Located about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is one of the most scenic destinations in Vietnam. It is famous for its spectacular limestone karsts and caves interconnected by winding rivers.
Ninh Binh is often called “Ha Long Bay on land” because of its natural landscape closely resembling that of Ha Long Bay.
We spent 2 days exploring Ninh Binh as part of our North Vietnam trip. You can also visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi.
Depending on how much time you have, follow this 1-day or 2-day itinerary to make the most of your Ninh Binh trip.
Ninh Binh vs. Tam Coc
Ninh Binh is a province as well as a city in the north of Vietnam. The city of Ninh Binh is the administrative capital of Ninh Binh province.
Though Ninh Binh and Tam Coc are interchangeably used in casual conversations, they are actually not the same place.
Tam Coc is a small town within Ninh Binh province. It is located about 7 km southwest of Ninh Binh city.
You can choose Tam Coc as your base when visiting Ninh Binh. In addition to offering easy access to all major attractions in the area, it also has lots of hotels, shops and restaurants.
When is The Best Time To Visit Ninh Binh
April-May and October-November are the best months for visiting Ninh Binh. The rice fields around Tam Coc turn bright golden in May just before harvest. It is the most beautiful time for photography.
There is also a small harvest season in October which is also a great time for Ninh Binh trip. In the months of October and November, it is usually less humid and weather is pleasant for all outdoor activities.
We were in Vietnam in late October and the weather was dry and mostly sunny with manageable humidity.
The rainy season typically runs from late May to early October but the wettest months are July to August. So, you might find your sightseeing plans disrupted due to heavy downpour during these months.
Where To Stay
We recommend Tam Coc for its convenient location and all the tourist facilities like restaurants, cafes, and shops. It also offers a range of options when it comes to accommodation.
There are hotels and homestays to match all budget types from affordable to luxury. Here are some suggestions to consider.
Budget-friendly: Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
Lower Mid-range: Indochine Boutique Hotel Ninh Binh
Upper Mid-range: Tam Coc Peaceful Nature
Luxury: Tam Coc Garden Resort
How To Get There
Ninh Binh is approximately 100 km from Hanoi. You can get there by road or by train.
The nearest international airport to Ninh Binh is located in Hanoi. If you are visiting North Vietnam, you will most likely fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
From Hanoi, you can get to Ninh Binh by a bus, or a limousine minivan, or a private car. The limousine vans and private cars offer convenience as they pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and generally take less than 2 hours.
Buses are budget friendly but take longer time – 2 to 2.5 hours. You can choose the mode of transport based on your budget.
You can also travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train which takes over 2 hours from Hanoi Railway Station to Ninh Binh Railway Station.
Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh
Here are our top 6 ideas for the best things to do in Ninh Binh.
Explore Trang An Landscape Complex in A Rowboat
Located about 8 kilometers from Ninh Binh City, Trang An is a picturesque landscape complex famous for its jaw-dropping scenery. It was recognized by UNESCO as A World Heritage Site in 2014.
The complex boasts breathtaking vistas featuring limestone peaks, river valleys, caves, temples and pagodas. You can take a tour of the complex in a traditional rowboat.
There are 3 different routes to choose from. The route 1 is the longest covering 9 caves and 3 temples, the boat ride lasts about 3 hours.
If you don’t have a lot of time and want to see a mix of caves and temples, go for route 2. We chose route 2 and thoroughly enjoyed our ride that lasted little more than 2 hours.
The route 3 is also of the same length but includes the longest cave called “Dot Cave”.
Having done both Trang An and Tam Coc boating, I felt that Trang An is quieter and more scenic. If you have only one day to spend, my recommendation would be to choose Trang An.
Experience The Boat Ride in Tam Coc
In Vietnamese, Tam means three and Coc means cave or grotto. So, Tam Coc literally means “three caves” referring to three limestone caves carved by the Ngo Dong River.
Hang Ca (first cave)
Hang Hai (second cave)
Hang Ba (third cave)
The Tam Coc boat pier is about 10 km from Trang An Complex. In terms of experience, it is similar to Trang An boat tour but more touristy and commercialized.
The rowboat passes through the caves along the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by rural landscapes. It takes around 2 hours for a roundtrip, returning to the boat pier.
Our rower tried to sell us some souvenirs but we politely refused. You are not obliged to buy but they expect you to tip generously. We tipped our rower VND 100,000 after finishing the tour.
