Ninh Binh

Surrounded by the scenery of a typical Asian food product advertisement? You can experience it in the Vietnamese countryside close to Ninh Binh as long as it is not raining or misty! During the rice season, lush green rice fields surround the rock formations, which tower above the surrounding terrain. Before you travel to the area, be sure to read this!

The journey to Ninh Binh

The name of the province and the capital city of this province are both Ninh Binh. Your origin may be from the north, such as Hanoi or Cat Ba/Ha Long, or the south, such as Hue or Hoi An, depending on your travel route.

 

You can also travel by train from, for example, Hue or Hanoi, but this is often more expensive. I prefer the bus myself, and I have incorporated my experiences/tips on traveling by bus in Vietnam in this article!

Where to stay?

I advise staying outside of the city because it is not particularly special; staying near the Tam Coc Lake, for instance, is much more picturesque. Additionally, there is a lot to do, as local business owners are aware that the majority of tourists stay outside of Ninh Binh. The Banana Tree Hostel was where I stayed, and I highly recommend it. Here are more details about this hostel!

What to do in Ninh Binh?

In Ninh Binh, you can easily keep yourself busy for two days. Since most attractions are not close to one another, you should rent a scooter or bike and explore the area. Immersing yourself in the towns, villages, and countryside is the best way to discover the area.

Bich Dong Pagoda

One of the numerous pagodas in the area. It doesn't require an entrance fee, unlike some other pagodas, so anyone can visit. Parking costs 20,000 Vietnamese Dong (€0.80) if you arrive by scooter. If a local saleswoman tries to sell you a Buddha whistle, don't be surprised. She followed me and repeatedly tapped me as she was being quite pushy with me.

 

Once you have crossed the bridge, simply continue a short distance towards the pagoda to take in the view of the limestone cliffs.

Hang Mua

A well-known proverb states that "the best view comes after the hardest climb." In this instance, there are roughly 400 steps to climb in order to reach the Hang Mua Viewpoint. Take in the views of the tiny village, the limestone cliffs, and the rice fields. A beautiful place for early birds who like to see the sun rise in unique places. You pay an entrance fee of about €4.00. (100,000 Vietnamese Dong). Parking for scooters here costs 25,000 Vietnamese Dong (€1).

 

I had bad luck with the weather as it no longer exactly replicates the scenery in the Conimex ad.

More temples!

The temple complex Bai Dinh is worthwhile a visit if you can't get enough of temples and want to see the tallest temple in Ninh Binh. Although there is no charge for admission, it is advised that you take a shuttle to the section of the park where the temples are situated. Otherwise, walking would be a bit too far. Each person will pay about €2.40 (60,000 Vietnamese Dong). You must pay about €8.00 for a shuttle-entrance combination ticket if you want to enter the largest temple. The average cost of a guided all-inclusive package is €22.00.

Boat tour (pay attenion)

There are already quite a few boats on the lake in Tam Coc, but in my opinion, a boat trip along the Tam Coc river is more picturesque. Take in the breathtaking views between the rocks and, with any luck, the lush rice fields. Since it was raining when I visited, I didn't participate in this trip, but I've heard from many people who have that it was an important part of their trip.

 

Let op: Be aware: I did notice that some people were still "required" to make purchases along the way according to Google Maps. Be cautious when choosing a tour provider.

Local kitchen

Grilled goat is one of Ninh Binh's specialities. I'd rather skip this one, especially after seeing this stand next to the road.

Expensive

The only disclaimer I have about Ninh Binh is that I believe it to be quite pricey for the typical backpacker. It can get expensive with "mandatory" scooter parking, admission fees for landmarks or some viewpoints, and potential boat tours. With all these entrance and parking fees, it's fine that they want to profit from tourism; it's their right to do so. Personally, I thought it was a little too much, but everyone has a different opinion on that. This shouldn't deter you from visiting this location and drawing your own conclusions. There is a lot to see for reasonable prices, as I discovered for myself.

Next up: Hanoi, Cat Ba or Hue?

  • Hanoi: 2.5 hours
  • Cat Ba: 4.5 hours
  • Hue: 11.5 hours