Ninh Binh is a province in northern Vietnam, roughly 100 kilometers from the capital, Hanoi. This place is famous as Vietnam’s old capital and features many of the country’s most magnificent landscapes. Ninh Binh is now a tourist hotspot with significant tourism potential, with a unique position in terms of traffic, topography, cultural history, and two sites designated as world heritage and world biosphere reserves.
If you enjoy nature and adventure, Ninh Binh is paradise. To ensure you don’t miss anything exciting in this “Halong Bay on land,” check out our impressive list of 11 things to do in Ninh Binh.
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- Top Things to do in Ninh Binh
- Discover Trang An Eco Tourism Site
- Conquer Hang Mua Cave's Peak
- Wander the Bai Dinh Pagoda
- Walk Around Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
- Explore the Tam Coc – Bich Dong Tourism area
- About Bich Dong
- Check out Am Tien Cave
- Bird-observing at Thung Nham Bird Park
- Take a trek in Cuc Phuong National Park
- Admire nature at Van Long Lagoon
- Try local specialties
Top Things to do in Ninh Binh
Discover Trang An Eco Tourism Site
(source: @vietnamlocaladventures)
Trang An spectacular complex, which has been likened to a “Ha Long Bay on land,” covers an area of 6,172 ha. This site is breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to a network of mountains and rocks of all shapes reflecting down on small, twisting streams that connect caverns and pristine valleys. Trang An’s symphony of rocks, rivers, trees, and sky creates a vivid natural environment full of charm. This location also protects and preserves many wetlands habitats, forests on limestone mountains, archaeological sites, and distinctive cultural and historical sites. Particularly, this site was once picked by director Jordan Vogt Roberts to serve as the setting for the blockbuster movie Kong: Skull Island.
TourTeller’s Pick! – Best Activities in Ninh Binh
Must-try activities in Trang An
Taking a boat around Trang An
Floating on the blueish water and leisurely admiring the charming surroundings in Trang An will be an unforgettable experience for guests. Visitors are recommended to select the most appropriate route from the three available options for travel. During each journey, the paddle man or woman rows visitors to unique and fanciful caverns such as the dark cave, light cave, wine-making cave, etc. Experience an appealing sensation threading through the tunnels on a small boat. You can also hear the sound of oars and water crashing down the cliff or into the lake. Furthermore, the boat will dock at intervals so that tourists can dismount and explore the area; generally, the stops will be ancient structures with unique religious significance.
Five people can fit on each boat at once, so if you are going with someone you know, choose to share a boat for the best experience. Depending on how long passengers linger at the stops, each voyage will run between 2 and 4 hours. Also, you do not need to pay extra money for this boat tour because the boat fare is already included in the entrance charge. But you are welcome to give the boatmen a gratuity.
Kayaking in Trang An
If you’re a thrill junkie and a free-spirited adventurer, you cannot pass up the challenging activity of kayaking through Trang An’s breathtaking natural scenery. It is considered tough since you must be in good health to complete the 5 to 8-km route without additional assistance from the personnel.
Trang An Kayak currently has two alternative discovery routes, each of which includes fascinating coordinates along the way. Before embarking on your adventure, you will be supervised by a team of guides who will teach you the fundamentals of this subject. Not to mention that when you participate, you are also outfitted with a basic life jacket. Don’t worry; the rescue squad and technical experts are always ready to help at any moment. Ticket prices will range between 10 and 16 USD depending on the type of boat and journey time.
- Address: Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Opening hours: 6 AM to 4:45 PM daily
- Ticket:10 USD/person for adults, 4.8 USD/person for children.
Conquer Hang Mua Cave’s Peak
Mua Cave is the most appealing “check-in” spot when visiting Ninh Binh. The path leading to the top of Mua mountain, created in imitation of the Great Wall of China with over 500 stone steps, highlights this tourist destination and its spectacular surroundings. Although climbing this mountain is challenging, the payoff is well worth it. You can admire the whole Tam Coc area from the mountain’s peak, from the ripe rice fields to the broad and open river panorama. Without a doubt, this will be the location of your Instagram’s best-ever pictures.
Suggestion: Wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes for climbing convenience. If you wear a skirt, keep it about 20cm above the ground to avoid stumbling. You should also bring water because you will most likely be exhausted. Bring some makeup, especially if you want to snap the greatest shots when you reach the top of the mountain.
- Address: Khe Dau Ha village, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 6 AM to 7 PM daily
- Ticket: 4.04 USD/person, free for children
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Wander the Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is Vietnam’s largest pagoda complex, covering up to 539 hectares. This is also the temple that holds the most records in Vietnam, as well as many other records in Asia, such as the temple with the largest gilded bronze Buddha in Asia, the temple with the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, and so on.
If Trang An eco-tourism area is a place of majestic rivers and mountains that offers visitors a sense of relaxation, Bai Dinh Pagoda brings a sense of serenity, calm, and purity to Buddha’s land. When visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, you can admire many magnificent artifacts and spiritual sites with thrilling legends. You should stop by the jade well, the Buddha’s cave, the Arhat corridor, the stupa, and the statue of Maitreya Buddha, among other attractions.
