7 Incredible Things to Do in Ninh Binh: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Tam Coc

One of Vietnam’s most spectacular sights. If possible, take the boat ride in the morning before the excursion groups arrive from Hanoi, or in the late afternoon. The last boats start out around 5:30 PM in the summer and 4:30 PM in the winter. It is an easy, flat bicycle ride here from the center of Ninh Binh.

Beware that floating drink sellers can be persistent. They will often ask if you want to buy a drink for your rower, which is usually sold back immediately for half price. Interestingly, rowers here often row with their feet as well as their hands, making for a unique sight.

Some boats carry boxes filled with handicrafts. Rowers are paid a minimum wage and have the right to a limited number of tours per week, so selling these hand-made embroideries is their main source of income. You are not obligated to buy anything, but a tip for the hard physical labor is expected.

Apart from the boat ride, the area around Tam Coc is equally beautiful when explored by motorbike or bicycle. Be sure to visit Bich Dong Pagoda (3 km past the pier), built into a cliffside offering incredible views, and Tai Vi Temple, accessible via a small road on the right of the pier.

Trang An Grottoes

Located just 7 km from town, Trang An is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is similar to Tam Coc but features a longer route passing through numerous caves.

Most caves have been widened for boats to pass. The first two caves remain the most natural and tight in places, so watch your head. This site is highly popular, but unlike Tam Coc, you are much less likely to be bothered by vendors selling beverages or gifts. Go early in the morning or late afternoon (the last boat leaves at 4 PM) to avoid the heavy crowds.

Hang Mua Peak
This is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region, located 5 km from the Tam Coc pier. A climb of 450 steps brings you to the tip of the peak.

From the top, you get a breathtaking 360° view of the entire region, featuring the Red River Delta to the east and towering mountains on all other sides. It is an absolute must-visit if you can handle the steep stair climb.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Located 45 km from Ninh Binh (about a 1.5-hour drive), this is a well-preserved rainforest featuring an Endangered Primates Rescue Centre near the entrance. You can visit

the primate center with a guide to see about 150 primates being rehabilitated for release back into the wild.

From the entrance, you can drive, motorbike, or cycle a further 20 km along a paved road cutting through dense rainforest. Cycling is a highly rewarding way to travel this route, especially in April and May when thousands of colorful butterflies fill the roadway. Mountain bikes can be hired at the park entrance.

The road ends at the Park Centre (Bong), which features a restaurant and the trailheads for several forest walks. Many trails require a hired guide because the dense forest makes it easy to lose orientation. One independent trail spans 6-7 km, leading past massive thousand-year-old trees standing 50-70 meters high. Guided night tours are also available for wildlife spotting.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

The ancient capital of Vietnam until 1010, this royal city is situated 15 km from Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. While not much of the original city remains, the site preserves beautiful archways and the historic temples of Dinh Tien Hoang, Nhat Tru, and Le Dai Hanh.

Phat Diem Cathedral

Located 34 km from Ninh Binh amidst canals and rice fields, the commune of Phat Diem was known as the “Vatican of North Vietnam” during the French colonial period. Its centerpiece is a massive cathedral built between 1874 and 1898. Mixing Eastern and Western architectural styles, it is spectacular in scale (75m x 27m x 15m) and features huge ironwood interior columns.

Bich Dong Pagoda

Follow the road past the Tam Coc pier for about 3 km to the west. This is an interesting 15th-century pagoda built across three levels into a steep mountainside. The Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas sit in ascending order, with some temples built directly into caves. You can scramble up the rocks past the highest temple for a highly rewarding panoramic view.

What to Eat in Ninh Binh?

Mountain goat (dê núi) meat is a regional specialty, frequently eaten with fried rice (cơm chiên).

Another absolute must-try local specialty is cơm cháy (not to be confused with vegetarian food, cơm chay). This is the crispy, burnt rice scraped from the bottom of the cooking pot, typically served with savory pork. Duck also features prominently on many local restaurant menus.

The area near the train station operates as a mini-backpacker hub. Here you will find several cafes with English menus and standardized tourist prices. Three of the most popular eateries in this strip are “Good Food”, “Cheap Good Food”, and “Fast Food Cheap”, all located along Hoang Hoa Tham street.

Where to Drink in Ninh Binh
For evening drinks, you will find plenty of Bia Hoi (fresh local draft beer) sellers along the riverbanks in the late afternoon and evenings.

If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, numerous street carts sell freshly pressed sugarcane juice over ice. For something heavier, the Vissai Hotel features its own microbrewery serving fresh dark and light craft beers.

Where to Sleep in Ninh Binh?

If you choose to stay in Ninh Binh town, there are numerous budget hotels located just outside the train station and next to the bus station. Because the town itself lacks major attractions, the train station area is highly convenient. It serves as a backpacker district complete with travel agents, transport bookings, and English-speaking restaurants.

However, most travelers prefer to sleep in the surrounding countryside of Tam Coc. The village offers a vastly superior atmosphere and a wide array of newly built accommodations ranging from budget backpacker dormitories to luxury 4-star boutique resorts.

Contact us now for consultation:

• 🌐 Website:

  https://vietnamdaytour.com.vn/ninh-binh-day-tour/

• 📩 Direct Message: Fanpage Vietnam Day Tour

• 📞 [Contact hotline/Zalo for 24/7 consultation] or leave your phone number so our team of travel experts can help you design the most perfect itinerary!