Best Things to Do and Top Places to Visit in Ninh Binh

What is the Best Things to Do and Places to See in Ninh Binh Vietnam? Ninh Binh is a ideal place for adventure seekers, and an oasis for nature lovers. Vietnam’s first capital was established here, and today the area is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of mossy pagodas, striking limestone karsts, and surreal landscapes. Ready for an adventure? Here are ten must-do activities when in Ninh Binh, known as Halong Bay on/in Land or Dry Ha Long Bay:

1. Visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (Click to See >>>): If walls could talk you’d want to know what Hoa Lu’s brick- and vine-covered structures would say. Located just 20 minutes by car from the Trang An area, this is the site of Vietnam’s very first capital city. Hoa Lu reached its peak in the 10th and 11th centuries, when the surrounding karst landscape offered natural protection from invaders.

Today you can stroll through two atmospheric structures that survive from the old citadel. The compound’s leaning archways, layered banyan trees, and rolling brick courtyards will transport you back in time.

2. Boat Cruising in Trang An >>> and Tam Coc >>>: Some of Ninh Binh’s best scenery can only be accessed by boat. A paddleboat tour in Trang An or Tam Coc is an essential Ninh Binh experience.

Your own boatman or woman will paddle you along the gentle current, in the shadow of enormous, jungle-covered karsts. The boats stop at temples and glide underneath grottoes along the way.

3. Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda (Click to See >>>): Located at the foot of a large mountain, Bich Dong Pagoda’s ornate gate is one of the most iconic sights in Ninh Binh. A stone bridge spans a large lotus pond, which explodes with bright pink blossoms in the summer.

Just beyond the gate is a tranquil courtyard and a traditional Buddhist temple. Follow the stairs up and around the mountain for stunning views, then look for two other temples embedded in the mountain, dating back to the 18th century.

4. Conquer the top of Mua Cave (Click to See >>>): Mua viewpoint is located at the top of a steep mountain, but the views are worth the 200,000 VND ticket, and the 500 steps up. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of Tam Coc valley.

The viewpoint is sometimes covered in mist but wait for it to clear, and you’ll marvel at the patchwork quilt of green rice fields below and snaking rivers weaving in, out, and around the ancient karsts.

5. Hike in Cuc Phuong National Park (Click to See >>>): Only an hour away from Ninh Binh City, Cuc Phuong is one of the oldest national parks in Vietnam. A ticket to enter the park is just 20,000 VND.

Inside you'll have several stops to choose from, including rehabilitation centres for reptiles and primates, and trails inside the national park to visit a clutch of ancient trees, some more than 1,000 years old. Set aside half a day for a rejuvenating hike through the forest, then reward yourself with a local lunch inside the park.

6. Visit Thung Nham Bird Valley (Click to See >>>): Thung Nham Bird Valley is located in the famous Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area in Ninh Binh Province of Vietnam.

This is a nature reserve that still keeps the pristine, wild beauty, tropical forests, immense rivers to be a good palace for many rare and precious birds. Thung Nham is also the largest natural bird park in the Northern Vietnam.

7. Take a Bicycle Tour to the Countryside & Village: One of the best ways to explore Ninh Binh is by bicycle. The reason for this is that the land here is mainly flat which means that you can easily rent a bicycle and ride to many of the sights in town.

Many of the guesthouses have free bicycles for guests, or you can sign up for a dedicated tour with a guide who will show you all the key attractions in the area and fill you in on the history and culture of this part of Vietnam.

8. Wandering the Bai Dinh Pagoda (Click to See >>>): Bai Dinh Pagoda is an enormous complex and the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. This singular attraction is a noted pilgrimage stop for Vietnamese Buddhists, and full to overflowing during Buddhist holidays. You’ll need lots of time to see the whole site.

Expect to be awed by thousands of Buddha statues, elaborately carved bells and a 13-story watchtower, offering sweeping views of the countryside.

9. Explore Van Long Nature Reserve (Click to See >>>): Set in the shadow of a massive limestone mountain the Van Long Wetlands is a magical marshy reserve. The reserve is extremely popular with bird watchers and home to a wide variety of feathered friends. Book a boat tour to discover remote scenery, and gain a special glimpse into this serene setting.

Van Long lagoon appears as a charming painting with unspoiled scenery. Especially this place was once chosen by the famous film studio Legendary Entertainment as one of the settings for the famous Kong – Skull Island movie. Through sharp footage showing the beauty of the lake, Van Long has quickly become a destination to attract tourists.

10. Boat to Kenh Ga Floating Village (Click to See >>>): Kenh Ga Floating Village and Hot Springs, or also known as Chicken Village, after the wild chickens that used to live in the area, is situated in a beautiful setting in Ninh Binh Province in Northern Vietnam.

It just take about three hour of boat ride to visit the village and discover the beautiful nature here. You can also ride a bicycle along the dike with views on the countryside or enjoy a herbal bath in Kenh Ga Hot Spring.

11. Visiting Phat Diem Stone Cathedral (Click to See >>>): Phat Diem Cathedral (commonly known as Phat Diem Stone Church) is a Catholic church complex of about 22 hectares, located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, about 120 km from Hanoi. southward. The complex of works here was built in 1875 and completed in 1899. The central cathedral, now the cathedral church of Phat Diem Diocese in North Vietnam, was completed in 1891.

The unique feature of these works is that the Catholic church is built entirely of stone and wood according to Vietnamese ancient architecture, bearing the appearance of traditional communal houses, temples, pagodas and palaces. This architectural complex was gradually presided over by Father Peter Tran Luc, priest of the Diocese of West Tonkin since 1865 and a local community leader for more than 20 years.

12. Joining Unique Activities at Night in Ninh Binh (Click to See >>>): Ninh Binh is the southernmost point of the Red River Delta, where the Tam Diep mountain range connects the North with the Central region. There are natural watercolor paintings such as Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Trang An tourist area, Van Long wetland nature reserve, Cuc Phuong national park... which are embellished with relics. historical and cultural relics of communal houses, temples, pagodas, stone architecture and especially the ancient capital of Hoa Lu - the first capital of the feudal centralized state of Dai Viet.

If the journey in the morning will bring you to beautiful natural paintings, heroic paintings of history, Ninh Binh at night is extremely shimmering, mysterious and equally vibrant. crowded. Here are detailed suggestions for you to have a perfect journey to discover the land of Ninh Binh.

Adventure Journey

Recommended Tours:

1. Hoa Lu Temple and Tam Coc Daily Group Tours from Hanoi
2. Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave Daily Group Tour from Hanoi
3. Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave: Daily Group Tour from Hanoi
4. Hoa Lu Temple and Trang An: Private Day Tour from Hanoi

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• Ninh Binh, Vietnam: History, Weather and Best Time to Visit
• Ninh Binh: What Local Food to Eat & Best Restaurants to Try