1. Overview of Ninh Binh and Ninh Binh tour review
Ninh Binh is a province in the south of the Northern Delta, located at the southern gateway of Hanoi’s capital, about 90 km south of the capital.
Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful landscapes but is also a land rich in historical and cultural traditions. This place is a sacred land and used to be the capital of the first centralized feudal state of Vietnam, which existed for 42 years (from 968–1010) and was associated with three dynasties: Dinh, pre-Le, and the beginning of the Ly dynasty.
Dubbed “the land of the ancient capital”, Ninh Binh tourism has become a famous destination in Vietnam. Not only domestic tourists come here, but every year, millions of international tourists come to visit.
2. Best Time To Visit Ninh Binh
The weather in Ninh Binh is quite similar to that in Hanoi. In Ninh Binh, there are also four seasons in a year. The average temperature of Ninh Binh is around 23.5 0C, an ideal temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold. The lowest temperature in the year is from 5-7 0C, and the highest temperature is from 36-39 0C, sometimes up to 40 0C. Ninh Binh tourism still develops all year round, and each season has its own beauty.
In the spring In the spring season, from about January to March of the lunar calendar, this place is not too cold or too hot, especially for visitors who can combine tourism with spring sightseeing and participate in many festivals in these few seasons. It can be said that this is the time of year when Ninh Binh welcomes the most visitors.
In the summer, around April and May, Ninh Binh’s weather is considered to be quite ideal and pleasant. In May, June is the lotus season, and the ripe rice season in Tam Coc makes the whole Ninh Binh sink in golden color.
In the fall, autumn in Ninh Binh will bring us gentle feelings; the weather is not too hot and very pleasant. Ninh Binh’s autumn lasts from July to October, which is an opportunity for you to enjoy and watch the water lilies bloom at night.
Winter in Ninh Binh is very special; the weather becomes dry and the landscape is covered with blooming reed fields, from Trang An to Hoa Lu Cave to Bai Dinh Pagoda.
3. How do I move when going to Ninh Binh?
3.1. Means of transportation to Ninh Binh
3.1.1. Coach
Ninh Binh is only about 93 km from Hanoi; the travel time is only about 2 hours. You can choose a bus to move to Ninh Binh. From bus stations in Hanoi, you can pick up bus companies such as Thuy Duong, An Phu Quy, Anh Tuan, Anh Vu, Cat Loi, etc, with fares ranging from 3 USD to 6.4 USD per person.
3.1.2. Train
If you want to experience the feeling of excitement on the train, you can buy a train ticket to go to Ninh Binh.
Train fares from Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Travel time from Hanoi Railway Station to Ninh Binh is from 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes. Fares range from 34 USD to 8.1 USD per person (depending on prescription).
Train fares from Saigon to Ninh Binh: The travel time from Saigon to Ninh Binh station is from 19 to 29 hours, and the fare ranges from 30 USD to 64.3 USD per person (depending on the prescription).
Train fare from Da Nang to Ninh Binh: travel time is 14 to 16 hours, and the fare ranges from 15 USD to 33.6 USD per person (depending on the prescription).
3.1.3. Plane
For tourists in Saigon, if they do not want to spend a lot of time traveling, they can take a plane to Hanoi, then take a bus or train to Ninh Binh. You can regularly update the program of cheap flight tickets from Saigon to Hanoi to save on costs for the trip, which range from 28 USD to 40 USD per person.
3.2. Means of transportation in Ninh Binh
3.2.1. Rent Motorcycles:
With Ninh Binh travel experience, traveling by motorbike in the inner city is an optimal choice to help you freely visit and explore places. In Ninh Binh, you can easily rent yourself a scooter or digital car, with prices ranging from 4.3 USD to 6.4 USD per day. Some reputable motorbike rental service establishments are as follows:
– Ninh Binh Motorcycle
- Address: Ly Thuong Kiet, Nam Binh Ward, Ninh Binh City.
- Tel: (+84) 947 630 886.
– Rent a motorbike in Ninh Binh
- Address: Hoa Lu University, Ky Vi Hamlet, Ninh Nhat Commune, Ninh Binh City, Ninh Binh Province.
