In recent years, the name Ninh Binh has emerged as an attractive tourist destination with many famous attractions such as Hoa Lu ancient capital, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Trang An, Bai Dinh, Phat Diem church... Besides, there is delicious cuisine, along with the development of resort spots worthy of 5-star quality.
Overview
With a rich terrain: mountains, hills, rivers, forests, and seas, Ninh Binh is likened to a "miniature Vietnam". This place attracts you with breathtaking scenery: from Cuc Phuong primeval forest, Van Long wetland conservation area, Trang An scenic area, Kim Son beach...
Along with that, there is a rich history of over 1000 years associated with the Dinh - Le dynasty, turning Ninh Binh into a cultural-historical tourist destination, combining unique spiritual tourism. This land is also the cradle of the art of singing Xam and Cheo singing typical of the North. It is the ancestral land of many traditional craft villages such as: Ninh Van stone carving, Bo Bat pottery, Van Lam lace embroidery, Kim Son sedge mat weaving... It is these long-standing customs and cultural practices, along with the rich terrain that have created an extremely unique culinary culture of Ninh Binh, attracting tourists by many famous dishes such as: Goat meat, Elderberry, Kim Son wine, Yen Mac spring rolls, Gia Vien shrimp paste, etc mountain snails, eel vermicelli...
Let's explore more details about this interesting destination with Migo!
Photo: Vnexpress
Weather
Ninh Binh has an average temperature of about 23.5 degrees Celsius with 4 distinct spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each season, this place has its own charm with its own unique beauty.
One of the Ninh Binh tourism experience is the choice of time to go with beautiful weather in the year. Because, the time to attract the most tourists is the time of spring and summer.
The spring festival in Ninh Binh lasts from January to March, when this land pampers tourists with pleasant and cool weather. There is no longer the cold of winter, not too hot or rainy as much as summer. When the rice flowers bloom, the rice fields in Trang An and Tam Coc are entering the "girl" green and blooming. Nature and heaven and earth are bustling with joy that makes people wander around the scenery, or visit spiritual destinations such as Bai Dinh pagoda, stone church, Trang An scenic area... are extremely appropriate.
Photo: VnExpress
Summer: from April to June, Ninh Binh has the advantage that the weather is not too hot like other provinces in the North. This is the time when the vegetation and diverse ecosystem of Cuc Phuong forest grow green, very suitable for you to weave under the creeks, swim a boat to explore Tam Coc Bich Dong, immersed in the golden rice fields. The scenery will surely make you ecstatic at the magical beauty of nature.
Transportation
Moving to Ninh Binh
Only about 100km from Hanoi capital, with National Highway 9 and a convenient highway system running through, visitors can easily transfer to Ninh Binh in a short time. The means of transportation to Ninh Binh are mainly motorbikes, cars or tourist cars.
If you travel by motorbike, you follow Phap Van - Cau Gie highway, it only takes 2 hours.
If traveling by bus, from Hanoi you can easily take a bus to Ninh Binh from Giap Bat and My Dinh bus stations with ticket prices ranging from 100,000 - 150,000 VND/person.
Another option is to book a 9-11 seater limousine. The bus picks up and drops off at arbitrary stops, the ticket price is from 135,000 VND/person. Popular bus companies are Duy Khang Limousine, Trang An Limousine...
From the South or Central, visitors can travel by plane to Hanoi and then from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in one of the 3 ways above.
In addition, if you love trains, one of the Ninh Binh tourism experience The interesting thing is the experience of traveling by North-South train and stopping at Ninh Binh station. The cost of taking bus and train to Ninh Binh is from 650,000 VND/person/trip
Getting around Ninh Binh
One of the interesting experiences when exploring Ninh Binh is renting a motorbike and freely going wherever you want.
Photo: kenh14.vn
Follow Ninh Binh tourism experience of backpackers, in Ninh Binh, the rental price of a scooter is only from 100,000 to 150,000 VND. The procedure for renting a car is extremely simple, just deposit your ID card or citizen ID. Note, don't forget to check the fuel tank and the condition of the car carefully before receiving it to ensure a safe and convenient travel process.
In addition, when traveling in Ninh Binh, car rental or taxi forms are also extremely popular. Depending on your preferences and the number of group members, you can choose to rent a car or take a taxi to move here.
