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Things to do in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh attractions you shouldn't miss
Explore the best things to do in Ninh Binh through customizable private tours led by expert local guides. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, you’ll experience Ninh Binh in ways you never imagined.
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What travellers say
Traveller reviews in Ninh Binh
5
(48)
Our second all day trip with Junie in 3 days. Once again she was sensational and we have nothing but praise and a strong recommendation for her as an English speaking tour guide for day trips from Hanoi. The temple, boat trip and bike ride were great, buffet lunch was nothing flash but fresh with plenty to eat. For the less mobile this would be a better trip than Perfume Pergoda, both days were great but we preferred Perfume Pergoda. Both days the car was clean and drivers very competent.
Murray
Traveller
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong tour from Hanoi
Sam was a great guide...we asked to do some off the beaten path things and he was able to satisfy all of our bucket lists. He was on time, Friendly, helpful and very accommodating..had a wonderful time with him and recommend him highly for your Hanoi or halong bay experience.
Lorinda (Rindy)
Traveller
Ninh Binh Impressive 1 day trip - Private tour
Junie was excellent! She was very knowledgeable and easy to talk with. I would highly recommend her.
Raj
Traveller
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong tour from Hanoi
Junie is a great guide with excellent English. She is very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the historical and cultural information she shared. Will certainly recommend Junie to family and friends.
Hok Shuen
Traveller
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Bich Dong tour from Hanoi
More ways to experience Ninh Binh
There's a rhythm to Ninh Binh that blends old with new, nature with cityscapes, and local markets with grand attractions. Discovering the varied things to do in Ninh Binh wraps you in an atmosphere of cultural richness and unspoiled environment. Walk through captivating neighbourhoods, find hidden gems in scenic seasons, or embrace the hum of local life. Whether it's an exploration of the magnificent Trang An Grottoes, a visit to old citadels, or a bike ride across paddy fields, Ninh Binh is a layered city, teeming with real experiences and tangible cultures.
Cultural experiences: Start your day with soft incense and drumbeats at Thai Vi Temple before the boats fill Tam Coc. At dusk, walk the back halls of Bai Dinh Pagoda, when the lanterns are on and locals stroll the courtyards.
Small museums and galleries: Break up the limestone scenery with a stop at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center in Cuc Phuong National Park; the small displays make the stories clear. Right next door, the Turtle Conservation Center has tanks and boards that explain local species. Back in town, the modest Ninh Binh Museum lays out Cham and Hoa Lu-era finds in a simple, quick circuit.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Glide through Van Long Nature Reserve in late afternoon; the quiet water, karst walls, and possible langur sightings feel far from the main routes. Early morning at Am Tien Lake, climb the stone steps for a calm view over the green bowl before the heat builds.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Stop in Van Lam embroidery village near Tam Coc and chat with a family workshop about table runners or a small piece you can pack. Grab crunchy com chay from Tien Thinh to take on the road; it’s the local snack everyone brings home. If you pass Ninh Van stone carving village, step into a roadside studio for a small chisel-made mortar or carved figurine.
Tam Coc: Glide through the serene emerald waters and gaze at stunning limestone caves. Discover an ancient temple nestled within its terrain as you paddle your way under low-hanging stalactites.
Trang An: Take in the surreal beauty of towering karst peaks, encasing expansive rivers. Feel a sense of peace as you weave through valleys that have stood for millennia.
Hang Mua: Conquer the 500-stair climb to encounter dramatic views of rice terraces stretching to create a quilted landscape. Marvel at the sheer natural beauty that the panoramic vistas provide.
Hoa Lu: Immerse yourself in Vietnam's ancient history as you traverse this former capital. Its century-old temples and royal relics offer an enriching glimpse back in time.
Bai Dinh: Explore Southeast Asia's grandest Buddhist complex. Its gold-clad Buddha statues and ornate pagodas aren't just sights but touchstones of the city's culture.
