Ninh Binh travel guide: Ninh Binh is a province in south of the Red River Delta, it is located away 90km in the south of capital Hanoi. The question “Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?”, the answer is “ Yes”. The province has attracted many global tourists visit nowadays. There are many natural landscapes and historical complex buildings that captivate unforgetable travel memories to travelers. If you are planning a trip to northern Vietnam, don’t forget to put Ninh Binh to your travel list destination.
You may be interested in:
- – Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave Deluxe Group Tour: 55 USD/pax
- – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave Small Group Tour: 49 USD/pax
- – Trang An – Bai Dinh – Mua Cave One Day Group Tour From Hanoi: 55 USD/pax
- – Hanoi Tours
1. Overview about Ninh Binh
As we mentioned above, Ninh Binh belongs to northern Vietnam and it is blessed with many breathtaking natural wonders that attract worldwide visitors. Especially, you will have a chance to visit a highlight attraction which has been voted as a world cultural heritage which is Trang An. It is the pride to this province beside other landscapes.
In addition, Ninh Binh was a former captital of Vietnam durinhg Le and Dinh dynasties. It is also an opportunity to visit historical relics and monuments until today. Discovering the rich history of Ninh Binh is fascinating to many tourists.
With the tropical monsoon weather in Ninh Binh, you should choose the perfect time for sightseeing. We recommend to check weather forecast carefully before your trip. Spending 2 or 3 days discover Ninh Binh are often traveler choices. You can travel by bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, then stay there to discover all the attractions. Or you can book Ninh Binh Tour from Hanoi at Explore Vietnam Travel to visit in one day if you have limited time. Do not hesitate to contact our travel consultant team to plan your itinerary if you want a perfect holiday.
2. When is the best time to travel to Ninh Binh?
The weather in Ninh Binh is humid subtropical climate. There are four seasons in a year which are spring, summer, autumn and winter. Our recommened time to visit Ninh Binh province is April to June and September to October when the weather is pleasant and have less rain.
- During April to June: This period has mild temperature with average highs ranging from 25 to 30 degrees celsuis. The landscapes are stunning to explore with beautiful green rice paddies, majestic caves, karts mountain and rivers in Binh Binh.
- From September to October: This is a cool season with the temperature ranging from 26 to 31 degrees celsius. This time is popular for outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and boat trips. Especially, the rice harvest season happen in September so you will have an opportunity to experience beautiful view of a mesmerizing sight of golden rice fields.
- February and March are interesting months to discover local culture of Ninh Binh through festivals. These months will help you delve to our customs and traditional histories. The province comes alives with vivid events that honor community’s traditions and spiritual beliefs.
3. Top 10 attractions in Ninh Binh must explore
Cuc Phuong National Park
The highlight and exciting acitivity in Ninh Binh are discover diversirity of the faunas and floras at Cuc Phuong national park. This is the first national park in Vietnam which is located only 120km southwest of Hanoi and nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh. The nature ecosystem has preserved and protected more than 336 bird specices, 135 animal species, 122 reptile species and over 2,234 plant species. Especially, there is a rare animal live which is white-rumped langur. You rarely find this animal specie in any other forests in Vietnam.
In addition, the most beautiful time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park is in butterfly season. April to June is a period that you will see thousands of colorful butterflies fluttering around. If you come at this time, it will be memorable experiences to witness beautiful park’s ecology.
Besides the impressive butterfly season, you can participate many activities such as hiking trials, visit Endangered Primate Rescue Center, ancient caves and other limestone buildings scatted throughout the park.
Kindly note the entrance fee to enter Cuc Phuong National Park below:
- Adult: 60,000 VND/ ticket
- Student: 20,000 VND/ ticket
- Children: 10,000 VND/ ticket.
Trang An Ninh Binh
Trang An is a pride of Ninh Binh as it became a world heritage by UNESO in 2014. You defintely should not miss out this destination in your travel list. The combination of limestone mountains, caves and lagoons have made the most impression to worldwide travelers. The lifespan of limstone in Trang An is up to 250 million years. Although going through to the changes of weather and climate, this place still creates a magnificent landscape. Rivers and rocks have made this attraction become charming and beautiful. Additionally, Trang An also preserve the valuable mangrove ecosystem.
In order to explore around Trang An, you can take a boat trip along the winding riverways, passing all the impressive caves at the stunning beauty. In addition, you can climb to the top of mountains to see panoramice view of the area.
