Things to Know When Traveling to Ninh Binh

• 27/11
• Nuly
• 02 Bình Luận

Ninh Binh is a town located just 95 km southeast of Hanoi, about a 2-3 hour drive by car. With mountains in the west and northwest, and the coastal area in the east and south, Ninh Binh is a fantastic place for nature lovers.

Ninh Binh stands out with its stunning landscape featuring hundreds of towering limestone rocks covered with dense foliage. A tranquil river flows through the monolithic rocks and caves formed within them. 

The picture reminds me of a very famous landmark in Vietnam: Ha Long Bay. However, this Ha Long is on land instead of water; thus, Ninh Binh is also called the "Inland Ha Long Bay."

Ideal Time to Travel to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh offers a picturesque landscape and poetic historical relics, making it an attractive destination for spiritual, community, and eco-tourism. 

Visitors can travel to Ninh Binh at any time of the year, each season offering its unique charm.

January to March (Lunar Calendar): Festival Season

In spring, the weather here is very pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot. This is a good time to visit, but expect crowds since spring is the festival season in Ninh Binh. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda

The temples, pagodas, and traditional festivals here attract a large number of domestic tourists. They combine sightseeing with a pilgrimage trip to pray for a lucky new year.

April to July: Dong Giao Pineapple Season

In a vast space, pineapple fields stretch as far as the eye can see. The green (April-May) or yellow (June-July) colors winding along the hillsides, extending to the horizon, create a peaceful and pleasant image. It looks even more beautiful if you visit at dawn or dusk.

Late April to May: Butterfly Season in Cuc Phuong

Forest Cuc Phuong National Park is home to over 400 different species of butterflies. The butterfly season in Cuc Phuong starts when the first summer rains begin. After the rain, when the forest lights up with sunlight, you will see thousands of butterflies flying around.

Butterflies in Cuc Phuong National Park

Late May to Early June: Rice Harvest Season in Tam Coc

Tam Coc is a beautiful valley of greenery, with stunning natural scenery. From late May to early June, when the rice ripens, the entire area is painted a golden hue. It is an exciting experience to admire the splendid beauty of Tam Coc from the mountain top. 

Tam Coc - Ninh Binh sightseeing boat

From above, the rice fields and the winding Ngo Dong river along the mountains look like three soft, endless silk strips.

June to Early July: Lotus Season in Bich Dong

At the foot of the towering limestone mountains in Bich Dong lies an endless vast lotus field. The lotuses will start blooming from late June, creating a pristine picture like a cool summer dream. 

Lotus in Bich Dong

It is fascinating to walk on the bamboo path through the beautiful lotus pond.

Late July to Early September: Japanese Lotus Season in Hang Mua

The lotus season in Bich Dong is not the only opportunity to admire the blooming lotus fragrance. If you miss that season, you can explore the off-season Japanese lotus fields in the Hang Mua tourist area.

Late October to Early November: Autumn Rice Harvest

From late October to early November, the whole region is covered with a simple rural beauty of ripe golden rice. This is a great time to relax, cycle through the golden fields, and enjoy the fresh breeze.

Late November to December: Reed Flower Season

Late winter is the blooming time of reed flowers. Along the road to Trang An, Bai Dinh, or Hoa Lu, you will see endless white reed flowers. 

White Reed Flower 

It is a fascinating experience to immerse yourself in the magnificent white natural scenery.

How to Get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi?

From Hanoi, it's easy to get to Ninh Binh by various means such as bus, personal car, or motorcycle.

You can consider the North-South railway to experience train services in Vietnam. Trains depart from Hanoi Station at 120 Le Duan and have 4 trips daily. The train stops at Ninh Binh Station at 01 Hoang Hoa Tham, and from there, you can freely travel to your accommodation or rent a bike to move around.

Train from Ha Noi to Ninh Binh

The train stops at Ninh Binh Station at 01 Hoang Hoa Tham, and from there, you can freely travel to your accommodation or rent a bike to move around.

But for the short distance of only 93 km south of Hanoi, the most popular options to get to Ninh Binh are by bus or car.

If using a bus, the Hanoi - Ninh Binh route has dozens of trips each day, starting from 5 AM to 11 PM. Bus services are provided by several companies like Sao Viet, Cuong Hung, Hoang Long, Vu Thuong, Gia Minh, Hien Tinh... The travel time is about 2 hours, with fares starting at 80,000 VND per person.

