15 Things To Do In Ninh Binh
Unique Things To Do In Ninh Binh
When you’re searching for things to do in Ninh Binh, you’re probably wondering if you should skip it and Tam Coc altogether or if it’s actually worth visiting.
Look, I’ll be straight with you.
After spending four months recovering from a single night out in Ninh Binh on a converted bus nightclub (pro tip: never drink cocktails when the barman handles the ice with his bare hands), I had plenty of time to reflect on what was actually worth the visit.
Ninh Binh was absolutely one of them.
Yes, everyone bangs on about the boat tours. And sure, you’ll see a thousand photos of Trang An’s limestone karsts reflected in still water. But here’s what people don’t tell you about this place.
Hang Mua Cave was exceptional. Not just the cave itself, but the 500-step climb that rewards you with views that’ll make your Instagram feed look like a professional travel magazine. Bai Dinh Pagoda left me genuinely speechless, and I’m someone who’s seen my fair share of temples across Southeast Asia.
The boat tours? They’re brilliant, but they’re just the start. There’s actual substance here beyond floating down rivers (though that part is pretty magical, I’ll admit).
Getting there from Hanoi takes about two hours by bus, and once you arrive, you’ll find a place that somehow balances being accessible while still feeling relatively untouched by mass tourism.
So if you’re wondering whether Ninh Binh deserves a spot on your Vietnam itinerary, the answer is simple.
It does.
Here are the best things to do without ending up face-down on a party bus.
Explore the best places to stay in Ninh Binh with my in-depth guide.
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🇻🇳 Ninh Binh Quick Guide 🇻🇳
🕒 Best Time to Visit: Late spring (April–May) for green rice fields or autumn (September–October) for cooler weather and clear skies
🎒 What to Pack: Sunscreen, hat, water, comfortable walking shoes, light rain jacket, small cash for boat rides and bike rental
🚣 Must-Do Experience: Tam Coc or Trang An boat ride through limestone caves, cycle around the countryside, hike up Hang Mua viewpoint for the iconic valley view
💰 Budget: Very affordable. Boat rides ~$8, bike rental ~$2, entrance fees ~$5. A full day costs far less than most tours
🚆 Getting There: 2–2.5 hour train or bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh town, then short taxi ride to Tam Coc/Trang An
⚠️ Tip: Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour bus crowds and midday heat
Hang Mua Cave
This is hands down the best thing to do in Ninh Binh.
Hang Mua Cave is an amazing trek up limestone cliffs that offers great viewpoints, like the small pagoda on the way up and the big dragon statue right at the top.
When I visited in July, it was packed, but the weather was perfect, sunny and not too hot. I took many breaks on the way up, and there’s even a small stall selling drinks and snacks if you need an energy boost.
The worst queue is at the very top because everyone wants to get to the dragon for that photo.
I waited for a few minutes, then quit because I didn’t want to waste any more time. Out came the drone, and the photos I got were my favourite from my Vietnam trip.
At the top, take some time to enjoy the view, especially of the gap between the limestone cliffs of Bến Thánh, which is the iconic image.
Don’t skip the lily pad garden area before you climb to the top. Walk around and take some amazing photos in a fantastic setting. Toilets can be found at the ticket office before you start climbing.
I paid 100,000 Vietnamese dong to enter.
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Trang An Complex
I got a day tour from Ninh Binh that included Bai Dinh Pagoda, and it cost 1.2 million Vietnamese dong (about $45.00).
Totally worth it.
The Trang An boat tour was the highlight of the day because for almost two hours we went around the scenic river of Trang An complex, a historic site that became a UNESCO site in 2014.
We were given umbrellas to keep the sun off our backs, and do note that this isn’t included on the Tam Coc boat tour and is badly needed.
Anyway, circling Thủy Đình Tràng An on the water was a special moment as the cliffs rose up all around our boat.
We got a toilet break at Hành Cung Vũ Lâm right beside the temple, and I got some nice images from here.
You can explore Phim Trường Kong Skull Island Ninh Bình, but while we didn’t, there was some amazing accommodation on-site, so consider that for a peaceful location rather than Tam Coc itself.
Easily one of the best and most unique things to do in Ninh Binh.
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Cycle The Country Roads
Another underrated thing to do in Ninh Binh is to rent a bike and cycle through the small countryside.
You’ll soon discover, after leaving the town, the true beauty of Vietnam. They call Ninh Binh the Ha Long Bay of Vietnam, but on land, it really lives up to the name.
