Have you traveled to Vietnam before?
You can appreciate what we mean by falling in love with the country and its people on your first ever visit. It's unavoidable not to, it happens to every foreigner who goes to Vietnam. The country and people are special to us, and you'll likely leave feeling the same, with a longing to return. Vietnam is the most beautiful place to head to.
That's evident once you reach your hotel or guesthouse in northern Vietnam, where Ninh Binh is located. Let's discover why Ninh Binh is shockingly beautiful and what makes that so unbelievably real for you.
It's difficult to decide where to go, which is why you'll want to keep returning time and again.
One such sought after holiday experience is Vietnam's Sa Pa. In the north of Vietnam, an overnight train journey from Hanoi takes you to incredible sights. The highest in Indochina. If you do decide to holiday in the north (and you should) then you'll return home feeling fulfilled.
Not only for the opportunity of Sa Pa, but also for Ninh Binh and a Ha Long Bay luxury cruise.
Of all the places that are incredible in Vietnam when on holidaying, it heartening to single out one place. Were we to choose, it would be Vietnam's picturesque Binh Ninh.
Everyone loves nature and wildlife, animals ― that's undisputed. An entire eco landscape, a number one most beautiful place. You can feel yourself gravitate towards it. The history, culture and natural world tugs at your heart. When something like that happens, it's usually love isn't it?
It was for us. We're positive you'll feel the same way once you arrive in Ninh Binh.
A short while after arriving in this gorgeous northern city, we unpacked and enjoyed a light lunch. Not long afterwards, our intent was on visiting the Von Long Reserve.
It's only a short journey out of the ancient Ninh Binh City, where the Cuc Phuong National Park is. Close to this national park is the Van Long Nature Reserve. We cannot stress the importance of wanting to experience this natural wonderland. It's a natural eco-tourism trap. Hundreds of thousands of tourists, domestic and foreign, frequent this awesome wetland every year.
The reserve is one of the top three highlights of Ninh Binh, in our opinion. No matter what, do not miss out on it.
Sure, there are amazing river-based caves within the vicinity of Trang An Town. But there is a collection of caves in the reserve too. Once such cave popular with tourists is Hang Ca Cave. The cave opens up on the opposite end to reveal a valley of limestone karst mountains.
In once in full sunlight does your heart race with excitement, and amazement. Check, and double check before setting off you have your smartphone, or a camera. Don't leave without one or the other, or both.
Your time in this other worldly valley, you should also visit at least one of the temples, there are so many in Ninh Binh. Any one of the following temples will fulfil an emotional lust for "the real Vietnam". Those we visited were:
Unsure of other renowned historic sights to visit on your Ninh Binh holiday? Those we found really enjoyable were Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Mau Cave, and Thai Vi Temple.
Beautiful scenery, there is water in every direction you care to look. The northern delta, an amazing inland wetland crossing six communes, is responsible. Being a wetland, you can expect to see migratory birds of many species, you come to realize.
May and June are the best months to be on the reserve for overtures of romance. Strewn all over the water are pink lotus flowers in full bloom. For bird watchers, delay your Ninh Binh holiday until November. But you can also delay until as late as April, the ideal breeding season for many of the birds.
The complex covers over 500 hectares, you immediately notice how quiet it is, clean and scenic with so many ancient trees covering the land. Dinh Mountain close by is the only markedly protruding from the otherwise flat landscape.
Back to Ninh Binh.
The 20-minute cable ride to the top of Fansipan offers you beautiful sights. The two-day trek would be a jolly jaunt for you, and as much a grand experience. We took the easy option of course, but speaking to a group who did make the trek, it wasn't easy in places. Our thoughts are it's for seasoned trekking enthusiasts and professionals. If you've got two weeks to holiday in Vietnam, you have enough time to roll all three into your holiday:
Ninh Binh turns heads, it's the real deal. The real Vietnam. But so is Sa Pa.
So, you don't force yourself to decide on one or the other. Plan your holiday so you experience all three. Especially if it's your first time to Hanoi, you want that authenticity you've heard about so much. You'll get that from all three attractions. It felt like a never-ending adventure, all three together for us at the time.
The natural world is what attracts tens of thousands of eco tourists from all over the world. There is more. There is a sense of adventure and the great outdoors. Your holiday is all romantic, and superb for family time.
Ninh Binh is only a 90-minute drive south of Hanoi, and not the 9-hour train ride what Sa Pa can be. Leaving early morning and return late evening. That's enough time to enjoy the whole location. We would recommend you stay overnight in Ninh Binh, if you can? Because:
It gives you far more time to enjoy more together, in our opinion a day trip isn't enough to expose you to all what is on offer. How long should you stay in or around Ninh Binh City? At least 2D1N if you can, or longer if you have the time, to enjoy extra kayaking, cycling and walking.
The "big ticket" item of course is the Trang An Grottoes. These spectacular grottoes (subterranean caves) are spread over many valleys, and you can access them via kayak. An amazing experience, and certainly family friendly for teenage children.
Even if you've never kayaked in your life, now would be a good time to get some practice in before flying out. The great thing about Ninh Binh's rivers are they are very slow moving ― perfect for beginners.
