Ninh Binh Travel Guide 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Where is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh, located in the northern part of Vietnam. It takes you approximately 2- 2.5 hours to drive from Hanoi (90 km away)
Ninh Binh was the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Tien Le dynasty for about 42 years (968- 1009). This beautiful city is famous for its natural beauty of the Trang An complex, Tam Coc – Bich Dong,… where rivers meander through limestone blocks, rice paddies golden alongside the river banks. Imagine yourself sitting on a small boat, wandering caves by caves, admiring the scenic beauty with the most serene atmosphere.
Interested yet? If you are planning on visiting this majestic gem of Vietnam, let’s head to our extreme Ninh Binh travel guide for your needs.
What is The Weather like in Ninh Binh? Best time to visit Ninh Binh?
Spring (February to April)
Temperature: From 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F).
Rainfall: Moderate
The weather is pleasant and sunny, with occasional showers. The rice paddies are green and lush, and the flowers are in bloom. This is a great time to visit Ninh Binh for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Summer (May to July)
Temperature: From 28°C to 35°C (82°F to 95°F).
Rainfall: High
The weather is wet and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. This is not the best time to visit Ninh Bình if you are not used to hot weather. However, the summer is a good time to visit if you want to see the rice paddies at their fullest.
Autumn (August to October)
Temperature: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F).
Rainfall: Moderate
The weather is pleasant and sunny, the temperatures are cooler than in summer, and the humidity is lower. This is a great time to visit Ninh Bình for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Winter (November to January)
Temperature: 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F).
Rainfall: Low.
Cool and dry, occasional fog. Some tourist attractions may have shorter hours or be closed altogether during the winter months.
Ninh Binh has its own unique beauty in each season. However, people consider late May to early July or from September to October is the best.
How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
It’s very easy to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can choose to travel there by train, private car, motorbike or limousine. Normally, all means of transport will last 2-2.5 hours long.
Travelling by train to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
Traveling by train is trendy now in Vietnam. You can reach Ninh Binh and don’t need to worry about the traffic or bad weather conditions while admiring the stunning scenery route.
Duration: 2 hours
Option:
– Duong Sat Vietam
Price:
Soft seat, air-conditioned: US$4–6
Bed, air-conditioned: US$5–8
Website: https://dsvn.vn/#/
– Lotus train
Price:
4 Berth: US$65
2 Berth: US$122
Phone: +84 868 060 269
Mail: booking@lotustrain.com
Website: https://lotustrain.com/
By Limousine from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Travel to Ninh Binh by limousine is the most popular choice for tourists for its convenience, affordable price and good service.
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Option:
– Trang An Limousine
Price: From $13/person (340 000 VND)
Website: xetrangan.vn
Phone: (+84) 229 627 89 89
– BinhMinh Limousine
Price: $6-9
Website:binhminhlimousine.com.vn
Phone: 1900.1531
Mail: binhminhlimousine@gmail.com
By Taxi: Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
This is the fastest and most private way to get to Ninh Binh. However the price might be higher than traveling by train or by limousine.
Price: About $30 – $40
Recommendation:
– TaxiGo
Website: https://taxigo.vn/
Phone: 1900 0370
By Motorbike from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
This is the best choice for adventurous travelers, rent a motorbike, and ride to Ninh Binh by yourself, enjoy the breathtaking scenery. But it’s quite dangerous since the traffic conditions in Vietnam are not easy to get used to. Remember to bring your driver license if you choose this option.
You can contact your hotel to find a rental motorbike.
Navigating in Ninh Binh: Get around Ninh Binh
Technology motorbike/car taxi apps is not popular in Ninh Binh, so you can only choose traditional taxi/motorbike taxi or rent a motorbike to explore this beautiful place.
