Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting? Exploring Its Wonders Now

If you are planning a journey to explore Northern Vietnam and are contemplating the next worth-visiting destination, Ninh Binh would undoubtedly be one of the top choices. So, what are the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh that have contributed to the allure of this “fairyland” Where is Ninh Binh?

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and are looking for the perfect pieces for your journey? Ninh Binh is regarded as one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations. If you’re still undecided “Is Ninh Binh worth visiting”, follow VM Travel for useful information on how to discover this gorgeous land!

Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting? Why Ninh Binh Should Be on Your Travel Radar

1. All about Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a province located in the northern part of Vietnam, about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. It is known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and cultural heritage.

1.1 Where is Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a province in the south of the Red River Delta and located at the southernmost gateway to the North, Vietnam. Ninh Binh is a land blessed with many beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural history, which are extremely valuable resources for tourism development.

1.2 Ninh Binh Weather

If you are planning to have a trip to Ninh Binh, you want to know the weather of Ninh Binh all year round to prepare for a perfect journey? VM Travel sends you useful information about Ninh Binh weather in the 4 seasons of the year in the most detailed way right below.

Ninh Binh has a tropical monsoon climate. Ninh Binh’s weather in the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter will have distinctly different nuances from rainfall, temperature, humidity to the number of hours of sunshine.

1.3 Best time to visit Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh has a tropical monsoon climate. The annual weather is divided into four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

The best time to visit is during the months of April to June and September to October when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is relatively low.

• During April to June: Ninh Binh enjoys mild temperatures, with average highs ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. The landscapes are vibrant and lush, and the rice paddies are a beautiful shade of green, creating a picturesque setting for exploring the stunning karst mountains, caves, and rivers that make Ninh Binh famous.
• From September to October: Ninh Binh weather is fairly cool, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 31 degrees Celsius. This time of year offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and boat trips. Additionally, the rice harvest season falls during September, providing visitors with a mesmerizing sight of golden rice fields.

February and March are also excellent months to visit Ninh Binh if you want to experience local festivals. During these months, Ninh Binh comes alive with vivid events that honor the local community’s traditions, customs, and spiritual beliefs.

2. What to see in Ninh Binh

2.1 Cuc Phuong National Park

Exploring the diverse world of fauna and flora and enjoying the natural beauty of Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh. Cuc Phuong National Park (or Cuc Phuong forest) is the first national park in Vietnam, located on the border of the Northwest, Red River Delta and North Central regions in three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa. Cuc Phuong National Park is home to 336 bird species, 135 animal species, 122 reptile species, and over 2,234 plant species. In particular, in this park there is a rare primate species, the white-rumped langur. This animal only lives in Cuc Phuong forest, not found in any forest in the world.

To be specific, one of the park’s most spectacular attractions is the butterfly season, when thousands of colorful butterflies can be seen fluttering around. The best time to appreciate this wonderful scenery is from April to June.

Cuc Phuong National Park entrance fee:

• Adult: 60.000 VND
• Student: 20.000 VND
• Children: 10.000 VND

2.2 Trang An Ninh Binh

As you are anxious about what to see in Ninh Binh, Trang An is the place you definitely experience! Trang An – Ninh Binh tourist area is a complex of limestone mountains, caves, and lagoons with beautiful natural scenery. The limestone mountain system here has a lifespan of up to 250 million years, having gone through different periods with changes in weather, climate, and ocean to create the present magnificent landscape. The harmony between rivers and rocks creates a charming and beautiful landscape. In addition, this is also a place to preserve the valuable mangrove ecosystem. 

In 2014, Trang An was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colorful and majestic natural beauty.

Trang An Tourist Area entrance fee:

• Adult: 250.000 VND
• Children 1-1.3 meters: 120.000 VND
• Free for children under 1 meter

2.3 Mua Caves

One of the most popular check-in spots in Ninh Binh is Mua Cave. Mua Cave, also known as Hang Mua, is a stand-out among Vietnam’s caves, with stunning views from the top of Mua Mountain.  Legend has it that Emperor Tran Thai Tong used to watch dance performances at this site, which led to the name “Hang Mua,” or “dancing cave”.

