Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh: A Traveler’s Guide
Top 20 Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh
Often referred to as “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh presents an amazing mix of natural beauty and architectural highlights. From grand limestone mountains to historic temples, here are the Top 20 Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh to help you to make your trip very unforgettable.
1. Visit Trang An
Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its beautiful limestone karsts and flowing waterways. About 250,000 VND per person, a boat trip here takes three hours and showcases a network of caverns and temples including Trinh Temple and Hang Toi. March through May is the ideal time to travel when the rice fields gleam golden and the temperature is mild.
2. Explore Tam Coc – Bich Dong
The name “Tam Coc” means “three caves,” and the trip by boat through the Ngo Dong River, which is surrounded by rice fields and high cliffs, is very relaxing. Accommodating up to two persons, a boat trip runs 120,000 VND.
After a modest climb, nearby 15th-century complex Bich Dong Pagoda provides breathtaking views. The perfect visit is late May or early June, around the rice harvest season, when the fields become a vivid patchwork of green and yellow.
3. Conquer Mua Cave
Mua Cave (Hang Mua) is famous for the stunning views from the top of Ngoa Long Mountain, which is reached by climbing 500 steep stone steps to a lower level. Entrance is 100,000 VND, and the climb is most satisfying either at sunrise or sunset.
For both photographers and adventure seekers, the famous picture point—the dragon monument at the summit—is absolutely irresistible. Particularly in summer when the flowers are in full bloom, don’t miss the lotus pond near the base.
4. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is rich in history and culture having been the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties. Entrance fees, 20,000 VND, provide entrance to shrines honoring King Dinh and King Le.
Beautiful limestone mountains around the area, providing a window into the tenth century history of Vietnam. Spring, particularly around the Lunar New Year, is the greatest time to visit since local events and customs help to bring the site alive.
5. Experience Bai Dinh Pagoda
Comprising the biggest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia, Bai Dinh Pagoda features a 36-ton bronze Buddha figure and a 13-story structure. Although entry to the grounds is free, convenience drives electric car rides to cost 60,000 VND.
Visiting is best during the Bai Dinh Festival, which falls late January or early February and corresponds with Tet celebrations. The grandeur of the complex, with its delicate carvings and serene atmosphere, provides a spiritual release.
6. Cruise through the Van Long Wetland Reserve
Visitors to Van Long Wetland Reserve, also known as the “Bay Without Waves,” can relax and enjoy nature. A boat trip across quiet waters reflecting limestone cliffs and rich flora costs 60,000 VND.
Rare Delacour’s langur among other species finds refuge here. Van Long is good for mindfulness and relaxation because of its calm atmosphere and reflected views; it’s also great for unwinding from the daily grind.
7. Discover Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc)
The Hoa Lu district is home to Am Tien Cave, another name for Tuyet Tinh Coc, which is sure to captivate sightseers with its verdant lake and majestic limestone cliffs. Entry fees are just 20,000 VND.
The region is ideal for photographing the gorgeous stone bridge, feeding fish in the calm lake, or seeing historic pagodas. Originally a royal jail under the Dinh Dynasty, this area exudes mystery and history. Early mornings here have a calm, mystical quality that feels as though one is entering another planet.
8. Take a boat ride on Cuc Phuong Lagoon
Nestled inside Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cuc Phuong Lagoon provides distinctive boat trips among ancient trees and thick vegetation The lagoon fits a larger eco-tourism experience with boat rides at about 50,000 VND. The greatest season to visit is spring, from April to June; butterflies abound in the park, lending a wonderful ambiance. The calm lagoon presents a wonderful view of unspoiled environment.
9. Adventure in Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is a haven for more than four hundred and fifty different kinds of wildlife, including the critically endangered pangolin. For adults, entrance fees are 60,000 VND; tourists may marvel at the thousand-year-old Cho Chi tree, hike through verdant forests, and explore historic cavernues. With chances to see rare species like the Delacour’s langur or visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, the park is also a refuge for wildlife buffs.
10. Check in at Phat Diem Stone Church
Rare architectural wonder combining Vietnamese and Gothic forms is Phat Diem Stone Church. Constructed in the 19th century mostly of stone and wood, it has complex dragon and phoenixes carved in it. Entrance is free, and the church—which hosts regular mass services in Vietnamese and Latin—is a vibrant cultural site. For both photographers and cultural vultures, its peaceful location encircled by a lotus pond is legendary.
