There are plenty of wonderful things to do in Ninh Binh making it difficult to choose the best activities. Fear not, I’ve done some exploring and research and have decided on the best activities while spending time in this stunning Vietnamese town.
Ninh Binh is that kind of place that is truly one of a kind and is an insanely beautiful part of Vietnam. I truly believe that it doesn’t receive the hype it deserves! Imagine expansive landscapes, ancient temples, fairytale-like spaces, gorgeous viewpoints and cultural diversity.
This little town truly has it all and is one of my favourite locations in Vietnam. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this gorgeous spot!
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Where is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is a small country town about 100km south of Hanoi in Vietnam. Moreover, it’s easy to reach from Hanoi as plenty of transport methods take travellers and locals daily.
Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting?
Ninh Binh is one of those places in Vietnam that you really shouldn’t miss! It is absolutely worth a visit and is a wonderful part of Vietnam.
I couldn’t believe my eyes driving along some of the roads. The beauty of Ninh Binh is immeasurable and it indeed doesn’t receive enough love!
So, if you have a couple of days to spare, I recommend stopping by Ninh Binh as it’s completely worth a visit and might just be one of your favourite locations within the country.
How Long Should You Spend in Ninh Binh?
For the most part, I think that around 3 days gives you enough time to see everything you need to. I ended up staying for about 5 days because I loved it so much and enjoyed the relaxing vibe.
Nonetheless, you can definitely see all the best tourist spots and do plenty of exploring within a small timeframe.
Besides, most of the attractions are close together so you can see a couple of things in one day.
How to Get Around
There are a handful of ways that you can decide to get around Ninh Binh, so let’s dive into some of the options.
Walking
When wandering about the main part of the town, it’s definitely best to get around on foot. There is a lot you can see and do within a short walking distance.
Bicycle
A bicycle is an excellent way to get around if you want to do more exploring a little further on the outskirts of town. Besides, you can ride past some pretty impressive ricefields and enjoy stunning views along the way
Scooter
My all-time favourite way to get around is via a scooter. And, Ninh Binh is where I learnt to ride! There are some beautiful roads you can ride along and there are some wide country roads that feel nice and safe for riding along.
Besides, it’s quite easy to direct yourself to some of the sights around the town! You will be looking at 100,000 VND per day for scooter hire.
Taxi
Taxis are quite limited around this town, but you may be able to speak to your accommodation and have them organise something for you.
The Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is one of those must-visit locations when exploring Ninh Binh. Moreover, it was the first capital of Vietnam and is an important part of the history of the country.
When exploring the ancient capital, I recommend visiting the ancient temples and tombs. There is lots of walking to do, so wear comfortable shoes to explore for a few hours!
Hang Mua Cave
The Hang Mua Cave is truly one of the best adventures and activities that you can enjoy while exploring Ninh Binh. Not to mention, it’s one of the best viewpoints and places to look over the Song Sao Khe river and surrounding rice fields.
However, you will need to hike up around 486 stone steps to reach the viewpoint. Nonetheless, it’s all worth it in the end when you get to enjoy the beautiful views.
If you would like to learn more about the Mua Caves, I recommend checking out my blog post below for an in-depth travel guide.
Read more: Mua Cave, Hang Mua: The Best Viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Buddha Cave
Buddha Cave is a unique tourist experience where travellers get the chance to explore a cave by boat. This cave gets its name from the stalagmite that has formed in the shape of a Buddha. It’s pretty incredible to see and quite the experience.
Tip: Be sure to bring a flashlight with you so that you can see the Buddha! The cave is very long and dark, and you might not be able to see it otherwise.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
The Bai Dinh Pagoda is easily one of the most impressive and intricate temple complexes in Vietnam. Moreover, there is a beautiful mix of old and new structures that create a stunning display of the history of Vietnam.
Be sure to make use of the golf buggies for a lift to the temple. They are about 30,000 VND per person and save plenty of time walking to and from the temple complex.
Finally, you can visit the Bell Tower and thousands of Buddha statues and head to the top of the Bai Dinh temple. Therefore, you will need at least 3 hours to explore all parts of the complex.
Fact: The Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest temple complex in Vietnam!