- Tel: (+84) 982 821 509
3.2.2. Taxi in Ninh Binh
If you travel to Ninh Binh with your family or a group of friends, you can choose a taxi as a means of transportation. Always pay attention to the price agreement for each trip with the taxi driver and check if the meter returns to zero before departing. Some popular taxi companies in Ninh Binh include:
– Taxi Ninh Binh: (+84) 229 3633788
– Taxi Mai Linh: (+84) 229 6252525
– Taxi Minh Long: (+84) 229 3881122
– Taxi Xuan Thanh: (+84) 229 3686868
– Taxi Hoa Lu: (+84) 229 2211444
4. Where to stay when traveling to Ninh Binh
The system of accommodation facilities in Ninh Binh is quite diverse, with homestays, motels, and star hotels of all prices. Visitors should choose hotels near the center for convenient dining, shopping, and commuting. Here are some suggested hotels you can refer to:
– 2-star hotels: from 10.6 USD to 34 USD/night/room. Some hotels can be mentioned, such as Elizabeth Hotel Tam Coc, Nam Hoa Hotel, Hang Mua Ecolodge,etc.
– 3-star hotels: Bai Dinh Hotel Ninh Binh, Momali Hotel Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Condeluz Boutique Hotel,etc. Hotel prices range from 21.3 USD to 64 USD per night per room.
– 4-star hotels: Tam Coc Garden Resort, Bai Dinh Garden Resort & Spa, Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh Binh, etc. Price: 39 USD–131 USD/night/room.
– 5-star hotels: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort, etc. Price: 58 USD/night/room.
5. Famous destinations in Ninh Binh
5.1. Trang An Scenic Area
Trang An has an area of over 6000 hectares, known as “Ha Long Bay on land,” with a natural cave complex and a unique limestone mountain system. You will be surprised by a majestic natural masterpiece with a population of 50 trans-water caves connecting 31 flooded valleys. When visiting the caves, you will be able to admire the natural stalactite system and take a boat ride through the cool water to form beautiful winding flows.
Trang An has been recognized by UNESCO as a “Dual World Heritage Site” for nature and culture since 2014 and has been ranked a particularly important national monument by the Vietnamese Government.
- Address: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province.
- Ticket price: 10.6 USD/adult ticket, 6 people per boat; 5.1 USD/child ticket. If hiring more guides will cost 15 USD/tour.
5.2. Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Tam Coc-Bich Dong has a system of limestone caves and historical sites of the Tran dynasty. Tam Coc-Bich Dong tourist area has a natural area of 350.3 ha, belonging to Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu.
Tam Coc means “Three Caves”, with a chain of three caves, including Ca cave, Hai cave, and Ba cave, created by the Ngo Dong river crashing through the mountain.
Bich Dong, known as “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong”, is located 2 km from Tam Coc. Bich Dong, which also means “green cave”, consists of a dry cave located halfway up the mountain, where the Bich Dong pagoda is located, and a water cave piercing through the mountain called Xuyen Thuy Dong.
- Address: Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province.
- Ticket price: Entrance fee 5.1 USD/adult, 2.6 USD/child. Boat price 6.4 USD/trip
5.3. Hang Mua
Hang Mua is an attractive “check-in” place when traveling to Ninh Binh, with an impressive view from the top of the mountain of the whole beautiful scene of Tam Coc area, from the ripe rice fields to the vast river scenery. Hang Mua, in addition to its wild beauty and beautiful scenery, is also a challenging journey to conquer the 500 stone steps.
- Address: Khe Ha Commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province.
- Ticket price: 4.3 USD/person.
5.4. Hoa Lu ancient capital
Hoa Lu’s ancient capital, Ninh Binh, is a complex of historical and architectural relics, consisting of three main areas: a special protection zone, a buffer zone, and other important monuments. With more than 1000 years of ups and downs, the current ancient capital of Hoa Lu still retains important relics from the Dinh and Le dynasties.
5.5. Van Long Lagoon
Van Long Lagoon is a natural landscape located in the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta. When visiting Van Long Lagoon, you will be able to sail on the calm water, reflecting the beauty of heaven and earth. You can also admire the limestone formations of Mother Nature, which have many interesting names such as Meo Cao Mountain, Mam Xoi Mountain, Hom Sach Mountain, etc.
- Address: Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province.
- Ticket price: 0.9 USD / entrance ticket. 3.4 USD/boat.