Bus from Ha Noi to Ninh Binh

The Hanoi - Ninh Binh route offers beautiful scenery, so using a motorcycle is not a bad idea. If traveling on your own, follow Giai Phong Road, pass Giap Bat Bus Station, turn onto the Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway, then follow the direction towards Phu Ly to Ninh Binh. The travel time is not more than 90 minutes.

Accommodation in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh offers various accommodation options from budget guesthouses to high-end hotels. Here are some Ninh Binh hotels commonly featured in customer reviews:

Ninh Binh Valley Homestay

Ninh Binh Valley Homestay is an ideal stop for travelers who love being close to nature. The homestay is built in a large valley in the peaceful countryside of Hoa Lu district. 

Surrounded by water and mountains, you can watch the sunset behind the mountains every evening right from your room. You can also see storks returning to their nests in the valley to sleep.

Ninh Binh Valley Homestay

The bungalows here are designed with natural materials like wood, bamboo, and leaves. Therefore, all rooms are cool in summer and warm in winter. 

From any position in the homestay, you can have a view of the lush natural landscape. It will be an unforgettable experience for any guest staying here.

Chezbeo Valley Bungalows

If you want something simple and peaceful, you should try Chezbeo Valley Bungalows. Coming here, you will feel at home and peaceful waking up each morning with the lush natural surroundings. 

Chezbeo Valley Bungalows

Chezbeo is located in Kha Luong village, Hoa Lu, near Tam Coc, Bich Dong. From here, visiting the famous landmarks in Ninh Binh is very convenient.

Chezbeo attracts tourists at first sight with its entirely different design. Not solid houses but thatched cottages in the midst of space where you will spend the night. You will feel like you are hidden in the mountains, facing the water.

Other Hotels and Resorts:

1. Vissai Ninh Binh Hotel

Address: 848 Tran Hung Dao, Ninh Binh City

2. Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh

Address: Dam Van Long, Gia Van, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh

3. Thanh Binh Hotel

Address: 31 Luong Van Tuy, Ninh Binh

Things to Do in Ninh Binh and Unmissable Beautiful Destinations

Van Long Nature Reserve

Not only a nature reserve but Van Long wetland is also an attractive scenic spot.

Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh

Van Long is called the "bay without waves" because while boating on the lagoon, visitors will see the water surface as flat as a giant mirror. The water reflects every detail of the limestone mountains.

Thung Nham Bird Garden

                                                                               Thung Nham Bird Garden

This biodiversity destination is a convergence of many cultural and spiritual elements. Besides the exciting feeling of sitting on a boat admiring the lagoon scenery, visitors also have the opportunity to explore the wildlife of 50,000 birds of 40 species.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong is Vietnam's first national park. It is also the country's largest nature reserve and an ideal destination for ecology and environment lovers.

Located at the foot of the Truong Son range, Cuc Phuong has lush limestone mountains and verdant valleys. The karst mountains contain many caves, several of which are accessible for exploration.

Biking in Cuc Phuong National Park

Here you can admire the beautiful natural landscape and explore the incredible diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to 461 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

The park's complex also includes 2,000 types of vascular plants and thousands of insect species, many of which are endangered.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Trang An is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. This location comprises hundreds of limestone peaks flooding the valleys, surrounded by cliffs. This spectacular landscape has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural and natural heritage site.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Many limestone rocks here are partially submerged. A romantic river winds through the mountains, forming numerous mysterious natural caves. Exploring the caves has revealed archaeological traces of ancient human activity, showing continuous human occupation for over 30,000 years.

Trang An also has several temples and pagodas for religious activities. The ripe rice fields around the small village create a peaceful rural picture.

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh is a complex of Buddhist temples on Bai Dinh Mountain, including an original old pagoda and a newly built larger pagoda. This is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the country and a famous site for Buddhist pilgrimages. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh is known for many Vietnamese, Asian, and Southeast Asian records. Notably, it holds the record for the largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, and the largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia...

Bai Dinh hosts a grand festival on the 6th day of the lunar new year, attracting a large number of visitors. The new pagoda hosts Buddhist ceremonies, while the old pagoda holds traditional rituals.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Covering an area of 3 km², Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. The ancient capital is a complex of important national relics and one of the four core elements of the Trang An World Heritage site. 

The ancient capital once had both Inner and Outer Citadels, palaces, temples, and shrines. The capital was surrounded and protected by limestone mountains like defensive walls.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Today, Hoa Lu no longer has fortifications. It resembles a field of rice broken by limestone mountains. The entire relic area now has a planned area of 13.87 km². The beauty and historical value of the remaining temples are the main attractions of Hoa Lu.