Suggestion: The pagoda’s space is very large, and tourists will have to walk and climb mountains, so it is advisable to wear comfortable, flat, rubber sports shoes instead of high heels to protect your feet and make commuting easier. You can also rent a tram for 2.4 USD for each ticket to make your visit more convenient. When visiting a place of worship, clothing should be discreet and respectful. If you are dressed for snapping photos, you must wrap up with a cloth, a Buddhist shirt, or something similar before entering the ceremony.
- Address: Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 6 AM to 9 PM daily
- Ticket: 2.4 USD/person
Walk Around Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu ancient capital, was Vietnam’s first imperial capital for 42 years. This land has witnessed countless ups and downs throughout history, making it a particularly meaningful draw for Vietnamese people. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, with an outstanding vast area of more than 300 hectares, is a complex of remnants with architectural works of walls, caves, temples, tombs, and other works of historical and cultural value.
If you get the chance to come here, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the place’s quiet, nostalgic, and subdued aftertaste. You may still see remnants of the splendor and majesty of a former magnificent imperial city somewhere within the ramparts and walls.
Visit the King Dinh Tien Hoang temple and King Le temple if you want to understand more about historical tidbits about Vietnam. Such priceless antiques as the Royal Stone Bed are still preserved and displayed here. The elaborate carvings on the wooden pillars, stone, and stone with dragons, clouds, fairies, and flowers from the 17th century, are still visible on these two temples.
- Address: Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 5 PM daily
- Ticket: 0.8 USD/person
Explore the Tam Coc – Bich Dong Tourism area
Tam Coc Bich Dong is a tourism area within the Trang An Landscape Complex. This location distinguishes itself for its lyrical and poetic village landscapes and its massive trans-water cave system.
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About Tam Coc
Tam Coc means “three caves.” This location comprises three caves that run through the heart of three mountains, including Ca cave, Hai cave, and Ba cave, all formed by the Ngo Dong river.
There are two ways to discover Tam Coc: on a bicycle, where you may take in the rice fields’ tranquility and discover the locals’ simple way of life. Another extremely interesting choice is to board a wooden boat in Van Lam hamlet and go down the Ngo Dong river to view the stunning landscape with its green mountains. On a wooden boat ride from Van Lam hamlet, you may visit all three caverns. You’ll discover the region’s unique limestone stalactites.
Tam Coc is at its most beautiful in late May and early June. The stunning beauty of the rice fields in full bloom along the route will take your breath away. Right around now, the rice fields on either side of the river start to turn a rich golden yellow, giving the impression from above of a conspicuous golden silk on the turquoise water. This gorgeous image of a river scene will definitely enthrall and thrill you. The cost of the boat is 6 USD per person.
About Bich Dong
(source: disantrangan.vn)
Bich Dong Pagoda is around 3 kilometers from Tam Coc. The pagoda was built in 1428 on the Truong Yen limestone mountain range. Bich Dong means “Green Cave,” and it is regarded as the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam.
When visitors first arrived at the temple, they got captivated by the enormous lotus ponds and water lily ponds that flashed their vibrant hues. The overall temple is made up of three temples and three caverns, two of which are dry and one of which is wet. By coming here, you may explore the stunning limestone caverns and see Vietnamese temples that date back hundreds of years.
- Address: Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hour: All day
- Ticket: 4.85 USD/person for adults, 2.42 USD/person for children
Check out Am Tien Cave
Am Tien Cave, situated in the heart of Ninh Binh’s highlands and forests, is likened to a “sleeping princess” due to its picturesque surroundings. Although it is fairly exhausting to climb the 205 stone stairs to the cave entrance, the reward is well worth it. Four undulating, untouched rocky mountains surround the peaceful lake that emerges from the cave entrance. A network of stalactites in all sizes and shapes surrounds the cave. They include rice trees, money trees, Buddha hands, hanging lotus blossoms, and water drops. Together, the scenes resemble a fairytale.
Suggestion: Wearing sports shoes will make it easier for you to move around. Bring water with you since climbing easily dehydrates you. And in particular, only climb the mountain before 4 p.m.; do not climb later; it gets quite dark after November, and doing so will be risky.
- Address: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Opening hour: All day
- Ticket: 0.8 USD/person for adults, 0.4 USD/person for children
Bird-observing at Thung Nham Bird Park
Thung Nham is Vietnam’s largest natural bird garden. This remarkable wildlife reserve has practically kept its pristine beauty, untamed tropical woods, massive rivers, and hundreds of bird species. Many rare species can be found here, including the starling, fire warbler, ground phoenix, crane, and many others.
Staying here, we can escape the bustle of the dense city, immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the mountains and forests, hear the chirping birds, and hear the echoes from the deep cliffs, which can help our minds become calm and at ease. The best moments to catch thousands of birds flying around are early morning when they leave the nest to feed and late afternoon when they return.
You can rent a boat on the wide lagoons for roughly 1.6 USD for adults and 0.6 USD for children to grasp every scene of this “haven of birds.” When you visit this bird garden, you may also explore other nearby spots such as But cave, Thuy Cung cave, and Ba Co cave because it is part of the Thung Nham eco-tourism area.
