If you’re visiting northern Vietnam and want a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the perfect choice. Often called “Ha Long Bay on land”, this beautiful region is full of towering limestone karsts, winding rivers, ancient temples, misty mornings and lush rice paddies.

Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or an overnight stay, Ninh Binh offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage that makes it one of Vietnam’s must-visit destinations. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about getting there, the best things to see and do, where to stay and my top tips for making the most of your trip.

Updated November 2025

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How to Get to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is easily accessible by bus or train, with the journey taking around 2hrs 15 each way.

Getting to Ninh Binh by train

The official Vietnam train website is dsvn.vn. You can search for trains in English or Vietnamese, compare timetables, choose your seats and pay via credit or debit card. Ticket prices vary, especially if you book in advance. My husband and I paid €5.5 per person and received e-tickets which we downloaded onto our phones and showed to the ticket inspector on board.

Getting to Ninh Binh by bus

There are lots of bus companies going back and forth between Hanoi and Ninh Binh throughout the day. For ultimate flexibility I suggest booking a one-way ticket to Ninh Binh via 12goasia (starting from €5 per person) and asking your staff at your accommodation to book your return journey. Buses run every hour back to Hanoi and often collect you from where you’re staying so it’s really convenient.

What to Do in Ninh Binh

Trang An Landscape Complex

There are two popular boat rides in Ninh Binh: Trang An and Tam Coc. After some research, we opted for Trang An because Tam Coc is more crowded and appears on more tour company itineraries.

Trang An is a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its otherworldly scenery. To explore the complex, you can either rent a kayak or do a boat ride, in a wooden boat with a rower. You’ll float along a winding river with sheer limestone cliffs on both sides, through cave tunnels, past temples hidden in the lush jungle, and feel as if you’ve wandered into a film set (in fact, parts of Kong: Skull Island were shot here).

• Opening Hours: 7:00am – 4:30pm (Arrive early to avoid the crowds)
• Standard Tickets:
  • Adults – 250,000 VND per person
  • Children (1m – 1.3m) – 120,000 VND per child
  • Children (under 1m) – Free of charge
• Private Boat (max 4-5 people): 1,250,000 VND per boat
• Kayak Rentals:
  • Single Kayak (2 hours) – 250,000 VND / (3 hours) – 300,000 VND
  • Double Kayak (2 hours) – 350,000 VND / (3 hours) 400,000 VND

The boat ride lasts between 1.5-3hrs, depending on the route you choose. Bring a hat, and plenty of water. The wooden boats are not very comfortable to sit on but luckily the rower will stop a few times during the ride so you can visit temples like Trinh Temple and Tran Temple – a good opportunity to stretch your legs!

My favourite part of the Trang An tour was the cave tunnels – although it felt a bit dicey at times! Our boatswoman couldn’t speak much English except ‘Keep down!’ which was essential advice because some of the cave ceilings were reeeeeally low. To the point where you can feel the rocks lightly grazing against the top of your head!

Hang Múa Viewpoint (Múa Cave)

Ninh Binh’s showstopper; a mountain with spectacular panoramic views from the top. To get there, you need to climb around 500 carved stone steps (yes, your calves will feel it) up to a dramatic viewpoint that spreads out over rice paddies, winding rivers and karst peaks.

– a Climb 486 stone steps to reach a dramatic viewpoint that stretches across rice paddies, winding rivers, and jagged karst peaks. It’s one of the best panoramic views in the region and a photographer’s dream.

Make sure you bring plenty of water with you, wear good shoes (not flipflops!) and take your time. The climb takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on your pace, and it’s best to visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid haze and crowds. The stone steps are quite steep and when we visited, it was very humid and cloudy, so we were sweating by the time we reached the top!

At the base of Hang Mua, you can find some pretty statues and fountains, along with a large lotus flower pond.

Bái Đính Pagoda

Bái Đính Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Vietnam, filled with golden statues, peaceful courtyards, and long corridors lined with shrines. It’s both grand and serene – a must for anyone interested in Vietnam’s spiritual traditions.

Go early or later in the day to enjoy the site without rushing. Keep in mind that a lot of the complex is modern, so set expectations accordingly if you’re hoping for ancient ruins.

Bích Động Pagoda

Tucked into the rock face, with a tranquil lotus lake at its base, Bích Động Pagoda is the kind of place that feels like a secret discovery. Stone staircases lead to small temples hidden inside caves, offering quiet corners for reflection and beautiful views over the valley.

There are three levels to the pagoda; climbing one or two is enough for great views. I suggest stopping by on your way to or from Tam Cốc – they are close to each other so it would just be a quick detour.

