Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam: Iconic Sights, Hidden Gems & Local Tips

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Ninh Binh is one of those places that leaves you speechless. It’s quiet, almost otherworldly, and filled with beautiful places to explore. With towering limestone mountains, serene rice fields, cave temples, and slow village life, it quickly became I place I didn’t want to leave.

Many visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi, but I ended up spending two weeks exploring the area and falling in love with it. I highly recommend spending at least a couple of days in this beautiful region, and below I’ll share all the amazing things you can do in Ninh Binh, as well as all the practical tips you need to plan your trip.

The Top Things To Do In Ninh Binh

As always, I‘ll jump to the fun stuff first, namely the top things to do in Ninh Binh. If you also need more practical information like which town to base yourself in, the best places to eat and how to get around, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need to plan your perfect trip.

Take A Boat Tour Through the Beautiful Landscape

There are a couple of different areas to take a boat trip in Ninh Binh, and no matter where you choose you won’t be disappointed. If you have plenty of time and want to see as much as possible, you can even choose to do multiple ones. The two most popular ones and what I recommend is the ones in Tam Coc and Trang An.

Both trips take you through beautiful nature with high mountains on each side of the river and into dark cave tunnels.

The biggest difference is that the one in Trang An has a couple of stops along the way to check out some ancient temples that are only accessible by water. On the Tam Coc Boat tour there are no stops.

Another difference is that the Tam Coc boat tour is famous for the way the paddlers paddle with their feet, which is pretty cool to witness. This is not something they do in Trang An.

On both trips you can choose a couple of different routes, but the Tam Coc one is generally shorter with the normal route being one hour, while the one in Trang An is usually three hours long included stops.

I’ve seen that the Tam Coc tour gets a lot of bad reviews because the paddlers try to sell you souvenirs at the end and ask for tips, but we honestly didn't think this was as bad as people make it out to be, but it might be different with the different paddlers. I loved it and think one hour is more than enough to be honest, even though the scenery is spectacular.

Climb to the Dragon at Hang Múa for the Best View in Ninh Binh

Hang Múa is the iconic Ninh Binh viewpoint. If you’ve Googled Ninh Binh, chances are you’ve seen it in photos already. It’s where the river runs through the rice fields below and a stone dragon sits across the mountaintop.

The climb is steep (around 500 steps), but the view is unreal and completely worth the effort. From the top, the mountains stretch endlessly in every direction.

At the base there is also a huge lotus flower field you can explore. The Lotus wasn’t in season when I visited, but it was still beautiful to wander around the trails they’ve made around the water and watch the women working in the fields. From what I’ve seen on pictures it looks almost unreal when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.

If you want to explore Hang Mua early in the morning or for sunset without the crowds, I recommend staying at the Hang Mua Ecologde.

Explore the Ancient Capital of Hoa Lư

Once the capital in the 10th century, this area is home to beautiful temples dedicated to ancient kings and surrounded by mountains. The whole area is absolutely beautiful and the temples feel very relaxing. It’s absolutely worth a visit in my book.

When we arrived there were a couple of ladies trying to convince us we needed to rent a bike or motorbike to explore the area, or at least drive us to the main site, but this is not necessary. After you walk in through the first gate, there is a bit of a walk across the area, but after that you can’t even use a bike or motorbike, so skip it.

When you’ve walked along the first long road, you’ll see a staircase to your left. Nobody walked here so we were super interested in seeing what was at the top, but honestly it wasn’t worth it. It’s a very small shrine so unless you’re very interested I would skip it. There is however some pretty nice views along the steps upwards.

I would rather prioritize the different temple areas and set aside enough time to explore them properly.

The ancient capital is not far from the Trang An Boat station, so it’s easy to combine the two for a full day of exploration.

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, the Temple Built Into the Mountain

Bich Dong feels like something out of a folk tale. A stone bridge crosses a peaceful lotus pond, leading you to a series of temples tucked into the mountainside. The path winds upward to the top of the mountain through gates and caves until you reach the final cave temple at the top. The view from above overlooking the mountains, rice fields, and water is absolutely stunning.

