The Best Ninh Binh Travel Guide & Things To Do 2022

Ninh Binh is known for its wild beauty, like a precious gem of Vietnam. This place has long been famous as a place blessed by nature with the beauty of green mountains and blue waters, charming scenery. Extremely unique cave system. Ninh Binh has been a potential Northern tourist area, loved by many domestic and foreign tourists. Please accompany Origin Vietnam to discover the travel beauty of this land.

1. Where is Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is a province in the south of the Red River Delta and located in the North of Vietnam. The province’s center is Ninh Binh city, 93 km south of Hanoi capital, 117 km from Noi Bai International Airport. The province is located:

• The North borders Ha Nam province.
• The East and Northeast border Nam Dinh province.
• The Northwest borders Hoa Binh province.
• The South borders Thanh Hoa province and the East Sea (Gulf of Tonkin) with an 18 km long coastline.

2. How is Ninh Binh Unique?

Since ancient times, Ninh Binh has been famous as a land of wonders and beautiful natural cultural heritage. This place welcomes visitors with its poetic and charming scenery beside famous landmarks. such as: Trang An scenic complex, Hoa Lu ancient capital, Mua Cave, Tam Coc – Bich Dong complex, Van Long lagoon. or Cuc Phuong National Park are all key tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Besides, Ninh Binh is also a place containing traditional cultural and spiritual values. And preserving many historical traces through ancient dynasties of Vietnam. In addition, visitors can admire the majestic and magical beauty of nature, immerse themselves in the vast, airy space and fresh natural air.

In particular, a trip to Ninh Binh will take visitors to explore the diverse natural ecosystem and enjoy unique specialties that only this land has.

3. When is the best time to travel to Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is located in Northern Vietnam, located in the humid subtropical climate zone divided into 4 distinct seasons. There are spring, summer, autumn, winter. According to our Ninh Binh travel experience, visitors can come to Ninh Binh any season of the year, each season brings its own beauty.

However, there are two best times to travel to Ninh Binh: early spring and summer. The weather at this time is cool and pleasant and there are many special festivals being held.

3.1. Travel to Ninh Binh in early spring

The first days of the year, after the Lunar New Year, from January to March, are very suitable for tourists to visit spiritual tourist destinations in Ninh Binh, participating in many unique festivals and landscapes. Pretty.

The weather at this time is cool and a bit chilly. Visitors should monitor the weather before coming here to bring more warm clothes to ensure their health.

3.2. Travel to Ninh Binh in summer

Summer is from April to June, this is the time many tourists choose to come to Ninh Binh. This season is suitable for exploring caves, admiring the beauty of ripe rice fields and famous landscapes here.

The weather at this time is somewhat hotter than spring, but Ninh Binh has many mountains and green forests so the temperature is still very pleasant for tourists to travel here.

4. How to get to Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh is a province not far from the capital Hanoi, with many national highways and expressways passing through, so travelling here is relatively easy.

4.1. Travel by bus

Passenger cars are the means of transportation to Ninh Binh chosen by many tourists in the North and North Central of Vietnam. There are many bus companies from Hanoi to Ninh Binh every day with different time frames.

If departing from Hanoi, visitors can buy tickets at major bus stations: My Dinh bus station, Giap Bat bus station, Nuoc Ngam bus station to get to Ninh Binh bus station. Travel time between the two provinces is about more than 1 hour. Some reputable bus companies that tourists can refer to: Hai Thang, Anh Vu, Thuy Duong, Hoang Thin, Anh Dong…

4.2. Travel by train

Ninh Binh is a province with the North-South railway running through so visitors can easily buy tickets and get here by train. The travel time is relatively long due to having to go through many stations, but it can help visitors save money and experience a new feeling when riding the train.

For tourists departing from Hanoi, you can buy tickets at Hanoi train station with many trains at different time frames of the day. Trains from Hanoi passing through Ninh Binh: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19.

4.3. Travel by motorbike or personal car

Traveling by motorbike or personal car is suitable for travelers who love to explore, this will definitely be the perfect choice. This form of transportation will help tourists be proactive in their time and freely enjoy the beautiful scenery during their trip to Ninh Binh.