Vân Long Wetland Nature Reserve

If you want to escape the tourist crowds, head to the peaceful wetlands of Vân Long. Here, glassy water mirrors limestone peaks, fishermen paddle by in silence, and you might even spot the rare Delacour’s langur – one of the world’s most endangered primates.

A slow boat ride through the reserve is pure serenity, best enjoyed early or late in the day when the light is soft and the wildlife is active.

Boat rides last about 1-2 hours and cost around 100,000 VND per person. It’s common to leave a tip at the end (around 50,000 per person). Visit from November to April for clear skies, or May-June for blooming lotus fields. Remember to bring insect repellent, a hat, and a camera.

Hoa Lư Ancient Capital

For history lovers, Hoa Lư was Vietnam’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries. While little remains of the original citadel, the setting – surrounded by imposing mountains – gives the place a timeless charm. Although you can explore Hoa Lư by yourself, to bring the history to life it’s a good idea to hire a local guide or bring a guidebook with you.

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh

The actual town of Ninh Binh is not very pretty so I suggest staying in a hotel, hostel or homestay in the suburbs. Staying in the countryside gives you a far more relaxed experience and easier access to the main sights. You’ll find plenty of homestays and eco-resorts surrounded by rice fields and karst peaks – many in Tam Cốc or Trang An.

We have visited Ninh Binh twice. The first time we stayed at the Ninh Binh Mountain Side Homestay & Cafe and it was great! A tranquil homestay surrounded by mountains and greenery, this homestay has incredibly comfortable rooms (with the best beds we’ve slept on anywhere in Vietnam) an outdoor pool, free bicycles, breakfast included in the price, and a peaceful setting just a short ride from Trang An and Mua Cave.

Our second visit was in Ninh Binh Greenland Homestay, where we stayed for a week. It is just metres from Ninh Binh Mountain Side Homestay & Cafe and shared a lot of the same advantages. The homestay was spotlessly clean, with comfortable rooms, really friendly staff, an outdoor pool and a varied breakfast included each day.

If neither of these are available during your visit, check out:

• Chez Beo Homestay (£) – This homestay offers rustic bungalows surrounded by soothing views of rice fields and lotus lakes. Past guests praise its friendly family-run feel, good food, free Wi-Fi, and close proximity to Tam Coc and Hang Múa.
• Ninh Binh Mountainside Bungalow (£) – If you’re craving peace and quiet, Ninh Binh Mountainside Bungalow in Ninh Binh offers a serene retreat with an infinity swimming pool, sun terrace, and lush garden.
• An’s Eco Garden Resort (££) – A peaceful, nature-focused escape surrounded by limestone mountains, lotus ponds, and lush gardens. It offers cosy bungalows, a beautiful pool, and a tranquil atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
• Tam Coc Garden Resort (£££) – A more upscale choice, this resort offers spacious cottages or villas with garden or mountain views. There’s also a lovely swimming pool and reviews praise the excellent food and outstanding service.

Getting Around Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is wonderfully compact, which makes getting around simple and scenic. The best way to explore is by bicycle or scooter, especially around Tam Cốc, Trang An, and Bích Động. Most homestays rent them for a few euros a day, and traffic outside the main town is calm.

For longer distances (like Bái Đính Pagoda or Vân Long), it’s easy to hire a private driver or taxi for a half-day tour. You can use Grab for rides between major sites, or ask your accommodation to help you organise a private driver.

When to Visit Ninh Binh

The best time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is dry and pleasant. May and June bring bright green rice fields and lotus blossoms, while late September offers golden harvest views.

Food & Drink in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh’s cuisine is quite hearty and simple. Most people eat dinner at their homestay, neighbouring homestays or family-run restaurants. Around popular attractions such as Tam Cốc and Trang An, larger restaurants are easy to find, along with numerous bars. For a slower pace, riverside cafés offer iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) paired with stunning views.

The most famous dish is cơm cháy, a crispy fried rice served with savoury pork or goat. Speaking of which, mountain goat meat (thịt dê) is another regional specialty, often grilled or cooked in lemongrass and chilli. If you’re looking for some specific recommendations, my husband and I ate several times at Mộc Duyên Trà & Restaurant (their avocado smoothies are incredible!) and Riverside restaurant Thiện Dê (order the tofu and tomato, trust me!). We also enjoyed our meals at Montana Restaurant, and The Sun Bar & restaurant.

If you’re in the mood for a drink at sunset, try one of the eco-lodges or homestay bars overlooking the paddies – a cold beer in hand, mountains glowing in the distance.

Have you been to Ninh Binh before? If so, what did you think of it?

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow