Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh, located at the southern end of the Red River Delta, has a diverse topography that includes both mountainous and coastal areas.

Ninh Binh is approximately 95 kilometers from Hanoi, or 2.5 hours south by car. The province is bounded to the north by Hoa Binh and Ha Nam, to the east by Nam Dinh, and to the west and south by Thanh Hoa. The terrain is varied here, with mountainous areas in the west and northwest and coastal areas in the east and south.

Ninh Binh weather

The average temperature is 23.4 degrees Celsius, and the high humidity, which ranges between 80 and 85 percent, is typical of a tropical monsoon climate. Ninh Bình is best visited between November and April of the following year, when it is in the dry season. For the finest views, go during harvest season in October.

Ninh Binh transportation

Regular buses depart to Ninh Bình from Hanoi every day. You can book a luxury van which includes transfer to Tam Cốc, where plenty of charming accommodation options await. Private cars make the journey even quicker. For those with more time, several trains leave for Ninh Bình from Hanoi daily. The best way to get around Ninh Binh is by motorcycle tour or taxi. Cycling is a great option for visitors staying in Tam Cốc.

Must-visit places in Ninh Binh

• Hang Mua

It would be wonderful experience to get a bird's-eye view of Ninh Binh at Hang Mua, where 500 steps have been dramatically carved into the steep face of a mountain. Once you reach the top, the panoramic 360-degree views of the countryside, as well as the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, where the river winds lazily among paddies, hemmed up by limestone outcrops.

• Bai Dinh Temple

Located 15km from Ninh Binh city, Bai Dinh pagoda is the largest pagoda in Vietnam with many records such as owning the tallest and heaviest bronze Buddha Statue in Vietnam; the temple with the largest three-dimensional statue in Vietnam. Ancient temples are housed in caves you can only reach via a pretty climb of 300 steps, while the new temple area covers an area of 500 hectares.

• Tam Coc- Bich Dong

This place belongs to Ngu Nhac Son mountain range in Hoa Lu district, 7km south of Ninh Binh city. Boat rides in Tam Coc run through the Ngo Dong River and start from Pier Van Lam. The 2-hour round trip takes you through caves, rice fields and past the ever so unique karst rocks. You will feel like you’re in a movie scene cruising down a natural kingdom like this.

• Hoa Lu- The Ancient Capital

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam now, but in the past that honour was held by Hoa Lu. This small ancient city served as Vietnam’s politcal centre in the 10th and 11th centuries. Today, it’s a good place to get a history fix at two impressive restored pagodas.

• Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong is a rare well-preserved rainforest and the first national park of Viet Nam. Cuc Phuong is most beautiful in the dry season from December to April, when the intense forest rains have passed. This national park is not only rich about plants but it is also very popular for animals. The Cuc Phuong “zoo” has more than 450 types of vertebrates, in which there are about 89 kinds or animals, 307 types of birds, 110 kinds of reptiles, 65 types of fishes and 2000 kinds of insects.

Here below are some main activities at Cuc Phuong national park for tourists:

• Cuc Phuong National Park trekking
• Participatory ecotourism
• See wildlife at night
• Bird watching
• Cycling in the forest
• Watch for reptiles, amphibians and insects
• Visit biodiversity sites
• Ethnic entertainment program
• Kayaking