Taxi in Ninh Binh
Price: from $0.5/km (10 000 VND – 11 000 VND)
Recommendation:
– Mai Linh: (+84) 2293 63 63 63
– Taxi Xuân Thành: (+84) 2293 68 68 68
– Taxi Minh Long: (+84) 2293 88 11 22
Motorbike in Ninh Binh
Price: from $4/day (100 000 VND), petrol not included
Recommendation:
– Motorbike.vn:
Simple rental process, no deposit required
Delivery available
Phone: +84 981 036 969
Website: https://motorbike.vn/
– Thu Guest House:
Good selection of Honda and Yamaha motorbikes
Address: 02 Kim Dong, Ninh Binh city
– Ninh Binh Motorbike:
Well-maintained motorbikes (scooters and manual)
Simple rental process, no deposit required
Website: https://ninhbinhmotorbike.com/
Top attractions in Ninh Binh: What to see in Ninh Binh
Trang An Complex:
A UNESCO site famed for its dramatic karst landscape. Boat tours navigate emerald rice paddies, towering limestone peaks, and hidden grottoes, revealing both natural beauty and cultural heritage
Tam Coc – Bich Dong
A terrific complex, famous for the Tam Chuc Pagoda – a serene destination, while Bích Động Pagoda nestled in a cave boasts Buddhist carvings. Boat tours reveal a karst landscape of rice paddies, limestone peaks, and hidden grottoes
Bai Dinh Pagoda
a UNESCO site famed for its Buddhist grandeur. Visitors marvel at Asia’s biggest bronze Buddha statue and longest Arhat corridor, all nestled amidst serene gardens and dramatic karst landscapes.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Once the capital (968-1009 AD), it’s dotted with temples, pagodas, and tombs honoring the Dinh and Lê dynasties. Explore these remnants and feel the weight of Vietnam’s past.
Hoa Lu Ancient Town
A reconstruction of Vietnam’s Dai Co Viet capital (968-1009 AD), offers a glimpse into the past. Explore temples honoring Dinh and Le dynasties, watch water puppet shows, and enjoy the scenic beauty.
Thung Nham Bird Garden
A haven for birdwatchers. Explore a network of waterways teeming with herons, egrets, and kingfishers. Boat tours, caves, temples, and scenic trails complete this nature lover’s paradise.
Van Long Nature Reserve
Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including limestone mountains, caves, rivers, and a diverse range of plant and animal species. The reserve is also home to a number of traditional villages, making it a popular destination for both ecotourists and cultural enthusiasts
Cuc Phuong National Park
The oldest national park in Vietnam. It is located in the Tam Diep mountain range, about 120 km from Hanoi. The park is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species. It is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and birdwatching.
Ninh Binh 01 day itinerary
– Morning:
Start your journey to Ninh Binh
Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient Vietnamese capital.
Explore the village by bike, experiencing the local way of life.
– Lunch:
Savor a delicious buffet lunch featuring local specialties like goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice. Vegetarian options are also available.
– Afternoon:
Enjoy Tam Coc boat ride, enjoy scenic caves, and dramatic rock formations.
Visit Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Tam Coc.
– Evening:
Relax on the return journey to Hanoi and get dropped off conveniently at your hotel.
This itinerary is the most convenient for tourists who love to explore the best of Ninh Binh and don’t have to stay overnight. You can choose a self-guided journey to get there. However, it’s easy to be scammed or difficult to communicate with the locals, which might lead to bad experiences, or have to pay double, even triple the price. So booking a tour through a travel agency is still a better choice.
What to eat in Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh specialities
Cơm Cháy (Burnt Rice): This unique dish is made from rice that is cooked until it is crispy and slightly charred. It is then served with a variety of toppings.
Dê Núi (Mountain Goat Meat): Mountain goat meat is another popular dish in Ninh Binh. It is typically grilled or stir-fried and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Cá Kho Gạo (Braised Fish with Gao Fruit): This dish is made from fish that is braised with gao fruit, a type of fruit that is found in Ninh Binh. The gao fruit gives the dish a unique sour and sweet flavor.
Nhech Fish Salad: This salad is made from nhech fish, a type of fish that is found in the rivers of Ninh Binh. The fish is typically served raw and is dressed with a variety of spices and herbs.
Nem Chua Yên Mạc (Fermented Pork Roll): This dish is made from pork that is fermented with rice and spices. It is typically served with a variety of dipping sauces and fresh herbs.
