Only 90 kilometers from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the must-visit place for every tourist who travels to Northern Vietnam for the first time. With a stunning system of limestone karsts, pristine jungles, emerald rice fields, magnificent religious buildings, and unique cuisines, Ninh Binh keeps local and international tourists return from time to time. Spending 1 or 2 days in Ninh Binh is recommended on your tour to Vietnam.
Ninh Binh Tourist Attractions and Entrance Fees
This table will provide you with an overview of the main attraction areas in Ninh Binh so that you can acknowledge their proximity and plan your trip accordingly.
1. Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most important religious complexes in Vietnam. Visiting this pagoda, you will understand how essential Buddhism is in Vietnamese cultural life.
– Electric Car: VND 30,000 dong/person/turn
– Entrance fee to Bell Tower: VND 50,000 dong/person
2. Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Open in 2010, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is well-known to tourists for a sightseeing activity on wooden rowboats. You can have two sightseeing options in this place: either explore 9 breathtaking caves with stalactites or visit Kong: Skull Island’s filming studio and 4 caves.
– Entrance fee: VND 200,000 dong/person
– Children under 1.4 meters: VND 100,000 dong/person
3. Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong is one of the oldest nature reserves in Vietnam which is the home to thousands of flora and fauna species.
– Entrance fee: VND 60,000 dong/person
– Pupil and Student: VND 20,000 dong/person
– Children: VND 10,000 dong/person
4. Tam Coc – Bich Dong Complex
This complex consists of Tam Coc Grottos and Bich Dong Pagoda. Tam Coc Grottos are considered as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’ featuring amazing limestone karsts and emerald rice fields.
– Entrance fee: VND 120,000 dong/person
– Children under 1.4 meters: VND 60,000 dong/person
– Boat fares in Tam Coc: VND 150,000dong/person (free for children under 3 years old).
5. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu used to be the capital of Vietnam in the late 10th century. It is a popular attraction for you to discover the history of Vietnam under feudalism.
– Entrance fee: VND 20,000/person
6. Thung Nham Bird Park
For bird lovers and photographers, you cannot miss Thung Nham Bird Park. This is a chance for you to get closer to the wild nature and diverse ecosystem.
– Entrance fee: VND 100,000 dong/person
– Free for children who are below 0.8m in height
– Children’s height is from 0.8m to 1.3m: VND 50,000 dong/person
– Children’s height is above 1.3m: Same price as adults
– Boat ticket to visit bird field: VND 20,000 dong/person
– Entrance ticket for visiting But cave: VND 20,000 dong/person
7. Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral is a solemn and unique religious building, which is the perfect combination of Oriental architecture and Gothic design.
– No entrance fee required
8. Mua Cave
Mua Cave is an impressive attraction where you get the whole panoramic view of Tam Coc Grottos. This place is suitable for your hiking and trekking trip.
Entrance fee: VND 100,000 dong/person
Ninh Binh Itinerary Suggestion
If your schedule is tight with many destinations in Northern Vietnam, we suggest you travel to Ninh Binh for 1 day to see one to three main attractions. To discover this province deeper, 2 days are required.
1 day to Ninh Binh: For a 1-day Ninh Binh tour, make sure all attractions are on the same routes:
– Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
– Trang An – Bai Dinh
– Phat Diem Cathedral – Tam Coc
– Van Long Nature Reserve – Kenh Ga floating village
– Explore Cuc Phuong National Park: Don’t forget to visit Cuc Phuong from April to May in ‘butterfly season’ and enjoy the lovely scenery of thousands of butterflies.
2 days to Ninh Binh: A 2-day tour will show you not only historical and religious attractions in Ninh Binh but the natural discovery will be featured:
– Bai Dinh – Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong Pagoda – Hoa Lu
– Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Cuc Phuong
– Van Long – Kenh Ga – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
There are a lot of budget accommodations for tourists to choose in this province. In the city center, there are many affordable hostels, but it is a little bit far from the main attractions.
Near Ninh Binh’s attractions, you will find several homestays and bungalows where you can be harmonious with nature and enjoy excellent hospitality services at the same time.
What to eat in Ninh Binh?
Goat meat and com chay (burned cooked rice) are two must-try foods in Ninh Binh. There are a variety of goat dishes in Ninh Binh: rare goat meat mixed with lemon (de tai chanh), stir-fried goat meat (de tai lan), lemongrass and coconut goat, steam goat meat, grilled goat brisket, goat hotpot, goat gruel, and roasted goat, etc.
Tips for traveling to Ninh Binh:
– Best time to visit Ninh Binh: You can visit Ninh Binh mostly every time around the year. However, avoid the time after Tet holiday when flocks of local tourists come to Bai Dinh Pagoda. April to May is the best time to enjoy ‘butterfly season’ in Cuc Phuong and ‘harvest season’ in Tam Coc.
– Pay attention to the weather forecast, the rain will hinder you from visiting natural landscapes in Ninh Binh
– The price of the taxi is not controlled in Ninh Binh, so contact a prestigious travel agency to arrange a Ninh Binh trip at a reasonable price for you.