Suggestion: The finest experience in this spot is camping; you may set up a tent, a small BBQ, some light refreshments, and camp while taking in the scenery. Remember to carry insect repellant, as the landscape might be infested with insects and bugs.
- Address: Hai Nham village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 6 PM daily
- Ticket: 4.04 USD/person for adults, 2.02 USD/person for children
Take a trek in Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park was Vietnam’s first National Park and the country’s first nature conservation entity. This garden has an area of 22,408 acres and is located in three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa. Cuc Phuong’s flora is green all year, resembling those of a tropical jungle. The flora is abundant with many plants and mosses, many of which are designated medicinal plants and rare species in the Vietnam Red Book.
The fauna of Cuc Phuong is as diversified and abundant as the flora. The most recent survey results show that Cuc Phuong is home to 66 species of fish, almost 2000 types of insects, 336 species of birds, 135 species of mammals, and 122 species of reptiles and amphibians. The white-breeded langur is a particularly uncommon animal spirit that can only be found in Vietnam and is now extinct elsewhere globally. As a result, this langur has been chosen as Cuc Phuong National Park’s symbol.
Must-try activities in Cuc Phuong National Park
Going for a hike through the forest and camping
Trekking and camping are the greatest options for fully exploring the Cuc Phuong forest. In the forest, numerous walking paths come with directions and explanations from knowledgeable guides. In this place, you can witness the natural beauty of the old forest and the living activities of rare flora and wildlife. Trekking to the conservation areas of Ngoc Son and Pu Luong are two of the highlights of the long hiking trails.
Cycling through the forests
Instead of trekking through Cuc Phuong Forest if you don’t have much time to travel, riding a bike is also an ideal option. Your desire to live in tune with nature and tranquility will be heightened by cycling through this forest. In Cuc Phuong, you still occasionally have the chance to see exotic animals.
- Address: Cuc Phuong commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 6 AM to 10 PM daily
- Ticket: 2.42 USD/person for adults, 0.4 USD/person for children
Admire nature at Van Long Lagoon
Van Long is a man-made lagoon serving as the largest wetland nature reserve in Northern Vietnam. Around the lagoon are stunning limestone mountains and numerous unknown caverns. The two main ecosystems here are wetlands and forests atop limestone slopes. Other ecosystems here are farms, lawns, swidden fields, and settlements. Van Long lagoon has a size of almost 3,500 hectares. This location is where animals, plants, and aquatic species dwell and grow.
You will take a boat along the lake to admire the immense rice fields and pass through mysterious caverns to experience the pristine natural environment of Van Long lagoon. Here, the water is crystal clear. The creatures below, the lake’s surface silhouetted against the sky and clouds, and the lovely green hills and mountains are all visible. Flocks of white and flaming storks are searching for food, faintly noticeable behind the grass. Amid such an amazing natural landscape, I bet anyone would feel serene and relaxed.
- Address: Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily
- Ticket: 0.8 USD/person for adults, 0.4 USD/person for children
- Boat ticket: 2 USD/person for adults, 1 USD/person for children
Try local specialties
De Nui – Goat meat
In Ninh Binh, goat meat is a delectable specialty. The meat is firm, leaner, and more flavorful than goat meat from other places since the goats run and jump a lot while grazing on the rocky mountains in this area. Meanwhile, the typical landscape of flooded limestone mountains is home to a wide variety of vegetables, grass, and herbs that are excellent for goat feeding, giving goat meat a distinctive quality and delectable flavor.
There are many tasty dishes made with goat meat, but the most well-known one you should try is “de tai chanh.” Lemon juice is used to cure goat meat, served with lime leaves and chilies.
Com chay – Fried rice crust
Fried rice crust is not a traditional Ninh Binh cuisine, but it was invented by a son of the ancient capital and has been preserved and refined to this day. When you bite into a piece, you will taste the exquisite, crunchy, buttery taste of rice and the fatty aroma of shrimp. What could be better than wandering around Ninh Binh’s sites while snacking on delicious “com chay” every time you take a break?
Furthermore, “com chay” is ideal as a present for loved ones back home. Because it is thoroughly preserved and packed, it can be stored for many weeks to several months without losing quality.
Mountain Snail
In addition to goat meat, this dish is worth trying if you visit Ninh Binh. This mountain snail is exceptionally rare since it only lives in rock caves. Mountain snails crawl out to find food and spawn during the rainy season, which lasts from April to August. One of the benefits of this type of snail is that it eats mostly forest leaves and medicinal plants, so the flesh has the same aroma as traditional medicine and is, therefore, quite healthy. Mountain snail meat is firm, crunchy, sweet, and prepared in various mouthwatering ways, including grilled, fried with tamarind, steamed with ginger, boiled and drained, and blended with onion salad.
These fascinating attractions and things to do in Ninh Binh are definitely worth your time to visit. Pick up your backpack and tell us which one you visited.
TourTeller’s Pick! – Best Activities in Ninh Binh