11. Bird watching at Thung Nham Bird Park
Thung Nham Bird Park, in Hoa Lu District, is a bird enthusiast’s dream come true particularly in the October to April migration season. About 50,000 VND, entrance fees allow guests to tour the garden by boat, close to hundreds of bird species like storks and herons. For those who enjoy the natural surroundings— limestone mountains and rich vegetation—this place is very calm. Bird-watching benefits most from early morning visits since dawn is when the birds are most active.
12. Taste Ninh Binh specialties like mountain goat and burnt rice
If you go to Ninh Binh, you should try the local specialties. The best ones are mountain goat and burnt rice. With prices ranging from 150,000 to 250,000 VND each plate, several of the city’s eateries feature these meals. While the crispy, delicious burned rice goes wonderfully with the main meal, the delicate, aromatic goat meat is usually grilled or cooked in hot pots.
13. Explore the embroidery craft village of Van Lam
About ten kilometers from Ninh Binh City, Van Lam Village is well-known for its superb embroidered goods. Visitors can watch talented artists working on finely detailed drawings on cloth using age-old techniques handed down through the years. There is no entrance cost, but as mementos you might find lovely, handcrafted embroidered objects. Visiting is best during the harvest season, from September to November, when the town is alive with bustle and vivid hues.
14. Join cultural experiences at the Co Vien Lau Ancient Village
About 15 kilometers from Ninh Binh City, Co Vien Lau provides a close-up view of the local cultural legacy. Along with antiquities from earlier kingdoms, the village boasts classic wooden homes.
Entry is 30,000 VND; guests can take advantage of traditional cooking demonstrations, pottery manufacturing, and folk music events. Surrounded by mountains and calm rivers, this historic community is ideal for studying about Vietnamese rural life and customs.
15. Walk and enjoy the sunset at the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain
Hoa Lu District houses Ngoa Long Mountain. About 8km from Ninh Binh City centre, the mountain is close to Hoa Lu, the old capital.About an hour’s trek to the top presents lots of chances for pictures along the path.
The late afternoon, just before sunset, is the ideal time to go since the sky will become golden and the mountains will be softly illuminated, producing an amazing sight.
16. Go kayaking in Tam Coc
The beautiful limestone karsts and river views of Tam Coc, which is around 7km outside of Ninh Binh City, are well-known attractions. At roughly 150,000 VND per person, kayaking here provides a quiet means of exploring the caverns and secret corners of the region.
Between April and June, when the water levels are perfect and the rice paddies are rich and verdant, is the optimum time to travel. Paddling the cavernues will make you feel as though you are in a secret paradise encircled by striking scenery.
17. Enjoy the scenery at Dong Chuong Lake
Dong Chuong Lake is a peaceful and beautiful place about 20 kilometers from Ninh Binh City that is great for nature lovers and people who want to relax.Covering around 500 hectares, Dong Chuong Lake is a really big lake.
There is free entrance, and guests may enjoy boating, picnics. The milder months, from November to March, are the ideal times to come since the weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
18. Visit Kenh Ga Floating Village
About 25km northwest of Ninh Binh City, Kenh Ga Floating Village is among the five most beautiful natural hot spring sites in Vietnam. Originating deep within the Hang Ca Mountain, the hot springs emptie into the Hoang Long River.
The residents think these springs are a gift from the earth to the town. Along with the revitalizing thermal springs, visitors can savor the calm experience of boat riding the Hoang Long River, providing breathtaking views of the surroundings and tranquil natural beauty.
19. Learn about history at King Dinh and King Le Temples
The King Dinh and King Le Temples are historical sites in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital that honor two of Vietnam’s most respected kings. Entry to the temples is 20,000 VND; tourists can tour the complex architecture, stone sculptures, and 10th-century treasures.
Although the temples are open all year long, they are most crowded during the Lunar New Year celebrations when residents honor the kings for their contributions to Vietnamese history.
20. Shop for local specialties at Ninh Binh’s rural markets
From fresh food to handcrafted goods, Ninh Binh’s rural markets—including the Tam Coc Market and the Ninh Binh Market—offer a broad range of local products. Particularly in the early morning hours when sellers sell seasonal fruits, local rice, and distinctive trinkets, the markets are alive with bustle. The products affect the prices, hence negotiating is really common.
From stunning scenery to rich cultural legacy, Ninh Binh presents a varied range of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. These Top 20 Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh will leave you with lifelong memories of this amazing location whether your interests are in the history of the area or in the peaceful beauty of Trang An.
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