1. When we can go Ninh Binh?
Visitors can go any time of the year. However, the best time should be from February to May.
Spring: The weather is not too hot or cold. This is also the best time for pilgrims to go to the Pagoda or temple and pray for good luck and happiness for the whole year. Every year, after LUNA NEW YEARS, Ninh Binh attracts many Vietnamese and foreign tourists.
Summer: The weather will be sweltering and humid. Visitors should bring sunglasses, hats, and suncream.
Winter: It could be a bit cold and rainy. Visitors should bring a hat, soft jackets. If you have a planned climb up to Mua Cave should bring climbing shoes.
At the end of May, early June is the ripe rice season of Ninh Binh. This is a good time for the photographer.
2. How can get Ninh Binh, Where is Ninh Binh in Vietnam:
Ninh Binh is located in the south of Hanoi, about 100km. It's taking about 2 hours from Hanoi. Visitors can go by Bus, Train, Motorbike, private car or Limousine bus.
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By Bus: In case of visitors want to go by bus. We can go to Giap Bat bus station or Nuoc Ngam Bus station. It's departing every day from 5 am to 6 pm. The price is 90.000vnd
You can book a Ninh Binh tours that include transportation two ways, and you don't need to worry about how to go anymore. Please take a look at our Ninh Binh Tours to the most popular destinations in Ninh Binh
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By Train: Visitors can go to Hanoi Train Station or Ninh Binh Train Station to buy tickets, it's about 100.000vnd. It takes about 2,5 hours.
This is the timetable for the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh:
SE 1: 19:30 – 22:00 SE 3: 22:00 – 00:20
SE 7: 06:00 – 08:30. SE 19 20:05 – 23:10
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By Private car or motorbike:
If you go by yourself, you can go from Giai Phong road to Giap Bat bus station, turn left to Phap Van – Cau Gie highway, following Phu Ly direction to Ninh Binh.
It's taking about 2 hours from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. If you want to rent a motorbike or private car, please feel free to contact us to get more information.
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By Limousine Bus: This is a new option. They will pick up from Ninh Binh city and drop off at Hanoi Circus theatre. Price about 200.000 VND. Some brand name: Khanh An, Huy Phong…
>>> Read more: How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
2.1. Where to stay in Ninh Binh
There are many accommodations in Ninh Binh from resorts and spa, hotels, homestays, bungalows, guest houses, hostels with price range from few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
If you like to relax, you can stay in Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort Spa near Van Long Nature Reserve, Aravinda Resort Ninh Binh, etc.
If you like to stay in a homestay and experience the daily life of local people, homestay is the best option for you. There are many homestays near Trang An area: Ninh Binh Green Land (greenhouse), Tam Coc friendly homestay, etc.
If you are going as a backpacker you can stay in Tam Coc (near the pier) there are many hostels and guest houses in this area with price very suitable: The Long, Golden bell backpacker's hostel, etc.
Emeralda resort Ninh Binh
3. What to do and see in Ninh Binh - Things to do in Ninh Binh
1. Take Trang An boat tour - UNESCO world heritage site
This is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Trang An has been recognized in 2013 as a significant National Monument and a year later recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site 2014.
Along 3 hours on the Sampan boat, you will see the stunning landscape, variety of caves, incredible limestone formations, and stop by several Buddhism temples.
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From January 19th, 2020
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The entrance fee is 250.000vnd /person
Free for children who are below 0.8m in height. – Children's height is from 0.8m to 1.3m: 120.000 VND/person. – Children's height is above 1.3m: The same price as adults.
Minimum 3 people /boat – If you are solo or couple, you may share with other tourists
Read more: Detail best route in Trang An
Trang An boat tour Ninh Binh
2. Conquer Mua cave (Dancing cave)
Mua Cave is a tourist site located in the core area of Trang An World Heritage Site in Ninh Binh Province. If you are a photographer or like taking photos, you should choose Hang Mua. After 486 steps to the top of the mountain, you can see all panoramic views of the countryside (with rice file and Lotus Lake)
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The entrance fee is 100.000vnd/person.