The following are some famous taxi companies in Ninh Binh:
- Ninh Binh Taxi: (0229) 3633788
- Mai Linh Taxi: (0229) 6252525 – (0229) 6251888
- Minh Long Taxi: (0229) 3881122
- Xuan Thanh Taxi: (0229) 3686868
- Hoa Lu Taxi: (0229) 2211444
Tourist attractions in Ninh Binh
Famous for many scenic spots, when it comes to Ninh Binh tourism, it is impossible to ignore the following stops:
1 - Trang An Scenic Area
With an area of over 6000 hectares, Trang An is known as "Ha Long Bay on land" with a complex of natural caves and extremely unique limestone mountains. Anyone who comes here must admire the charming blue mountains, created by a system of 50 water-penetrating caves connected to 31 flooded valleys.
Visiting the cave, visitors can take a boat to weave between the winding currents between the rocky mountains, admire with their own eyes, and touch the endless shimmering natural stalactites with their own hands. In 2014, Trang An scenic area was recognized by UNESCO as a "Double World Heritage Site" in terms of nature and culture.
- Location: about 7km from Ninh Binh bus station, 8km from Ninh Binh station
- Ticket price: 250,000 VND/adult 120,000 VND/child (6 people per boat), tour guide rental fee 300,000 VND/trip
Photo: VnExpress
2 - Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area
Tam Coc Bich Dong has a natural area of 350.3 hectares, in the territory of Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu. It is one of the most famous stops in Trang An with its majestic and spectacular limestone mountains and caves.
The name Tam Coc means "Three Caves". Because this place is formed by a chain of three interconnected caves including: Ca Cave, Hai Cave and Cave Ba created by the Ngo Dong River flowing through the mountain. Each cave has its own beauty made up of hundreds of thousands of stalactites of all shapes.
Bich Dong, also praised since thousands of years ago as "Southern Heaven Second Cave" - meaning the second most beautiful cave in the South. About 2km from Tam Coc, Bich Dong consists of a dry cave located halfway up the mountain with Bich Dong Pagoda, and a water cave through the mountain called Xuyen Thuy Dong.
This place also has historical relics associated with the Tran Dynasty such as Thai Vi Temple.
- Location: Tam Coc Bich Dong is about 7km from Ninh Binh city, located in the Trang An scenic area complex.
- Ticket price: 120,000 VND/adult, 60,000 VND/child. Ferry price: 150,000 VND/trip
Photo: VnExpress
3 - Mua Cave
In recent years, Mua Cave - Ngoa Long Mountain is gradually becoming an attractive destination for tourists. Fully located in Tam Coc, Hoa Lu area. From Mua Cave, visitors get an impressive view from the top of the mountain to the entire beautiful scenery of Tam Coc, with vast fields... In particular, visiting Mua Cave - Ngoa Long Mountain during the lotus blooming season, from the top of the cave, visitors zoom down to the vast bowl of lotus ponds hugging the foot of Ngoa Long Mountain, creating an indescribable ecstatic scene.
Especially the journey to conquer 500 stone steps before reaching the cave entrance - known as the "Great Wall in Ninh Binh" to enjoy the beautiful natural picture.
- Location: Mua Cave is about 5km from Tam Coc Bich Dong, on the straight road down to Phat Diem Stone Church
- Ticket price: 100,000 VND/person
Photo: gioitreviet.net
4 - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Mention Ninh Binh tourism experience without visiting the ancient capital of Hoa Lu is indeed a shortcoming. As one of the 4 important core areas of the Trang An World Heritage complex recognized by UNESCO, Hoa Lu ancient capital attracts tourists because of its extremely unique architectural complex. Coming here, stepping on the moss-covered stone steps, touching the 1000-year-old walls, visitors seem to feel the slow pulse of the old time, reminiscing about the golden age of Dai Viet once brilliant under the reign of King Dinh - Le. An extremely valuable scenic spot both in terms of landscape and spirituality, touching the emotions of any tourist who loves Ninh Binh.
- Location: belonging to Trang An scenic complex, in the North
- Ticket price: 20,000 VND/person
Photo: vietnamdiscovery.com
5 - Van Long Lagoon
A natural attraction visited by the most foreign tourists when coming to Ninh Binh. Located in the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta, Van Long lagoon with the name "waveless bay" will certainly satisfy the passion of nature of any visitor.