Additionally, it's an exciting experience to join the annual festival held here in the 3rd lunar month, including rituals, games, and fairs.

Phat Diem Cathedral

Phat Diem Cathedral, also known as Phat Diem Stone Church, is a complex of Catholic churches covering about 22 hectares. 

Built-in 1892 in the traditional Vietnamese style, it was blended with European neo-Gothic stone walls. However, the walls are decorated with images of Eastern religious symbols such as dragons, turtles, unicorns, and phoenixes.

Phat Diem Cathedral

Therefore, Phat Diem is considered an eclectic mix of Vietnamese and European styles. The eclectic design appears as if the towers of a Gothic church are roofed with temple roofs.

Phat Diem is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam and the "Catholic capital" of the country.

Tam Coc - Bich Đong

As part of the Trang An heritage complex, Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a must-visit destination when traveling to Ninh Binh. It includes two different attractions: the Tam Coc flooded cave system and a series of mountain pagodas in Bich Dong.

Tam Coc, literally meaning "Three Caves," consists of Hang Ca (first cave), Hang Hai (second cave), and Hang Ba (third cave). All three caves and the different shapes of the karst landscape were formed by the Ngo Dong River carving into the mountainside over centuries. 

Tam Coc - Bich Đong

The only way to explore Tam Coc is by water. Visitors sit on small sampan boats rowed by local people along the river. The trip starts from Van Lam village, passing through beautiful rice fields, limestone mountains, and caves. It takes about 3 hours for the round trip.

You can choose to visit Tam Coc in spring when the weather is pleasant, and the air is fresh. But actually, Tam Coc and the rice fields are at their best from May to July when the rice is in harvest season.

Bich Dong, meaning "Green Cave," is located ~2 km from the Tam Coc pier, nestled against Bich Dong Mountain of the Ngu Nhac Mountain range. The complex was built in 1428 with three separate pagodas: Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda.

The pagodas are arranged in ascending order, with Ha Pagoda at the foot of the mountain, Trung Pagoda on the mountainside, and Thuong Pagoda at the mountain's summit.

The only way to enter the pagodas is by climbing the steep stone steps. The path is long, but what awaits you at the end is worth the climb. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the scenery you see. The complex is a perfect combination of wooden and stone architectural features, natural caves, and mountains.

Inside the pagodas, you can find statues of the Three-Life Buddha, the Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the Goddess of Mercy. There are also many priceless statues and religious artifacts, creating a solemn space.

Upon reaching Thuong Pagoda, visitors can view the Ngu Mon fields and the panoramic view of Tam Coc - Bich Dong.

Best Dishes in Ninh Binh

1. Crispy Rice (Com Chay)

When mentioning Ninh Binh specialties, the first dish that comes to mind is probably Com Chay. To make this dish, rice is cut into round shapes and then sun-dried until dry. 

Crispy Rice (Com Chay)

The dried rice is then deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy. Com Chay is best eaten with shredded spiced meat and chili sauce.

2. Mountain Goat Meat (Thit De Nui)

Raised on rocky mountains, goat meat in Ninh Binh has a much more delicious flavor than goats grazed on hills. The goat meat here is prepared into many delicious dishes with various cooking methods. 

Goat Meat Dishes

You can enjoy dishes like steamed goat with lemongrass, grilled goat with lolot leaves, or stir-fried goat with coconut. The most famous dish is rare goat meat rolled with unripe banana, starfruit, fig leaves, and a few slices of ginger, then dipped in Vietnamese soy sauce.

3. Ant Egg Sticky Rice (Xoi Trung Kien)

Ant eggs in Ninh Binh are mainly harvested in the rocky mountains of Nho Quan. The ant eggs, after being gently washed in warm water, are mixed with spices and dried onions, then fried in chicken fat. 

Ant Egg Sticky Rice (Xoi Trung Kien)

The crispy fried eggs are wrapped in banana leaves to enhance the flavor and then steamed. The unique aroma and taste of this dish will be strange but provide an unforgettable experience.

4. Fermented Fish Salad (Goi Ca Nhech)

Fermented fish salad is a very delicious and famous dish of Ninh Binh people. The salad is meticulously prepared through many stages until it no longer smells fishy. 

Fermented Fish Salad (Goi Ca Nhech)

The salad dressing is a harmonious blend of lemon juice, chili, lemongrass, and pepper. The meticulous preparation will make you remember the taste for a lifetime.

