Ninh Binh Travel Guide
Located about 100 km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is an ideal choice for travelers who don’t have much time but still want to explore magnificent nature.
When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh? Ninh Binh can be visited at different times of the year. However, the best seasons are spring (January – March), when the weather is cool with many traditional festivals, and summer (May – August), when golden rice fields and fragrant lotus ponds are in full bloom.
From Hanoi, travelers can take a coach from Giap Bat Bus Station or book a Limousine service to Ninh Binh.
Ticket prices range from 100,000 to 150,000 VND, and the journey takes about 2 hours. If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can fly to Hanoi and then continue to Ninh Binh by coach with the same options mentioned above. Vietnamese airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar operate daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, with ticket prices currently ranging from 900,000 to 1.3 million VND per way. In addition, visitors from other provinces can reach Ninh Binh by train. Tickets can be booked in advance on the official Vietnam Railways website or purchased directly at the station.
Ninh Binh Railway Station is conveniently located in the city center. For those traveling by private vehicle from Hanoi, take Giai Phong Street past Giap Bat Bus Station, then enter the Phap Van – Cau Gie Expressway and continue towards Phu Ly until reaching Ninh Binh. Getting around the city, travelers are advised to rent a motorbike (100,000 – 150,000 VND per day) for flexibility, as most attractions in Ninh Binh are spread out. For larger groups, taking a taxi is a more cost-effective option.
Accommodation:
Whether traveling as a couple, with friends, or solo, visitors to Ninh Binh can choose to stay in cozy homestays near popular attractions. These homestays often feature green surroundings, peaceful spaces, and friendly services.
Some popular and conveniently located options include Ninh Binh Friendly Homestay, Hang Mua Ecolodge, Diep's House, Ninh Binh Palm Homestay, ChezBeo Homestay, with prices around 200,000 VND per person per night.
For a more luxurious experience with full amenities such as swimming pools, spas, gyms, and bars, travelers can opt for 4–5 star resorts like Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Garden Resort, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel and Resort, An's Eco Garden Resort, Aravinda Resort Ninh Binh. Room rates range from 1.7 to 6 million VND per night.
Food & Drinks :
When visiting Ninh Binh, don’t miss out on local specialties such as crispy rice, goat meat with lime, stir-fried goat, grilled goat, crab with lolot leaves, and Nhech fish salad. Goat dishes are especially popular among visitors since goats in Ninh Binh are raised on rocky mountains, making the meat lean and firm. For authentic mountain goat dishes, diners should head to areas like Hoa Lu, around the Trang An Ecotourism Complex or Tam Coc. Prices for goat dishes range from 100,000 to 250,000 VND per portion, depending on the cooking style.
Recommended dining spots in Ninh Binh:
Chính Thư Goat Restaurant (Khe Thuong, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh)
Đức Dê Restaurant (446 Nguyen Hue, Ninh Binh City)
Dũng Phố Núi Restaurant (Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh)
Bà Phấn Eel Vermicelli (999 Tran Hung Dao, Ninh Binh City)
Tố Như Pork Ball Noodle Soup (National Highway 10, Kim Son, Ninh Binh)
Thanh Hằng Sticky Rice Ice Cream (Luong Van Tuy Street, Ninh Binh City)
Attractions Trang An – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trang An impresses visitors with its majestic limestone mountains, winding rivers, and pristine valleys. Entrance fee: 250,000 VND per adult; 100,000 VND for children under 1.4m Guide service: 300,000 VND per tour
Here, visitors can choose from three boat tour routes to explore the caves: Route 1: Takes visitors through 9 caves, Trinh Temple, Tran Temple, and Khong Palace. Route 2: Passes 4 caves along with Cao Son Temple, Vu Lam Royal Steps, and Tran Temple at Suoi Tien. Route 3: Covers 3 caves, Trinh Temple, Tran Temple at Suoi Tien, and Vu Lam Royal Steps. Each boat tour lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong
At this destination, visitors often begin with a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda, known as the “Second Most Beautiful Cave in the South,” where they can enjoy panoramic views from above. Afterwards, a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River reveals the beauty of Tam Coc, which means “Three Caves”: Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave), and Hang Ba (Third Cave).
