Just 100 kilometers to the south of capital Hanoi, Ninh Binh has gained some popularity in recent years as the hidden gem of Northern Vietnam.
Ninh Binh is now the hottest destination in Vietnam
Known as Halong Bay on land, Ninh Binh is famous for its picturesque natural scenery and beautiful historical and religious sites. This landscape offers similar landscape views as like Halong Bay with limestone karsts, but much less touristy and untouched by human.
Below is an article summarizing 16 worthwhile experiences to try every time you come to Ninh Binh.
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1. Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Used to be the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, Hoa Lu today is a national-level cultural center filled with ancient pagodas and citadels. Hoa Lu gives off a mysterious yet nostalgic vibe as it’s surrounded by high arc-shaped rocky mountains, spectacular scenery and numerous calm lakes. This charming and tranquil landscape always leaves a strong appeal for anyone visiting.
Inside the complex, there is an iconic archway in the entrance on the bridge leading into the capital. Because of wars, there are not many remainings except some temples built on the old sites which are King Dinh and King Le Temples.
This place is for everyone want to know and dig deeper into the culture, history and ancient Viet architecture.
2. Trang An Boat Tour
The Trang An Grottoes consist of a variety of caves, rocks, and temples surrounded by canals, lakes. Take a scenic boat ride through the river networks and you’ll be greeted with amazing sights of the extraordinary natural landforms. It’s simply mesmerizing.
Taking a boat trip is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh for tourists. Trang An boat tour takes around 2 hours and you will be carried around by a skillful lady. They not only peddle by hands but also by their legs. How incredible they are!
>>> Book A Bai Dinh Trang An Tour To Discover The Beauty of Nature and The Religious Monument
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| Photo: internet |
3. Visit Kong: Skull Island Movie Set and Tribal Village
You've watched the filmed and would love to see the film set of this hollywood blockbuster, wait no longer and visit Trang An to live in the movie's alternative universe. The tribal village you've come alive with the rattan huts, tribal people with all the decorative items just like in the film.
At this site, you can also find the models of ship and airplane mimicking the movie. Tribal villagers are role-played by the locals and you can take photographs or selfies with them. With the magnificent backdrop of Trang An landscape, this village makes a unique places to produce impressive photo for your Instagram posts.
4. Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda - What to do in Ninh Binh Viet Nam
Bai Dinh Complex is the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia which covers 530 hectares of land. The whole complex consists of the original old temple for Buddhist privileges and a newly created larger temple for tourists visiting.
As a spiritual complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda offers pleasant sights and gives off a peaceful feeling. Temples, shrines and pagodas are spread out over the hillside with fantastic views over the surrounding countryside.
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| Photo: Ves Pa |
5. Trek Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is the most famous national park in Vietnam, also the oldest one and the largest nature reserve, spreading out on three provinces. What you can find in this paradise of wildlife are limestone mountains with hidden caves, thousand-year trees and lush valleys.
Cuc Phuong is home to a biodiversity of flora and fauna, including 97 species of mammals, langurs; 300 species of birds, 11 species of fish; 2,000 species of vascular plants, and thousands of species of insects.
To visit Cuc Phuong National Park, you'll have to pay 40,000VND for admission. Firstly you'll come to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which is responsible for rescuing individual animals of rare primates and home to over 140 creatures and 100 offsprings in all from 15 species of gibbon (long-armed, fruit-eating ape), languor (long-tailed tree-dwelling monkey) and Lories (smaller nocturnal primate with large eyes).
The second stop is Prehistoric People Cave - the place where ancient people were living 7500 years ago. The most special feature of the park is the 1000-year-old Cho Tree with a diameter of 5.5m.
Son Cung Cave and 648-m Silver Cloud Mountain are the slightly more challenging options for your trek.
A visit to this nature paradise offers you chance to see a wide range of flora and fauna, caves and hot springs. You’ll be surrounded by a quiet atmosphere, fresh air – it’s literally the best escape from city life.
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| Photo: Vietnam Typical Tours |
6. Watch Birds at Thung Nham Garden
Thung Nham Bird Garden is home to about 40 species of birds – a truly hidden gem in Ninh Binh which is still underrated. Tucked away in the limestone cliffs, Thung Nham sees most of the birds in the region coming to make their nests.
7. Cycle around the rice paddies - Top things to do in Ninh Binh
Cycling around peaceful villages is among top things to do Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh is a tranquil, peaceful countryside and tourist-friendly. The roads are mainly flat and not crowded like Hanoi and it’s easy to cycle around.
