND (2 USD), and it is worth seeing the beautiful interiors and gaining a different perspective of Ninh Binh.
You need a few hours at the park to have plenty of time to see all of the structures. The park is known for breaking many of the country’s records, including the tallest pagoda, largest bronze bell, tallest stupa, largest Buddha structures, and many more!
The Cultural Complex is a 30-35 minute drive from Tam Coc (2 to 3 hours by bike) or 7-10 minutes from the Trang An area. I recommend hiring a taxi through your accommodation or renting a motorbike for the day if you are coming from Tam Coc. I rode there and back by bicycle, and it was truly exhausting, especially on the way back in the dark. My boyfriend and I rode in silence on the way back, trying to self-motivate our legs to keep pushing … lol
Tips & Recap For Your Adventure:
Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Parking Fee: 40,000 VND (car) | 15,000 VND (motorbike)
Bao Thap Tower Fee: 50,000 VND
Electric Car Fee: 60,000 VND (per trip while in the park— I felt this was a bit unnecessary)
You will need a few hours to explore the park in its entirety.
Do not miss Vietnam’s largest Maitreya Buddha statue smiling atop a hill!
Extra Pro Tip: When you buy your tickets, the employee at the counter may speak fast to try and offer you a package that costs more than you need to pay. Be sure to take a moment to review the price board and only purchase what you need.
#5: Decompress & Take in Nature
If it has not become clear yet, Ninh Binh is an incredibly beautiful and serene destination in Vietnam. It is one of the best places in Vietnam to really unwind and relax in nature. Try to catch a sunrise over the limestone karst and the sunset at Bai Dinh Pagoda or Hang Mua Viewpoint. On cloudy, overcast days, be sure to look for the beautiful reflections of the landscape in the marshes. Take some time to make plenty of stops during your bike ride and be fully present while on the riverboat to truly soak in what is around you.
My overall recommendation for the best thing to do in Ninh Binh is to simply just decompress, relax, and appreciate nature. It is the perfect spot for reflection, reading a book, and even meditating as well!
I hope this list helps you enjoy Ninh Binh as much as I did!
Have 1 full day in Ninh Binh and need an itinerary to fit it all in? Head here!
General Information: Ninh Binh
Where to Stay:
Trang An or Tam Coc. I stayed in Tam Coc situated in the limestone mountains. Tam Coc has a better "downtown area" (one main road) offering more food options.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Banana Tree House Hostel
Best Low-Budget: Trang An Lamia Bungalow or Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
Best Mid-Budget: Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa, or Tam Coc Lion Kings Hotel & Resort
High-End: Athena Premier Resort Ninh Bình (I stayed here, it was beautiful and with a perfect location)
Best Luxury: Tam Coc Garden Resort
Best Time to Visit:
November - April during the dry season. Rainy season can cause flooding in Ninh Binh. I was here in January during “harvest season.”
How to Get There:
Bus / Shared Van: $4-10 and takes around 2 hours. 12GoAsia has the best options for booking per usual!
Train: A little over 2 hours and costs around $12. You know what I am about to say… 12GoAsia
Motorbike: This is always an option, but with the other options being so cheap and easy— why bother?
How to Get Around:
The best way to see all the nature and picturesque landscapes in Ninh Binh is by bicycle. Most accommodations here offer them for free with your stay. However, if you plan to head to Bai Dinh Pagoda (which you should), definitely rent a scooter that day (around 180,000 VND per day).
I did it by bicycle, so trust me on this one…it is farther than you think— especially when you continuously stop to take photos and view the mountains. I ended up returning to my accommodation after dark. I had to imagine my bed the entire time to keep me pedaling until I got there.
How Many Days Do I Need?:
You can see Ninh Binh in one day, but I highly recommend taking at least 2 to 3 days to truly enjoy the city and feel like you have explored it all. I spent 3 full days here and was sad to leave.
Is it Safe?
Yes, most definitely. As always, follow common travel safety practices:
Always check vaccination requirements and travel advisories, and practice food and water cleanliness/safety. Do not drink tap water in Southeast Asia.
Be aware of travel scams and know how much things should cost.
Secure valuables.
Emergency Contact Numbers: Fire: 114 | Police: 113 | Ambulance: 115
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Vegan Food Options:
NGON Vegan Restaurant (I think I ate here literally every day…)
Brick Coffee Shop (Yummy coffee)
