Explore Ninh Binh: Must-See Highlights in Vietnam's Scenic Paradise

Ninh Binh province in Vietnam, often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land,” boasts stunning limestone karsts, expansive caves, and picturesque boat rides through lush rice paddies. This region covers over 6,000 hectares known as the Trang An Landscape Complex, which received UNESCO recognition in 2014.

You might recognize some of its surreal landscapes from the 2017 film “Kong Skull Island,” filmed in Vietnam.

Additionally, Ninh Binh is home to remarkable 15th-century pagodas and temples, as it served as Vietnam’s first capital.

Situated in the Red River Delta, it’s only a two-hour drive from Hanoi, making it an easy getaway.

It’s definitely worth taking a few days to explore. If you’re pressed for time, consider

I fell in love with this area during my first visit in 2009, long before it gained UNESCO status. Each trip reveals new discoveries. Read on for the top experiences in Ninh Binh!

Plan Your Visit

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)Best Time to Visit: December to March for cooler weather, while March to June & September/October provide the best views of the rice fields. Travel Insurance: Ensure safety with SafetyWing travel medical insurance for coverage on accidents and delays.

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Trang An Boat Experience

Location: 7 kilometers from Hoa Lu City

One of the region's main highlights is the boat rides through breathtaking scenery, particularly at the UNESCO-listed Trang An.

Choose from three different routes, with Route 3 being the most picturesque—a three-hour journey that takes you to three temples and three caves, including the impressive Hang Dot cave. It often feels more tranquil compared to nearby Tam Coc since its boat launch isn’t in a crowded town.

Tam Coc Boat Experience

Location: Launch point in Tam Coc town center.

During the wet season, when the rice fields are vibrant green, Tam Coc offers a delightful 1.5 to 2.5-hour boat journey on the Ngo Dong River, where guides row using their feet! The name Tam Coc, meaning three grottoes, refers to the three natural caves accessible by water. Expect long lines during pleasant weather.

While stunning, Trang An is preferable if your time is limited because it’s less crowded and features larger caves. If you visit during the off-season, the scenery may be less appealing. My last January visit revealed mostly muddy fields.

Mua Cave

Location: 6 kilometers from Hoa Lu City

For breathtaking panoramic views of Tam Coc’s boat route, climb the 500 steps at Mua Cave. You’ll find two viewpoints—one with a dragon statue overlooking a pagoda featuring an Avalokitesvara statue and another with a tall, multi-tiered pagoda.

To reach the stairs, walk through the Hang Mua Ecolodge. Best visited when rice fields are lush (March/April) or golden (May/June), with nearby ponds offering lovely lotus views from May to July. (Avoid January and December when the area is less vibrant.)

Bich Dong Pagoda and Cave Temple

Location: 10 km from Hoa Lu City; 3 km from Tam Coc

This three-tiered Buddhist pagoda cave complex is a picturesque site in Vietnam, with a stone entrance at the base of a limestone cliff surrounded by a serene pond. Originally built in 1428, it was expanded during the 18th century. There are 100 steps leading from the base to the middle pagoda, followed by a steep climb to the top.

The entrance is particularly photogenic, and it's amusing to find Choco pies as the most common offering inside the temple.

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Allocate at least half a day for the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex.

Location: 21 kilometers from Hoa Lu City

This expansive 4,200-acre Buddhist complex is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, situated about 20 kilometers from Ninh Binh. Choose a ticket that includes an electric cart shuttle for easier exploration of the vast grounds featuring grand halls and impressive Buddha statues. Don't miss the

views from the 13-story tower. Due to its size, you could easily spend an entire day here.

I visited on a rainy day and appreciated the lack of crowds. If the weather is poor, this is the first place I’d recommend. Be cautious during the annual festival on the sixth day of the first lunar month when it can get crowded.

Hoa Lu Old Town

A stroll around Hoa Lu Old Town, known as Pho Co Hoa Lu, offers fantastic photo opportunities.

Location: Central Hoa Lu City

Hoa Lu Old Town features two modern pagodas dramatically illuminated at night, showcasing intricate carvings. Built in 2022, this free attraction shouldn’t be confused with Hoa Lu Ancient Town, the historic site of Vietnam's first capital, which is located 11 kilometers away. The evening ambiance here is beautiful. To access the pagodas, walk across the island in the reservoir and follow the path to the temples.

Hoa Lu Ancient Town

Location: 11 kilometers from Hoa Lu City; 4 km from Trang An

Entrance to Hoa Lu Ancient Town is marked by a grand stone gate and bridge, welcoming visitors to the first capital of Vietnam from the 10th century. Inside, you’ll find two temples dedicated to emperors: the Temple of Dinh Tien Hoang on the left, and the Temple of Emperor Le Dai Hanh on the right. For stunning aerial views, hike to the tomb of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. Public transport isn't available, so either rent a bike or book a tour from Ninh Binh City. It's worth a quick visit, but there are many more exciting sites nearby.

Looking to Avoid Crowds in Ninh Binh?

If you're willing to venture a bit further, Van Long Nature Reserve offers a peaceful boat trip with fewer tourists, located farther north. Thung Nham Bird Park, an 18-square-kilometer sanctuary, hosts over 50,000 birds, especially during migration season. The park features well-marked trails for biking and walking.

Getting to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh province is about an hour and 45 minutes southeast of Hanoi. The most economical choice is a public bus from Hanoi to Hoa Lu City (formerly Ninh Binh City). For convenience, consider a $7 shared transfer from Hanoi that will take you directly to your hotel in Trang An, Bai Dinh, Tam Coc, or Ninh Binh City.

I had a fantastic experience with this transfer—it was smooth. Upon arrival, I switched from a comfortable van to an SUV for a short ride to my hotel in Tam Coc.

How to Get Around Ninh Binh

To explore most attractions, you’ll need your own transportation, so rent a motorbike or car. Most hotels can assist with arrangements or help you hire a driver. On my last trip, I opted for a car since the weather was too wet for biking. Day tours are also widely available.

Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh

January tends to be the coldest month—often quite chilly—but the landscape is rather barren. Things start to bloom in March. From May to June, the rice fields turn golden during harvest time, and again in September and October in select areas. The rainy season spans from May to October, bringing heavy rainfall and high temperatures, but also lush, green fields. (Be prepared for mosquitoes and leeches during this time.)

I’d personally steer clear of December to January when everything is brown and unappealing. Yes, it’s cooler, but not ideal for photography. Photographers should aim for April or May. Avoid the TET holiday when many places close down.

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh

Hoa Lu City, the provincial capital and transportation hub, offers a range of accommodation options. Most attractions are within a 15-30 minute drive. Arrange your own transport or book a tour. There are also tranquil lodging choices between main sites. (You can find affordable shared transfers directly from Hanoi.)

I recommend Tam Coc for a more compact base, as it's walkable. I stayed at Tam Coc Mountain Sunset and Garden Hotel ($30 USD/night), featuring spacious rooms, a pool, and a helpful English-speaking owner. Tam Coc Lion Kings Hotel & Resort also comes highly recommended by friends.

Many hotels incorporate “garden” or “sunset” in their names, so be cautious when booking to avoid confusion! I learned this the hard way.

While I suggest staying a few nights in the area, there are also day tours from Hanoi if you have limited time.