Ninh Binh Travel Guide: Things to Do & Itinerary

ℹ️ Information about Ninh Binh
🛕 Historical sites in Ninh Binh
🗺️ Itineraries for Ninh Binh
🚍 How to get to Ninh Binh
☀️ Weather in Ninh Binh
🏡 Accommodation in Ninh Binh
🔍 Best places in Ninh Binh
📍 Map of interesting places
🎫 Book a Tour to Ninh Binh
🎫 Book Ticket to Ninh Binh

Discover the Charm of Ninh Binh:

• • Ninh Binh (Ninh Bình) serves as the capital of the eponymous province, nestled 100 km south of Hanoi within the picturesque Red River Delta. Renowned for its proximity to the iconic karst formations of Tam Coc and Trang An, Ninh Binh ranks among the most frequented destinations in northern Vietnam, captivating numerous tourists annually. The province boasts a diverse population, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnam. Accessing Ninh Binh from Hanoi is exceptionally convenient, with transportation options including trains, buses, and motorbikes.

Adventurous Bicycle Journey through the Lowland Areas near Tam Coc + Trang An.

• • Delve into the archaeological treasures housed within the caves, with artifacts dating back approximately 30,000 years. Among the notable historical sites is Hoa Lu, once the ancient capital of Vietnam. While Ninh Binh itself may not offer extensive attractions, many tourists flock to explore the captivating environs surrounding the village of Tam Coc and the quaint town of Hoa Lu. The area’s enchanting hilly landscapes serve as a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. Accommodation options in Ninh Binh city are abundant, ranging from budget-friendly lodgings priced between $7-30 per night to luxurious bamboo houses, cottages, and villas.

The most important historical places you will find near the Ninh Binh town.

• • The focal point of intrigue lies in the expansive vicinity of Hoa Lu, the erstwhile capital city of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. This sprawling area offers an array of captivating sites to explore. Noteworthy attractions include the Bich Dong Pagoda, renowned for its serene ambiance, and the Am Tien Temple (Chùa Am Tiên), steeped in historical significance. For panoramic vistas, venture to the Hang Mua Caves and Viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

• • Discover serenity amidst the Bai Dinh Buddhist Complex, a sprawling spiritual enclave, or embark on a scenic boat ride through the enchanting landscapes of Trang An or Tam Coc. These leisurely boat rides, spanning approximately 2 hours, offer glimpses into the region’s natural beauty and are popular among tourists and travelers alike.

Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh (Boat Trips, Cycling & Viewpoints).

• • Embark on a serene journey along the Ngo Dong River, meandering through captivating natural wonders. En route, you’ll encounter three enchanting caves: the expansive Hang Ca spanning 127 meters, followed by the tranquil Hang Giua at 70 meters, and finally, the intimate Hang Cuoio at 40 meters. Amidst this scenic journey, floating shops dot the riverbanks, offering a delightful array of local delicacies and beverages. Immerse yourself in the picturesque surroundings, perfect for leisurely activities such as cycling or strolling. Rent a bike to traverse the idyllic lowlands, where verdant hills juxtapose lush paddy fields, creating a mesmerizing landscape.

Accommodation in Ninh Binh ➜

Cycling in Ninh Binh: Best Routes & Scenic Areas.

• • Bich Dong Pagoda is located 2 km north of Tam Coc, it is an important pilgrimage site for the Vietnamese. Hoa Lu is part of a defensive earthen wall and was protected and surrounded by limestone mountains. Currently the ancient citadel no longer exists, and few sights in Hoa Lu of the 10th century remain. Yet this area is definitely worth seeing, there is a lot of rice fields, limestone mountains and the scenery is amazing.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is written in UNESCO World Heritage List.

• • Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, which is located about 12 km from Ninh Binh city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, registered as a natural and cultural asset. It consists of a spectacular limestone karst landscape, with the historical city of Hoa Lu and rice fields. Trang An Landscape Complex is one of the most visited places in northern Vietnam. There are 48 caves located in Trang An area and it’s a well-known place for diverse ecosystems. One of the biggest tourist attractions are boat trips, you can choose from the 3 boat roads, buy a ticket and go. These boat trips are good organized and every day thousands of visitors visit this place. If you want to stay near Trang An Complex, you can choose these very good accommodation:  Buffalo Eco Garden, Trang An Farmstay or Hoa Lu Eco Homestay.

Ninh Binh – one of the places, where the “Kong: Skull Island” (2017) was filmed.

• • Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Yen Phu Lake in northern Vietnam, 3 interesting sites, where the famous Kong: Skull Island (premiere in March 2017) movie was filmed. Some of these places were Van Long Nature Reserve, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex or Tam Coc – Bich Dong. In Vietnam, it was a big movie hit and for many local people it was a big attraction. In  Trang An, there are some left-over cartoons from the filming of the movie and you can visit this small island during your boat trip in this area.

Visit one of the major Vietnamese cultural festivals in Ninh Binh.

• • Ninh Binh also holds a lot of festivals and cultural events. For example there is Hoa Lu ancient festival (on March 6th, 7th, 8th lunar year), it is an opportunity to commemorate the King and national hero Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. Another festival in Ninh Binh is Bai Dinh pagoda festival, it takes place on the 1st Tet holiday. Apart from at this time, tourists can only visit the pagoda.

Van Long Nature reserve – a place of wetlands and cultural heritage

• • Van Long Nature reserve is located about 20 km from the town of Ninh Binh. It’s a place like Tam Coc, where you can ride a boat in a beautiful hilly area. This nature reserve is a bit less visited than Tam Coc. Van Long has about 30 caves and one of the prettiest is Ca, a 250 meters long cave on the Hoang Quyen mountain. In winter this is the home of migratory birds, flying in from the cold north. You can also find there some very good accommodation: Emeralda Resort Ninh Bình or Ninh Binh Nature Homestay.

Mua Caves (Hang Múa) – one of the best viewpoint from Mua Mountain.

• • Ninh Binh is located in the lowlands, and in the karst areas of Tam Coc and Trang An you can find the best view to the whole area – Múa Mountain. There is a beautiful sightseeing point and Mua Caves. There are about 500 steps and after the clibming to the mountain you will have an fascinating view of the entire area of the Ninh Binh town, especially in the areas of Tam Coc and Trang An. Hang Múa Cave is just 5 km from Ninh Binh’s city center and about 2 km from Tam Coc, and you can get there by bicycle, motorbike or mototaxi.

Mua Cave and viewpoint are next most visited places in Tam Coc area.

• • Hang Múa (Mua Cave) has its meaning as a “dancing cave,” because this place was formerly considered a place where King Tran enjoyed dancing and singing performances in this cave. Hang Múa is built according to the model as the “Miniature Great Wall of China”. Below the very top of the mountain, you can stay in the nature, there is a beautiful accommodation for tourists – Mua Caves Ecolodge or Nguyen Shack – Ninh Binh. There are also some restaurants and car parks nearby.

Bái Đính Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex on Bai Dinh Mountain.

• • Bái Đinh Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex is located approximately 15 km from Ninh Binh town. It is one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Southeast Asia and the visit itself (if you do not make it fast) can take up to half a day. The best way to get there is to ride a motorbike, but you can also ride a bicycle, the route is not very demanding. The historical sights can be reached on foot or you can use a small electric bus for a small fee (approx. 1.50 USD) before entering the sights. The car park is located just off the Bai Dinh complex (marked on the map below).

Bai Dinh Pagoda is a religious complex covering a total area of 539 hectare.

• • Bái Đính Pagoda and temple complex includes several very interesting historical, but also newly built pagodas, palaces or sculptures but also a bell – “Great Bell” with the weight of 36 tons was cast and located in the Bell Tower. In addition, there is a 70-ton bronze drum on the floor of the Tower. Visitors have the chance to see the largest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in Bodhissattva Temple. The most important emphasizing point of these great religious works are Tam Temple and Phap Chu Temple. If you are in Ninh Binh, you should definitely visit this historical site, you can travel on motorbike from Trang An scenic complex.

Book Tickets from Hanoi to Ninh Binh ➜

• • These temples cover a total area of 1,000 square meters. The height of Phap Chu Temple is up to 22m and it contains five partitions. In the center of this temple is a bronze Buddha Sykamuni statue, 10 meters high and about 100 tons heavy (certified as the largest statue in Vietnam). Also at the Bai Dinh Complex you can find very good accommodation: Ninh Binh Family Homestay, Tam Family Homestay or Ninh Binh Mountain View Homestay

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – one of the most important historical places in Ninh Binh.

• • Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh Binh is one of Vietnam’s most important historical sites. It is located just 5 km from Trang An scenic landscape complex, so it is good to join a visit of these 2 places in one day. Easily accessible by motorbike or by bicycle or by taxi from Ninh Binh town. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital will tell you the story of the first three centralized feudal states of Vietnam: the Dinh Dynasty, the Le Dynasty, and the Ly Dynasty. In fact, during Vietnamese history, two dynasties were ruled by the Le family, so to distinguish these two we call them the Early Le Dynasty and the Later Le Dynasty.

History of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh Binh.

• • From the middle of the 10th century, northern Vietnam independently ruled their land apart from the Chinese dynasties. However, due to political separations, the country was divided into 12 parts ruled by 12 different generals. These different kingdoms continuously fought one another in order have absolute power but for many years the country remained divided. Then, there was a man named Dinh Bo Linh who gathered an army to fight the 12 armies. Dinh Bo Linh was very talented, and step by step he defeated all of the generals. Eventually, in 968 he reunified the country, became a king, and named the country Dai Co Viet, which means the great country of the Viet people. This is the first absolute monarchy of Vietnam.

Thung Nham Bird Park – ecotourism/tourist area, west of Tam Coc.

• • Another place you can visit in the Tam Coc area is Thung Nham Bird Park / Garden, ecotourism area. Located just 5 km west of the Bich Dong Pagoda and easily accessible by bicycle or motorbike, you can also take a boat trip to the park (marked on the map). It is a park/sanctuary and ecotourism area where birds can be observed, but it can also be described as a tourist resort where you can also stay. Up to 40 species of birds are listed, and other animals are protected, but that does not mean that you will all see them. The best time to watch these birds is reported from May to July.

Thung Nham is a place created and adapted for tourists and bird watching.

• • The birds’ observatory itself is at the end of the park (marked on the map). You can walk, but you can borrow a bicycle on site. In the vicinity and in the sanctuary are also caves that you can visit, but also restaurants, refreshments, all adapted for tourists. However, during my several-hour visit I did not see many birds, but the caves are quite interesting. See below, such as Tien Ca Cave, with a very low ceiling, located a few hundred meters from the entrance to the park on the left side. Fee for visitng this park/sanctuary is about 5 USD (may change). There is also the beautiful Tam Coc Rise Field Resort, close to the entrance to the Thung Nham Bird Park.

Cuc Phuong National park is very a good stop, 30 km from the city.

• • Approximately 30 km west of Ninh Binh is the oldest national park of Vietnam – Cuc Phuong. There are plenty of available caves, and it is the home of wildlife and different species and plants. On the lake its possible to hire a kayak, boat or rent a bike nearby. You can get to this park on a motorbike from Ninh Binh town or directly from Hanoi. The bus departs from Giap Bat bus station in Hanoi and the journey takes about 3 hours to the town of Nho Guan (3km from the park). Admission to the park is notional – 20 000 dong. The official website of Cuc Phuong national park – Cucphuongtourism.com.

Camping, biking, hiking and nature observation in Cuc Phuong park

• • Accommodation and camping is available in and around the park, many offering bicycles for rent. When you buy a ticket at the entrance ask for permits for camping. Cuc Phuong park is also ideal for observing about 300 bird species, and from April to June you will see several hundred species of butterflies.

🗺️ Ninh Binh Itinerary: How to Spend 1–3 Days in Ninh Binh.

• • Ninh Binh is ideal for a 1–3 day trip from Hanoi and offers a mix of scenic boat rides, cycling routes, limestone mountains, viewpoints and historical sites. Most travelers stay in the Tam Coc or Trang An area, where you can easily explore the best attractions by bicycle, scooter or taxi. The most popular experiences include Trang An boat tours, Hang Mua viewpoint, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Bai Dinh Pagoda.

🚣 1 Day in Ninh Binh

Ideal for travelers coming from Hanoi for a quick escape into nature. Start with a Trang An or Tam Coc boat trip, continue to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and finish the day with sunset views from Hang Mua Peak. This itinerary covers the most famous attractions and scenic landscapes in Ninh Binh.

🚴 2 Days in Ninh Binh

The most recommended itinerary for first-time visitors. Two days give you enough time to explore Trang An, Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda and scenic countryside roads by bicycle or scooter. You can also enjoy local food, rice field landscapes and more relaxed sightseeing without rushing.

🌿 3 Days in Ninh Binh

A great option for travelers who want to discover nature, culture and less touristy places. Besides the main attractions, you can visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, Van Long Nature Reserve or Cuc Phuong National Park. Three days allow for slower travel, photography, hiking and deeper exploration of the region.

