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Ninh Bình is a small city located about 90 kilometers away from Hanoi. It’s renowned for ecotourism with plenty of things to do and some of the majestic natural wonders that Vietnam has to offer.
If you’re into nature or adventure then Ninh Binh is a must-visit on your Vietnam tour. The area is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site full of beautiful scenery and stunning landscapes.
If you’re ready to explore this unique area, read on to find some of the best Ninh Binh attractions.
Getting to Ninh Bình
After the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, my journey in Vietnam continued. Where to go next was a choice between the very popular Ha Long Bay or Ninh Bình.
I chose the lesser-known Ninh Bình which was recommended by quite a few locals in Hanoi.
Vietnam is well known for its impressive railway system and sleeper trains and this is something worth utilising as you can get to Ninh Bình from Hanoi in little over two hours and a ticket cost me less than £7 on 12Go. You can also continue your journey further down the country via train after your visit.
Coaches are also a very cost effective option that are fairly similar in price. If public transport doesn’t take your fancy however, you can also get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh via Grab or private taxi, you’ll just pay a little more.
If you have limited time in Vietnam you can also do a Ninh Binh day trip from Hanoi where you’ll visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu as well as Mua Cave and Van Long Nature Reserve.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
When planning your trip to see the charming attractions in Ninh Bình, there are lots places to stay so you can book at fairly short notice. I found a beautiful family run hotel called Trang An Ao Dal Homestay.
It had a fantastic pool and the view from the room was spectacular, revealing Ninh Bình’s breathtaking natural landscape.
If you’re looking for more luxury, try the Emeralda Resort Tam Cốc, a 5-star resort with an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and extensive grounds. Prices in Vietnam are a lot cheaper than elsewhere in the world so you may be able to treat yourself to a bit of an upgrade.
How to get to attractions in Ninh Bình
Taxis are inexpensive here, as with the vast majority of Vietnam. Grab is the most popular app to get a taxi and it takes away the hassle of money, however mobile signal and accurate locations can be a little jammy here so it’s best to double check with your driver or even let them follow your Google maps to an attraction.
Private taxis are also easy to get, hotels will call one for you and pre-arrange your drop off with the company so that there’s no confusion. Restaurants and coffee shops will also do the same, I even had a restaurant owner drive me somewhere for 100,000 dong.
This is slightly more expensive than the apps but is still exceptionally cheap, just make sure you agree the fare with the driver unless they have a meter. Scooters are always an option as is with pretty much anywhere in Vietnam.
Bikes are also available to hire but be extremely careful as traffic doesn’t stop for anyone out here so be vigilant!
Top Ninh Bình attractions
You won’t be stuck for things to do in this beautiful province and here are some of the best Ninh Binh attractions.
Tam Cốc-Bích Động
The resort of Tam Cốc-Bích Động is a haven for tourists and backpackers. There’s some really good restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
NGON Vegan Restaurant is perfect for a decent feed, also The Last Drop Cafe & Restaurant does amazing smoothies and ice tea! You can also take a boat ride here to take in all of the beautiful lush scenery or check out the local market stalls.
Cố Viên Lầu Museum
I stumbled across this accidentally while walking from Tam Cốc-Bích Động to the Thai Vi Temple (Đền Thái Vi). While perusing at the exterior, a person came out and offered me entry for about £1.
It’s a typical Northern-style ancient village which was restored around 1990, with a collection of houses to look around and see how people lived. It also has quite a long, creepy cave which is definitely worth checking out!
Thai Vi Temple (Đền Thái Vi)
This ancient hidden gem is a short 20 minute walk from Tam Cốc-Bích Động. The walk takes you through the idyllic and peaceful Vietnamese countryside.
Built in the 13th century this temple is surprisingly low-key in appearance compared to other grand temples, which makes it a popular attraction to go and admire. Entry to Thai Vi Temple (Đền Thái Vi) is free.
Hang Thiên Hương
Less than five minutes up the road from Đền Thái Vi, this free attraction is another really unique thing to see while visiting Ninh Bình. Hidden in a cave at the foot of Dong Vo mountain, it was formed from erosion created by ocean waves, leaving a deep, hollow grotto.
Inside it is a temple which commemorates and worships a former queen.
Hang Múa
No matter how little time you have in Ninh Bình, Hang Múa is a must-see attraction that cannot be missed. It is absolutely spectacular and entry only costs about £3.
With this, you can visit the peaceful Lotus Garden, a water-garden with beautiful raised decking that you can walk along. There is also Mua Caves, which are a network of tunnels, also used as a mobile hospital during the Vietnam war.
Finally you can take a sweaty yet super-rewarding trek up Ngoa Long Mountain. Here you can see the Small Pagoda and Dragon up one side and Big Pagoda up the other. The views are simply stunning!
Tràng An Boat Ride
This is an ecotourism complex that includes a boat ride that lasts about three hours. The boat ride at this attraction costs about £4 and you can pick one of three routes to discover Ninh Bình’s true beauty.
Each route visits a different variety of temples and very low caves, amongst the tranquil landscape of this natural heritage site.
Spend an evening admiring the city from Bean Coffee & Tea
This was another place I accidentally stumbled upon. While heading out for dinner one evening, I spotted these beautiful lanterns on a rooftop and discovered the Bean Coffee & Tea cafe up there.
Ninh Bình lights up at night as though it’s Christmas and you have a great view of the city and its surrounding nature, along with the beautiful lanterns and lights on this rooftop paradise.
Final tips when visiting attractions in Ninh Bình and Vietnam
One thing that I’ve noticed in Vietnam is that the vast majority of the time when visiting attractions, you are being sold to by locals. On most occasions “no” is enough but there are times people can be quite persistent and follow you. If this happens, simply ignore them and walk away or into a shop.
Secondly, remember to be respectful, many of the places to see in Vietnam are temples and places of worship. When visiting these, be sure to cover your knees, shoulders and remove footwear. I also take off my hat.
Finally, keep your belongings safe – have your important stuff and valuables in a bumbag or securely tucked away. Most importantly stay safe and enjoy these beautiful places.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim is currently travelling around Southeast Asia.