Tam Coc River
A visit to the Tam Coc River is one of the best things you can do while in Ninh Binh. Moreover, you can enjoy one of the beautiful river tours and float by stunning rice fields and gaze at massive limestone mountains.
It’s definitely one of the most picturesque activities that you can do while enjoying Ninh Binh and I highly recommend visiting!
Non Nuoc Pagoda
Yet another one of the beautiful pagodas in Ninh Binh is the Non Nuoc Pagoda. There is a beautiful river nearby and the mountainscape surrounding the pagoda is simply stunning!
It’s a very peaceful and lovely place for a stroll for an hour or so. And, while it isn’t the largest and more impressive of temples in Vietnam, it’s still worth a visit!
Reminder: There is also a pagoda with the same name in Da Nang. Avoid confusing the two when looking for information online and be sure to visit the one in Ninh Binh.
Chua Vang
Chua Vang is another Buddhist temple with a bit of a twist. Moreover, you can find this temple on it’s (almost) own little island
Furthermore, at night Chua Vang lights up with stunning golden lights and looks absolutely beautiful alongside the river. Therefore, it may be worth visiting just before sunset to enjoy all aspects of this gorgeous location.
Trang An Landscape Complex
One of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh is to visit the immensely beautiful Trang An landscape complex. Moreover, the complex consists of caves, limestone mountains, temples, rice fields and a beautiful river running through the entire landscape setting.
This part of Ninh Binh has actually received the name as being ‘Ha Long Bay on land’. Therefore, that should give you a bit of an insight into just how stunning this place really is.
Khu Du Lich Trang An
Khu Du Lich Trang An is a beautiful historical landmark and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Moreover, it goes hand in hand with visiting the Trang An Landscape complex which is a beautiful part of the complex.
Visit a Karaoke Bar
There are karaoke bars aplenty throughout Vietnam, and what better way to hang out with friends than to sing your heart out? There are a couple of karaoke bars in the small town centre of Ninh Binh that are worth checking out for a night of fun.
Besides, there isn’t much nightlife in Ninh Binh, so this proves to be an excellent nighttime activity to enjoy.
Bich Dong Pagoda
The Bich Dong Pagoda has to be one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Ninh Binh. Moreover, the pagoda is set against a stunning and overpoweringly large limestone mountain that creates the most beautiful backdrop.
I highly recommend considering taking a boat from Tam Coc to reach this stunning location. Besides, that means you get to enjoy two beautiful activities in one adventure.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is an incredibly important part of Vietnam as it was the country’s first-ever national park and is the country’s largest nature reserve. Moreover, it’s an integral part of the sustainability and nature preservation of Vietnam.
There is an impressive range of wildlife including reptiles, birds and mammals that may be found within the park. And, you may even get the chance to see a stunning display of butterflies should you visit during April and May.
Additionally, there are remains of humans from 7500 years ago within the caves, making it a culturally and naturally diverse location. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh and should be on everyone’s itinerary!
If you would like to learn more about Cuc Phuong National Park, check out the official website here.
Endangered Primate Rescue Centre
Last but not least is the endangered primate rescue centre. And, I think this is one of the things to do in Ninh Binh and one of the most valuable places to visit. Besides, it’s an excellent addition to visiting the Cuc Phuong National Park.
This rescue centre is a not-for-profit mission aiming to rescue, rehabilitate, breed and study some of Vietnam’s most endangered primates. Moreover, you can get the chance to view Loris’s, Langurs and Gibbons at this fantastic enclosure.
The tour is quite short but is an excellent way to view these incredible creatures and support a fantastic mission created by international and local caretakers.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, these are just some of the best activities to do in Ninh Binh. Besides, there are loads of excellent things to do and places to see while exploring this stunning little country town.
I truly believe that Ninh Binh is worth much more than a day trip from Hanoi. There are so many great activities and things you can enjoy while spending time in this beautiful corner of the earth.
So, be sure to add a few of these activities to your itinerary as they will truly knock your socks off!
Finally, if you would like to learn a little bit more about Vietnam, feel free to check out this section of my blog where I upload plenty of fresh and updated travel content. Happy reading!
Read more:
Getting Around Vietnam: Travel and Transportation Tips
Sleeper Buses in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know
