4 Things to do in Ninh Binh | 2-Days in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a provide in Vietnam that must be added to your Vietnam itinerary. I recommend visiting Ninh Binh in the middle of your trip because it’s the perfect spot to relax while still learning about Vietnam and enjoying the culture.
(Check out my 2-week Vietnam itinerary to help plan the rest of your time in Vietnam!)
Ninh Binh has temples, pagodas, viewpoints, and stunning nature everywhere you look. There are some great things to do in Ninh Binh which is why I recommend checking it out. Here are some things you must do with 2 days in Ninh Binh!
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Top Things to do in Ninh Binh
Climb to the top of Mua Cave
Mua Cave (also known as Hang Mua) is a must-do when visiting Ninh Binh. The name is deceiving because the cave is really not the highlight of visiting here. The real attraction is the view of Ninh Binh you get after completing the hike to the top.
There are 500 steps to the viewpoint at the top. I will say the steps here are extremely steep. I was covered in sweat when making it to the top — I also went at high noon which was a very bad choice…
However, the steps are SO worth it! The views from the top are amazing. There are 2 peaks that you can hike for great views, check out both. I recommend going for sunrise or sunset, the views will be perfect and it won’t be as hot.
There is also more to do at Hang Mua than just check out the peak. There are some boardwalks over lily pads that are beautiful to walk down. Plus, you’ll see some goats walk around there! There are also a few cafes on the grounds to enjoy coffee, ice cream, coconuts, or much-needed water after the hike.
2. Check out Bich Dong Pagoda
I wasn’t able to fit this into my time in Ninh Binh but I’ve heard it’s a top thing to do in Ninh Binh. People at the homestay I was at said it was really beautiful.
It’s a historical site with a 3 tier pagoda. And, it’s a free thing to do in Ninh Binh! Based on what I’ve heard, this is definitely something you should check out when visiting Ninh Binh
3. Trang An Boat Ride
There are a couple different boat tours in Ninh Binh but I definitely recommend doing the Trang An boat tour. The Trang An boat tour takes you through one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and the filming location for the King Kong movie.
The boat tour is about 3 hours and offers 3 different routes with rides through caves, stops at temples you can only get to by boat, and beautiful hill views. Each route offers something a little different.
I recommend route 3 because this route has the longest cave ride out of the 3 offered routes. It’s a cool experience getting to ride a boat through a cave for several minutes, the whole tour was worth it just for that.
TIPS for the Trang An boat tour:
Bring sunscreen and a hat, you will be in the sun for most of the day
Bring water and maybe a snack.
Bring a rain jacket, just in case.
Bring money to tip your guide on the boat. They work really hard non-stop through the day in the hot sun to take you through the beautiful nature that Vietnam has to offer.
4. Try goat or snail, if you’re a meat eater
If you are a meat eater, goat and snails are popular dishes for Ninh Binh. In fact, you’ll see people selling goat on the side of the road. They have the whole goat set up and cut the meat off. The snails are found in the mountains so they are a popular dish to try when in Ninh Binh.
Where should you stay in Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh has many options for homestays so you’ll commonly find that when you’re looking.
- I recommend staying at Green Mountain Homestay for either a budget-friendly option or a mid-range priced option.
Green Mountain Homestay has both hostel-style options with a shared room and private rooms for a bit more. It has a pool, a beautiful view, rentable scooters, and free bikes. Plus, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner there (for a fee).
- Another popular budget-friendly option accommodation in Ninh Bing is Tam Coc Banana Bungalow. This hostel also has a pool, bar, and a kitchen that serves food.
Tam Coc Banana Bungalow is another hostel and hotel combo, so you pick your budget! The location isn’t as remote at Green Mountain Homestay, so that may be your deciding factor!
How do you get around Ninh Binh?
The best way to get around Ninh Binh is by scooter. In comparison to other areas of Vietnam, Ninh Binh has far less traffic and is incredibly easy to get around by scooter. And it was cheap!
If you don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike in Vietnam, consider a bicycle! Some homestays in the area offer them for free and people do get around Ninh Binh by bicycle.
However, things may not be as close as you think — depending on where you are staying. For example, a bike ride from my homestay to the Trang An boat tour took about 50 minutes but only about 10 on the motorbike.
How do you get to Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is easy to get to from Hanoi! You can take a shuttle bus from Hanoi for about $6. Or you can rent a taxi.
With the route that I took, I flew from Da Nang to Hanoi and then took a taxi down to my homestay in Ninh Binh. So depending on your budget, taking a flight to Hanoi would be a quick option.
There is also the ability to take a sleeper bus from other cities in Vietnam. A popular route when traveling from South to North Vietnam is taking a sleeper bus from Da Nang or Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