Tam Coc captivates visitors with its towering limestone mountains, fascinating cave formations, and golden rice fields stretching along both riverbanks. Entrance fee: 120,000 VND per person Boat trip (Tam Coc route): 150,000 VND per ride
Hang Mua (Mua Cave)
Located about a 15-minute drive from Trang An, the Hang Mua tourist area lies at the foot of a mountain. Entrance tickets cost 100,000 VND per adult. This is one of the most popular check-in spots in Ninh Binh. To reach the summit, visitors must climb around 500 stone steps. Since the weather can be quite hot, it’s advisable to bring water. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of Ninh Binh — winding rivers, golden rice fields, and majestic limestone mountains. Visitors usually spend 2–3 hours here exploring and taking photos.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, spanning three dynasties: the Dinh, the Early Le, and the Early Ly. It is one of the four core areas of the Trang An Landscape Complex, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visitors can explore the temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, as well as a museum that preserves historical artifacts. These two temples were built around the 17th century, surrounded by lush greenery. To gain deeper insights into the historical significance of the site, it’s recommended to hire a local guide. Entrance tickets cost 20,000 VND per person.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
The Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, built in 2003, covers an area of over 500 hectares and is surrounded by majestic limestone mountain ranges. The pagoda consists of two main areas: the New Pagoda and the Ancient Pagoda. Visitors can either walk to explore the site or take an electric car ride at the cost of 30,000 VND per person per trip.
Some of the shrines that visitors often stop by include Phap Chu Pagoda (with 5 chambers, the central one housing a 10-meter-tall, 100-ton statue of Shakyamuni Buddha), the Tam The Hall, or the Bell Tower, where they can admire the Great Bronze Bell weighing 36 tons.
Am Tien Cave
Located within the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital National Historical Complex, Am Tien Cave lies in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, about 10 km from downtown Ninh Binh. The area is surrounded by towering limestone mountains resembling a fortress, with a cool, emerald lake in the middle. Visitors often describe Am Tien as having a poetic beauty tinged with a touch of melancholy and mystery. In the past, the only way to reach the site was by climbing the mountain, which is why Am Tien earned the nickname “Tuyet Tinh Coc” (the Valley of Lost Love). Today, visitors can reach it via a tunnel through the mountain, then continue hiking up to visit the pagoda, offer incense, and admire the cave with its striking stalactites. Admission: 20,000 VND per person.
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve Nicknamed the “bay without waves”, Van Long is famous for its calm waters—when taking a boat ride, visitors will notice the surface remains smooth without a ripple. The water here is not turquoise like the sea but crystal clear, revealing layers of moss beneath. In 2010, the Vietnam Records Center recognized Van Long for holding two national records: the place with the largest population of Delacour’s langurs (white-headed langurs) and the location of the largest natural painting in Vietnam. Admission: 20,000 VND per person Boat ride: 60,000 VND per 2 people
Thung Nham Bird Garden (Photo: Minh Phụng)
Located about 12 km from Ninh Binh city, Thung Nham Bird Garden Ecotourism Area is home to around 40 bird species with a population of over 50,000 individuals. The best time to witness flocks of birds returning from their feeding trips is around 5:00 PM. Entrance fee: 100,000 VND per person Boat ride ticket: 20,000 VND per person
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral
Located about 28 km from Ninh Binh city, Phat Diem Cathedral stands out with its unique architecture. Although it is a Catholic structure, it incorporates traditional Vietnamese temple and pagoda designs, featuring curved boat-shaped roofs. The complex includes the Grand Cathedral, five smaller chapels (one of which is built entirely from natural stone, known as the Stone Church), the bell tower (Phuong Dinh), ponds, and three man-made grottoes.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Located in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, Cuc Phuong National Park lies at the intersection of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa. Established as the first national park in Vietnam, it covers an area of about 22,000 hectares and attracts a large number of visitors with its diverse tourism activities, ranging from eco-tourism and research to adventure travel.
Visitors to Cuc Phuong can explore the pristine rainforest, mysterious caves with fascinating formations, and caverns that preserve traces of ancient culture and history, such as Trăng Khuyết Cave (Crescent Moon Cave), Chúa Cave, Thủy Tiên Cave, and Người Xưa Cave (Cave of Prehistoric Man). The park also features hot springs, a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna, ancient trees thousands of years old such as the thousand-year-old Chò Tree, and wildlife conservation areas.
Tam Diep is an emerging check-in spot that attracts visitors with its vast, lush green pineapple fields. Located about 20 km from Ninh Binh City, it offers a refreshing landscape for photography. Travelers are reminded not to pick the pineapples, as they belong to local farmers, and there is no entrance fee. However, it is recommended to ask for permission before entering the fields for photos.
Suggested Itineraries
Day 1: Ninh Binh City – Hang Mua – Trang An, Day 2: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Am Tien Cave
Day 1: Ninh Binh City – Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Tam Diep Pineapple Hill Day 2: Phat Diem Stone Cathedral – Thung Nham Bird Garden Day 1: Hanoi – Cuc Phuong National Park Day 2: Cuc Phuong National Park – Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
Homestay Việt Nam!