With a diverse ecosystem, Van Long lagoon is hidden among the wild beauties. Sailing at dusk, the sun casts a shadow on the calm water, reflecting the poetic beauty of heaven and earth. Surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains with all kinds of shapes, creating interesting names: Meo Cao mountain, Hom Sach mountain, Raspberry mountain... The boat floats gently, just a little while you will be overwhelmed by the flocks of birds rushing out of the trees, the langurs leisurely feeding, the contemplative posture on the branches of the trees creates watercolor paintings that make the viewer lose his way and do not want to go back.
- Location: Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ticket price: 20,000 VND, ferry ticket price 80,000 VND
Photo: kkday.com
6 - Bai Dinh Pagoda
Located on Bai Dinh mountain, is a pagoda complex with a campus of up to 539 hectares, Bai Dinh pagoda consists of two complexes: new pagoda and old pagoda. Since its inauguration in 2008, Bai Dinh Pagoda has always been a spiritual destination not to be missed by any tourist visiting Ninh Binh.
Impressed by the massive architectural complex, the giant curved roofs, the stylized bow tile roof with steps decorated with stone dragons of the Ly dynasty, the large stone courtyard overlooking the Jade well - the largest pagoda well in Vietnam with clear jade blue water, the largest bronze bell in Vietnam and the longest Arhat corridor... and many other interesting attractions not to be missed.
- Location: Bai Dinh Pagoda is located at the western gateway of Hoa Lu ancient capital, about 15km from Ninh Binh city
- Ticket price: Free admission, tram ticket 30,000 VND, ticket to visit the stupa: 50,000 VND.
Photo: disantrangan.vn
7 - Phat Diem Stone Church
If there is one architectural work that intersects the beauty of Eastern Buddhist and Western Catholic architecture, it is Phat Diem Stone Church. With its unique and impressive beauty through delicate sculptures and carvings, this place is becoming a must-see check-in destination for travel lovers. The complex of Phat Diem stone church includes a large church with 4 churches on both sides, three artificial stone caves and all monuments, ponds and communal houses.
- Location: Phat Diem town, about 28km from Ninh Binh city center
- Ticket price: Free
Photo: nhathoconggiao.com
8 - Cuc Phuong National Park
For those who love nature, Cuc Phuong National Park is indeed a "treasure". With a tropical rainforest area of up to 26,000 hectares, this place hides an extremely rich plant ecosystem, attracting any green forest enthusiast.
In particular, coming to Cuc Phuong in May - June, when the summer heat could not penetrate the huge green carpet of trees, Cuc Phuong in the butterfly breeding season. Coming here, you will be amazed by the sight of millions of butterflies flying in the sky, dumbfounded by the hundred-year-old brown trees, and how much you love the blue lungs of this planet.
Ticket price:
- Adults 60,000 VND/time
- Children 6 - 15 years old: 10,000 VND/time
- Senior citizen (60 years old and above): 15,000 VND/time
- Students: 20,000 VND/turn
Photo: AsianFocus
9 - Nuoc Mountain
Located at the eastern gateway of Ninh Binh city, overlooking the confluence of the Day and Van rivers, Non Nuoc mountain (also known as Duc Thuy Son) is one of the mountains that enter poetry with the beauty of "secular fairyland".
Visitors climb over 183 stone steps to reach the top of the mountain, from here they can see the whole Hoa Lu capital, freely watching the clouds, sky and charming mountains. At the foot of the mountain, there is the ancient Silent Non Nuoc Pagoda and the temple of Truong Han Sieu - the famous person of the Tran dynasty who wrote a poem to name the mountain.
Ticket price: 5,000 VND/person.
Photo: TVHINHDULICH
Delicious food in Ninh Binh
It is because of the rich terrain, different climate and soil that has brought Ninh Binh many extremely unique dishes. Save these delicacies to your list right away Ninh Binh tourism experience yours.
1 - Ninh Binh elderberry
Referring to Ninh Binh, the most famous dish must be elderberry. Different from the elderberry of other localities, Ninh Binh elderberry is skillfully processed from the typical rice of this land, combining both dry rice and flexible rice. Elderberry is golden, crispy but not hard, with the characteristic aroma of rice. Enjoying Ninh Binh elderberry with sauce, mountain goat meat, stir-fried heart, or with a little pork belly also makes that characteristic taste forever in the memories of visitors.
