Ninh Binh Travel Guide 2021 for foreigners - Travelling in Vietnam
- Quan Nguyen
- Jan 12, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 30, 2024
Bai Dinh pagoda
"It was OUT OF THIS WORLD!"
If you are looking for a getaway trip from the city buzz, Ninh Binh will definitely satisfy your taste. Ninh Binh is a popular spiritual tourism site located in the Northern Vietnam that should be in your bucket list. Let's dig into this blog to get the most out of your trip like a local!
Our trip was planned for a 3 days and 2 nights stay. However, we were still short in time as the tourist attractions were enormous in size, so it took plenty of time to explore a site. I highly recommend a longer stay, in order not to make your plan stuffed and have an adequate amount of time to rest.
Main topics:
How to get to Ninh Binh?
Where to stay at Ninh Binh?
Where to go at Ninh Binh?
What to eat at Ninh Binh?
How much does the whole trip cost?
What should I bare in mind at Ninh Binh?
Mode of transportation
The most optimal and budget-friendly option travelling to Ninh Binh is by bikes. Road to Ninh Binh is straight-forward and easy to navigate. However, as we were travelling in early-Jan, the winter breeze hit us hard. So make sure you layer yourself warm with wind-breaker, leather gloves and beanie.
Google Maps work well in finding routes in Vietnam. It takes around 2h+ for bikes to get here from Hanoi. Head to Giai Phong Road and your journey will be mostly straight, entering the national highway 1A (QL1A). And do watch out for cops every time you enter a town or city along the way. Don't cross the line fella!
Otherwise, there are a couple of alternatives such as rental cars, coaches or limousines (not the LA limousines kind). Coaches ranging from 70.000đ to 80.000đ; 280.000đ for limousines. These modes will get you there quicker and safer.
2. Places to stay
There's a tons of homestays, hotels and resorts for you to choose from. Our stay was Mountain Side Homestay Ninh Binh, located in the outskirt from the city centre, nearby to most of the attractions we planned to visit. It has most of the standard amenities to be compared with other accommodations in the area.
For more similar homestay options, check out my airbnb wishlist or this resort recommendations.
Other than that, most of the homestays provide bike rental service for 100.000đ per day. Do bring your licenses along (if you have one).
3. Places to vist
Here comes to most interesting part. As Ninh Binh is full of places to visit, here were our picks:
3.1 Trang An (Tràng An)
Although there isn't much to show here because of our late arrivals to Trang An, I can still guarantee that it's a top destination in Ninh Binh. Tourists travel by traditional boats can experience nature through different emotions, discover the pure beauty of the human life origin, reconnecting with deep spiritual spaces.
There are 3 routes that can be chosen from. Route 1 has the most temples and cultural heritages, while Route 2 and Route 3 are more suitable for youngsters as there are more to observe. Each route takes up approximately 3 hours.
Check-in tips: In the end of Route 2 and Route 3, you will reach Vu Lam Royal Steps. The scenery here is perfect for a shoot.
Source: Google Image
3.2 Hang Mua (Hang Múa)
Mini version of The Great Wall of China
"Breathtaking scenery"
Tips #1: Park your vehicles right in front of the main entrance, it saves some energy for you instead of walking all the way in.
Tips #2: Get your sports attire ready. You will need to take 486 stone steps to reach the peak of the hill, and the steps might get slippery, so prepare yourself well.
Tips #3: Bring water.
Climbing up the Ngoa Long mountain to enjoy the stunning view of Tam Coc area with mountain range, rice fields and waterway. You can admire the whole beauty of the Tam Coc area with the vast, green rice fields. Steps lead to top mountain in Hang Mua was imitated from architecture of Great Wall of China.
3.3 Tuyet Tinh Coc
"One Two Three Snap!"
Probably the only spot that take less than half an hour to explore. It's a perfect drop-off alongside your way visiting Bai Dinh pagoda. Tourists love how peaceful and calm this place is. Check it out.
3.4 Bai Dinh Pagoda
It is considered the largest complex of Buddhism pagoda in Vietnam and has become a popular site for Buddhist pilgrimages from across Vietnam. Due to its huge scale, up to thousands of hectares, you will need to hop on an EV to get you around. If you wanna have a less time-consuming and informative visit about this historical site, a tour guide is available for 500.000đ.
Other than these destinations that I have mentioned above, feel free to check out a few more, namely:
3.5 Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Thung Nham
3.6 Cuc Phuong National Park
3.7 Phat Diem Cathederal
3.8 Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
4. Ninh Binh Cuisine
Burnt rice (cơm cháy) and goat meat (dê núi) are a must. We dined in a nearby restaurant called "Chính Thư". We followed the waiter's recommendations and it turned out to be out-of-this-world. Goat dishes here were super duper soft and tender. I give credits for its cleanliness and warm hospitality.
Bonus: If you are feeling adventurous, do try out some goat blood pudding (tiết canh dê) as a cold starter.
In addition, here are a couple more picks:
Tinh Mai kebab rice noodles with smokey pork (bún chả quạt Tình Mai) at 07 Pham Van Thai street;
Lien Dong fish noodle soup (bánh đa cá rô Liên Đồng) at 94 Hoang Dieu street;
Ba Phan eel soya noodle (miến lươn Bà Phấn) at 999 Tran Hung Dao street;
Duc goat (Đức dê) at 446 Nguyen Hue street.
Tips: You can buy some burnt rice home as souvenirs for friends and family as they are sold reasonably here.
5. Budgeting your trip
(Per person)
Homestay: 350k/night
Gasoline: 150k
Tickets:
Trang An:
Entry ticket: 250k
Bike parking ticket: 15k
Hang Mua:
Entry ticket: 100k
Bike parking ticket: 15k
Tuyet Tinh Coc:
Entry ticket: 30k
Bike parking ticket: 10k
Bai Dinh:
Entry ticket: 0k
Electric scooter: 30k
Bike parking ticket: 15kk
Food: 50k-150k/meal
Snacks and drinks: 100k
Sum: 1.215k
USD $1 is equivalent to approx. 23k or 23.000đ or VND23.000
Check out how much your currency worth live here.
6. Tips to keep in your pocket:
Do check the destination weather in advanced before planning your trip. It would have been better had the sun been shining. Weather in the North varies by four seasons, unlike the Southern part of Vietnam;
It's kinda dusty if you are taking bikes, so do bring your facemasks and/or any necessary items;
Get your money changed in big cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Go for the gold store (stated as Tiệm Vàng), they usually give a good rate;
Do not hesitate to ask for directions from the locals. Trust me, they are friendly and approachable.
This has been the first travel blog of mine. Feel free to ask or comment on this posts upon anything, I won't bite ;)
If you found it useful, why not give it a thumb up and share this to any partner-in-crime that you wish to go with.
And as always, happy travelling tee-hee!
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