Things to do in Ninh Binh for anyone having an intention to visit this beautiful province!
Is it possible to fall in love with a destination? Do you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities and daily workloads, being surrounded by mountains and river?
A rowing to wonderland in Tam Coc
Let’s come to know and love. Ninh Binh is a more wonderful, interesting and challenging place than you could have ever imagined. To plan for your own itinerary to the first ancient capital of Vietnam, follow us to figure out about Ninh Binh what to do that extremely fascinating you during your time in our country.
Our guide on the best things to do in Ninh Binh will help you to discover a high density of natural and cultural attractions of this province.
- Top Things To Do in Ninh Binh Viet Nam that you shouldn’t miss!
- 1. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
- 2. Tam Coc – What to do in Ninh Binh Viet Nam
- 3. Bai Dinh Pagoda
- 4. Trang An – What to see in Ninh Binh
- 5. Bich Dong Pagoda
- List of Top Ninh Binh Attractions
- 6. Cuc Phuong National Park – Things to do around Ninh Binh
- 7. Mua Cave
- 8. Phat Diem Cathedral
- 9. Thung Nham Bird Garden
- 10. Van Long Nature Reserve
- 11. Thai Vi Temple
Top Things To Do in Ninh Binh Viet Nam that you shouldn’t miss!
1. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is one of the most viewed structures in the city and is an important historic landmark. If you are passionate about history and mythology, Hoa Lu ancient capital must be on your to-do-list when traveling to Ninh Binh.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital gives you a quick look to Vietnamese history
Hoa Lu was formerly a historic capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Little remains of the original structures, but Hoa Lu ancient capital has newer temples known as Dinh and Le Temples where Kings of Dinh and Le Dynasties are worshiped. Made of limestone mountains and river, Hoa Lu ancient capital not only has a picturesque landscape but also preserve full of legends about Dai Co Viet empire.
The entrance fee is 20.000 VND/person
2. Tam Coc – What to do in Ninh Binh Viet Nam
Tam Coc is another picture perfect spot which is possibly the second most renowned boat tour instead of Trang An when traveling to Ninh Binh. Tam Coc means “three grottoes” including “Hang Ca”, “Hang Hai” and “Hang Ba” which means the first, second and third small caves in Vietnamese. All of them were created by Ngo Dong river flowing through under the karst mountains and passing the golden floating paddy fields. Tam Coc is another iconic boat trip of Ninh Binh besides Trang An, but more original than Trang An.
Visit Tam Coc in its best time to witness the beautiful yellow ripen rice field.
Tam Coc shows its most uniquely beautiful scenery around April and May watching ripe crops onto both sides of the river in growing seasons.
Fee: 150.000 VND/boat round trip for 2 to 4 visitors and 120.000 VND/visiting ticket for 1 person
>>> If you visit Tam Coc, don’t forget to stop by Hoa Lu as they are very close to each other. See our Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip for details!
3. Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the most renowned and famous place for impressive records. It is known as the biggest pagoda in South East Asia. Located in beautiful nature, Bai Dinh pagoda is a truly spectacular place to visit in your “Things To Do in Ninh Binh wishlist”, especially by night.
Bai Dinh Pagoda – well-mixed of cultural and historical value
Tours of the pagoda are available and it is advised to spend some time viewing both the exterior and interior in detail to truly capture spiritual signs of Ninh Binh.
There’s no entrance fee but you should pay for the electric car (30.000 VND/person/one-way) as the complex is huge
4. Trang An – What to see in Ninh Binh
There are a lot of things to do in Ninh Binh Vietnam, taking a boat ride onto Trang An is one of the most significant experiences that you should never miss out. Trang An scenic landscape complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An is the perfect place to start your tour of Ninh Binh and tick off some of its most impressive sights.
An alternative option of Tam Coc boat ride. Both amazing and intriguing!
To exploring Trang An, visitors will go on a Trang An boat tour with a local guide. The boat passes from one side of the river to the other and snakes through the limestone mountains and karst caves in a large S bend shape.
Trang An has literally various caves that make up the Sao Khe river which is more like the little Ha Long Bay on Land. Each cave has its own different natural beauties and legends: Dark Cave has wide and narrow parts while Light Cave is adorned with magnificent sparkling stalactites. The water is cool and crystal that you can even see through it.
Trang An from the above looks like a movie!
Totally different of a busy pace of urban life, sitting there on the boat, going along the river flow, watching the water traffic of Trang An, and listening interesting stories of the locals is a must-try experience in a tour to Ninh Binh.
Trang An’s entrance fee is 200.000 VND/person including the boat ride
>>> As Hoa Lu Tam Coc, Trang An Bai Dinh tour is also a great combination. A look into Ninh Binh natural and historical value!
5. Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong pagoda is located on the mountain which is the most suitable place for those who would like to enjoy tranquil space with a nostalgic look of North pagoda’s ancient architecture.
The hidden Bich Dong Pagoda is near to Tam Coc so spend time to visit the place if you already there
Bich Dong pagoda is small, but special. This is a very interesting spot with the signs of time. There is two beautiful lotus lakes at both sides of the pagoda, an old stone bridge, mountains and green mossy ground. Visitors who come here will fall in love with this such a very peaceful and quiet view.
It is free to visit Bich Dong so don’t forget to visit Bich Dong if you are already in Ninh Binh!
List of Top Ninh Binh Attractions
6. Cuc Phuong National Park – Things to do around Ninh Binh
If you love being in nature and looking for a peaceful escape, Cuc Phuong National Park tour offers just that and is much less crowded than the main areas of Ninh Binh such as Trang An or Bai Dinh Pagoda.
Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the largest tropical forest in Vietnam, famed for its biodiversity. The national park is well managed, tidy and safe for tourists to explore the diverse flora and fauna. Their nature is spectacular with white butterflies in May.
Cuc Phuong in butterfly season. Let’s get lost in the fairy land!
It is a beautiful, quiet and green forest spread over a large tract of land. The biggest attraction in the National Park are some really old trees, some older than 1500 years. Besides, you can see some real wildlife animals on the trail, especially monkey and turtle rehabilitation center. Trekking in the jungle is fun, ideally for families with young kids. This things to do in Ninh Binh really stands out from other options!
Entrance fee is also reasonable: 60.000 VND for adults and 10.000 for kids.
7. Mua Cave
Mua Cave is one of the trendiest areas and at the Ninh Binh top things to do, having recently attracted thousands of visitors. Hang Mua is a scenic mountainside spot with a cave and 486 challenging steps to not only admire the Ngoa Long and Mua peak but also hike up to the top for possibly the best panoramic views of Ninh Binh.
>>> Take a look at Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Mua Cave tour and Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave tour to see the best itineraries for trip to Ninh Binh
On the top of Mua Cave – The whole Ninh Binh is now in your eyes!
Hang Mua is also known as a Great Wall in Vietnam from which a grandstand view of the countryside is opened up. This is now one of the hottest spots in the city and one of the coolest places inspiring more and more tourists to trek and produce fabulous pictures.
Fee: 100.000 VND/pax
8. Phat Diem Cathedral
What to see in Ninh Binh? A trip to Ninh Binh is not complete without a visit to the iconic Phat Diem Cathedral. It has long been known as the base of Ninh Binh Catholic religion. The area is not only often considered as one of the most important religious centers of the Catholic community in Vietnam, but also the most popular for its unique architecture. It is a sublime piece of architecture that has stood the test of time since its creation in 1892.
The unique Phat Diem Cathedral is for those who love peaceful and not-so-crowded place.
Every aspect of this church is fantastic – the ornate detail, sculptures and artwork of the front, to the beautifully painted works of art on the inside. Phat Diem Cathedral is the best-known surviving examples of a perfect combination between Catholic Roman design and Asian architecture. It is really worth to check out during your time in Ninh Binh Vietnam.
>>> For tourists who wish to have a exclusive trip, consider our Ninh Binh Private Tour Full Day designed by local experts <<<
9. Thung Nham Bird Garden
Thung Nham is located in the core of Trang An scenic complex, nearby touristy spots Tam Coc – Bich Dong. Not as touristy as many other areas around, so you will likely get a better taste and feel of what the place is like in Thung Nam natural state. Coming Thung Nham Bird Garden in the late afternoon to see the return of the birds will be one of the highlights of your trip to Ninh Binh. Don’t miss the boat tour that takes you right to the birds’ island.
Come to Thung Nham bird garden to witness this breathtaking view when all the birds return to their nest.
More than just birds to see as the park is set in a breathtaking almost magical valley amongst impossible looking mountains. It is worth taking a bicycle, motorbike or you can walk around the park which is a very enjoyable and reasonably peaceful retreat. Without the boat trip, it takes about 1-2 hours wandering around which included a stop for coffee in the upstairs cafe.
If you are looking for a quiet, nature-based and untouched place – then go on. Compared to other Ninh Binh activities, until now, this place is not so overcrowded with people, but super interesting.
Entrance fee: 100.000 VND/pax
10. Van Long Nature Reserve
Located in the northeast of Gia Vien district – Ninh Binh, Van Long Wetland Natural Reverse is not only a tourist attraction but also the largest wetland reserve in the Red River delta. This is a specific ecotourism site attracting domestic and international visitors because of biodiversity with numerous plant and animal species. Especially, Van Long has been written in Viet Nam Record Book Centre as “The place owns the largest number of Delacour’s langur with 100 individuals in danger of extinction.
Boat riding to an original, romantic and meditative Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
But for many people around the world, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is also known best for something else: Van Long Wetland Natural Reserve was chosen as one of the main filming locations of Hollywood blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”. Scenery, nature and exceptional surroundings in this place attracted directors from all over the world.
Van Long from the above
Visiting Van Long nature reserve at 5 pm when the sun goes down is a wonderful experience. It’s the time you can take a moment to jot down your thoughts while you are on the boat riding trip into an original, romantic and meditative view.
The price is 60.000 VND for the boat ride and 20.000 VND for the admission.
>>> Normally, there isn’t any tour to Van Long nature reserve or Thung Nham bird garden. However, you can design your own tour with our local experts. Contact for a customized Ninh Binh tour!
11. Thai Vi Temple
Situated just 1.5 kilometers away from Tam Coc village, the easiest way to get Thai Vi Temple is by walking, riding on bike or motorbike. This way, you will also have the chance to admire the great views of rice fields, mountains and a look up at the Hang Mua viewpoint. The surrounding rice fields are definitely worth a walk around to take a deep breath of fresh air.
Thai Vi Temple brings you the authentic Vietnam feelings
Thai Vi temple is a place to worship many national characters and heroes: King Tran Thai Tong, King Tran Thanh Tong, General Tran Hung Dao, General Tran Quang Khai and Queen Tran Thi Dung. This is a nice small temple at the end of a quiet road nestled in amongst the karst mountains. By far Thai Vi is probably the prettiest and interesting temple complex in the area which can bring authentic feelings to visitors.
Ninh Binh is such an ideal city for nature and culture lovers with diverse nature, tremendous beauty and charm.
So whether you are looking for Things To Do in Ninh Binh for your own adventures or you need an agenda to help you plan, organize, and document your journeys, we have got original Ninh Binh tours that will satisfy any traveler. Contact us anytime you need!
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