Kindly note the Traing An Tourist Area entrance fee below:
- Adult: 250,000 VND
- Children ( 1- 1,3 meter): 120,000 VND
- Free for children under 1 meter.
Mua Caves
Your vacation in Ninh Binh won’t comeplete without visiting Mua Cave. Climbing around 500 stone steps to the top of the cave to see panoramic view of majestic mountains and extensive rice fields. Follow the legend in the past that Emperor Tran Thai Tong used to watch dance performance at this place, which led to the name “ Hang Mua “ or “ dancing cave”.
The caves are attractive with beautiful scupltures of ancient shrines which are added in to historical values of this tourist attraction. Mua caves bring unique travel experiences to visitors from mid-May to June, this is the time when rice fields reipens. Additionally, the temperature of weather is cool, fresh and suitable for climbing.
The best time to visit Mua Caves is in the early morning or late afternoon. At these times, you will avoid the hot of summer weather.
Entrance fee at Mua Cave is 100,000 VND/ ticket.
Tam Coc Bich Dong
Tam Coc Bich Dong is another natural wonder which you can’t miss out when traveling to Ninh Binh. This place is called “ Ha Long Bay on land”. Taking a boat ride around Ngo Dong river is our recommendation that you will see beautiful rice fields, rocky cliffs, high mountains and stunning grottos. The tranquil of Ngo Dong river is attractive during the summer time so you should take note the travel calendar carefully.
“Tam Coc” means “ three caves” in Vietnamese, and it show three natural caves in Ninh Binh for tourists to explore. You will take a boat trip for sightseeing around through winding riverway. The landscape of rice fields and rural villages bring peaceful and fresh atmosphere to many travelers. The boat excursion won’t make you feel disapointed.
The prices of entrance fee at Tam Coc Bich Dong are below:
- Adult: 120.000 VND
- Children: 60.000 VND
- A boat ride: 150.000 VND/trip
Bai Dinh pagoda
A visit to Ninh Binh won’t complete without paying a visit to Bai Dinh pagoda. This temple of religion is a must-see destination especially for buddhism prayers. The pagoda is covered by 535 hectares and It becomes one of the largest temples in Southeast Asia.
The temple was in construction between 2003 and 2010. The architecture of this temple is a combination of old to mordern arts. Visitors will feel peaceful and fresh when you visit Bai Dinh pagoda because It is surrounded by natural landscapes. It is also a sacred destination for locals come and pray daily.
Espeically, the pagoda has a massive bronze statue with 10 meter tall and weighting 100 tons. It has become one of the largest Buddha statue in Vietnam which attract domestic and international visitors. In addition, the complex features 500 Arhat satues, each with unique facial experession.
You can do sightseeing around by foot or electric car around Bai Dinh pagoda. The cost for electric car is from 30,000 VND per person.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
An unmissable attraction in Ninh Binh is Hoa Lu ancient capital. This place preserves rich history of our past dynasties in Vietnam which are Tran and Le from the 10th to 11th centuries. Discovering the feudal dynasties are interesting to many visitors. Especially, it is also one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage Complex recognized by UNESCO. Hoa Lu Ancient capital welcome historical enthusiast travelers come and explore this magnficent attraction.
Coming to this place, you will see the numbers of well-preserved relics and monuments including temple of Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh whom are the two former kings of Vietnam. In addition, the exhibitions of various artifacts will help you discover the ancient capital informatively. You will immerse yourself with rich history of our shape-S country.
Besides the historical facts, Hoa Lu is also attractive with beautiful natural beauty. The ancient captital is covered by limestone mountains and pictureque rice paddies. In order to enter this place, you will buy the entrance fee which is cost 20,000 VND/ person
Van Long Lagoon
If you are a nature of wildlife enthusiast, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Van Long Lagoon. It preserves diverse of wildlife animals including rare and endangeres species such as the Bonelli eagle, langur monkey, and black-faced spoonbill.
Situating in Gia Vien district, Van Long lagoon spans over 3500 hectares and it is the largest wetland in Northern Vietnam. It is a serene and pictureque of naturnal wonder. Traveling around by boat is our strong recommendation which you will amazed with the beauty of water surface like giant mirror and majestic
The entrance fee for Van Long Lagoon is 20,000 VND per person, and visitors can enjoy a boat ride for two people for 60,000 VND.