When I cycled along the road, it was so peaceful. Either side had limestone cliffs, paddy fields, buffalo roaming freely along the middle of the road, and people loving every moment of Ninh Binh.
You can discover places like Buffalo Cave, more on that later, and see landscapes so beautiful they’ll convince you to stay longer, as they did for me.
You can easily get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. I took the shared minivan, and it didn’t take two hours. I rented my bike from the hotel for a little money.
It usually costs between 50,000 and 100,000 Vietnamese dong for the day.
But cycling around the fields is special, unique, and so much fun.
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Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone
One hidden place that feels hidden is the Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone.
I cycled here from the heart of Tam Coc in about 7 kilometres (30 minutes), which was one of the most scenic bike rides I can remember in Asia.
Passing the amazing rice fields and limestone cliffs, but do note there’s a large hill at the end, right before you get the tickets, which I actually walked up because it was so steep.
When I visited, it was very hot, and the highlights included taking the boat across to Vườn Chim Thung Nham (bird viewpoint) on the water.
There’s a beautiful Thung Nham Flower Paradise with a small covered viewpoint where you can take some shade.
You’ll also find small windmills scattered throughout the premises.
I managed to find the thousand-year-old tree, which is a short walk from the centre of the park.
It’s not so great to be honest, but it’s historic, and I enjoyed the search.
I entered a cave on a boat with locals, which was very tight and lasted for about 200 metres. After cycling back, I entered another cave on foot after exiting the boat, and it was so cool.
For long parts, I had to walk at a 90-degree angle, which was challenging.
I paid 150,000 Vietnamese dong ($6.00) to enter Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone, and I do think it’s a unique thing to do in Ninh Binh.
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Bich Dong Pagoda
One of the most iconic sites in Ninh Binh is Bich Dong Pagoda.
I cycled here in around 20 minutes from my guesthouse Tam Coc Minh Gia Homestay. It was a pleasant ride with a nice breeze and limestone cliffs all around me.
I paid 50,000 Vietnamese dong to park my bike in a shaded area, and I flew my drone here to get a shot of the temple entrance.
At the entrance, there’s a large car park and a shop to grab drinks and snacks to keep hydrated when it’s hot. I didn’t need to pay to enter the temple, which was surprising.
Many people waited and took photos at the temple, and it can get competitive when people want to pass.
You have to trek up steep steps, passing temples and going through a cave, before finding a peaceful place at the very top to worship Buddha. In total, it took me about 10 minutes to reach the top viewpoint and see the lake across.
It’s an extremely peaceful and cool place to explore and easily one of Ninh Binh’s best things to do.
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Bái Đính Pagoda
I did a day tour that included Bái Đính Pagoda.
It’s a special place.
I highly recommend the tour because you’ll get to see Hoa Lu, Trang An boat experience, and Hang Mua viewpoint, all of the best things to do in Ninh Binh by far.
This Buddhist temple has many cool places to see, but the most special has to be Báo Thiên Stupa, which stands so tall and is visible from far away. Again, I was lucky to fly my drone all around it and see the views from up high.
The Buddhas of The Three Times Hall and Chùa Bái Đính were peaceful and had beautiful architecture. You can even stay at the Bai Dinh Hotel, which has to be an extraordinary place to stay.
The complex is large, spanning 700 hectares, and consists of an old and a new temple.
My favourite thing to see apart from the tall stupa was the bell tower, also known as Lầu Chuông.
Boat Tour From Ninh Binh
I did this when I was very unwell, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have.
But that’s travel!
Still, it was so beautiful, with amazing limestone cliffs all around me.
I bought my ticket at the Dong Gung Boat Tour ticket sales point, which is a little bit away from the harbour where you’ll take the boat from.
There was a big sign that said it’s 500,000 Vietnamese dong for one person, or if you can find a second person, it’s 250,000. I went alone and loved it, but I made a rookie mistake; I didn’t get an umbrella.
It was scorching hot, and this was a bad mistake.
I visited in July, and it was crazy here every day, so if you visit in high season, expect it to be even worse in terms of crowds. Book this tour well in advance to make sure you get a spot on the date you want.
Otherwise, it can be a nightmare.
My boat driver pushed me around with his legs and took pictures of me with decent backdrops. He was very good.
This is a stunningly beautiful, peaceful way to see the best of Ninh Binh.
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Buffalo Cave
Buffalo Cave was the most surprising and unique thing to do in Ninh Binh, which I absolutely loved.
I cycled my bike almost 3.5 kilometres through the amazing landscape synonymous with Ninh Binh. I cycled down a muddy path and could see an amazing setup. Outside, you could feed the buffalo, feed the many small chicks, and walk across the paddy field to the cave.
