15 Epic Things to Do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc For Your Next Vietnam Trip
Ninh Binh is a province in northern Vietnam that is quickly gaining popularity among backpackers (like Ha Giang Loop). However, it is still often overlooked compared to more well-worn tourist areas like Ha Long Bay or Da Nang.
As a traveler who typically doesn’t like re-returning to the same places, after a few days here, I could 100% see myself coming back to Ninh Binh again. The lush landscapes, incredible rock mountains that jut out of the ground, and beautiful things to do blew me away. Plus, it’s only 2 hours away from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi
Best Overall Day Tour | ⭐️ Rated: 5 out of 5 Stars
This article will explore the best Ninh Binh things to do and a few less popular spots if you have the time to spare.
What is Ninh Binh Famous For?
Ninh Binh province is famous for its breathtaking karst landscapes, dramatic limestone cliffs, and mesmerizing waterways.
Days in Ninh Binh look a little like this. Paddling through jungle-laden rock mountain caves and lakes. Scrambling to the top of magnificent limestone hills to take in the breathtaking views. Motorcycling around, finding hidden locations and things to climb.
The Best Things to do in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is often called “Halong Bay on land.” It’s home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, Trang An Landscape Complex, and the Ancient Hoa Lu Capital.
Listed in order below are the tourist sites you should prioritize on your trip to Ninh Binh.
1. Paddle through the UNESCO Tam Coc Landscapes
As you glide through the UNESCO-protected Tam Coc Scenic Landscape, it’s easy to see why this boat trip is one of the most popular attractions in Ninh Binh. Duck your head down as you paddle beneath three grottos: Ca Grotto, Hai Grotto, and Ba Grotto, during this approximately one-hour ride down the best part of the Ngo Dong river.
Tip! The best part of this trip was climbing up the hill right after the first cave! Before leaving the boat port, ask the boatman to take you to the lookout; otherwise, they will not stop.
Entrance Fee: The entrance costs 150,000 VND (~$6.50 USD) per boat, then 120,000 VND (~$5 USD) per person on top of that. (Unfairly) four Vietnamese people are allowed in one boat, but only two foreigners. As we were three people, if you pay 75,000 VND (~$3 USD) extra, the boatman will allow three foreigners.
You can choose to explore Tam Coc on your own or as part of a tour group. If you come solo and want to split the costs for the boat tour, wait for another solo traveler to come along wanting the same. The Tam Coc boat ride is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long.
👉 Save time on logistics and include other beautiful places in Ninh Binh on your trip by booking this daily tour that hits all the Ninh Binh highlights
2. Climb the Stairs to the Mua Cave Viewpoint
The Mua Cave Viewpoint is tied with the Tam Coc River Viewpoint as my favorite Ninh Binh thing to do. Climb up the 486 stone stairs carved into the limestone mountain before arriving at the dragon sculpture. You get two 180-degree panoramas on both sides: one of the Tam Coc River and the other of a small temple with the Ninh Binh city in the background.
The absolute best time to climb Mua Cave Viewpoint is late afternoon when the sunset turns the sweeping views a golden hue, and the sun turns into a ball of fire.
Note: Although the vista is a Ninh Binh highlight, the cave of which it is named, Mua Cave, and the other temples within the park are not nearly as impressive.
Entrance Fee: 100,000 VND (~$4 USD) per person
👉 Mua Cave is one of the most popular Ninh Binh sites, and if you’re short on time, I recommend participating in an organized tour like this one here.
3. Walk Endlessly Around Bai Dinh Pagoda
Come see the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, the ancient Bai Dihn Pagoda. A religious and architectural masterpiece, it was built in 1136 AD and houses many sacred sights on its giant 1700 hectare complex.
Entrance Fee: Entrance to the complex is free, but every other little thing is paid. Since the area is enormous, you can pay for a ride from the parking to the complex (25 minute walk) and beyond. There’s an additional fee to get to the top of the 13 story ancient pagoda.