For tourists traveling by motorbike, starting from Hanoi inner city, go straight along National Highway 1A to the South. It takes about 2 hours to reach tourist attractions in Ninh Binh. Tourists riding motorbikes should pay attention to wearing helmets and bringing all documents when participating in traffic.

For tourists traveling by private car, depart from Hanoi inner city, follow Giai Phong street, pass Giap Bat bus station, turn in and go straight on CT01 Hanoi – Ninh Binh highway. Travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes to visit attractions in Ninh Binh.

4.4. Travel by plane

Ninh Binh is a province without an airport, so tourists from far away who want to travel here by air must buy tickets to Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi.

Foreign tourists or tourists in the South and Central of Vietnam buy tickets from where they live to Noi Bai airport by buying tickets online or at the ticket counter. After that, tourists choose means of transportation such as passenger cars, motorbikes, and cars to get to Ninh Binh.

5. Explore the beauty of Ninh Binh province

If you are wondering where to travel to Ninh Binh, let’s join Origin Vietnam in listing the famous attractions in Ninh Binh that tourists should not miss right here!

5.1. Trang An scenic spot

Trang An scenic spot is located in Dong Thanh district, Ninh Binh province, with an area of ​​6,226 hectares. This place is known as “Ha Long Bay on land” thanks to its majestic mountain scenery and beautiful winding small river. Trang An is recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage and cultural heritage.

Coming to Trang An, visitors will be overwhelmed by the masterpieces that nature bestows on this land. With a mysterious natural cave complex and unique limestone mountain system. Surrounded by a small river with cool, blue water, it will definitely bring visitors unforgettable experiences.

5.2. Hoa Lu ancient capital

Hoa Lu ancient capital is an architectural complex of great historical value and is also the first capital of the centralized feudal state of Vietnam. After more than 1,000 years of history, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu still retains architectural works built in the 17th century such as city walls, caves, tombs, and temples.

The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is recognized by UNESCO as one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage complex. Coming here, visitors can not only see the relic complex with unique architecture, but also learn about the heroic history of the Vietnamese people.

5.3. Tam Coc – Bich Dong

Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a key tourist area of ​​Vietnam. Bich Dong is known as “The Second Cave of the South” with a dry cave and a water cave piercing through the mountain. Tam Coc means 3 caves including Ca cave, Hai cave and Ba cave, created from a Ngo Dong river flowing through the mountain.

Down the Ngo Dong river, visitors will feel the cool, fresh air, see majestic high limestone mountains and stalactites in uniquely shaped caves. On both sides are ripe golden rice fields and long-standing ancient pagodas, hidden behind the green canopy of ancient trees.

5.4. Hang Mua

Hang Mua is considered the “Great Wall” of Vietnam. Mua Cave is more than 4 hectares wide, including many unique caves, rocky mountains and beautiful landscapes. To reach the top of the cave, visitors must conquer 500 stone steps.

From the top of Mua Mountain, looking far into the distance, visitors can admire the entire beauty of Ninh Binh with views of mountains, rivers and vast ripe rice fields. All create a beautiful natural scenery, attracting millions of tourists from near and far to come here every year.

5.5. Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda is known as a large pagoda complex, holding many records in Asia and Vietnam. The pagoda complex has an area of ​​1,700 hectares including: the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda area and the new Bai Dinh pagoda area. Bai Dinh Pagoda attracts tourists by its outstanding architecture with large, majestic shapes bearing the mark of Vietnamese pagoda architecture.

The pagoda is notable for its many shrines and many large and small Buddha statues. In particular, the pagoda has a corridor called the Arhat corridor, spread throughout the temple grounds with 500 Arhat statues arranged along the entire corridor.

With a very large campus, visitors to the pagoda can not only visit, sightsee, but also have a peaceful place to purify each person’s soul. Bai Dinh Pagoda is a spiritual tourist destination where tourists from all over come to offer incense and worship Buddha every year.

5.6. Phat Diem Stone Cathedral

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is a Catholic church complex of about 22 hectares, built in 1875 and completed in 1899. The church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam. The church is built entirely of natural stone and wood, very sturdy and includes a large church and 5 small churches.

