Blogs

Travel Reviewer

Top Things to Do Along the Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route

08:07 - 20/11/2024

5/5 - (1 vote)

Often referred to as “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is roughly 90 kilometers south of Hanoi and boasts rich cultural attractions, flowing rivers, and magnificent limestone karsts. From gliding on calm rivers to exploring ancient temples, let MOTOGO Tours dive into the best activities along the Hanoi – Ninh Binh route.

Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route — Ninh Binh is often described as “Halong Bay on land” due to its stunning limestone karsts, winding rivers, and rich cultural sites. ( Source: Collected)

Getting to Know Ninh Binh

About Ninh Binh’s Landscape and Heritage

Ninh Binh is lucky with amazing surroundings and a rich cultural legacy. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its stunning limestone cliffs, rich rice fields, and peaceful rivers create a singular scene. Apart from its natural beauty, Ninh Binh has been a historic location hosting the old capital of Vietnam throughout the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Why Ninh Binh is Worth Visiting from Hanoi

Though considerably quieter than the busy streets of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is a hidden gem with equal appeal. This is a great getaway where you may explore Vietnam’s past and way of life and re-connect with the natural surroundings. For everyone touring the north of Vietnam, the little distance makes it a handy stop.

Best Stops and Sights on the Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route

1. Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, Trang An forms the focal point of Ninh Binh’s natural features. Trang An, well-known for its breathtaking limestone mountains and rivers, provides one of the best means to really appreciate the beauty of the region. Here you will find a maze of rivers and cavernues, rich foliage, and sporadic views of historic temples tucked up against rock sides.

In Trang An, a boat trip is absolutely essential as residents deftly negotiate twisting rivers surrounded by breathtaking karsts. Usually lasting two hours, the boat trip winds through multiple caverns. Along the path, you will also pass by little temples like Tran Temple, which creates an almost magical ambiance against backgrounds of verdant landscape.

2. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu ancient capital was the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries and offers a trip into the imperial past of that nation. Unmatched in Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu’s historical importance makes it a peaceful location for one to study old architecture and tales of the Vietnamese kings.

Visiting the Temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh at Hoa Lu will allow you to see distinctive architectural styles reflecting their dynastic periods. Hoa Lu is a must-see for everyone interested in Vietnamese history and culture since the temples’ elaborate carvings, relics, and monuments contribute to depict early dynastic history of Vietnam.

3. Mua Cave and the “Dragon Mountain” Viewpoint

Among Ninh Binh’s most famous sites is Mua Cave, sometimes known as Hang Múa. The walk to “Dragon Mountain,” where a stone dragon sculpture winds around the ridgeline, draws most people to the site rather than the cave itself. From here, guests are given expansive views across the landscape of Ninh Binh, especially the Tam Coc area.

Though difficult, the climb up Mua Cave’s about 500 stone steps is immensely satisfying. Views of rice paddies and karst mountains will greet you as you climb; at the top, the scene will extend as far as the eye can see. Particularly well-liked at sunrise or sunset, the summit creates a golden glow over the amazing panorama below. Photographers or anyone wishing to enjoy Ninh Binh’s natural beauty from above will find great value in this point of view.

4. Tam Coc – Bich Dong

Tam Coc, which translates to “Three Caves,” is another unmissable destination in Ninh Binh. Often likened to Halong Bay because of its scenic surroundings, Tam Coc provides a more laid-back, immersive experience where you may glide gently along rivers and into caverns surrounded by verdant rice fields and tall limestone cliffs.

Many people say that one of the most peaceful pursuits in Ninh Binh is a boat trip over Tam Coc. Often handling the oars with their feet, local rowers lead guests over the Ngo Dong River, where the soft sounds of nature abound. Three main caves—Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba—offer different structures and pleasant, soothing temperatures as you pass through them.

5. Van Long Nature Reserve

Van Long Nature Reserve is a hidden treasure providing solitude and a closer view of wildlife for people seeking a more subdued substitute for Trang An and Tam Coc. Often referred to as the “no-wave bay,” Van Long’s serene, mirror-like waves mirror the nearby cliffs, providing ideal photo conditions.

A boat ride through Van Long Nature Reserve allows you to see a great variety of flora and species, including the threatened Delacour’s langur. While the calm of the lake and the pristine scenery add to the reserve’s peaceful appeal, birdwatchers will also appreciate observing several species native to the region. Van Long is a great place for people looking for a peaceful getaway into nature since it attracts less visitors than other regions.

6. Phat Diem Cathedral

Renowned as the “Stone Church,” Phat Diem Cathedral is an intriguing fusion of Eastern and Western architectural forms. Constructed in the late 19th century, this Catholic church is notable for its stone walls, pagoda-inspired architecture, and detailed carvings echoing ancient Vietnamese temples. One of the few locations where you will see Vietnamese culture combined in such a strikingly beautiful manner with Catholicism is Phat Diem.

