While day cruising on Halong Bay, I first heard that people often choose between visiting either Halong Bay or Ninh Binh as their destination. Having visited both destinations, I’m here to share my honest opinion on whether Ninh Binh is still worth visiting, especially if you’ve already been to Halong Bay.
Before we dive into that, let’s get to know more about Ninh Binh!
Ninh Binh is a region located in the northern part of Vietnam and is home to world heritage sites like Trang An and Hoa Lu. It is famous for its landscapes dotted with pagodas, temples, and ancient ruins. The natural beauty of Ninh Binh inspired poets, scholars, and artists, who immortalised its charm in literature, art, and folklore.
During the 10th century, the region served as the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty, and was known as the Ancient Capital. At that time, Hoa Lu flourished as a centre of political, economic, and cultural activity. Over the centuries, Ninh Binh played a significant role in shaping the history of Vietnam. It was known as a strategic stronghold against foreign invaders and was the site of many battles and conflicts. The rugged terrain of the limestone karsts provided natural defense.
In recent times, Ninh Binh has emerged as a thriving agricultural and tourist destination. Its fertile plains support rice cultivation, earning it the nickname – The Land of Rice and Water. The region’s stunning scenery, including the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts visitors from all over the world.
Things To Do In Ninh Binh
An early morning boat ride
There’s no better way to start your day than with an early morning boat ride. Trang An has three routes for boat rides, and we picked route number 2. This route takes 2-2.5 hours and shows caves, old temples, and pagodas. The other routes takes 2.5 – 3.5 hours approximately. In all three routes you will be treated to lush green forest, peaceful waterways, and the sounds of birdsong as they meander through the unspoiled landscape.
Route 1 is known as Kong Skull Island Route due to its feature in the Hollywood movie Kong, Skull Island. You will also get to see iconic filming locations from the movie.
Route 2 has cultural sites and maximum number of caves. Temples – Bao Dai Pier, Dia Linh Cave, and Suoi Tien Temple.
Route 3 is Eco Route and also the longest boating route. You will see – Thien Ha Cave, Tran Temple,etc.
Don’t worry if you see lots of boats at the beginning. Once you go further, there won’t be as many boats around.
Mua Caves
After enjoying lunch, we made our way to Mua Caves for a hike. It might not have seemed like the best idea at the time, but hey, hungry for adventure, right? 😉 Climbing the stairs felt like stepping into a sauna, just a few steps and we were already drenched in sweat. When we finally reached the top, we found a queue of people waiting to take pictures with the dragon. Instead of joining the line, we decided to sit on a cliff and soak in the breathtaking view. Totally worth it!
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and breathable fabrics for this day!
From the top of Trang An, we saw fields of rice and lotus with pathways in between. After coming down, we took a walk on small paths bordered by lotus flowers on both sides. Lotus wasn’t in bloom, but I can only imagine how stunning it will be during its bloom time.
Ninh Binh City
We hadn’t planned the rest of our day, so we decided to catch a bus from Ninh city. Once we returned to the city, we found ourselves near the bus stop, and right next to it was this place – Phố Cổ Hoa Lư Ninh Bình. The shops and streets were adorned with flowers and lanterns in celebration of the new year. We started chatting with a group of girls singing on the busy street during the market. Their songs added joy to the lively atmosphere, making our time together unforgettable.. They wanted their pictures taken, so we happily agreed!
Bai Dinh
Bai Dinh is a big temple complex about 700 hectares, so it’s pretty huge. It’s the biggest pagoda in Vietnam. You’ll need about half a day to see everything here. I recommend getting tickets with polo cars to help you move around easily. You can even stay here if you want. The vibe is really calm and peaceful.
More places to See in Ninh Binh
- Hoa Lu, once Vietnam’s capital, has ancient temples, but if you’re heading to Hue, you can give it a miss.
- In Tam Coc, you can enjoy boat rides surrounded by beautiful scenery similar to Trang An yet different.
- Cuc Phuong National Park – lovely place with lots of trees, animals, and walking trails.
We wrapped up our day by shopping some beautiful handicrafts and treating ourselves to a relaxing foot massage. Trust me, the massage was amazing! You can find foot massages in all major cities, so make sure to give it a try.
Do you think Ninh Binh is worth visiting? I’m totally up for going again!
I hope I’ve given you plenty of options for things to do in Ninh Binh! If you have any questions, just drop them below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Happy travels 🙂 🙂
CurlyGirlyTravely 