The Catholic church was built with some Western-oriented features, but has a boat-shaped curved roof that follows the style of traditional Vietnamese communal houses, temples, and pagodas. That uniqueness has contributed to increasing the number of tourists coming to visit and admire the beauty of the stone church.

5.7. Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam’s first national park, famous for eco-tourism and the environment and has an area of ​​about 22,000 hectares. This place has a rich and diverse flora and fauna, many species of flora and fauna at high risk of extinction have been discovered and preserved here.

Visitors to Cuc Phuong can explore primeval forests, admire beautiful natural landscapes, and breathe fresh air. In addition, visitors can participate in ecotourism, relaxation, adventure and cultural and historical research programs.

5.8. Thung Nham Bird Garden

Thung Nham Bird Garden is known as the ideal “home” of many species of birds, about 40 species and more than 50,000 birds. This is also the largest nature reserve in Northern Vietnam. The bird garden is located in the middle of green Tien Lake, with an area of ​​about 18 hectares.

Visitors can row boats down Tien Lake to admire the natural scenery and many species of birds such as storks, cauldrons, teal, fire warblers, teals, especially two rare species listed in the red book. : Hang Hac and Hong Hoang. Tourists should come here around 5pm to see flocks of birds flying and returning from searching for food.

5.9. Tuyet Tinh Coc

Tuyet Tinh Coc, also known as Am Tien cave, is a lake located halfway up the mountain at an altitude of 500m above sea level. This place is surrounded by towering mountains, with a cool year-round climate and fresh air.

Visitors to Tuyet Tinh Coc can admire the beautiful lake scenery, see the cave with magical stalactites and can offer incense to Buddha at Am Tien Pagoda. The space here is calm and peaceful, creating a peaceful experience for tourists.

5.10. Van Long lagoon

Van Long Lagoon is known as a large wetland nature reserve, with many migratory birds stopping here to feed and avoid the cold. The lagoon has an area of ​​more than 3,500 hectares, was put into operation in 1998 and quickly became a key tourist destination in Vietnam.

Van Long Lagoon owns 2 records from the Vietnam Record Book Center in 2010. Visitors coming here will admire the wild beauty, vast flooded space and diverse natural ecosystem. Thanks to that, this place was chosen by the Hollywood film crew as the main filming location for the blockbuster movie Kong – Skull Island.

6. Specialties in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful landscapes but also known for its attractive and rich cuisine. Let’s learn about the specialty dishes here!

6.1. Burnt rice (Com Chay)

When coming to Ninh Binh, visitors will see scorched rice sold in every tourist destination of the province. Ninh Binh scorched rice is meticulously prepared by mixing two types of dry rice and sticky rice together. Then, fry the rice until the rice grains are evenly puffed, crispy, golden and spongy, adding a little salty shrimp and typical spices.

In particular, scorched rice brings a delicious flavor, crispy, fatty and more salty than shrimp. If you have the opportunity to travel to Ninh Binh, you should enjoy this scorched rice specialty or buy it as a gift for family and friends.

6.2. Mountain goat meat

Goats in Ninh Binh are raised naturally on the mountain slopes so the meat is very firm, moderately soft, not too tough and has a characteristic aroma. What creates the special flavor of Ninh Binh mountain goat dishes is the traditional spices of the people here.

There are many dishes made from goat meat for visitors to enjoy such as: rare goat with lemon, stir-fried goat, grilled goat, grilled goat, scorched rice with goat sauce, goat cooked with plum wine, steamed goat, stewed goat, hot pot. goat… Visitors can eat it with raw vegetables and ginger soy sauce to enhance the flavor and sweetness of mountain goat meat.

6.3. Fish salad

Specialty Fish salad is considered one of the most delicious local specialties. After being cleaned, the fish is marinated with spices such as ginger, lemongrass, and dried onions. Fish salad served with raw vegetables such as sour star fruit, figs, chili, herbs and sweet and sour dipping sauce.

When eating fish, the sweet taste is mixed with the sour taste of vinegar, the spicy taste of ginger and the fleshy taste of roasted sticky rice mixed with the slightly astringent taste of vegetables, making the dish unique and leaving an impression on visitors. guest.