Summer: Start early to beat the heat, catching lotus blooms and golden rice around late May to June before climbing Mua Cave for wide views. Retreat to shaded waterways and cool caves through the afternoon.
Fall: Enjoy clearer skies and gentler temperatures that make pagoda visits and village rides comfortable. Harvest scenes in late September and October bring photographers and couples seeking quieter days.
Winter: Expect cool, dry weather and mist curling around karsts, ideal for cave trips and birdwatching at Van Long. Evenings slow down in homestays and riverside lodges.
Look for the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival following Tet, the Trang An Festival with boat processions in spring, and Ninh Binh Tourism Week in late spring when the Tam Coc rice fields turn gold, alongside local temple days filled with folk music and chèo performances.
Explore Ninh Binh off the beaten path
Trade the busy boat lines for slower paths, and seek alternative things to do that show Ninh Binh’s quiet corners and village pace.Cultural experiences: Start your day with soft incense and drumbeats at Thai Vi Temple before the boats fill Tam Coc. At dusk, walk the back halls of Bai Dinh Pagoda, when the lanterns are on and locals stroll the courtyards.
Small museums and galleries: Break up the limestone scenery with a stop at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center in Cuc Phuong National Park; the small displays make the stories clear. Right next door, the Turtle Conservation Center has tanks and boards that explain local species. Back in town, the modest Ninh Binh Museum lays out Cham and Hoa Lu-era finds in a simple, quick circuit.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Glide through Van Long Nature Reserve in late afternoon; the quiet water, karst walls, and possible langur sightings feel far from the main routes. Early morning at Am Tien Lake, climb the stone steps for a calm view over the green bowl before the heat builds.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Stop in Van Lam embroidery village near Tam Coc and chat with a family workshop about table runners or a small piece you can pack. Grab crunchy com chay from Tien Thinh to take on the road; it’s the local snack everyone brings home. If you pass Ninh Van stone carving village, step into a roadside studio for a small chisel-made mortar or carved figurine.
Popular neighbourhoods
Peek into the heart and soul of Ninh Binh through its diverse neighbourhoods, each offering unique experiences defining the city's character.Tam Coc: Glide through the serene emerald waters and gaze at stunning limestone caves. Discover an ancient temple nestled within its terrain as you paddle your way under low-hanging stalactites.
Trang An: Take in the surreal beauty of towering karst peaks, encasing expansive rivers. Feel a sense of peace as you weave through valleys that have stood for millennia.
Hang Mua: Conquer the 500-stair climb to encounter dramatic views of rice terraces stretching to create a quilted landscape. Marvel at the sheer natural beauty that the panoramic vistas provide.
Hoa Lu: Immerse yourself in Vietnam's ancient history as you traverse this former capital. Its century-old temples and royal relics offer an enriching glimpse back in time.
Bai Dinh: Explore Southeast Asia's grandest Buddhist complex. Its gold-clad Buddha statues and ornate pagodas aren't just sights but touchstones of the city's culture.
Things to do in Ninh Binh by season
Spring: Glide by boat through Trang An or Tam Coc as new rice brightens the paddies and limestone cliffs glow after light showers. Bai Dinh Pagoda hosts festive rites around Lunar New Year, with easy cycling on flat lanes for families and seniors.Summer: Start early to beat the heat, catching lotus blooms and golden rice around late May to June before climbing Mua Cave for wide views. Retreat to shaded waterways and cool caves through the afternoon.
Fall: Enjoy clearer skies and gentler temperatures that make pagoda visits and village rides comfortable. Harvest scenes in late September and October bring photographers and couples seeking quieter days.
Winter: Expect cool, dry weather and mist curling around karsts, ideal for cave trips and birdwatching at Van Long. Evenings slow down in homestays and riverside lodges.
Look for the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival following Tet, the Trang An Festival with boat processions in spring, and Ninh Binh Tourism Week in late spring when the Tam Coc rice fields turn gold, alongside local temple days filled with folk music and chèo performances.
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