Coming to Ninh Binh, visitors can enjoy elderberry at almost any restaurant, or buy it as a gift for relatives and friends very easily.
Photo: top10ninhbinh.com
2 - Ninh Binh mountain goat meat
The goats are raised on the limestone mountain terrain, eating the grass on the mountain, so the meat is extremely firm, soft and sweet. Especially goat meat is not strong. When enjoying with ketchup, ginger paste, lemongrass and galangal, sipping on local raw vegetables, the delicious taste of spices mixed with sweet and crispy goat meat, making dinner in the charming setting of Ninh Binh will be an unforgettable experience for any diner.
- Addresses to try: Duc De Restaurant Ninh Binh - 446 Nguyen Hue, Ninh Binh
- Reference price: 100,000 - 300,000VND/ portion
Photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
3 - Ninh Binh mountain snail
Unlike sea snails, Ninh Binh mountain snails live in rivers or streams flowing out of limestone mountains. The snail is big, firm, thick, and the snail meat is chewy and crispy and sweet. That's because the snail eats the moss of the rocky mountains. It can be processed into stir-fried snails with lemongrass and chili, boiled snails dipped in spicy and sour sauce, steamed snails with ginger. A plate of delicious mountain snails, enjoyed with a few glasses of cold beer, will definitely make visitors irresistible.
4 - Kim Son spider fish salad
As one of the famous delicacies loved by the people of Ninh Binh, the most famous is Kim Son spider fish salad. Spider fish is the same as the eel family but lives in salt water and brackish water in Kim Son. Spider fish can be used to prepare many delicious dishes such as stew, frying, cooking soup, etc stewing, souring... but the most delicious is still the salad preparation. Spider fish salad mixed with the ears, waking up the aroma of roasted glutinous rice, mixing the sour taste of vinegar with the warmth of ginger, chili, garlic, lemongrass, pepper... All create a charming, distinctive coastal flavor, eaten once and remembered forever.
Photo: ninhbinh.gov.vn
5 - Yen Mac sour spring rolls
Not only Thanh is famous for sour spring rolls, coming to Ninh Binh, visitors are definitely interested in Yen Mac sour spring rolls. An idyllic dish made from lean meat and silaged pork skin with ears, fermented in fragrant guava leaves. This is a great drink when dipped with chili sauce or lemon and garlic sauce.
Vacation rentals in Ninh Binh
With many scenic spots, majestic nature, and diverse culture, Ninh Binh is attracting more and more tourists. Along with that, the system of restaurants, hotels, and resort spots has also developed richly from affordable to high-class luxury to meet the needs of tourists.
If you want to find 5-star quality resorts, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh is definitely a destination not to be missed. Besides, Tam Coc Lavender Homestay and Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel And Resort are also luxurious and convenient destinations, located right in the city, helping visitors easily move to tourist attractions. The reference room price is about 1,800,000 VND/night.
Photo: booking.com
For tourists who want to find a mid-range vacation spot, you can refer to city center hotels such as Gold Ninh Binh Hotel, Hoa Lu 2 Hotel... with a reference room price of about 400,000 - 700,000 VND/room.
If you are a lover of quiet spaces, close to nature, it is definitely impossible to ignore homestays in Ninh Binh such as Tam Coc Sweet's Home, Hang Mua Family Homestay, Sparrow's Song Homestay... The average room price is about 400,000 VND/room.
Notes when traveling to Ninh Binh
Migo would like to send you some notes about Ninh Binh tourism experience To make your trip more complete:
- Always make a reservation in advance and contact the place you book directly to make sure it's available.
- Although Ninh Binh is a destination with good security and friendly people, at peak tourist times, the number of tourists flocking to the attractions is very large. You should not bring a lot of valuables with you when you go out.
- When taking a boat tour, it is recommended to wear a life jacket and follow the instructions of the boater.
- If you want to visit climbing or boating spots such as Bai Dinh, Mua cave, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, visitors should choose light clothes and wear sneakers for convenient movement
- Going to spiritual attractions such as pagodas, temples, and shrines, it is recommended to dress discreetly, avoid making noise, and littering the public landscape.
Synthetic Migo