How to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in Vietnam, what to do and where to stay
Learn more about how to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in Vietnam, places to visit on a Ninh Binh tour and the best accommodation.
When I boarded the train in Hanoi, Vietnam with my husband and two young kids, I was exhausted and in need of a break from its wonderful chaos. Little did I realise that we would soon be floating serenely in a small bamboo boat rowed by a sprite 70-year-old Vietnamese grandmother.
Most people visit Ninh Binh as a day tour from Hanoi on the well known Tam Coc Ninh Binh tour. However, my love of rural scenery had us spending four days here whilst travelling from the North to the South of Vietnam. A few extra days would have been just perfect.
Visually, the city of Ninh Binh is nothing to write home about. However, its lack of tourism makes walking its streets incredibly authentic with lots of genuine smiles and laughter as the kids interacted with everyone we passed. Ninh Binh in Vietnam mostly serves as a convenient base to explore the beautiful rural surroundings.
What to do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
All of the below activities and attractions in Ninh Binh, Vietnam can be organised through your hotel or local operator. You can absolutely design your own Ninh Binh tour…just tell your hotel what you would like to see. However, if you would like to experience some of these activities on a fun day trip from Hanoi, check out the link below.
Visit Van Long Nature Reserve
Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh, Vietnam covers around 3,000 hectares and features a large freshwater wetland with canals that snake through karst limestone mountains. Within the mountains is the only viable population of one of the world’s most critically endangered primates, the Delacour Langur. Out of all the wetland boat tours in Ninh Binh, this one is the least crowded.
We all sat comfortably in a small bamboo boat, hoping to catch sight of one of these rare Langurs. Our driver, who worked at the Legend Hotel where we were staying, decided to tag along as well. I’m not sure if this was part of the service or if he just liked hanging out with the kids.
The boat was rowed by an elderly Vietnamese woman who spoke limited English. We couldn’t speak Vietnamese, so our driver interpreted for us or we conversed in a comical mime. She told us proudly that she is 70 years old and a grandmother.
Hubby offered to row but she shooed him away with a smile that reached all the way to the crinkles around her eyes. She did, however, let Ripley take the oars. He was only 3.5 years old and thoroughly enjoyed the special moment with this kind stranger, who snuck a Vietnamese sweet biscuit into his little hand.
The scenery here is stunning!
We glided slowly on the flat waters of Van Long Nature Reserve, passing within metres of limestone Karsts that towered above us. These dramatic karsts were reflected perfectly on the still waters, the image broken briefly by the passage of a passing duck as it glided through the water.
There are plenty of bird spotting opportunities here, particularly in winter when the migratory birds fly in from the cold of the north. I was interested to learn that some of the scenes from the movie “Kong: Skull Island” were filmed here. I just couldn’t imagine all that chaos in this serene place.
Go pagoda and temple hopping
There are a number of beautiful pagodas and temples in Ninh Binh to explore including:
- Bai Dinh Pagoda
- Hoa Lu Temple
- Bich Dong Pagoda
- Thai Vi Temple
- Dich Long Pagoda
- Duyen Ninh Pagoda
- Am Tien Temple
- Non Nuoc Pagoda
If you only have time for one of these on your tour of Ninh Binh in Vietnam, I recommend Bich Dong Pagoda. It features three separate layered pagodas, nestled snugly into the mountain. The entrance is particularly pretty with an ornate gate and a stone bridge that you must walk across over a large lotus pond.
Given that the pagodas are built into the mountain, some stairs are involved. The stairs are worth the effort to reach the second and third pagoda caves.
“Do you know what the difference is between a temple and a pagoda?” our driver asked as we walked across the bridge to reach the entranceway. I shook my head.
“Temples are used to worship gods, animals or humans and pagodas are used to exclusively worship Buddha,” he explained. “However, sometimes you will find a temple inside a pagoda.”
Upon reaching the top pagoda, I was once again reminded of the generosity and welcoming nature of the Vietnamese people when I witnessed a few early morning worshippers leave offerings for Buddha. These same worshippers even presented the kids with ‘lucky money‘, which are small denominations given for good luck. I felt very blessed.
Cycle or scooter around rural villages
Hire a pushbike or scooter from your hotel and set out to explore the rural villages on two wheels. Ninh Binh is virtually flat and the traffic is not chaotic so it’s one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a day here.
I loved observing the local way of life, the rustic shacks and their amazing vegetable gardens. Some of the villages gave a sense of stepping back to an age of innocence. I noticed two young girls pushing bikes, dressed in traditional white ‘ao dai‘ clothing and as two boys walked past in the opposite directions, both parties noticed each other. The talking and laughter turned to whispers, nervous giggling and backward glances. The interaction was amusing to watch although it made me feel a little old.
