Short Guide to Ninh Binh Guide

Ninh Binh is situated in northern Vietnam and is a must-visit destination to appreciate its picturesque countryside and the beautiful green surroundings. A stay in this quiet town is great for the travellers on the Vietnam holiday looking to breathe in fresh air, reflect and relax, while getting to see the places of natural interest like the rainforest, mountains and caves. Ninh Binh is about 100km from Hanoi so it is convenient to fly to Hanoi, have your Vietnam visa on arrival done and transfer to Ninh Binh within 2 hours.

When to visit
Tourists can visit Ninh Binh at anytime of the year. In the dry season, which runs from November to April the climate is dry and cool, while the wet season – May to October – has the regular rainfall, as well as being humid and hot. However, this is the time of the year when the rice fields are the most photogenic and their greenest.

Food and drink
Ninh Binh has a few local specialities such as com chay (pork and fried rice) and mountain goat with fried rice. However, with the increase in tourist in the local area, there are now plenty of restaurants in town that serve a varied range of cuisine, including Western dishes.

Top place to visit in Ninh Binh

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
A visit to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital on the Vietnam luxury tours gives the opportunity to explore a fascinating selection of interesting Vietnamese history, including tombs, pagodas, temples, and other monuments.

Tam Coc
Tam Coc is a must-visit destination on the tour of Ninh Binh. Whether the stay is for a short tour or one or two nights, the surrounding countryside is breathtaking to see with rice paddies and mountains.

Trang An Grottoes
The Trang An Grottoes is much like Tam Coc, but is typically less crowded and has several more caves to pass through and explore.

Phat Diem Cathedral
The spectacular Phat Diem Cathedral is situated in a landscape of canals and rice fields with a style of architecture that blends Western and Middle Eastern influences.

Hang Mua Peak
A trek to the top of the Hang Mua Peak is a must-do activity on the Ninh Binh tour packages. After climbing the 400 steps to reach the peak of Mua Caves, the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape consist of lush rice paddies and the winding river. Also, a great time to arrive at the peak is at sunset when the views are even that much more stunning.

Other interesting activities in Ninh Binh
Even though many visitors to Ninh Binh will make their way to Tam Coc for a boat tour, there are plenty of other ways to get around. An alternative way to get around is to hire a bicycle for the day. Most hotels offer a free bike service while other shops have the relatively cheap rentals. One of the best bike routes will take tourists to the Trang An Grottoes. A visit to Thung Nham Bird Garden is certain to appeal to the bird-watchers on the family tours in Vietnam. The preferred time to visit is in the early morning and late afternoon to appreciate the nesting birds in the trees.