It is obvious that Vietnam is the home of plenty must-visit destination and Ninh Binh is always considered to be one of the top priorities. Packing with the authentic Vietnamese buildings, the wild and breathtaking nature and rich local culture, there is no reason for tourists to miss this wonderful location during their travel to Vietnam.
Things to Do and See in Ninh Binh
If you simply love to explore the architecture of traditional Vietnam, then visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. It was the original palace for three Vietnamese Dynasties thousands of years ago. Therefore, it is not hard to find the authentic architecture style of the country in this location. There are also a lot of temples worshipping Kings from the past, such as Le Dai Hanh or Dinh Tien Hoang. Moreover, The ancient capital was once the Buddhism center of the country. Thus, you will discover a great number of pagodas in the region, especially near the limestone mountain.
An extremely popular site in Ninh Binh is Bich Dong, a pagoda complex lies on the mountain. Arriving in Bich Dong, you will have a chance to contemplate the ancient pagoda style in the country. There are 3 pagodas and when you reach Thuong Pagoda (Upper Pagoda), you can capture the whole splendid view on the camera.
Other than that, Phat Diem Cathedral is the one-of-a-kind creation from a Vietnamese Father which has the “eclectic architectural style”. This place is the mix between Western and Eastern style featured in the building such as a church with a pagoda roof. It was created to show the people that all religion can co-exists in the country without conflict.
Besides architecture, it is the nature that makes Ninh Binh one of the best destinations in Vietnam. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Trang An Complex has all the beauty of Vietnam from the magnificent karst formation, the range of limestone mountains to the outstanding rice fields. Nature lovers and photographers absolutely adore the landscape of this destination. Traveling by boat is a must-do in Trang An Complex.
If you like exploring caves, there is Tam Coc (Three Caves) in which you will travel through 3 most beautiful caves in Ninh Binh. Ca Cave, Hai Cave and Ba Cave will show you the key features of Vietnamese cave system including unique stalactite formations. After that, the sceneries on the way will certainly satisfy passengers from all over the world.
The valley of sunshine (Thung Nang) is a must-see location for those who enjoy the wild nature. Tourists can relax in the middle of sky and river with vast rice fields on the side. The untouched environment is the allure of Thung Nang creating the perfect opportunity to contemplate the utmost beauty of Ninh Binh.
Rivers in the region are the habitat of a huge number of birds, some of which are very rare like painted stork and flamingos. Fortunately, you can also watch these special animals up-close in Thung Nham Bird Garden by traveling on a boat. People who prefer to capture both the birds and the landscape of this location may want to venture on foot to the top of the hill for a better view.
If you wish to see more, Van Long Nature Reserve is a great destination for both animals watching and unwinding. As it is the home of exotic flora and fauna, visitors are presented with various chances to explore the rich ecosystem. Afterward, you will enjoy the relaxing trip on the calm river and huge limestone mountains.
For adventurers, Cuc Phuong National Park, one of top 10 National Parks in Vietnam is an ideal location for trekking and exploring the wild beauty. Like Van Long, Cuc Phuong offers the best ecosystem in the region with some thousand-year-old trees. Animals and charming waterfalls can be encountered on the way without much effort. There are also primitive caves where Prehistoric Man settled for hundred years with impressive formations.
Finally, you should definitely visit Vietnam and learn about the special local culture. Kim Son traditional village has many things to offer tourists, including the authentic countryside style. However, Sedge Fine-Arts are things that make Kim Son standing out from the other villages in the region. Here, it is recommended to find souvenirs for your family and friends from the various products made of sedge.
Here are some pieces of information about top ten places to visit in Ninh Binh.
Travelling tip from Hanoi
Budget travelers may want to choose one of these three: bus, bicycle or motorbike. Each has distinguishable feature, but all are very cheap. Although the bus is probably the safest way to travel, you will be dropped off at Ninh Binh Station where you will have to rent a taxi or take another bus to the hotel. Motorbike and bicycle offer the same advantages: cheap, able to stop midway to rest or take pictures. The harsh road is the major downside besides other disadvantages.
Otherwise, you may want to travel by taxi or book a tour from Hanoi. Taxi is a little bit costly, but they will drive you to where you want to go. Tour services are really flexible, allowing many types of traveling. You will also have a tour guide and do not have to worry about the accommodation which is a very strong point.
Train is an alternative way with reasonable price and some drawbacks such as additional bus or taxi upon arrival.
Learn more about how to travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
- Source: Vietnam Excursions