Mì Lươn (Eel Vermicelli): This dish is made from eel that is served over vermicelli noodles. The eel is typically cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilled, stir-fried, or in a soup.
Gỏi Cá Nhệch (Nhech Fish Salad): This salad is made from nhech fish, a type of fish that is found in the rivers of Ninh Binh. The fish is typically served raw and is dressed with a variety of spices and herbs.
Best Restaurants in Ninh Binh (Halal and Vegetarian included)
– Hoang Cuisine Vietnamese Restaurant And Vegetarian
Hoang’s restaurant delivered an authentic and fancy Vietnamese dining experience without breaking the bank. From flavorful Beef Pho, crispy fried chicken cutlets, and refreshing Vietnamese salad with chicken, the restaurant serve the best food with the best service
– Tuan Tu Routard Restaurant
The restaurant serve the most authentic local dish of Ninh Binh, the menu is diverse and affordable
– Aroma Indian Restaurant (Halal)
If you’re in need of a break from local cuisine, come to this Halal Indian restaurant- great daal, delicious chicken tikka, excellent lamb curry and the naans are light and moreish!
– Trung Tuyet Restaurant
The best Vietnamese food in town. Restaurant is located in a typical calm quartier. The family owner welcomed visitors very warmly, and the food was excellent homemade, delicious flavor, offering free appetizers.
Accommodations in Ninh Binh
5-star accommodations in Ninh Binh
Nham Village Resort
Nham Village Resort is a slice of heaven in pure comfort. The venue is magnificent, with decor that is both subtle and stylish. The complimentary foot soak served with tea will definitely chill you out! The breakfasts are always outstanding. Housekeeping was super friendly and kind, adding to the overall charm of the stay
Website:https://nhamvillageresort.com/
Tam Coc Retreat Ninh Binh
A new boutique hotel but everything is good, this place is a little piece of heaven, the hotel is out of town but very easy to cycle or take a traditional taxi, wonderful staff great drinks and amazing room and pool
Website:https://tamcocretreat.com/
4-star hotels in Ninh Binh
Emeralda Resort Tam Coc
Large well-run resort hotel with the added bonus of an enormous heated swimming pool. Conveniently close to the departure point for the sampans going up the river at Tam Coc. Charming staff and large well-appointed rooms. Only minor caveat was that the external windows overlooking the lake were not clean.
Website: https://emeraldaresort.com/
Bai Dinh Riverside Resort & Spa
The resort is amazing and luxurious. The staff are always smiling and smiling eager to help with anything you need. Their food at the restaurant was delicious and had a menu with a big variety of dishes.
Website: https://baidinhriversideresort.com/
3 star hotels in Ninh Binh
Fairy Mountain Retreat
The hotel put a lot of attention into tending to the gardens. The fresh water pool was lovely to swim in. The place is a little out of the way and the roads are really skinny so drivers can have trouble getting there. But in summarize, this hotel is still one of the best choice in Ninh Binh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091957158493&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Tam Coc Serenity Hotel & Bungalow
Located in the center part of Ninh Binh, you can easily visit the famous Tam Coc from there. The staff are always helpful and breakfast is freshly prepared every day.
Homestays in Ninh Binh
Chezbeo Homestay
If you want something unique and different and love being in nature, then this is a must-go place. Passing through bamboo bridges and walkways amongst the karst landscape to reach your bungalow. After the business of the cities this was a very peaceful place with only the noise of frogs at night.
A homestay that harmonize with the nature, the atmosphere is serene
Website: https://chezbeohomestay.com/
Ninh Binh Palm homestay
The Ninh Binh Palm Homestay makes you feel right at home! The beautiful rooms and outside garden area was a beautiful place to work outside and work on the laptop. The staff are the most incredibly nice people.
Ninh Binh Travel Tips
– Learn some basic Vietnamese: This will help you communicate with the locals and get around more easily.
– Be prepared to bargain: This is common practice in Vietnam, especially at markets and shops.
– Dress modestly: When visiting temples and pagodas, make sure to dress modestly. This means covering your shoulders and knees.
– Be respectful of local customs: Take the time to learn about local customs and traditions. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings.
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