Many hotels and guesthouses offer free bicycles for tourists or ones to rent for a few dollars. Or there’re some tour operators offer Ninh Binh tour that includes cycling activity in their itinerary.
8. Explore Van Long Nature Reserve
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is another spot for nature lovers who want to discover Vietnam wildlife.
Van Long Nature Reserve is actually the biggest wetland reserve in Northern Vietnam which is home to a number of Vietnamese species like monkeys, reptiles, and especially birds. Some of them are the endangered ones.
It is a unique complex and charming landscapes with heaving rock islands standing in immense water. As the transition region between the plain and the mountainous region, the reserve retains the diverse and varied terrain, including a tropical forest ecosystem in karst and the vast system of marshes.
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| Photo: Vietnam Typical Tours |
9. Explore Mua Cave - What to see in Ninh Binh
Without a doubt, Mua Cave is one of the most alluring views in Ninh Binh. Mua Cave is located at the foot of the Mua mountain and you have to climb up to the top in order to admire the panoramic view.
Experience "Great Wall" in Vietnam with a Mua cave one day tour from Hanoi
To reach the top of Mua Cave, visitors will cross a small bridge over the stream gently flowing, then a paved way covered with green trees and about 500-steps stair up to the top. Standing on the top of Mua Mountain, visitors will admire the most magnificent scenery. In May and June, the entire landscape of paddy fields is minimized in your view.
10. Tam Coc Boat Trip
This 2-hour boat ride which runs through Ngo Dong river will take you through caves, rice fields, and unique karst rocks. You will feel like you’re in a movie scene cruising down a natural kingdom like this.
The single most fascinating thing about the boats in Tam Coc is the women that row the wooden paddles. They use their feet to ride the boats. This is a special technique that takes months to master.
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| Photo: Vietnam Typical Tours |
11. Bich Dong Pagoda
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda is another favorite thing to do in Ninh Binh. Bich Dong Pagoda is a beautiful ancient temple built in the 15th century. Not a usual pagoda, Bich Dong consists of 3 separate layered pagodas which are Ha, Trung and Thuong Pagoda on different levels and you have to climb up the hillside to explore each of them.
Climbing up to each pagoda may be tiring but when you reach the top, the views are well worth it.
12. Visit Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral is 34 kilometers away from Ninh Binh center and sits in the middle of scenic canals and rice paddies. The cathedral is built of stones is a very beautiful mixture of eastern & western gothic architecture which includes 2 gothic chapels and some massive ironwood columns.
Phat Diem Cathedral is one of the top things to see in Ninh Binh. When visiting Phat Diem Cathedral, you should combine it with a trip to Trang An or Tam Coc.
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| Photo: internet |
13. Try Ninh Binh Cuisine
In addition to the historical value, charming and beautiful views, Ninh Binh also impress tourists with unique dishes. One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is trying their delicious and unique cuisine.
If you have chance to visit Ninh Binh, you should try the Eel Vermicelli which is one of the most delicious dish of Ninh Binh. Besides, there are also many other specialities such as Mountain Goat meat, Com Chay Ninh Binh( also known as Ninh Binh rice crust), fish salad, moutain snais, fermented pork roll,… Ninh Binh rice crust is one of the famous speciallities of Ninh Binh which is different from other parts of the sheep until sauce comes.
Tourists also can buy some foods as a gift for family, friends like Ninh Binh rice crust, Shrimp Sauce,…
14. Visit Endangered Primate Rescue Center
Located inside Cuc Phuong National Park, the Endangered Primate Rescue Center is taken care by Frankfurt Zoological Society and Cuc Phuong National Park staff.
The animals here were rescued to save them from illegal traders and the focus of the facility is to educate visitors on how to protect wild animals in Vietnam. Today, this is home of around 180 primates representing 15 species.
Come here as you will have a chance to observe rare animal species. You can also visit the Turtle Conservation Center at the same time as the rescue center using the same ticket.
15. Shop at Van Lan - Things to do around Ninh Binh
Van Lan is a small village located near the famous Hoa Lu Tam Coc tourist site. In addition to its rich cultural and historical tradition, the village is famous for its traditional embroidery craft.
Wandering around the village, you can find many handicraft products including napkins, pillowcases, tablecloths and even t-shirts.
Go to Van Lan Village and you will find some souvenirs. However, you need bargaining skill to shop at the best price.
With all these best things to do in Ninh Binh, ready to pack your back and let's go discover the beauty of this landscape? Trust me, you won’t regret it. Feel free to contact us if you need some helps!