Hike To The Mua Cave Viewpoint
Mua Cave, called Hang Mua in Vietnamese, is one of the main highlights of Ninh Binh. It is set at the base of Ngoa Long Mountain (also known as Lying Dragon Mountain), roughly 5 km away from Tam Coc.
A steep uphill hike of roughly 500 steps takes you to the summit where Mua Cave viewpoint is located. The climb is steep, so you should have moderate fitness level to hike.
The viewpoint affords commanding views of Tam Coc Valley below. You can see the rowboats sailing through the Ngo Dong River against the backdrop of lush mountains.
At the highest point, there is a giant statue of a lying dragon which symbolizes strength, prosperity and protection.
Visit Bich Dong Pagoda
Nestled amidst limestone mountains of Ninh Binh, Bich Dong Pagoda is a 3-tier ancient cave temple. A small stone bridge connects the temple gate to the main road.
The lowest temple located at the foot of the mountain is known as Ha Pagoda. The middle structure is Trung Pagoda, built inside a cave chamber.
At the top of the mountain, there is the third tier of the temple called Thuong Pagoda. All three levels are connected by stone staircases.
The viewpoint near the summit offers mesmerizing views of the valley below dotted with rice fields.
From the viewpoint near the summit, you can see panoramic views of Tam Coc area dotted with rice fields. Bich Dong Pagoda is just about 2 kilometer away from Tam Coc.
Discover The Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1009 during the Dinh and early Le dynasties.
It was the political, economic, and cultural center of the early Vietnamese state before the capital moved to Hanoi (Thang Long).
Surrounded by towering limestone karst mountains, Hoa Lu Complex features ruins of ancient palaces, temples and shrines.
The Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang, Temple of King Le Dai Hanh, and Dinh Tien Hoang Temple are some of the important monuments within the complex.
We spent close to 2 hours wandering the courtyards and learning about Vietnamese history.
Go Birdwatching At Thung Nham Bird Garden
A hidden gem of nature, Thung Nham Bird Park is situated about 7-8 away from Tam Coc boating pier. The park is home to over 40 species of resident and migratory birds.
It is an important breeding site for birds migrating during autumn season from August to October. Storks, herons, egrets, cormorants and cranes are some of the commonly sighted birds in the park.
You can take a boat tour of the Thung Nham wetland to observe the nesting birds from up close.
For nature lovers and birdwatchers, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.
1-Day Ninh-Binh Itinerary
7:30 am: Depart from Hanoi after an early breakfast. It can take anywhere between 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Ninh Binh depending on your mode of transport.
10:00 am: Start from Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. You can spend 1.5-2 hours exploring this historical site.
12:00 pm: It’s lunch time! Try some Vietnamese food for lunch.
1:30 pm: Take a tour of Trang An Scenic Complex in a rowboat. Choose route 2 or 3 as the ride lasts roughly 2-2.5 hours. The route 1 is the longest and it can take about 3 hours.
4:15 pm: Visit Hang Mua. Climb 500 stone steps to the Hang Mua Viewpoint.
6:00 pm: Leave for Hanoi.
2-Day Ninh-Binh Itinerary
Day 1
Follow the above itinerary. Instead of going back to Hanoi on day 1, you will stay overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 2
On day 2, you can start slightly later than day 1 as you are already in Ninh Binh. So, you have more sightseeing time than day 1.
8:15 am: Breakfast at your hotel or at one of the restaurants in Tam Coc.
9:30 am: Take Tam Coc boat ride. Spend time soaking up the tranquil surroundings.
12:00 pm: Time to have lunch!
1:30 pm: Next, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, the 3-tier ancient cave temple. You can spend 1-1.5 hours exploring the pagodas and enjoying views.
3:00 pm: This is the last stop on your 2-day itinerary. From the entrance, you will walk about 15-20 minutes to get to the pier. The boat ride lasts about an hour.
5:00 pm: Depart from Ninh Binh to Hanoi or to your next destination in Vietnam.
Further Reading
Looking for more Vietnam destination inspiration? Be sure to read some of these posts.
Things To Do in Sapa, Vietnam: 3-Day Itinerary
The Ultimate Guide To Fansipan, Sapa
Over To You Now…
We hope you found our travel guide with the best things to do in Ninh Binh helpful and got some inspiration for your next trip.
Have you visited Ninh Binh on your Vietnam trips earlier? Let us know in the comments below.