Thung Nam bird garden
Nature enthusiast will love Thung Nham bird garden in Ninh Binh. This destination preverses and protects around 40 bird species and with estimated number of 50,000 birds. The diverse of many types of bird species have catched strong attentions to visitors worldwide.
Coming here, you can take a boat ride around the wetland to watch and observe various birds such as stork, heron, mallard, forktalk, flamingo, etc… Besides watching birds, you can join other activities such as hiking, discover caves and enjoy local cuisines. Thung Nham garden covers approximately 334 hectars of limestone mountain, caves and wetland, it is providing a perfect habitat for diverse range of bird species.
The entrance fee to Thung Nham Bird Garden is 100,000 VND per person, and the boat ticket for bird watching is 20,000 VND per person.
Phat Diem Stone Church
Travelers will miss out an important part of Catholic religion in Ninh Binh if you don’t visit Phat Diem Stone Church. This is a must-see attraction for religious practitioners. With impression architectures of the blend between European and Vietnamese, the church has attracted many visitors nowadays. The remarkable structure of this temple has such a rich history for visitors explore and it also a popular Catholic temple in Vietnam after the establishment.
The church was built by father Tran Luc, a Vietnamese priest whom use his knowledge of foreign countries in Europe and Vietnamese techniques. He has created such a wonderful attraction to many people visit and explore until today. The designs are intricate carefully and attractively. The church becomes a picturesque landscape, surround by rice paddies and limestone mountains.
This is a free entrance fee attraction in Ninh Binh, you can explore the history and beauty of the church at anytime.
Am Tien cave
Am Tien cave is another highlight attraction in Ninh Binh that you should pay a visit. The combination for sightseeing of lake, limetones mountains and fresh vegetation will make your trip remarkable and unforgettable.
The impressive of Ao Giai lake will captivate your travel with crystal clear water. The lake situates at the entrance of the Am Tien cave which help tourists find it easily. Additionally, you do not miss out the opportunities to see the cave’s interior where you can emerge yourself in attractive stalactites and stalagmites.
In the past, reaching Am Tien cave required climbing in the mountain. But nowadays you can easy get the access the cave by going through a tunnel and ascending the mountain to explore this attraction. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND/ person for visitors whom want to visit Am Tien Cave.
4. How to get to Ninh Binh?
By private car
Choosing a private car service is the best choice for travelers. With convenient, comfortable and flexible transfers, the services won’t make you feel disappointed. Our professional and friendly driver will pick up and drop of at your required destinations. Choosing our car transfers, you can plan your own itinerary and we will take you to wherever you want in Ninh Binh. Explore Vietnam Travel provides car transportation services in all cities and provinces of Vietnam. Our consultant team will accommodate your travel needs professionally.
By motorbike
If you are an adventurous traveler whom want explore Ninh Binh freely, you can rent a motorbike to discover all attractions. If you depart from Hanoi, you can rent a motorbike with good conditions to drive to Ninh Binh. The cost is roughly 10 USD – 15 USD/ day. Riding the motorbike is flexible and freedom, you can stop any places on the route you like for capturing beautiful photos. Additionally, kindly note that you must have driver license in Vietnam.
By taxi
Nowadays, digital apps to book taxi are rising popular in Vietnam. You can use Grab, Gojek or Xanh SM taxi app to book transfer in Vietnam. The prices are displayed in the app when you book the transfer so you will not worry to bargain. In addition, traditional taxis are also working, you also can choose one if you prefer.
By joining a group tour
Joining a group tour is our service for travelers want to discover Ninh Binh with our knowledgeable and compassionate tour guide. If you have a limited time and limited budget, you can visit our Ninh Binh Tour From Hanoi in Explore Vietnam Travel website. The itinerary will guide you to many famous attractions passionately, you also will have opportunities to make friends on the tour with other travel companions.
5. Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
For all the reasons of travel to Ninh Binh above, a paradise of nature landscapes in Ninh Binh is worth to visit for every traveler. Coming here, you will have an opportunity heal your mental and physical health perfectly by nature’s attractions. With impressive designs and rich historical stories, Ninh Binh is a promised land for traveler discover. If you have time, spending 2 days in Ninh Binh is our recommended duration. All landscapes are linked to each other with their distinctive historical facts and architectures. A trip to Ninh Binh will bring memorable experiences to your vacation.
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