Ninh Binh
NINH BINH TRAVEL GUIDE
Why Not Go
Why Go
Best Time to Visit
Where to Stay
Where & What to Eat
Nightlife
To Do List
Stay Away From
Getting There
Morning mist canopies the mountains and caves of Tam Coc; a woman on a bicycle cycles past perfectly green rice fields dotted with bamboo jats; “thit cho” (“dog meat”) signs line the narrow alley walls; vivid plant life juxtaposition old dilapidated Vietnamese houses; and an elderly couple quietly fish in the Kenh Ga canal.
You are in Ninh Binh, a small Northern town offering it’s visitors a unique Vietnamese experience, with it’s natural beauty charming all.
Almost 100km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh provides many avenues to explore. Visit the busier areas of Tam Coc, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s old capital Hoa Lu, or Bich Dong Pagoda. Alternatively, rent a bicycle or motorbike, take a map and phrasebook, and explore Ninh Binh’s quiet roads and colourful ranges, which are contrasted to the South’s Mekong Delta. Hanoi’s operators transport buses of tourists to the former destinations, but if you want to maximise a journey through a quaint Vietnamese town, be adventorous and do it yourself. But wherever you go in Ninh Binh, will be something magical to remember.
Vietnam Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh
Photo by TTVo
Vietnam Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh
Photo by TTVo
Pham Diet
Vietnam Ninh Binh Phat Diem Church
Phat Diem Church
Photo by ntlam
The centre of Catholicism in Northern Vietnam, Pham Diet attracts both domestic and foreign visitors. Different to most cathedrals found in Europe, Phat Diem Cathedral blends both Gothic style of arthitecture, and traditional Vietnamese building. Restoration has begun on the area, and not much damage can be seen despite it’s bombing in the past.
Visit Phat Diem for unique Vietnamese architecture, which still stands as a “miracle” to Ninh Binh’s 140,000 Roman Catholics.
Phat Diem is 28km out of Ninh Binh town. Renting a motorbike is the easiest option, or alternatively take a “xe om” (motorbike taxi), and car taxi’s will cost much higher (around 10,000 Dong per kilometre).
Tam Coc Caves
Vietnam Ninh Binh Tam Coc
Tam Coc Caves
Photo by TTVo
Tam Coc provides boat tours through three main caves in the region. Floating past karst limestone formations jutting into the rice fields, be prepared for a 3 hour boat ride where you can observe villagers in their daily routine. A downside to this trip, is that it is becoming very popular amongst tourists, and you may feel like just another one of the bunch. Tam Coc is only 7 km from the main town, so you can easily get there yourself.
Trang An Caves
Trang An is a quieter, less crowded grotto area similar to Tam Coc. However, it is not always open to tourists until it is fully developed for tourists by 2010. Some groups are allowed through the area on request by contacting Trang An Tourism Co. Ltd., Tel: (84.30) 620.334
Cuc Phuong Park
Vietnam Ninh Binh CUC Phuong National Park
Cuc Phong National Park
Photo by ecogarden
Cuc Phuong is a beautifully protected sanctuary containing over 50 species of wild orchids and 450 animal species. Limestone mountains surround the Muong tribe houses, while the scenery is nothing less than enchanting. A further 45km out of Ninh Binh, the protected park is a very different way to see Vietnam at its best, and a break from the many pagodas and temples.
Most tour groups go to Tam Coc and Hoa Lu town from Ninh Binh, so there are considerably less foreign visitors at Cuc Phuong.
A motorbike taxi to Cuc Phuong should cost around 100,000 VND while a taxi will cost three or four times that amount. Travel time will be around 1 to 1.5 hours, so be prepared for a long journey if you want to drive or bicycle it yourself.
A good option is to arrive at the park entrance in the morning, and talk to the information kiosk. They will provide you with information on bicycle rental, homestays, their many 1 and 2 day tours, and hiring a tour guide.
The park can be contacted via telephone at Phone: (84)30.848.006; 848.065 or email at dulichcucphuong@hn.vnn.vn for information or booking on their services.
Kenh Ga (Chicken Canal)
The hot springs of Kenh Ga have been known to have a miraculous healing property. A short 23km from Ninh Binh town, the Kenh Ga provides the best way to observe river life of the locals. Fortunately, the canal receives far fewer visitors as Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, so is a much quieter way of travelling throughout Ninh Binh. Maybe you will cure that skin ailment or stomach bug that you have so unpleasantly received while on your travels!
A boat tour around the Canal villages will cost around 40,000 Dong, departing from the main pier. You can only access the hot springs via boat, which will cost around 25,000 Dong. Again, getting to Kenh Ga is easy, either via taxi, or doing it yourself on bicycle or motorbike.
Why Not Go
Travellers who want to party will not enjoy Ninh Binh, as it does not provide much Western fare, and no nightclubs or bars catered to foreigners.
Why Go
Vietnam Ninh Binh
Photo by b00ng
Photos, photos, photos. If your a keen photographer, use the vivid colours and scenery as the focal point of your pictures.
The lakes, rivers, caves, plant life, quiet roads, and rice fields all provide a much quieter backdrop than nearby Hanoi. Come to Ninh Binh if you like to enjoy the natural world at it’s best.