Ninh Binh is a city at the southernmost tip of the Red River Delta with many famous scenic spots such as Hoa Lu’s ancient capital with a rich history, the beautiful Tam Coc – Bich Dong complex, Trang An with beautiful scenery and majestic natural scenery, and many spiritual tourist attractions such as Bai Dinh pagoda, Phat Diem church… Together with Lily’s Travel, prepare a complete “checklist” of places to go, dishes to try to move, and hotels to stay in during the following Ninh Binh travel experience.
Read more: Ninh Binh tour 1 day: ? All the detailed schedule of what to eat, what to play
What is the distance between Hanoi and Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh city center is about 95km from Hanoi center by road and 85km by air. Hanoi is about 97km from Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh) by road and 80km by air.
Traveling by car from Hanoi center to Ninh Binh city center takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes. From Hanoi to Bai Dinh will take about 1 hour 44 minutes.
From Hanoi, if you want to go to Trang An tourist area by car, it will take about 1 hour and 36 minutes. And it takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to move to Tam Coc – Bich Dong.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by train
Ninh Binh and Hanoi are located on the North-South railway line, so it is easy for you to move to Ninh Binh and vice versa by train. Visitors can go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh at stations such as Ninh Binh station, Cau Yen station, Dong Giao station, etc.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus
Traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus will help tourists be healthier than riding a personal motorbike, and at the same time have more time to rest to prepare for the upcoming journey.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by motorbike, private car
If traveling from Hanoi by motorbike, visitors will save money and be more active in travel time and this is also an extremely interesting experience for visitors on this trip. However, riding a motorbike with those who have to have good physical strength can go far and for a long time.
If tourists choose to go by motorbike, it will take you about 2 hours and 17 minutes to go along National Highway 1A to Ninh Binh. If visitors go by car, the Hanoi – Ninh Binh highway is the fastest route and will take about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Limousine
A limousine is currently a favorite vehicle of tourists when traveling long distances because of the convenience it brings, the Limousine is quite modern, has a luxurious system and many utilities such as an LCD screen, charging cable, lighting system… brings a comfortable service for visitors.
In which season should you travel to Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is located in a humid subtropical area with a tropical monsoon climate, with an average temperature of 23.5 degrees Celsius. It has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter; characterized by cold dry winters and hot, humid summers with lots of rain. According to Lily’s Travel’s Ninh Binh travel experience, the two most beautiful times of the year to visit are spring and early summer.
Time to set up spring: From January to March, Ninh Binh will pamper visitors with a cool climate, not too cold, with little rain, and convenient for sightseeing and sightseeing activities. This time is also ideal for spring travel with spiritual tourism activities such as visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An, Stone Church.
Time in summer: From April to June, Ninh Binh’s weather is usually quite cool, pleasant, not cold but not too hot. The summer is the time for the airy landscape, the plants grow well, so you will have the opportunity to see the beauty of the golden rice fields in Tam Coc or the diverse ecosystem of Cuc Phuong forest, With the full sunlight will This is your chance to take beautiful and artistic photos.
Hotels in Ninh Binh
With majestic natural landscapes and diverse cultures, Ninh Binh is a favorite tourist destination for Vietnamese and international tourists. Therefore, hotel-restaurant services are also flourishing to meet the needs of all segments from affordable, mid-range, to high-end. According to the self-sufficient travel experience in Ninh Binh, you should stay in the city center area to easily move and visit many places. For example, Tam Coc Lavender Homestay, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel And Resort are also other high-end hotel options with luxurious designs, modern amenities, located near the city center to help you easily move, visit Ninh Binh tourist sites.
In the mid-range segment with a price range of 400,000 – 700,000 VND/room/night, you can find hotels located in the city center such as Hoa Lu 2 Hotel, Gold Ninh Binh Hotel to meet your needs. for a comfortable, comfortable exploration.
If you like a quiet atmosphere and close to nature, then homestay is the right choice for you, Famous homestays in Ninh Binh include Sparrow’s Song Homestay, Tam Coc Sweet’s Home, Hang Mua Family Homestay… with diverse styles.