Conquer Mua cave
3. Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia, covering 530 hectares of land. As known for many Asian and Vietnamese records, the Pagoda includes the Largest gold-plated Buddha image in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, the pagoda with the statue of Di Largest bronze pagoda in Southeast Asia, the biggest bronze bell in Vietnam, etc.
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Ticket Price: Electrical car: 40.000 VND/person for a one-way ticket
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Visiting Bao Thap tower: 50.000 VND/person
Bai Dinh pagoda
4. Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital
Hoa Lu ancient capital is the first capital of Vietnam for 42 years (968 – 1010). The historical remains still remain in Hoa Lu. Relics are very diverse and rich, including the architecture of the city walls, dragon beds, tombs, and many types of valuable architectural works. We also have the chance to see Dinh and Le temple dedicated to two dynasties in Vietnam.
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The entrance fee ticket is 20.000vnd/person
Hoa Lu ancient capital
5. Visit Tam Coc - "Halong Bay on the land."
Tam Coc means "Three caves" or "Ha long bay on the land" visitors will be immersed in the beauty of the natural scene. During 2 hours on Ngo Dong River and passed by Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.
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Entrance fee: Sightseeing ticket + Boat Ticket: 195.000 VND/person. With children's height is below 140cm: 100.000 VND/person. Free for children under three years old.
Tam Coc boat tour
6. Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong pagoda is nearby Tam Coc harbor (where you depart to Tam Coc). This was built in the 15th century. This Pagoda is notable (because it is built inside the mountain) and includes Chua Ha, Chua Trung, and Chua Thuong (its means Low, Middle, and Up Pagoda)
Climbing up to the top of Pagoda may be tiring, but when you reach the top, the views are well worth it. Especially is free for everyone.
Bich Dong pagoda
7. Explore Van Long Nature Reserve
Explore Van Long Nature Reserve is another favorite thing to do in Ninh Binh. Van Long is also very rich in fauna and flora – the most significant wetland in Northern Vietnam.
There are many kinds of birds; storks choose for their winter hideaway. Besides, that visitors can see a wild beauty, which has attracted tourists to admire the diverse natural ecosystem of Van Long lagoon. Going along the small leaf boat, a vast swamp of water, birds, langurs, and Limestone Mountains around you. The poetic natural scenery will make you surprise.
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Entrance fee: Sightseeing ticket + Boat Ticket: 50.000 VND/person
Van Long Nature Reserve
8. Thung Nham bird garden
Thung Nham bird garden is not only a landscape complex with tropical forests, caves, or immense rivers. This is also famous for being home to many bird species, including the rarest species. With wild and unique beauty, it's becoming an attractive tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Top attractions here are: But cave, Vai Gioi cave, bird garden.
Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh
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Entrance fee: 100.000 VND/adult. – Free for children who are below 0.8m in height. – Children's height is from 0.8m to 1.3m: 50.000 VND/person. – Children's height is above 1.3m: The same price as adults.
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Boat ticket to visit bird field: 20.000 VND/person
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Entrance ticket for visiting But cave: 20.000 VND/person.
Thung Nham bird garden
9. Trekking Cuc Phuong National park
Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the North of Vietnam. This is home to many fauna and flora listed in the Red book. This national park was honored by the World Travel Awards as Asia's leading national park for two years, 2019, 2020.
The best time to visit Cuc Phuong is from December to April when the weather is superb, and the rain forest goes through, visitors can admire the ancient trees of thousands of years, beautiful birds, etc.
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Entrance fee: 60.000 VND/person
Cuc Phuong national park - ancient tree of thousands of years
10. Cycling around the countryside – Must do in Ninh Binh
Cycling around rice paddies and peace is among the top things to do in Ninh Binh. The road is not so busy as Hanoi and easy to cycling. When you are cycling around the village, you have a chance to explore the daily life of the local people.