You can travel on motorcycle + boat to the Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Trù).

• • When you stay in Ninh Binh more days, it could be a good choice a trip on a motorcycle to Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Trù). It’s very important Buddhist site in a beautiful location, away from the town of Ninh Binh approximately 60 km. A lots of travelers visit this place, it is possible to buy a day trip from Hanoi, it can be purchased for around $ 25. It’s a tourist place, but beautiful. However, if you are in Ninh Binh and traveling on a motorcycle it is very easy to get here.

Several interesting Buddhist monuments, but also a huge cave.

• • This place can be reached only by boat, you need to board in the Yến Vi harbor. For the boat ride, which is about 3.5 km long you will be charged about apx. $ 6/ person. The main attraction is the Perfume Pagoda and Động Hương Tích cave. You can make a hike (about 1 hour trip) to this cave at the highest point y or you can go by cable car (apx. $ 3). Take a look at the photos of the Perfume Pagoda.

🚍 How to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (Train, Bus, Taxi):

• • 1. Transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train – this is the most frequented route to southern Vietnam. Train go from Hanoi Railway Station (120 Lê Duẩn). Trains continue to central and southern Vietnam. Travel by train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes also about 2,5 hours by train. Read all information before you buy tickets. Recommended – this is the one of the most frequented train route, recommended > book and buy your tickets online.
  • 2. Transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus – My Dinh, Giap Bat or Nước Ngầm bus stations or another departure sites. Some private companies go from various stations. Travel by bus takes about 2,5 hours. There are local and tourist comfortable buses (Hoang Long, Grouptour…). Search and book bus/train tickets at 12go.asia or Baolau.
  • Book and buy train/bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Ninh Binh on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
  • 3. Transfer from Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh – If you want to travel to Ninh Binh from Hanoi Airport, you can use various private bus companies or private taxi companies. Travel by private van/minibus is the most comfortable and fast option of getting to Ninh Binh. Bus tickets from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh start already at 10-15 USD/pp.

🚍 How to get from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh:

• • From Hai Phong to Ninh Binh by bus – buses depart from various bus stations in Hai Phong. For the exact times ask at the bus stations. There is not train connection between Hai Phong and Ninh Binh.
  • Book and buy bus e-tickets from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh on 12go.asia ➜

🚍 How to get from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh:

• • From Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh by bus – you can travel by very comfortable and luxury buses of Cat Ba Express to Ninh Binh. These buses depart from 4 Núi Ngọc, Cat Ba Island and it takes about 4,5 hours to reach Ninh Binh. You can also travel from Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island by bus.
    You can book and buy bus tickets from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh online.

🚍 How to travel from Ninh Binh to Sapa:

• • there are some buses from Ninh Binh to Sapa town, or you can travel by train via Hanoi + Lao Cai
  • there is no direct train from Ninh Binh to Sapa, trains from Hanoi arrive to Lao Cai
  • Ninh Binh and Sapa have no airports, travel by plane is not possible
  • read this article: How to travel to Sapa from Ninh Binh?

☀️ Weather in Ninh Binh, when to go there:

• • Ninh Binh is located just 100 kilometers from Hanoi in the lowlands, and the weather in Ninh Binh is almost the same as in Hanoi. The wettest and hottest months are June, July and August. The best months to visit are September, October, November, when the temperature is around 25 °C.
• • September- October – rice harvest season and colourful rice fields. Some spring months are also suitable. Winter months are also good (dry season) but you should know, these months may be cold and rainy.
    ➜ Current weather in Ninh Binh

🏡 Accommodation in Ninh Binh:

• • Ninh Binh has a lot of types of accommodation. Rooms, hostels, hotels, but also a very nice ecohouses are mostly middle category in low price ranges in the whole area of Trang An or Tam Coc. There also some luxury eco-resorts. It is not a problem to get a private room for one person for 10 USD a night, but also very nice expensive rooms in resorts.

➜ Accommodation in Ninh Binh (hotels, resorts…) – Book Here ➜
➜ 15 best homestays in Ninh Binh
➜ 15 best cheap hotels in Ninh Binh
➜ 4-5 star luxury hotels + resorts in Ninh Binh

Updated: April 2026

➡️ Where to go from Ninh Binh:

You can continue to Mai Chai, Moc Chau, Haiphong (Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island), Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang or Phong Nha.

⏪ Go back to places of interest