Comprising multiple chapels, a bell tower, and a lotus pond, the cathedral complex features each structure exhibiting a distinctive mix of Gothic and Vietnamese architecture. While complex carvings of dragons, flowers, and local motifs grace the façade, the great main hall boasts wooden beams, stone columns, and murals. Along the Hanoi – Ninh Binh route, the almost temple-like air of the cathedral surprises visitors often and makes for an unforgettable sight.

7. Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

Among Vietnam’s biggest pagodas, Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex is a major spiritual place and a wonder of contemporary Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. This complex attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors annually with a soaring golden Buddha statue, hundreds of stone Arhat figures, and several temples.

Bai Dinh includes components both ancient and modern. Built recently, the younger section boasts elaborate carvings on pagodas, bell towers, and giant monuments. The older part, tucked away in the mountains, features little temples and treasures from long ago. For those interested in Buddhism or Vietnamese spirituality especially, the experience is calm and breathtaking.

8. Cuc Phuong National Park

Along the Hanoi – Ninh Binh route, Cuc Phuong National Park is a must-see location for adventure seekers and environmentalists. Cuc Phuong, Vietnam’s first national park, stretches rich woods, limestone mountains, and valleys filled with varied species including rare plants, threatened primates, and vibrant butterflies.

With well-marked paths throughout thick forests and up limestone hills, Cuc Phuong provides several hiking and nature walks paths. The park is well-known for its threatened Delacour’s langur, butterflies, and thousand-year-old trees. The ideal time to visit is during the butterfly season, April–May, when the park comes alive with brilliant butterflies, evoking images from a fairy tale.

Exploring Local Culture and Cuisine On the Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route

Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh route transports you not only into a scene of limestone rocks and calm rivers but also into a vivid cultural tapestry spun via local food, distinctive handicaps, and time-honored customs.

Sampling Ninh Binh’s Local Dishes

Ninh Binh’s food is a mouthwatering combination of rustic tastes and distinctive dishes that mirror its natural surrounds. Celebrated for dishes prepared from locally grown foods, Ninh Binh is well-known for its unique tastes and often highlights fresh veggies, rice, and river fish. Following are some must-try specialties:

Crispy Rice: Made from sun-dried rice deep- fried to golden perfection, fried rice is known as Ninh Binh’s trademark meal. Usually accompanied with goat meat or other savory dips, crispy rice is a savory treat with a pleasing crunch.
Mountain Goat Meat: Goat husbandry is common in Ninh Binh because of the region’s rocky limestone mountains; mountain goat meat has grown to be a local specialty. Grilled, steaming, or stir-fried goat flesh is presented alongside distinctive herbs and spices that enhance its taste, therefore producing a dish that is soft and bursting in flavor.
Nem Yen Mac (Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls): For those who appreciate sampling regional cuisine, Nem Yen Mac (Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls) is a popular fermented pork roll created with seasoned pork, garlic, and chili, wrapped in fig leaves. Often eaten with fresh herbs or rice noodles, the rolls have a clearly acidic and flavorful taste.
Fresh River Fish: Ninh Binh presents a variety of freshwater fish cuisine given its plenty of rivers. Often steamed, grilled, or cooked in sour broth with a variety of indigenous herbs, fish gives the flavors complexity. Usually eaten with rice, it makes a filling, comforting dinner.

Visiting Local Markets and Craft Villages

Visiting local markets and craft villages is a great way to interact with the community, learn about traditional crafts, and even bring home one-of- a-kind mementos for an immersion trip in Ninh Binh’s culture.

Local Markets: Locals congregate in vibrant areas of Ninh Binh to buy groceries like fresh vegetables, meats, and home goods. Markets like Tam Coc Market or Ninh Binh Market let you see daily life. Here you can pick up handcrafted souvenirs, buy local foods, or try fresh fruit. Talking with local businesses and experiencing the friendliness and hospitality of the community can be fantastic opportunities found in markets.
Kim Son Handicraft Village: Renowned for its exquisite workmanship, Kim Son Handicraft Village specializes in traditional weaving—especially in making mats and baskets from sedge, a grass that grows rather widely in the area. Generation after generation of the villagers have passed on their talents, producing exquisite, useful objects highlighting Vietnam’s handicap.

Practical Travel Tips for the Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route

Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh

When the weather is nice and rice fields are vivid, late spring to early autumn is the ideal time to visit. This time guarantees comfortable temperatures and best view conditions for sightseeing.

Transportation Options from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

Bus, train, or private automobile will get you from Hanoi into Ninh Binh. The trip takes roughly two hours, and every day several buses and trains leave Hanoi. Renting a motorbike is a common choice among adventure seekers if you would want a more customized travel.

The Hanoi – Ninh Binh route presents an outstanding fusion of history, environment, and culture that captures the heart of northern Vietnam. Every stop on this road reveals fresh aspects of Vietnam’s past and scenery, therefore creating lifelong memories.

Related Posts:

Be the first to comment!

08:10 - 21/11/2024