If a kayak isn't for you, don't worry. You hire out one of the rowing boats instead, sit back and relax. A local does the rowing for you and they know the best spots for tourists. Chances are, if you've already pre-paid a tour then boating on the river will be taken care of for you.
If you want to experience "Ha Long Bay on Land", then you need to be in Tam Coc Town. In town you may be swamped with locals touting their services, we found it to be acceptable whilst other tourists appeared annoyed. It depends upon your attitude really, smile and keep walking.
If you've made other arrangements, you won't need a local guide anyway.
A boat trip is a good bet, and a favorite way of moving around on the wetland. Floating past the rice fields is mindful therapy, it is complete bliss. And what is also enjoyable is seeing the karst mountains beyond. It's most definitely as relaxing as any beach, you care to mention.
Bich Dong Pagoda is also within the vicinity of Tam Coc Town, a few kilometers apart. Simply rent a bicycle in town and cycle out there, it is that easy. Not sure where to rent that's trustworthy? Ask at your hotel's reception, we do it all the time.
You may find Tam Coc to be saturated with tourists, especially the months of May, June and July (peak season). Trang An Town is a little more authentic in our opinion, with more temples and is less crowded. Find accommodation in Ninh Binh City, so you can enjoy both towns:
There's a plethora of exciting, rewarding things to see and do in Ninh Binh. Many, or all of the great sights are in and around each town. Explore both by taxi, bicycle or boat. It's so easy to get around and go wandering off sightseeing, after breakfast. Activities that do not need booking include:
The boat trip from Tam Coc Town is better than from Trang An Town.
The reason being is on three sides of Tam Coc there are towering limestone karst mountains. Try to take an early boat trip before sunrise. Being on the water so early is spellbinding. Beautiful moments watching the sun climb over mountains, introducing glare unseen before.
Photography can be emotional, it's personal, isn't it? Don't squander what is precious to you because those moments are irreplaceable.
A boat trip from Trang An Town offers you are the world-famous grottoes. Which is why we strongly urge you to give each town your equal time and attention. Arrive early to Ninh Binh hotel, unpack and immediately set off to one of the towns. Get back to your hotel for the evening, and the next day early, leave for the other town.
Plan to return to Hanoi late afternoon, or early evening the second day.
From Tam Coc Town, rent a bicycle for a few hours. Cycle the 5km out of town to Hang Mua Viewpoint and pay the US$5 (per person) entrance fee. Steady yourself to ascend the steps to the summit. Once you have reached the top and got your breath back, you'll lose it again to the panoramic views far below.
It's the views that really make it worth your while climbing those 500 steps. That's the second highlight of three for us, are those stunning views.
Take the bicycle and not a taxi to the viewpoint, and you'll enjoy the beauty surrounding you far more. You may need to pay a further dollar to park your bicycle, but is that such a big deal? Of course not.
Every dollar spent is invested in the future of this outstanding natural world. The Vietnam government is trying so hard to preserve as much of it as possible, for as long as possible.
Close to the town of Tam Coc is the UNESCO World Heritage site Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Established to create a tourism eco magnet, it's what is attractive for so many to come to Vietnam. The Bai Dinh Pagoda is almost out of your sight believe it or not, at the bottom of one of the limestone mountains.
Go along with one of the local guides you see loitering in town, or as part of a larger, more organized tour group. The difference is the local guide is more flexible in how long you stay at the site, whereas the tour is more structured but less flexible.
Walking further in you see more temples hewed into the mountain side. It's one of those simple and yet very tranquil things you can do in Vietnam, going for an early evening stroll. When feeling moved by this country's beauty you are so thankful for holidaying in Vietnam.
Ninh Binh is cruel to leave you feeling like so, but you can't help but forgive. The cave found leading off the steps is dark inside; your guide should have a torch. Bring your own though (pack one beforehand).
As with all religious locations, it is very important to dress according to etiquette. This means covering bare shoulders and wearing full length skirt or trousers.
We opted for a local guide, to put money into their pocket. And actually, it felt as if we got a better deal, compared to others. Only, be sure the person you pay understands enough English to answer your questions.
The decision to holiday in Vietnam, you'll struggle where to spend your holiday. In Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City. Decide on which, the north, central or south. Everyone struggles, it's not as clear cut and simple. This country, the culture and people wrap circles around you.
But the north is incredibly gorgeous. If you've never been to Vietnam before, it's a good starting place for an introduction to Vietnam.
If you're coming back for more then you'll know what to expect won't you? Not so fast. What troubles you are the fact the three parts to Vietnam are all enthralling, and each so different. If you feel unsettled, then you are not alone. It's best thus to conclude our travel guide to Ninh Binh is for you. A safe bet, where you can't go wrong for your Vietnam holiday.
If you have a week in Vietnam, then you'll get the best of Hanoi and its culture. Time too, for the gorgeous Ninh Binh and its grottoes, and even a brief cruise on the great Ha Long Bay. If you've got 10 days, then you'll fit in Sa Pa also.
It's all so perfect.
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