What should you eat when traveling to Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is home to many famous specialties with unique and very own flavors. If you plan to travel to Ninh Binh on your own, get ready a list of must-try dishes such as Ninh Binh mountain goat, Ninh Binh mountain snail, elder rice, Tong Truong perch, eel vermicelli… Don’t miss the dishes. This is delicious because you will not be able to find this unique flavor anywhere else.
Ninh Binh burnt rice
If you have the opportunity to come to Ninh Binh, you can not help but enjoy the specialty of burnt rice here. Different from the usual snacking elderberry dish, Ninh Binh elderberry is made more elaborately by mixing two types of dry rice and sticky rice. Through the process of cooking many stages, the finished piece of burnt rice has a spongy, crispy yellow color. Ninh Binh burnt rice is usually eaten with sauce and fried mountain goat meat or kidney heart, keeping in the memory of tourists the delicious taste that is hard to resist.
Ninh Binh mountain goat
Ninh Binh mountain goat is a famous specialty here with meat with moderate tenderness, not too tough, with a characteristic smell but not strong. 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. In addition, Ninh Binh mountain goats are also made stir-fried and rolled dishes that will satisfy all diners.
Ninh Binh mountain snail
Ninh Binh mountain snail is a specialty dish of Ninh Binh with a characteristic sweet taste, slightly chewy with many cooking methods such as stir-fried with chili and pepper or boiled snails with fish sauce, steamed with ginger. With cool Ninh Binh weather, you can enjoy the sweet taste of snails with a cool can of beer, guaranteed to bring an unforgettable refreshing feeling, especially in the summer.
Eel vermicelli
Eel vermicelli is a specialty in Ninh Binh you will regret if you don’t try it. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli uses eel nuggets, the back is pinkish brown, the belly is yellow, the baby is a bit small but the meat is very fragrant and firm. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli both is cooked from the eel bones and the tubular bones, which are cooked for a long time, creating a natural fatty and sweet taste, with a dark brown color, rich consistency, and mouth-watering taste.
Ninh Binh travel cost?
With a trip to Ninh Binh in 2 days and 1 night, the estimated cost will range from 1,700,000 to 2,000,000 VND/person; including travel expenses (car rental, taxi, sightseeing boat,…), meals, hotel, sightseeing tickets, and some personal expenses. The cost will increase depending on your choice of time and location.
Read more: Ninh Binh tour from Hanoi: Detailed instructions on how to travel (part 1)
Find out more about Ninh Binh tours here:
Places to explore should not be missed in Ninh Binh
Natural tourist attractions in Ninh Binh
Trang An Scenic Area
When coming to Ninh Binh, it is impossible not to visit Trang An scenic area. With an area of over 6000 hectares, Trang An is known as “Ha Long Bay on land” with its natural cave complex and unique limestone mountain system. You will be surprised with 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, 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.
Location: About 7km from Ninh Binh bus station, about 8km from Ninh Binh station, located on Trang An street on the right hand side.
You have to buy ticket to get in
Read more: Explore Cuc Phuong National Park to admire the beauty of nature
Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area
Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area is an equally famous stopover with 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 3 caves including Ca cave, Hai cave and Ba cave, created by the Ngo Dong river crashing through the mountain. Ca Cave is 127m long and has a cave entrance that is more than 20m wide, cutting through a big mountain. When visiting, you will feel the cool air and there are many stalactites falling with various shapes. Nearly 1km from Ca cave is Hai cave with a length of 60m which also has unique limestone shapes. Hang Ba has a length of 50m, near Hang Hai, with a lower height than the other two caves, like a giant stone arch.
Bich Dong, known as “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong” (the second most beautiful cave in the South), is located 2km from Tam Coc. Bich Dong, also means “green cave”, consists of a dry cave located halfway up the mountain – where Bich Dong pagoda is located, and a water cave piercing through the mountain called Xuyen Thuy Dong.