5. Eel Vermicelli (Bun Luon)

Eel vermicelli is not unfamiliar to anyone visiting Vietnam, as it can be found in many street stalls, markets, or eateries in Hanoi. But don't miss it when traveling to Ninh Binh, as the eel vermicelli here has its own unique feature.

Eel Vermicelli (Bun Luon)

Only small eels with pink-brown backs and yellow bellies are selected. They are carefully washed with vinegar, mixed with spices, then fried in hot oil until crispy. The sautéed eels are served on top of local vermicelli noodles..

Other important ingredients include ripe banana flowers, bean sprouts, and Chinese celery. The mixture can be eaten dry or with bone broth.

6. Kim Son Glutinous Rice Wine (Rượu Nếp Kim Sơn)

This is a specialty of the Muong ethnic group in the Nho Quan region. To make this delicious wine, all ingredients must be carefully selected. Only high-quality glutinous rice grown in the region and harvested in the winter-spring season is used. Therefore, this wine is also called winter worm wine. 

Kim Son Glutinous Rice Wine (Rượu Nếp Kim Sơn)

The glutinous rice is mixed with water and natural yeast, then cooked and fermented in large jars for at least 3 months. The taste and aroma of the wine are so delicious that it leaves a strong impression on anyone from the first sip. Kim Son glutinous rice wine makes a great gift for your loved ones.

7. Yen Mac Fermented Pork (Thịt Chua Yên Mạc)

Yen Mac is a mountainous town located in the south of Ninh Binh, famous for its delicious fermented pork. The dish is a combination of thinly sliced pork thigh and pork skin with these ingredients being seasoned with chili, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, and salt, then fermented for a specific time. 

Yen Mac Fermented Pork (Thịt Chua Yên Mạc)

The fermented pork has a distinctive, appetizing sour-sweet flavor. It is usually eaten with guava leaves and chili sauce.

8. Mountain Snails (Ốc Đá)

Mountain snails in Ninh Binh have a different flavor from river and sea snails in central cities. You can only enjoy these mountain snails from April to August. The snail meat is very firm and crispy because they feed on natural vegetation on the limestone mountains. 

Boiled Mountain Snails (Ốc Đá)

The snail dishes have various recipes, but boiled snails are still the best choice. They are served with a special fish sauce made by the secret method of the Ninh Binh people.

9. Crab Noodle Soup (Bún Riêu Cua)

Crab noodle soup is a rustic dish in Ninh Binh, and it has a very delicious flavor that visitors should try when visiting the ancient capital.

The crabs used in this dish are collected from rice fields. They are carefully and meticulously cleaned to create a rustic dish famous everywhere. 

Crab Noodle Soup (Bún Riêu Cua)

Field crabs have a natural sweet taste because their main diet is completely natural. The crab flavor combined with the aroma of various spices and accompanying vegetables creates a unique taste.

Suggested 2-Day 1-Night Trip Itinerary to Ninh Binh

Day 1: Hanoi - Bai Dinh Pagoda - Trang An Complex

6h00 AM: Depart from Hanoi to Bai Dinh Pagoda, stopping for breakfast at Phu Ly, Ha Nam Province, along the way.

You can purchase an electric car service ticket to tour the pagoda because the entire area is quite vast.

If time permits, move to the King Dinh - Le Temple, which is only about 4 km from Bai Dinh.

12h00 PM: Lunch and rest.

14h00 PM: Visit Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

15h00 PM: Return to Ninh Binh city to check into your hotel, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Day 2: Phat Diem Stone Church - Van Long Nature Reserve - Hanoi

7h00 AM: Breakfast and move to Phat Diem Stone Church (about 1 hour away). Every Sunday morning, locals gather at the church for mass.

Lunch near the church or return to Ninh Binh city.

13h00 PM: Depart for Van Long Nature Reserve.

15h00 PM: End of the Ninh Binh trip, and return to Hanoi.

You can replace one of the locations with Cuc Phuong National Park. Visitors who have been to Trang An can choose Tam Coc Bich Dong as a substitute. If your time is not limited to 2 days, a 3 to 4-day trip will be great for exploring all the beauty here. 

All international tourists to Vietnam should spend time in this beautiful and pristine province.

The peaceful beautiful scenery, historical sites, and delicious food will not make you feel bored. Ninh Binh is a destination that has what you're looking for in a specific rural Vietnam trip.

Thank you for reading this article; we hope it brings something useful to you. We look forward to seeing you in Vietnam, especially in Ninh Binh. Moreover, do not hesitate to contact us or leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.