Ninh Bình

Overview

Ninh Binh encapsulates so many aspects of the beautiful Vietnamese scenery in one place. It has the stunning karst peaks which rear up out of the land surrounded by flat, sprawling rice paddies and winding glassy rivers.

Located at the tail end of the Red River Delta Region, Ninh Binh features many rivers and tributaries which stray through the land collecting in lakes and pools, and it sure does live up to its nickname, “Halong Bay on Land”. Although Hanoi is merely a 3-hour drive away, it is a peaceful yet powerful place far from the noise and distraction of the cities. There are buses that operate frequently on a daily basis from Hanoi to Ninh Binh or you can search for all bus connections on the 12Go Asia website and book online to get the best rates.

Top attractions

Enjoying the tranquillity of nature is by far the biggest appeal of visiting Ninh Binh. A boat trip through Trang An Grottoes allows you to experience all of the elements together. Besides, there are places not to be missed in Ninh Binh such as Hang Mua; Tam Coc with the added bonus of the ever-evolving rice paddies; The Trang An Complex – UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014; Bich Dong Pagoda and Bai Dinh Temple – an example of modern Buddhist architecture.

Recommeded foods

Ninh Binh’s typography makes it a prime place to raise goats which has become a local delicacy, a real luxury. Another local speciality is eel vermicelli and Com Chay.

All of this tasty food is best washed down with a glass of the local drink Kim Son wine.

Travel tips

Ninh Binh can be visited year-round, though between the months of November to April it’s mostly dry and cool when most people tend to visit. There are several ATM machines and currency exchange stores located around Ninh Binh, so if you need to get cash out the option is there.