The highlight of this tourist destination is not only the beautiful scenery but also the road leading to the top of Mua Mountain, built to simulate the architecture of the Great Wall with nearly 500 stone steps.

From Mua’s peak, you will be amazed by breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding beautiful mountains and extensive rice fields. The caves itself have beautiful sculptures and ancient shrines, which add to the overall appeal and historical value of this tourist destination. At each season, Hang Mua brings with it a unique feature, a completely unique beauty. But perhaps, the best time to visit Mua Cave is mid-May – early June, this is the time when rice ripens. At this time the weather in Ninh Binh is cool, fresh, pleasant, and extremely suitable for climbing.

2.4 Tam Coc Bich Dong

Tam Coc Bich Dong is a nature lover’s paradise.  Tam Coc is famous for its system of 3 scenic caves (Ca cave, Hai cave, Ba cave) created by the Ngo Dong river flowing through limestone mountains, creating a majestic and gorgeous natural scene that can be visited on a Ninh Binh boat excursion. The boat journey will take you along a meandering river, with caves on either side. The views are breathtaking, with beautiful green rice farms and rural villages visible in the distance.

The name “Bich Dong”, meaning “green cave”, was named by Nguyen Nghiem (father of the great poet Nguyen Du) because of the jade green color covering the mountains, caves, rivers, fields, and sky here. It consists of Bich Dong pagoda and Xuyen Thuy cave.

Tam Coc Bich Dong entrance fee:

• Adult: 120.000 VND
• Children: 60.000 VND
• A boat ride: 150.000 VND/trip

2.5 Bai Dinh Pagoda

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is a must-see attraction in Ninh Binh for anyone interested in Buddhism and Vietnamese culture. Bai Dinh is a complex of large pagodas known for many record achievements in Vietnam and the Asian region. It covers 539 hectares and is one of Southeast Asia’s largest temple complexes.

Exploring the complex can be done on foot or by taking an electric car for a fee of 30,000 VND per person per trip.

2.6 Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh is learning the history of Viet Nam’s ancient capital. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a must-see destination in Ninh Binh for history buffs and nature lovers. It became Vietnam’s capital during the Dinh and early Le dynasties, which lasted from the 10th to the 11th centuries. This is also one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage Complex recognized by UNESCO.

The well-preserved relics and monuments of the ancient capital include the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, two of the country’s past kings. By visiting this location, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the rich history of the old capital and acquire an understanding of the customs and culture of the feudal Vietnamese dynasties through the numerous exhibits and artifacts on display.

2.7 Van Long Lagoon

Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta. Van Long is known as the “bay without waves” because when traveling on a boat on the lagoon, visitors will see the water surface as flat as a giant mirror.

The lagoon is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as the Bonelli eagle, langur monkey, and black-faced spoonbill, making it an enticing destination for nature enthusiasts. 

The entrance fee for Van Long Lagoon is 20,000 VND per person, and visitors can enjoy a boat ride for two people for 60,000 VND.

2.8 Thung Nham Bird Garden

The best thing to do in Ninh Binh for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts is definitely discovering Thung Nham Bird Garden. Thung Nham Bird Garden is located in the famous Thung Nham eco-tourism area in Ninh Binh. This is a rare nature reserve that almost retains its pristine, wild beauty, tropical forests, and vast rivers, where dozens of rare bird species reside. Thung Nham is also the largest natural bird garden in Northern Vietnam.

This is currently the home of about 40 bird species with an estimated number of over 50,000 birds. Among them, there are a large number of precious birds such as phoenixes, flamingos…

The entrance fee to Thung Nham Bird Garden is 100,000 VND per person, and the boat ticket for bird watching is 20,000 VND per person.

