Tours and Tickets to Experience Ninh Binh

The city of Ninh Binh is the gateway to the surrounding Ninh Binh Province, where you’ll find the UNESCO-listed Trang An Complex, known for its unique karst landscapes. You can also visit Tam Coc (Three Caves), Hoa Lu ancient city, Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, and Bai Dinh Pagoda. If you want to visit all of the top attractions in Ninh Binh, give yourself at least three full days.

Ninh Binh is located 58 miles (94 kilometers) south of Hanoi, which takes around 1.5 hours to drive. Most travelers visit as part of a full-day tour from Hanoi, which typically includes round-trip transport. Public buses from Hanoi to Ninh Binh take about 2.5 hours and leave from Giap Bat bus station. Hanoi to Ninh Binh tickets cost around US$10 per person.

There are plenty of things to do around Ninh Binh Province, and many day tours combine multiple activities. Popular excursions include a boat ride to Tam Coc Caves, a bike tour through the Tam Coc Valley, and the uphill hike to Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Cave where your reward for climbing up 500 steps are stunning views of the river below.

Trekking at Cuc Phuong National Park is also popular as is going for a traditional boat trip at Van Long Nature Reserve. Finally, if the weather isn’t cooperating, consider taking a cooking class taught by a local chef. Most cooking classes include a guided shopping trip to a local market in Tam Coc.

Staying in Ninh Binh City can be convenient—it’s the region’s main transport hub and has a range of accommodation options—but there’s not much to see. For a local experience, try one of the homestays or family-run guesthouses in the small towns of Trang An or Tam Coc.

Ninh Binh also has several resorts, although they’re nothing fancy like you’ll find in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Expect four-star service and accommodations. For the best availability, especially during the annual Hoa Lu Festival, book at least one month in advance.

The cuisine in Ninh Binh is typical of the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam, but there are also some unique regional dishes to try. Look out for goat meat with ginger, crunchy rice snacks (com chay), mountain snails (oc nui), and sticky rice with ant eggs (xoi trung kien).

While it’s possible to see the highlights of Ninh Binh during a day tour, 2-3 days allows you to explore further. You’ll want to visit Trang An and Tam Coc where you can join a boat tour or explore by bike. Don’t miss the ancient capital of Hoa Lu which has many historical sites and ancient temples. You can also escape the crowds at Cuc Phuong National Park, home to majestic limestone mountains.

If your schedule only allows for a day visit, it’s best to book a tour which includes door-to-door transportation. Having a local guide, and driver, will ensure you don’t waste precious time getting lost or waiting in lines.