You can find many hotels, hostels, or bike shops to rent bicycles, the price just a few dollars. There is some operator who offers Ninh Binh tour that includes cycling activity in their itinerary.
Cycling around the countryside at Ninh Binh
>>>>> Click here to check out Ninh Binh tours with cycling
11. Turtle Conservation Center
Turtle Conservation Center (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park, established in 1998 with an area of 7,000m2, includes cages, water tanks, and separate cages to conserve more than 1,000 individual turtles mostly endangered turtles in Vietnam.
Turtle Conservation Center
12. Visit Endangered Primate Rescue Center
Establish in 2005. It currently houses about 150 individuals. These include Delacour's langur (Trachypithecus Delacour) (Trachypithecus laotum hatinhensis), Black langur (Trachypithecus laotum ebenus), Lao langur (Trachypithecus laotum laotum), Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus poliocephalus), and Grey-shanked Douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea)
13. Visit Phat Dien Cathedral
This unique cathedral, built-in 1892 – combines Vietnamese and European architectural styles. Phat Dien Cathedral is one of the most famous stone cathedrals in Vietnam with pagoda-type roofs like the traditional Vietnamese Pagoda.
Phat Dien cathedral
14. Visit Kenh Ga Floating Village
Kenh Ga village belongs to Gia Thịnh communal - Gia Vien district, far from Ninh Binh city, about 15km. This place was voted as one of the top 5 places with the most beautiful open-air hot mineral water source in Vietnam. Therefore it's becoming a famous destination for tourists in Ninh Binh.
Visit here you will catch a scene of locals rowing their boats with their feet very often.
Kenh Ga Floating village
15. Enjoy tea and chat with local people
If you want to learn more about Vietnamese culture or history from local people. This is also an excellent chance for you. You can enjoy the scenery and make friends with locals.
Drink tea at a local family house
>>> Click here to get free itinerary planning for Ninh Binh tours
What to eat in Ninh Binh
Besides discovering the natural beauty, visitors can enjoy a lot of delicious dishes that are only available in Ninh Binh.
Here are some popular dishes. Besides, visitors can read more detail top 11 specialties food in Ninh Binh.
16. Eat Goat meat
This is the most famous and unique dish in Ninh Binh. Goat meat is nutritious and delicious, served with many precious fine herbs which are very good for people's health.
Goat meat
17. Eat Burned rice
It's very crispy and light yellow color served with a sauce that makes it very delicious. Many tourists enjoyed it, and they buy to bring home as a souvenir.
Burned rice
18. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli
Eel vermicelli is well – know in Ninh Binh. Like Hanoian people always have Pho to breakfasts, the local people in Ninh Binh often try this for breakfast. It's combined with the banana flower it's very delicious.
Ninh Binh eel vermicelli
19. Sticky rice with ant's eggs
Sound weird, but it's very delicious, and not all kinds of ant eggs are edible. It must be eggs of black ants that build the nest on the tree. After collecting from the forest, they will wash, mix with different ingredients and stir–fry. It's combined with sticky rice and dry onion.
Sticky rice with ant's eggs
20. Mountain snails
Only visitors who come to Ninh Binh can try this specialty food. Snails are living on Limestone Mountains. They are cook with many different ingredients: Lemon glass, chili sauce, etc. very delicious.
Besides that, you can also try many different food and drinks in Ninh Binh, such as Local wine (ruoi can), Fermented pork, rice noodle with Moc, etc.
Mountain snails
With all the best things to do in Ninh Binh from 1 day to 1 week. We hope you can have a great trip to Ninh Binh. If you need any help, please feel free to contact Go Viet Trip. We are pleased to assist you.
We hope that this article will help you understand more about Ninh Binh if you need more help. Please feel free to contact us: Email: Goviettrip@gmail.com or hotline +84968667589. We are guarantee about quality and prices. Get a full refund if you do not feel happy with our services.
Author Hoan Nguyen
He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.
Photos: Go Viet Trip & internet