6.4. Eel vermicelli

Eel vermicelli has long become a famous specialty of Ninh Binh. The special feature of Ninh Binh eel vermicelli dish is that it is made from arrowroot vermicelli and fresh eel. The broth is carefully stewed from eel bones and tibia bones for many hours, creating a sweet taste.

When eating, you will clearly see the sweet, chewy, naturally fatty, not at all fishy taste of eel and is often eaten with herbs, chopped banana flowers and a little slice of lemon and chili, both delicious and strange. This will definitely be a dish that every visitor to Ninh Binh will love.

6.5. Ant egg sticky rice

Ant egg sticky rice is a famous specialty of Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province. Brown ant eggs are taken by people from forests in limestone mountains, washed with warm water, marinated with spices, fried with dried onions, chicken fat until fragrant, then steamed with sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.

When eating ant egg sticky rice while still hot, you will clearly feel the softness, the special aroma of the sticky rice, the sweet, greasy taste and the crackling sound of the ant eggs. This promises to be a special specialty dish that visitors should try once in their lives.

7. Stay in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh has a wide range of hotels and guest houses ranging from Vietnam luxury hotels, international standards, resorts to groups and individuals, homestay close to nature.

7.1. Best rated hotels in Ninh Binh

For convenience for long trips in Ninh Binh. Origin Vietnam has compiled the most prestigious and quality hotels for visitors to refer to:

• The Vancouver Hotel Ninh Binh. Address: Alley 75 Luong Van Tuy, Tan Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Ngoc Anh Hotel. Address: 30 Tan Quy Street Luong Van Tuy, Tan Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Kinh Do Hotel. Address: 99 Phan Dinh Phung, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Thuy Anh Hotel. Address: 55a Truong Han Sieu, Phuc Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Queen Hotel. Address: 20 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Viet Huong Hotel. Address: 64 Hoang Hoa Tham, Thanh Binh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Huong Tra Hotel. National Highway 1A, Giang Khau Bridge, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Van Giang Hotel. Address: No. 65, Street 4, Chien Thang, Dong Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Hoang Hai Hotel. Address: 36 Truong Han Sieu, Phuc Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Trang An Hotel. Address: No. 1 Le Hong Phong, Nam Binh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh

7.2. Beautiful Homestays in Ninh Binh

For tourists who love nature and plants, choosing a homestay is the most suitable. Origin Vietnam has compiled Homestays with beautiful views, quality and amenities for visitors to refer to:

• An Phu Homestay. Address: Trang An, Ninh Nhat, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Chill House Homestay. Address: Alley 12 Dinh Tien Hoang, Dong Thanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Huong Sen Homestay. Address: 30 Lane 96 Trinh Tu, Ninh Khanh, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Riverside Homestay 2. Address: Co Loan Ha 1, Ninh Tien, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh
• Green Papaya Homestay. Address: Lane 212, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Phuc Thanh, City. Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Valley Homestay. Address: Dong Cung, Khe Ha, Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Ninh Binh Panorama Homestay. Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay. Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Trang An River View Homestay. Address: 479 B Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
• Independence Bamboo Homestay. Address: 479 B, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

8. Some notes before traveling to Ninh Binh

To have the most complete, economical and wonderful trip to Ninh Binh. So you should note some useful Ninh Binh travel experiences below:

• Check the weather forecast before setting out to bring appropriate luggage and to avoid going on stormy days, affecting the trip.
• You should book hotels, motels, and homestays at least 2 weeks before your trip to have many options and avoid running out of rooms.
• When visiting sacred sites, dress modestly to show respect.
• Prepare clothing suitable for weather conditions, terrain and different types of travel.
• Bring all necessary documents for convenience when checking in on the plane, checking in at the hotel, or renting a car.
• You should prepare a map and smartphone to avoid getting lost, making it convenient for sightseeing when traveling to Ninh Binh.
• Consult reputable sales points in advance and survey prices before buying Ninh Binh specialties as gifts to avoid being ripped off.

With wild natural beauty, mysterious caves, many famous landscapes, historical and cultural relics and rich culinary specialties. Ninh Binh promises to bring visitors an interesting and meaningful trip.

If you are planning to make a tour to Ninh Binh, please immediately contact Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced consultants, we will help you have the most complete and memorable journey to discover the ancient capital of Ninh Binh.