Everyone knows the famous Halong Bay, but have you ever heard of Ninh Binh? Known as the “land” Halong Bay, a must-see stop during your trip to Vietnam !
Located about 10 km from the capital Hanoi, Ninh Binh is an interesting destination with a breathtaking landscape and a rich cultural history.
What to do in Halong Bay? Achieve your travel goals with this list of beautiful destinations, things to do, best places to visit in Ninh Binh.
1. Explore Tam Coc by rowing boat
“Tam Coc” means “three caves” in Vietnamese. The three caves of Tam Coc are Ca Cave (first cave), Hai Cave (second cave) and Ba Cave (third cave). All these three caves are connected by the Ngo Dong River which passes under the mountains. You will discover the landscapes of the “terrestrial Halong Bay” through a trip in a small rowing boat on the river, which offers you spectacular landscapes.
2. Visit the Bich Dong pagoda
Just after Tam Coc, don’t forget to visit Bich Dong Pagoda (Jade Caves) which is located 2km from Tam Coc. Bich Dong Pagoda was built on the side of a mountain and consists of three levels called Ha, Trung and Thuong pagodas, perched in the black rocks of the mountain. The pagodas are nestled in a green landscape where nature brings an even more peaceful and mystical atmosphere to this place.
3. Climb to Hang Mua viewpoint
The Mua Cave Complex – an area composed of complex cave systems and limestone mountains – is located at the foot of Mua Mountain. In the center of the complex is an artificial lake, surrounded by rows of trees. Legend has it that the Tran kings used to visit the area to watch the imperial maids sing and dance, giving the area its name Mua or “dancing”. Hang Mua Peak is known as one of the most amazing sites in Ninh Binh. You will have to climb the 500 steps to the top, which offers a panoramic view of picturesque limestone mountain ranges and rice fields.
4. Admire the Bai Dinh pagoda
The gigantic Bai Dinh Pagoda, a Buddhist temple complex, covering about 700 hectares. It is not only the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, but it also has the largest copper bell, the largest bronze Buddha statue of 10 meters high and weighing 100 tons and the largest corridor: 3 kilometers of corridors overlooking beautiful gardens and housing some 500 stone statues of Arhat representing the evolution of Buddhism.
5. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh Dynasty and the first period of the Le Dynasty. The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is located in a flat valley between small but steep limestone mountains. The two temples, dedicated to the respective Le and Dinh kings, are ornate 17th century reconstructions on the site of some ancient ramparts and walls, but what makes the trip interesting is the beautiful landscape of the area. You will also find the usual bronze bells found in all temples in Vietnam.
6. Explore the eco-tourism complex of Trang An
A little further north of Tam Coc is the “Trang An Landscape Complex”. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering an area of 6172 ha, the Trang An complex has an extraordinary beauty with a harmonious combination of river, mountains and caves. Trang An area is known for its picturesque waterways. You can cruise along the Sao Khe River and admire the landscape of the karst mountain which is one of the most impressive limestone systems in the world.
7. Discover the stone cathedral of Phat Diem
Located at about 30 kilometers from Ninh Binh, is the cathedral of Phat Diem, which is one of the most famous cathedrals of Vietnam for its very particular combination of Western and Vietnamese architectural styles. It was designed and built by a Vietnamese priest, Father Six, who drew on the architectural repertoire of Tonkinese pagodas and dinhs (communal houses), the cathedral is made of stone and wood. It was completed in 1891, its construction lasted 24 years.
8. Climbing the nature reserve of Van Long
A little further away from Ninh Binh, the Van Long nature reserve also offers a nice cruise of about 1 hour on board of very simple boats. As it is a protected area, it is full of local flora and fauna. If you are a nature lover and want to discover the Vietnamese fauna, site with the most Delacour’s langurs in Vietnam and many birds in winter migration period, do not miss to visit it.
9. Visit the bird garden of Thung Nham
Thung Nham, also known as Thung Chim, is home to thousands of bird species. This beautiful bird reserve is 4 kilometers from Tam Coc. You can discover the park on foot or take a boat ride and visit two caves: the Buddha cave and the Vai Gioi cave. You will immerse yourself in a peaceful atmosphere of many tropical forests, river and caves and listen to the songs of birds. If possible, try to visit it early in the morning or late in the afternoon, because the trees of the park are covered with many colorful birds.
10. Discover the national park of Cuc Phuong
Located 45 km northwest of Ninh Binh city, Cuc Phuong National Park is the oldest national park and the largest nature reserve in Vietnam, an eldorado for all nature lovers.
You can take a pleasant 3-hour hike in this tropical rainforest to discover the flora and fauna.
The best period to discover Cuc Phuong National Park is the dry season (from December to May).
11. Balader à vélo à travers la campagne
One of the best ways to explore Ninh Binh is by bicycle because it allows you to really explore the countryside, its small villages and rice fields. The small dirt roads lend themselves well to cycling and it is the ideal way to enjoy the great views that open up at the bend of the villages around.
12. Taste typical dishes of Ninh Binh
During your stay in Ninh Binh, don’t miss to taste the local specialties. Here is the list of the most popular dishes:
Rice gratin (Com chay)
Sauteed goat meat or grilled goat meat
Sauteed beef with pineapple
Rice fish…
With all these things to do in Ninh Binh, it takes one to three days depending on your availability. Are you ready to explore the beauty of this landscape? Feel free to contact us if you need more information.