The cave is small and cramped, but there is a beautiful waterfall that’s thin, falling right at the entrance. I got inside the cave, and while you can only enter about 20 metres, it’s very hard to get in.
The rocks were slippery, and getting to it is not so easy.
I had to walk across wooden bamboo on the wet and muddy grass, which was not safe.
I wasn’t planning on visiting Buffalo Cave, but boy am I glad I did.
A local Vietnamese man, was outside with an amazingly long white beard who wanted to chat briefly. He wanted to sell me a packet of postcards of Tam Coc. To enter, it cost me 75,000 Vietnamese dong ($3.00), and it included one free drink, and I could get a handful of feed (I think banana leaves) for the buffalo outside. Water, coffee, juice, and beer.
Try to hold on as the buffalo pulls the leaves from your hand – it was very strong.
Once you’ve seen the cave, fed the buffalo, and pet the chicks, you can sit back and try your hand at fishing with the free rods provided.
It’s honestly a gem in the heartland of Ninh Binh’s amazing natural landscape.
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Đền Vối
This place is totally abandoned, with no security guards and no people when I visited.
I’ll be honest and say there are better things to do in Ninh Binh, but if you’re passing by, make a visit. What I loved about this was the large river area in front, where no boats were found.
Flying my drone here felt like I had no people within one hundred miles of me, looking down on the river and limestone cliffs.
When you’re visiting Buffalo Cave, I suggest you go a little further and see it.
Duyen Ninh Pagoda
A friend I met along the way, and I actually took a taxi from Hoa Lu.
It’s a decent walk, especially when hot, so make sure you bring sunglasses, an umbrella, and good walking shoes.
We ate lunch at Nhà hàng Minh Quân Ninh Bình, close to the pagoda, which was very nice.
I loved the grey and orange entrance to the pagoda. Inside the peaceful pagoda, offerings included a statue in the water of a woman as well as fruit trees. It’s a small place to visit in Ninh Binh, but I think you’ll enjoy it when visiting some of the other sites close by.
From here, we walked the road to the Tomb of Emperor Lê Đại Hành, so don’t miss out on that ancient tomb too.
Tomb of Emperor Lê Đại Hành
You won’t need much time here.
When I visited, a couple of people showed up as I was sitting around, just taking a moment to rest. Lê Đại Hành ruled from 981 to 1005, and his tomb is positioned near that of Đinh Tiên Hoàng.
If you enjoy learning about Vietnamese history, then this is a cool place to come and see the tomb.
You’ll find animals roaming the fields here and few tourists around, which I enjoyed. Overall, it’s history, but not that exciting to see.
Watch The Sunset From Liberty Hall Tam Coc
I found this place when I went to see the best rooftop bars in Ninh Binh.
Luckily, I found Liberty Hall Tam Coc. It looked like a brand new hotel with friendly staff, and I visited on a couple of occasions. The first time, I witnessed the most amazing sunset.
I had a cocktail called Sex on the Beach for 120,000 Vietnamese dong ($4.80).
I could see the reflections of the sky and rice in the puddles of water in the fields. My best tip is not to leave early. I was about to go, then suddenly I got a glimmer of orange in the sky. Fifteen minutes later, the whole sky was an amazing orange colour.
Seeing the sunset was one of my favourite things to do in the Ninh Binh area.
Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s ancient capital from 968 to 1009.
While the history is important in this part of Ninh Binh, there are lots of fun things to do here, like climbing the limestone cliff to the temple.
There is somewhat of a viewpoint, but not the best. Here lies the Tomb of the First Emperor.
You can feed the fish at the pond beside the Temple of Emperor Đinh Tiên Hoàng. The entrance is the best place for any photo opportunities. The impressive grey building with red tiles is the essence of Vietnam’s ancient capital. If you’re hungry, there are three restaurants right beside the bridge to cross over to the ancient site.
Further down, you can visit the Temple of Emperor Lê Đại Hành. However, it was close to here where some locals started to bother us to buy small souvenirs, which wasn’t pleasant.
Don’t miss Chùa Kim Ngân, a fifteen-minute walk from Hoa Lu, a beautiful Buddhist temple with great colours of red and orange and a small pond.
Overall, Hoa Lu is an iconic site to visit in Ninh Binh, whether you go alone or as part of a group tour, which I recommend for tours in Ninh Binh for ease of movement and organisation.
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Have A Drink By The Water
There are loads of cool cafes and restaurants right by the Emeralda Resort Tam Coc.
