A view over Ninh Binh from Bai Dinh Pagoda. — Welcome to Ninh Binh, Vietnam’s best-kept secret and the perfect place for a day trip. This charming city, located on the Red River Delta, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trang An Landscape Complex. Ninh Binh offers a day filled with picturesque moments, from riding a bicycle through limestone karsts to floating in a small wooden boat along its waterways. To ensure you capture all the highlights, I have created the perfect 1-day itinerary for an unforgettable experience.
*Ninh Binh is one of my absolute favorite places, not just in Vietnam but in all of Southeast Asia. It is truly unmissable and I am SO excited to help you plan one of the most memorable days here.*

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A Day Trip to Ninh Binh

Stop #1: Cycle to Hang Mua Viewpoint

Your first stop of the day will be to Hang Mua Viewpoint! Hang Mua is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh. Climb 500 stone-carved steps to the summit, where panoramic 360° views of Tam Coc, Trang An, and the Ngo Dong River await you.

Hang Mua Viewpoint Hours: 6 AM - 7 PM | Entrance Fee: 100,000 VND

You have two options here, depending on which type of morning person you are. You can either wake up around 5:00 AM to catch the sunrise before you ride to Hang Mua Viewpoint or sleep in a bit and grab some coffee at Brick Coffee before heading over. Whichever you decide, you will not be disappointed.

If you skipped breakfast and coffee for the sunrise or you just need a second cup (because why not), choose one of the small coffee shops or cafes that line the base of the summit. There is also a small cave and lots of little wooden bridges and decorations to walk around at the bottom.

Stop #2: Cycle Through Limestone Karsts to Tam Coc

A cow enjoying his meal during my bike ride.

One of the best ways to experience Ninh Binh is by cycling through the massive karsts. I never really had an exact path on my GPS to follow, and instead rode my bike whichever way I wanted to. But with being short on time, I recommend finding the most direct scenic route over to Tam Coc, a section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trang An Landscape Complex.

How to get a bike? Most accommodations offer them free with your stay. If not, there are many smaller local shops to rent from.

Stop #3: Enjoy a Boat Ride

Ninh Binh, which translates to "serene and flat," perfectly captures the essence of its landscape and is best experienced by boat. The boat ride takes you through the water, offering incredible views of Ninh Binh. There are multiple places in the Trang An Scenic Complex to catch a boat ride through the limestone karsts. However, to maximize your time, head to the Tam Coc dock for your boat ride.

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.

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)
The guides driving the boat work hard all day long, peddling through the 2-3 hour boat rides, some even using their feet!

Pro Tip: Before heading to your next stop, I recommend grabbing some lunch at Nhà Hàng Chay Hoa Lư Vegan Restaurant (Vegan) or a neighboring restaurant and then heading back to your accommodation to drop your bike.

Stop #4: Head to the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

Once you have had some food and dropped your bicycle, your next stop is the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex (Bái Đính Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex). 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. You can either hire a taxi (your accommodation can call one) or rent a motorbike (around 180,000 VND per day).

This Buddhist temple complex holds a mix of ancient and new pagodas that 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.

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 and largest Buddha structures.

Some Tips For Your Adventure:

Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Parking Fee: 40,000 VND (car) or 15,000 VND (motorbike)
Bao Thap Tower Fee: 50,000 VND
Electric Car Fee: 60,000 VND (per trip while in the park)
You will need a few hours to explore the park in its entirety.
Don’t 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.

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.