4. Boat Along the Trang An Complex
A boat tour in the Trang An Complex lets you row through picturesque temples and endless caverns.
There are three routes you can choose to take, and depending on the route and how long you explore the ancient temples, the boat tour will last 2.5 to 3 hours.
Entrance Fee: 250,000 VND (~$10.50 USD) per person. There are four seats per boat, and all have to be filled to leave. If not, you can pay for the empty seats or if you wait a bit;I’m sure you will find other travelers to fill the seats.
5. Imagine the Past at Hoa Lu Ancient Village
Reminiscence of a time long ago as you stroll past the well-preserved temples and shrines of Hoa Lu Ancient Village. Nestled in the foothills of Vietnam’s Truong Son mountain range, the village was once the capital of Vietnam. It was here that the first three Vietnamese dynasties ruled.
Entrance Fee: Den Vua Le and Den Vua Dihn Temples require a small entrance fee of 20,000 VND (~$1 USD), but the rest of the temples are free. However, since it covers a large area, motor taxis are everywhere asking if you would like a ride.
👉 Join this tour here for a small group fully guided tour and history lesson.
6. See the Bich Dong Pagoda Ancient Temple
Bich Dong Pagoda is a centuries-old temple set against a backdrop of limestone mountains and surrounded by rice fields. Visitors can hike to and explore the temple’s three tiers, representing the different stages of Buddha’s journey to enlightenment.
Visitors reach the different tiers by climbing a steep staircase that leads up from the valley below. The journey is rewarding, as the views from the top are spectacular.
Dress Code: Although no one will make a fuss about it, cover up your shoulders and knees out of respect before visiting.
7. The Hike in Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is the oldest national park in Vietnam, having been established in 1962. It is home to a wealth of rare plant and animal life. Its network of hiking trails offers everything from leisurely strolls through the forest to longer trekking routes.
👉 Don’t miss the highlights by booking a trekking day trip tour
Originally the home of the Muong ethnic communities, a few scattered villages still retain their culture and heritage today. You can still see their traditional stilt houses, waterwheels, and bamboo rafts.
8. Explore the Van Long Nature Reserve
The Van Long Nature Reserve is one of Vietnam’s most unique nature reserves. Stretching over 16,000 hectares, the wetland is home to a diverse array of plants and animals, including many rare and endangered species. The best way to explore the wetland is by boat, gliding through the calm waters and taking in the stunning scenery.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. You may be lucky enough to spot the endangered Delacour’s Langur, the only place where you can observe this primate in the wild.
9. Play Among the Lily Pad Lakes
Strewn among the rice paddy fields are lily pad lakes. Let your inner child out as you walk among the lovely blooming lily flowers and splash water on the hydrophobic leaves, as you take selfies on the nest circle and love signs built on the boardwalks.
10. Rent a Bike or Scooter and Climb Random Viewpoints
This might seem obvious, but sometimes as tourists, we get so focused on the best things to do that we forget just to enjoy discovering the unknown. Ninh Binh is a special place where bikeable roads are built right up against limestone formations.
Although most mountains are too difficult to climb, sometimes you find one that is manageable to get a view that no one but the mountain goats will have.
11. Try the Strange Local Foods – Think Goat, Frog, Snail
Although not for everyone, Ninh Binh does specialize in a few stranger palette choices. Goat meat is frequently found on menus offering a variety of cooking styles. But frog legs and snail soup are both common finds as well.
Less Popular Things to Do Around Ninh Binh if You Have Time
12. Explore the Kenh Ga Floating Village & Hot Springs
As one of Vietnam’s top five hot springs, the Kenh Ga Hot Spring allows visitors to take a dip in a hot mineral bath and see a floating village. Kenh Ga is accessible only by boat, and locals may charge a small fee for crossing the village’s many bridges.
13. Wander Around the Thai Vi Temple
A nice small temple right by the start of the Tam Coc boat tour; take 30 minutes to visit Thai Vi Temple. Although the attraction just features one temple, the stunning backdrop and intricate buddha statues inside are worth putting on your radar.