2.9 Phat Diem Stone Church

A journey to Ninh Binh is incomplete without a visit to the enchanting Phat Diem Church. Phat Diem Cathedral (often called Phat Diem Stone Cathedral) is a Catholic church complex covering about 22 hectares and is the cathedral of the large Phat Diem diocese in northern Vietnam. With more than 120 years of history and a construction process lasting up to 30 years, this church has become a cultural and religious symbol in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, only 28 km from Ninh Binh city.

The unique feature of this project is that although it is a Catholic church, it is modeled after the architectural features of traditional Vietnamese temples and pagodas.

Entrance is free, and visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and admire the church’s unique beauty.

2.10 Am Tien Cave

Am Tien Cave is another must-see attraction when visiting Ninh Binh. An Tiem Cave is a scenic spot belonging to the Hoa Lu ancient capital relic complex in Truong Yen area, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh. Possessing charming mountain and water scenery, Am Tien Cave is likened to a ‘sleeping princess’ in the heart of Ninh Binh mountains and forests. Few people would expect that in this flooded valley surrounded by rocky cliffs, there are anecdotes associated with the feudal dynasties of the past. Am Tiem Cave under the Dinh Dynasty was originally a place where tigers were kept to punish criminals.

As you enter the cave, prepare to be charmed by the immaculate beauty of Ao Giai Lake, which sits at the entrance. The crystal-clear water reflects the surrounding mountains, providing a breathtaking sight.

In addition, don’t miss out on exploring the cave’s interior, where you may appreciate the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that have grown over thousands of years.

3. How to get to Ninh Binh?

3.1 By private Car

If you prefer a more flexible and comfortable option, you can hire a private car to take you from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. This option allows you to customize your itinerary and travel at your own pace. If you are planning a trip and intend to get there by car, you can visit Rent A Car In Vietnam for a safe journey with an English-speaking driver.

3.2 By Motorbike

For adventurous travelers who enjoy riding motorbikes, you can rent one in Ha Noi and make the journey to Ninh Binh independently. The route is relatively straightforward, and you’ll have the flexibility to stop and explore along the way. However, be sure to have a valid driver’s license and wear appropriate safety gear.

3.3 By Taxi

Grab, Be, GoJek, and, more recently, Xanh SM are popular ride-hailing apps in Vietnam, allowing you to book economical rides across the city. Traditional taxis are also available, and trustworthy metered firms should be used.

3.4 Join Ninh Binh Tour from Hanoi

You are staying in Ha Noi, you are looking for perfect experience, Ninh Binh day trip from Hanoi is a wonderful piece that you can not miss. Coming to Ninh Binh, travelers have a chance to heal and relax, discover nature and explore culture. The trip is more exciting as you can meet a lot of new companions having a common love for nature and people.  Join VM Travel – Vietnam Package Tours, we offer a beautiful journey to Ninh Binh from Ha Noi.

4. Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting?

Ninh Binh province is renowned as a “miniature Vietnam,” boasting a diverse landscape ranging from towering mountains to expansive plains and coastal regions. The natural beauty here is both awe-inspiring and picturesque, particularly evident in the million-year history of its limestone mountains. Ninh Binh was formerly the ancient capital of Vietnam, serving as a custodian of the nation’s millennia-old heritage, which remains invaluable assets to the country to this day.

Not stopping there, Ninh Binh is a place where vibrant festivals converge, rich in tradition and deeply imbued with the soul of Vietnam. The land of Ninh Binh is also the homeland of hundreds of talented artisans with unique traditional craft villages. If you are history and culture enthusiast and nature lover, Ninh Binh is one of the most perfect choices and  in the North Viet Nam, visit Ninh Binh tour for more information.

If you have ever been to Ninh Binh, we are sure if you are asked the question “Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?”, you would definitely say “Yes”. Ninh Binh is a place that gathers the full beauty of nature, culture, and history, offering a diverse range of activities for a perfect trip including learning, discovering and adventuring. You will surely never be disappointed when setting foot in Ninh Binh. Wishing you a joyful journey!