Located approximately 100 km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is a suitable choice for travelers with limited time but a desire to explore majestic nature.
What season is beautiful in Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is a beautiful destination that you can visit at different times of the year. However, it is recommended to visit during the spring season (January – March) when the weather is cool, and there are many festivals, or in the summer (May – August) to admire the golden ripe rice fields and fragrant lotus ponds.
Moving Ha Noi to Ninh Binh
For transportation, you can take a bus from Giap Bat Bus Station in Hanoi or book a Limousine car to Ninh Binh. The ticket prices range from 100,000 to 150,000 VND, and the travel time is approximately 2 hours.
If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can fly to Hanoi and then take a bus back to Ninh Binh using the options mentioned above. Vietnamese airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar operate flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Currently, ticket prices range from 900,000 to 1.3 million VND per one-way trip.
In addition, travelers from other provinces and cities can reach Ninh Binh by train. The website of the Vietnam Railways allows pre-booking of tickets, or passengers can purchase them at the train station. The Ninh Binh train station is located in the city center.
If traveling by personal vehicle, from Hanoi, travelers can follow the Giai Phong Road, pass Giap Bat Bus Station, and turn onto the Phap Van – Cau Gie Expressway. From there, they can head towards Phu Ly to reach Ninh Binh.
For transportation within the city, it is recommended for travelers to rent a motorbike at a price ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per day for flexibility, as the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh are quite far apart. If traveling in a large group, calling a taxi is a cost-saving option.
Accommodation
Travelers visiting Ninh Binh, whether as couples, groups of friends, or solo travelers, can choose to stay at homestays near the tourist attractions, offering a peaceful and green environment with friendly services. Some popular and conveniently located addresses include Ninh Binh Friendly Homestay, Hang Mua Ecolodge, Diep’s House, Ninh Binh Palm Homestay, ChezBeo Homestay, among others. The average cost is around 200,000 VND per person per night. These homestays provide a comfortable and authentic experience for visitors to enjoy their stay in Ninh Binh.
To indulge in luxurious services and amenities such as swimming pools, spas, gyms, bars, etc., travelers can opt for 4 to 5-star resorts in Ninh Binh. Some options include Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Garden Resort, Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel And Resort, An’s Eco Garden Resort, Aravinda Resort Ninh Binh, among others. Room rates at these resorts range from 1.7 to 6 million VND per night. These establishments offer top-notch facilities and services to ensure a memorable and lavish experience for guests during their stay in Ninh Binh.
eat and drink
When visiting Ninh Binh, one cannot miss the local specialties such as “cơm cháy” (burned rice), “thịt dê tái chanh” (lemongrass-infused goat meat), “dê xào lăn” (stir-fried goat meat), “dê nướng” (grilled goat meat), “cua đồ rang lá lốt” (grilled crab with betel leaf), and “gỏi cá nhệch” (snakehead fish salad).
Goat meat is a popular dish among many visitors to Ninh Binh. The goats in Ninh Binh are raised freely on rocky mountains, resulting in tender and chewy meat. To find reputable establishments serving high-quality mountain goats, visitors should explore areas such as Hoa Lu, around the Trang An eco-tourism site, Tam Coc, etc. The price for a portion of goat meat ranges from 100,000 to 250,000 VND, depending on the preparation method. Here are some suggested dining addresses in Ninh Binh:
- Chinh Thu Goat Restaurant (Khe Thuong, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh)
- Duc De Restaurant (446 Nguyen Hue, Ninh Binh City)
- Dung Pho Nui Restaurant (Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh)
- Mien Luon Ba Phan (999 Tran Hung Dao, Ninh Binh City)
- Bun Moc To Nhu (National Highway 10, Kim Son, Ninh Binh)
- Kem Xoi Thanh Hang (Luong Van Tuy Street, Ninh Binh City)
Attractions
Travel in Trang An
Trang An is a place that attracts tourists with its majestic mountains, winding rivers, and pristine valleys. The ticket price for visiting Trang An is 250,000 VND for adults and 100,000 VND for children under 1.4 meters in height. The accompanying tour guide fee is 300,000 VND per tour. Trang An offers a breathtaking landscape and a unique experience as visitors explore the area by boat, passing through caves and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Tam Cốc – Bích Động
When visiting Trang An, tourists often start by visiting Bich Dong Pagoda, also known as the “Second Most Beautiful Grotto in the South,” to enjoy the panoramic view from above. After that, visitors can take a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River to explore Tam Coc. Tam Coc translates to “Three Caves,” namely Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave), and Hang Ba (Third Cave).
Tam Coc mesmerizes visitors with its towering limestone mountains, fascinating cave formations, and golden rice fields on either side. The entrance fee for Tam Coc is 120,000 VND per person, and the boat fee for the Tam Coc route is 150,000 VND per trip. It’s a remarkable experience to cruise along the river, passing through the caves and admiring the stunning natural scenery.
Hang Múa
Hang Múa, located at the foot of a mountain, is about a 15-minute drive from Trang An. The entrance fee to Hang Múa is 100,000 VND for adults. It is a popular check-in spot for tourists visiting Ninh Binh. To reach the top of Hang Múa, visitors have to climb approximately 500 stone steps. As the weather can be quite hot, it is advisable to bring water along. From the top of Hang Múa, visitors can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Ninh Binh, with its winding rivers, rice fields, and majestic mountains. It is recommended to allocate around 2 to 3 hours to explore and take photos in the Hang Múa tourist area.
Cố đô Hoa Lư
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, during the reign of the Dinh, Early Le, and Early Ly dynasties. It is one of the four core areas of the UNESCO-recognized Trang An World Heritage Site.
Here, visitors can explore the temples of King Dinh (Dinh Tien Hoang), King Le (Le Dai Hanh), and the museum that houses various artifacts. These two temples were built in the 17th century and are surrounded by lush greenery. It is recommended for visitors to join guided tours during their visit to gain a better understanding of the historical significance of this place. The entrance fee for each person is 20,000 VND.