5.6. Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda As a complex of pagodas located on Bai Dinh Mountain with an area of 539 hectares, including 80 hectares, Bai Dinh Pagoda is divided into two areas: the new pagoda area and the ancient pagoda area. Bai Dinh is a spiritual complex with the most massive and unique architecture in Vietnam.
When visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, you will have the opportunity to admire many outstanding relics and spiritual sites with many thrilling legends. You will visit Bright Cave, where people worship Gods and Buddhas; Dark Cave, where the statues of mothers and fairies are located deep in the cave, covered with magical stalactites; Ngoc Well, the largest pagoda well in Vietnam with the largest bronze bell in Vietnam; the Longest Arhat in Vietnam,etc.
- Address: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province.
- Ticket price: Tram ticket 2.6 USD/person, stupa entrance ticket 2.1 USD/person.
5.7. Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park has an extremely rich flora and fauna ecosystem, characterized by tropical rainforests. Every degree from May to June is the breeding season for butterflies. Coming to Cuc Phuong at this time, you will witness the scene of millions of butterflies flying over the sky. Deep inside the forest are giant trees that tens of people cannot hug.
- Address: Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province.
- Ticket price: Adults 26 USD; children 6 – 15 years old: 0.4 USD; Seniors (60 years and older): 0.6 USD and students: 0.9 USD/person.
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5.8. Phat Diem Stone Church
Phat Diem Church is a cross between Eastern Buddhism and Western Catholicism, creating a unique architectural impression with delicate sculptures and carvings. The architectural complex of Phat Diem Cathedral includes a large church with four churches next to it on both sides, three artificial caves with ponds and monuments, and communal houses.
- Address: Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.
- Ticket price: free.
6. What to eat in Ninh Binh tourism
6.1. Ninh Binh mountain goat meat
Ninh Binh mountain goat is a famous specialty here with moderately tender meat, not too chewy, and a characteristic but not strong smell. When eating Ninh Binh mountain goat, you can eat it with cork sauce or ginger fish sauce with lemon, ginger, chili, lemongrass, galangal, and raw vegetables to increase the flavor and sweetness of the meat.
6.2. Burnt rice
Burnt rice is a famous specialty of Ninh Binh made by mixing two types of rice: dry rice and sticky rice. Through the process of cooking in many stages, the finished piece of burnt rice has a spongy yellow color, is crispy, and is a little salty, so when eaten, it has a greasy but not too greasy taste.
6.3. Eel vermicelli
Eel vermicelli is a specialty in Ninh Binh, using eel nuggets, the back is pinkish brown, the belly is yellow, and the baby is a bit small, but the meat is very fragrant and firm. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli broth is cooked from the eel bones, and the tubular bones are boiled for a long time to create a natural fatty and sweet taste with a dark brown color, rich consistency, and mouth-watering taste.
6.4. Fish Nhech salad
Fish Nhech salad is loved by everyone, even the people of Ninh Binh. The best fish Nhech salad is still in Kim Son, and it is not only famous in Ninh Binh; it is also famous throughout the North. Processed fish for salad is carefully selected and must be the freshest; after filtering, it will be combined with seasoning spices (ginger, lemongrass, dried onion, etc.) and served with star fruit, figs, chili, and herbs.
6.5. Ninh Binh mountain snail
Ninh Binh mountain snail is a specialty dish of Ninh Binh with a characteristic sweet taste and is slightly chewy with many cooking methods, such as stir-fried with chili and pepper or boiled snails with fish sauce and steamed with ginger.
7. Some other experiences in Ninh Binh tour review
The tourist attractions in Ninh Binh are mostly natural tourism activities such as climbing, walking, or boating, so you need to prepare yourself with a pair of flat shoes.
Please bring sunscreen, umbrellas, and raincoats if you travel to Ninh Binh in the rainy season in July or winter.
Make a reservation at least a week before your trip if you want to be sure of your booking.
If you choose to travel to Ninh Binh in the spring, make sure you book a ticket to visit Trang An, because in the festive season the waiting time to get off the boat will be very long.
8. Conclusion
Hopefully, the Ninh Binh tour information shared above will help you have an attractive trip. If you still have questions or want to schedule a trip to Ninh Binh, please contact Metta Voyage immediately for the fastest support!
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