Location: far from Ninh Binh city is about 7km, located in the Trang An tourist complex
This area need ticket to visit
Ninh Binh – Tam Coc Bich Dong tourist area is a large complex with many different sightseeing branches. Guests can choose from a variety of sightseeing routes according to their schedule, with a variety of excursions including yachts, cycling and walking. Boats take tourists on Ngo Dong river from the central wharf, winding through cliffs, caves, rice fields; Visiting time is about 2 hours.
Mua Cave
Mua Cave, is an attractive “check-in” place when traveling to Ninh Binh of young people with an impressive view from the top of the mountain with the whole beautiful scene of Tam Coc area from the ripe rice fields stretching to the river scenery. wide open water. Mua Cave in addition to its wild beauty and beautiful scenery is also a challenging journey to conquer 500 stone steps, with the reward at the top of the mountain is a beautiful natural picture.
Location: Located in Tam Coc, Hoa Lu area, 5km from Tam Coc and Bich Dong, straight way down to Phat Diem Stone Church.
You need to buy a ticket
Hoa Lu ancient capital
Located in the core of 4 attractions of Trang An World Heritage complex, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Ninh Binh is a complex of historical – architectural relics, including 3 main areas: special protection area. In particular, the buffer zone and other monuments are of great significance.
With more than 1000 years of ups and downs, the current ancient capital of Hoa Lu still retains important relics from the Dinh – Le dynasties. When visiting Hoa Lu ancient capital, you will be able to reflect on historical events at King Dinh temple, King Le Dai Hanh temple, Co Am pagoda, Dinh – Le mausoleum as well as historical – cultural relics. Important as Bai Dinh pagoda, Hoa Lu cave, East gate, South gate…
Location: Located in Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, going to the North.
Ticket price: needed
Van Long Lagoon
In addition to Trang An and Bai Dinh, Van Long lagoon is a natural landscape visited by many tourists when taking a self-sufficient tour of Ninh Binh. Located in the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta, Van Long lagoon – also known as “the bay without waves” – will take visitors to discover the diverse ecosystem that is growing. nestled among the wild beauty.
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 with many interesting names such as Meo Cao mountain, Mam Xoi mountain, Hom Sach mountain… Going down the boat along the water, you will see birds. , langurs are foraging, roaming in their natural habitat, creating an ink painting that can’t be found anywhere else.
Location: from National Highway 1A, through Ly Phu to Gian Khau junction, then turn left and follow the road to Nho Quan to Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district.
Spiritual tourist destination in Ninh Binh
Bai Dinh Pagoda
As a temple complex 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 old pagoda area. Bai Dinh is a spiritual complex with the most massive and unique architecture in Vietnam. The majestic main temple roof is designed with 3 floors and 12 curved roofs in the shape of a knife head, roofed with tiles in the shape of a traditional comedy nose. The pagoda is also designed with steps decorated with stone dragons of the Ly Dynasty, a large stone yard overlooking the Jade Well.
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 worshiping Gods and Buddhas; and Dark Cave – where the statues of mothers and fairies are located deep in the cave, covered with magical stalactites.
Besides, you can also visit the Jade Well – the largest pagoda well in Vietnam with jade-green well water and the largest bronze bell in Vietnam, the longest Arhat corridor in Vietnam and many beautiful scenes you won’t see. can miss.
Location: located at the western gateway of Hoa Lu ancient relic area, on National Highway 38B, far from Ho Chi Minh City. Ninh Binh 15 km
Ticket price: needed
Phat Diem Stone Church
As a cross between Eastern Buddhism and Western Catholicism, Phat Diem Stone Church is a unique architectural work with exquisite sculptures and carvings. The architectural complex of Phat Diem Cathedral includes: a large church with 4 churches next to it on both sides, three artificial caves with ponds, monuments, and communal houses.
Location: located in Phat Diem town, far from the city center. Ninh Binh is about 28km.
Ticket price: Free to visit
Read more: Experience visiting Tam Coc – Bich Dong in summer: Have you ever tried?
Find out more Ninh Binh Tour: Click here