Other Boat Trips Around Ninh Binh
14. Oar Around Thung Nang
Thung Nang is a good alternative for those looking to have a cheaper, less touristic version of the Trang An boat tide. This boat ride will also flow through dark caves and crazy rock formations.
15. See the Bird Valley – Thung Nham
Strongly overshadowed by the better boat rides at Trang An, the Thung Nham Bird Valley offers a paddle through a cave and many birds. The best time to visit is after 5pm when the sun starts to set as the birds return to their nests.
How to get to Ninh Binh
Most people will be taking the trip from Hanoi, only a 2-3 hours journey away from Ninh Binh. There are several methods of how to get to the city of Ninh Binh and it’s surrounding area.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh Scooter/Motorcycle Rental
If you’re doing a north Vietnam motorcycle tour, Ninh Binh is an easy ride two hours south of Hanoi. Motor rentals in Vietnam range from 3$-10$ USD depending on your rental shop, if you get insurance, and how long you rent it for. Gas shouldn’t cost more than $3 USD per day.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh Train
At the very least, five trains travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh per day, all taking approximately three hours. The train will take you to the city center and usually costs a bit cheaper than the bus depending on your fare.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh Bus
Busses from Hanoi to Ninh Binh depart all the time, and the journey takes around two hours.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh
Should you Stay in Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, or Trang An?
Personally, I stayed in Trang An at For You Homestay and loved it. If you are there for just a few days, I would 100% recommend you stay out of the city and in nature in Trang An or Tam Coc. That way, you can marvel at the mountains from your breakfast table. Hostels and cheap accommodations can be found in both places.
Accommodation in Trang An
BUFFET BREAKFAST WITH AN EPIC VIEW – Trang An For You Homestay
We stayed at For You Homestay for three days, and I can’t recommend it enough. Nestled right beneath the limestone mountains and with a swimming pool, dorm beds start at $5 per night. What a steal! Private bungalows are available as well.
The best part of For You Homestay is the breakfast view (pictured below). If you come on the weekends, there’s even a limitless breakfast buffet!
Accommodation in Tam Coc
BUNGALOWS RIGHT ON TAM COC BOAT TOUR – Tam Coc Bungalows
Staying at Tam Coc Bungalows lets you face right out onto the famed Tam Coc Boat Tour riverside with a view of the majestic limestone mountains. Watch the boats go back and forth as you have your free breakfast or relax in their swimming pool.
How Long to Stay in Tam Coc and Ninh Binh
If you want to hit all the highlights, two days is the perfect amount of time to see all the Ninh Binh musts. You can see the Mua Cave viewpoint and the Tam Coc boat ride on day one. On the second day, you can spend more time visiting cultural sites like the Hoa Lu Ancient City and Bai Dinh Padoga.
Ninh Binh as a day trip is possible from Hanoi but does require starting in the early morning and arriving late. If you are doing so because you are short on time, I recommend joining a tour group – like this highly rated one here – to save effort in figuring out transport and tourist attraction logistics.
Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is from May through July, for the rice harvest season, when the rice paddies emit a strong golden yellow color. June is also the lotus flower blooming season.
If you can, avoid August and September Ninh Binh weather, the peak of the rainy season where precipitation levels are highest and the region is vulnerable to typhoons.
Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting? The Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh & Tam Coc
If you couldn’t tell how much I loved Ninh Binh, the answer is a resounding yes. Home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and incredible landscapes, Ninh Binh made my jaw drop from the first time seeing it on the horizon. It is still a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed by more people, and I can only hope that it doesn’t get too popular and lose its charm. If you ever find yourself in Vietnam, make sure to put Ninh Binh on your list – you won’t regret it!
| TRAVEL RESOURCES |
| ✈️ Find the best tours and activities with Viator to cross off your bucket list and create unforgettable memories 🏘️ Book your accommodation with Booking.com in advance and check availability on the days of your travels. 🧾 Rent a car in advance with Discovercars for those epic road trips at the best price. |
Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.