Ninh Binh, Vietnam: travel guide
Limestone peaks, rowing boats and rice paddies south of Hanoi
The "Ha Long Bay on land" — a UNESCO landscape of limestone karsts rising from rice paddies. Row through Tam Coc and Trang An grottoes, visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu, and climb Mua Cave for panoramic views.
About Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is the landscape people picture when they imagine inland Ha Long Bay: limestone peaks standing straight out of flat rice fields, with rivers winding between them. It lies a couple of hours south of Hanoi and is an easy trip from the capital.
In Tam Coc and Trang An, small boats are rowed through caves beneath the cliffs, while Hang Mua offers a climb up steps to a viewpoint over the valley. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam in the tenth century, and Bai Dinh Pagoda is a vast modern temple complex nearby. Local specialities include goat meat and crispy rice.
Ninh Binh suits photographers, cyclists and anyone wanting calmer scenery than the capital offers. Late spring, when the paddies are green, and early autumn, when they turn golden, are especially attractive.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Currency
- VND
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh
- Typical trip
- 2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Ninh Binh
Trang An Grottoes (UNESCO)
grottoes · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO World Heritage site — spectacular limestone karst peaks and interconnected cave grottoes navigated by flat-bottomed rowing boats. Three circuits of 2–3 hours each. Filming location for Kong: Skull Island (2017).
Tam Coc Grottoes
grottoes · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The original "Ha Long Bay on land" — a 2-hour boat ride through paddy fields into three dramatic limestone caves. Particularly beautiful in June (green rice) and October (golden harvest).
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
ancient capital · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Vietnam's first capital city (968–1010 AD), seat of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Temple complexes of Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Hoan stand among dramatic karst peaks, easy to combine with Trang An boat tours.
Mua Cave & Viewpoint (Hang Mua)
mountain · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry 150,000 ₫ (≈ ₹550)
500-step climb to a dragon-topped peak with the iconic view over the Tam Coc river bends.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
buddhist · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
Vast modern Buddhist complex, the largest in Vietnam, with a corridor of 500 arhat statues.
Bich Dong Pagoda
cave-temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Three-tier cave pagoda built into a limestone cliff above lotus ponds near Tam Coc.
Cuc Phuong National Park
national-park · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · entry 60,000 ₫ (≈ ₹220)
Vietnam's first national park, ancient rainforest with caves and a primate rescue centre.
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral
landmark · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Remarkable 1891 cathedral blending Vietnamese pagoda and European church architecture.
Dinh Tien Hoang Temple
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
17th-century temple in Hoa Lu honouring Vietnam's 10th-century founding emperor.
Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc)
cave · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry 100,000 ₫ (≈ ₹370)
Serene "valley of innocence" — an emerald pond ringed by cliffs with a cave temple.
Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate Rescue Center
sanctuary · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Conservation centre rehabilitating rare langurs, gibbons and lorises inside Cuc Phuong.
Thung Nang (Sunny Valley)
wetland · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Quiet boat route through golden rice fields and water caves, less crowded than Tam Coc.
Things to do
- Trang An Boat Tour Through Limestone Grottoes Outdoor · 3 h · from VND 124,000 per person
- Tam Coc Cycling & Boat Tour Outdoor · 5 h · from VND 193,000 per person
- Trang An Boat Tour (Route 1) Nature · 2.5 h · from VND 413,000 per person
- Tam Coc Rowboat Tour Nature · 2 h · from VND 331,000 per person
- Mua Cave Sunrise Climb Adventure · 2 h · from VND 221,000 per person
- Hoa Lu & Tam Coc Day Tour Cultural · 9 h · from VND 551,000 per person
- Bai Dinh & Trang An Day Tour Cultural · 9 h · from VND 606,000 per person
- Ninh Binh Countryside Cycling Tour Adventure · 3 h · from VND 276,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ninh Binh: Trang An UNESCO Boat + Mua Cave Sunset 9 h · from VND 441,000
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
- Trang An / Van Lam Village about VND 900 per night
Stay in a local homestay or boutique hotel right at the Trang An Grottoes entrance. Cycling and rowing tours depart at dawn before tour groups arrive.
Hotels
- Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh 5-star · VND 4,000,000 to VND 15,000,000 per night
- Tam Coc Garden Resort 4-star · VND 1,800,000 to VND 3,500,000 per night
- Tam Coc La Montagne Resort & Spa 4-star · VND 1,500,000 to VND 2,800,000 per night
- Tam Coc Sunshine Homestay 2-star · VND 400,000 to VND 800,000 per night
- Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort 4-star · VND 1,500,000 to VND 2,900,000 per night
- Tam Coc Banana Bungalow 3-star · VND 700,000 to VND 1,300,000 per night
Where to eat
- Van Long Eco Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 180,000 per person
- Chookie's Beer Garden & Restaurant Vietnamese, International · about VND 180,000 per person
- Father Cooking Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 200,000 per person
- Trung Tuyet Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 200,000 per person
- Nha Hang De Nui Hoang Giang Vietnamese · about VND 250,000 per person
- Tam Coc Banana Tree Hostel Restaurant Vietnamese, International · about VND 150,000 per person
- Minh Toan Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 200,000 per person
- Tam Coc Garden Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 300,000 per person
Getting to Ninh Binh
Nearest airport: Hai Phong (HPH), about 100 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Ninh Binh
- Train from Hanoi Railway Station By train from Hanoi · common
Trains from Hanoi stop at Ninh Binh Train Station in the centre of town. Source: frontiertravelvietnam.com
- Bus from Giap Bat, Hanoi By road from Hanoi · common
Buses leave Hanoi's Giap Bat station for Ninh Binh bus station in the city centre. Source: frontiertravelvietnam.com
From the railway station to the centre
- Taxi from the station unconfirmed
Both stations are in central Ninh Binh; taxis or motorbike taxis cover the short hop to hotels. Source: frontiertravelvietnam.com
Getting around
- Bicycle useful for some trips
Cycling is a popular choice around Ninh Binh because the lowlands are flat, and many guesthouses near Trang An and Tam Coc lend bikes.
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Motorbikes can be rented in Ninh Binh and are a common way to see the town and the surrounding area.
- Walking
Best time to visit Ninh Binh
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 26°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 32°C
- Jun 33°C
- Jul 33°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 28°C
- Nov 26°C
- Dec 22°C
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Frequently asked questions about Ninh Binh
- How many days do you need in Ninh Binh?
- A typical trip to Ninh Binh is 2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Ninh Binh?
- The highest-rated places in our Ninh Binh guide are Trang An Grottoes (UNESCO), Tam Coc Grottoes, Mua Cave & Viewpoint (Hang Mua), Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate Rescue Center, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
- Where should I stay in Ninh Binh?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ninh Binh: Trang An / Van Lam Village.
- How do I get around Ninh Binh?
- Ways to get around Ninh Binh covered in our guide: Bicycle, Motorbike rental, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Ninh Binh?
- Average daytime highs in Ninh Binh run from 21°C in Jan to 33°C in Jun.