I walked this way multiple times at night, during the day, and in the morning.
You’ll hear music playing loudly from 10.00 PM into the early hours, or you can experience a peaceful time if you sit at the north end of the water.
I recommend getting an avocado smoothie at Coffee Lan, Relax Coffee or COCO COFFEE, all of which have seats by the small lake where the boats leave from.
The seats are comfy, and you can watch the people pass under the bridge as they head off on their tours of Ninh Binh’s amazing river system.
Thai Vi Temple
Like Đền Vối, you can easily visit Thai Vi Temple on the way to the other major sites, especially if you come by bicycle as I did.
Not only is this a great and healthy way to get around, but the roads in Ninh Binh are also perfect for cycling.
The temple is small, and you won’t spend much time here, so I suggest giving it twenty minutes when exploring the countryside.
Close by, you can also visit Hang Thiên Hương, a temple built into the side of the cliff. It’s beautifully decorated, and when I visited, only a couple of people stopped by.
It’s peaceful and a great place to soak up the atmosphere of ancient Ninh Binh.
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How To Get To Ninh Binh
You can get to Ninh Binh easily from all around Vietnam.
You’ll see shared minivans to Ninh Binh in all major towns and cities.
If you’re travelling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can take the train, shared minivan, or private taxi. Doing a day tour is a great way to see Ninh Binh without spending much time there.
When I visited Ninh Binh from Hanoi, I took a shared minivan that collected me from my hotel, and it went smoothly.
I would recommend this as an affordable way to travel.
Where To Stay In Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh has loads of great options for all budgets.
I stayed at Tam Coc Minh Gia Homestay, a very highly rated accommodation close to the heart of town. Some other great options include:
Budget
Mountain Flower Bungalow & Homestay
Mid-range
Luxury
Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh Resort
How To Move Around Ninh Binh
I suggest renting a bicycle to move around Ninh Binh.
Most people will cycle the country roads, which are so peaceful. You can get a helmet too and lock it up safely whenever you need to explore one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.
Alternatively, you can rent a motorbike or walk through the countryside, but it will take much longer to walk as it’s a big location with many sites spread over a number of kilometres, and in the heat you’ll find it hard to endure.
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Where To Eat In Ninh Binh
I ate so many amazing meals in Ninh Binh, and you will too, I promise!
My favourite eateries included Madam Loan Restaurant – great Vietnamese food that tastes authentic. Budget-friendly too!
Tam Coc Vintage Restaurant & Coffee – more authentic Vietnamese food and amazing egg coffee.
Chef Hien Restaurant – more amazing food and always good atmosphere. One of my favourites!
Saffron Indian Restaurant, Ninh Binh – tasty Indian curry and affordable.
NGON Vegan Restaurant – great vegan food.
Is Ning Binh Worth Visiting?
There are numerous unique things to do in Ninh Binh.
The more I think about it, the more I realise how worthwhile it is to visit.
Couples, solo travellers, groups of backpackers, and families all flock here. I met people from all over the world with different budgets and desires, and Ninh Binh exceeded their expectations.
Yes, it gets mixed up with Tam Coc, but most people mean Hang Mua Cave, boat tours, pagodas, and temples when they think of either Tam Coc or Ninh Binh.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you check out my Southeast Asia packing list and my travel insurance review for Safety Wing and why it’s so essential for visiting Vietnam.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
What Not To Miss In Ninh Binh?
Don’t miss Hang Mua Cave, Trang An, a boat tour from Tam Coc, and the sunset from beside the paddy fields. All of these things to do in Ninh Binh make it so special. Then you have the Buffalo Cave, where you can feed chicks and the buffalo, cycle the country roads, and enjoy the limestone cliffs all over the region.
How Long To Spend In Ninh Binh?
I suggest spending at least three days in Ninh Binh. You can see loads without rushing through every moment. Grab doesn’t work, so you won’t have the luxury of calling in a bike at any time like you can in Hanoi or Da Nang. With a little extra time, you can have a blast in Ninh Binh and see all it has to offer in 3–5 days whilst enjoying the moment.
Is One Full Day In Ninh Binh Enough?
One day isn’t enough to see the best of Ninh Binh. You could only do a boat tour, which takes a couple of hours, and maybe visit the pagodas, but to see it all, you’ll need at least three days. There’s way more to see, like Hang Mua Cave, Buffalo Cave, Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone, and of course the boat tour from Tam Coc centre. You could have a nice day in Ninh Binh, but I suggest aiming for more time.