Closer to the main city of Ninh Binh in Vietnam, we noticed that some of the narrow houses were built on plots of land that seem to be dug out on purpose to hold water. Residents were fishing from their back steps and one was even washing the dishes. We passed oxen wandering the streets and they didn’t seem out of place.
Brave the stairs to take in the views from Mua Caves and Lying Dragon Mountain
The entrance to Mua Caves seems a little cheesy but once you get through and conquer the stairs, there are no tacky decorations and the views are incredible. The stairs are a little relentless though. Just take your time, I promise it’s worth it.
There are three main viewing areas. The viewing area just below the ‘dragon’ shows the iconic views of lush green rice paddies. The second viewing area is a little further up to see the Lying Dragon itself. The third is on the way back down again. Before you reach the bottom, another set of stairs leads up again. This time to a pagoda with views over the north and east of Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
The climb to the top takes around 40 minutes and you can’t go wrong with a photo at sunset here.
Do the popular Trang An or Tam Coc Boat Trip
Tam Coc is the most popular boat tour in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, with many people doing this on a day trip from Hanoi. They both live up to the hype but can get a bit busy, so the earlier you can set out the better.
Both are described as “Halong Bay on land” and have similar scenery. Trang An is on a larger area of the wetlands.
Enjoy a paddle around the pristine waterways surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs. The paddle is broken up by the adventure of traversing through narrow caves, some of which you will need to duck under.
This experience is totally instaworthy!
Visit Hoa Lu, the original capital of Vietnam
Hoa Lu is worth a visit just for its significance in the history of Vietnam, being the original capital. There is a Confucian temple to check out and you can stroll around the manicured gardens. It’s great to go with a guide as there is not that much information on the signage, making it hard for visitors to truly understand its significance.
From what I can gather, Hoa Lu was the capital of a Kingdom that predates Vietnam, named Dai Co Viet, somewhere around the 10th – 11th century. This site was chosen as it was thought the large cliffs would give natural protection from enemies.
Spend the day at Cuc Phuong National Park and visit the Turtle Sanctuary
Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s very first national park and if you are spending a few days exploring Ninh Binh, it’s worth devoting most of a day here. Because it’s located around 40 minutes from the city, the easiest way to get there is by hiring a private driver or renting a scooter.
One popular hike at Cuc Phuong National Park is to the 1000-year old tree, passing by Son Cung Cave and its interesting formations. Also around the park is the Cave of Prehistoric Man, and the Endangered Species Primate Centre.
Don’t miss the Turtle Conservation Centre which rescues and looks after endangered tortoises and turtles. There is a cool underwater viewing tank or you can watch them topside in the ponds.
How to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in Vietnam
Train
Ninh Binh is a picturesque two and a half hour train ride from Hanoi in North Vietnam. We tried both the air-conditioned carriage with soft seats and the hard seats with no air-conditioning. Both were enjoyable but I enjoyed the hard seats better because the carriage was virtually empty.
Bus and Mini-Van
Private Driver
Hiring a private driver is very affordable for longer distances in Vietnam and is a great option if you don’t feel up to public transport.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
There are a few upmarket hotels on offer that provide a luxury that is otherwise not affordable back home. We usually stay in accommodation that would be considered budget so it was an absolute delight to experience The Legend Hotel without feeling guilty about the expense.
The rooms here are large, giving the kids heaps of space to spread out and play in the evening. Another great option is the Emerald Resort and Spa. Although this one is not located in town, it’s closer to Van Long Nature Reserve.
Visiting Ninh Binh in Vietnam with kids
In general, Vietnam is a very easy country to visit with kids. Ninh Binh is particularly easy because it’s not as chaotic as other cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and there is plenty of rural fresh air.
Kids are tolerated extremely well and young kids in particular quickly become the centre of attention. You really don’t have to worry about taking your baby or toddler to a restaurant. There is always a friendly face seeking them out to play peek-a-boo.
There is a good chance your waitress will even pick them up and parade them around the room!
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
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Resources for booking a family holiday to Vietnam
Flights
Most international flights will land in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Search Trip.com for a great deal on flights to Vietnam.
Accommodation
We have stayed at and loved the following hotels and resorts in Vietnam:
- HOI AN – The Hoi An Beach Resort
- NINH BINH – The Legend Hotel
- PHU QUOC Island – Long Beach Resort
- HO CHI MINH CITY – The Grand Hotel Saigon
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the hotel we stayed at in Hanoi as it was less than ideal!
Activities and tours
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