Bich Dong Pagoda

To be honest my favorite part was the entrance which is so iconic, so if your legs aren’t up for the climb don’t push it. But if you want a beautiful view of the area it‘s definitely worth it.

Cycle or Walk Through the Countryside (The Best Thing You Can Do for Free)

One of the purest joys in Ninh Binh is exploring the tiny backroads lined with rice paddies, grazing buffalo, and sleepy villages. It’s peaceful, meditative, and the best way to appreciate how beautiful the region truly is. You’ll meet friendly locals, see families harvesting crops, and find corners of the countryside you’d never reach by car. Nothing feels rushed here, just explore it slowly and enjoy.

Most people rent bikes to explore the area, but I actually enjoyed it even more on foot. There are so many stunning viewpoints, and I saw that most people on bikes just went right past them on their way to somewhere.

Explore Ninh Binh by foot

Of course if you only have one day to explore, then renting a bike is the best way to make sure you get to see everything, but if you have enough time I do recommend spending some time just walking around in the area and explore new paths every time.

Visit Thung Nham Bird Park in the Late Afternoon

Thung Nham is a gorgeous wetland surrounded by forests and limestone mountains. During the late afternoon, thousands of birds fly home to roost, creating this incredible spectacle of sound and movement. You can take a small boat into the bird sanctuary, explore the park on foot, or visit caves and flower gardens. It’s a quieter alternative to the big-ticket attractions and perfect for nature lovers.

I actually never made it here, because it poured down both days I had planned to go, but I really wanted to, so I’m adding it here so you can add it to your plan if you have the time.

Relax at one of the cute spots outside town

Even if you don’t want to explore the rice fields and country side outside the city, I still recommend you take a trip to one of the cafes/ bars to have a snack and something to drink and relax. If you’re lucky with the weather you can also enjoy a spectacular sunset here.

My favorite spot was Tam Coc Pet Coffe. They have some amazing views and the place is filled with kittens, puppies and ducks you can cuddle. I could’ve spent a whole day there.

Visit Hoa Lu Old Town by night

Yes, I know I wrote about Hoa Lu above, but no it’s not the same place, its actually quite far from each other and very different. Hoa Lu Ancient capital mentioned above is historic, while Hoa Lu Old Town is modern, despite the name.

The city in itself isn’t the most interesting, but at night the whole area by the water lights up with endless lanterns and the temples there light up in gold. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. I was unsure If I was going to visit, but I’m so glad I did, because it was an incredible sight to behold.

Unfortunately I didn't find a great spot for dinner, but maybe you’ll have better luck than me, but I did however find a gem for some late night drinks. So if you decide to visit Hoa Lu Old Town, I recommend making a stop at Ume Cocktail bar before you head home.

Explore Buffalo cave

If you’re looking for something different, a trip to the Buffalo cave might be just the thing for you. It‘s run by a local family so the symbolic entrance fee you pay goes directly to them. Inside the area you can see how they work, cuddle with animals or explore the cave. If it has been raining you can also take a natural shower in the water running from the cave. They also offer rides on a buffalo, but I would personally skip that.

It’s not one of the famous sights, but something else to do if you have extra time.

If you don’t want to plan every activity yourself, or if you’re short on time I recommend booking one of the tours below that take you to the different highlights in one day.

Visit Trang An, Bai Dinh, Hoa Lu and Mua-cave for sunset

Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave Full Day Tour

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh: Best Areas & Top Hotels for Every Budget

Choosing Where to Stay in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is one of those places where every area offers a completely different experience. You can sleep beside rice paddies, tucked between limestone mountains or in a café-filled town center.

To help you pick the perfect base, here’s a short guide to the three best areas to stay in Ninh Binh.

Tam Coc — Best for First-Time Visitors & Solo Travelers

Tam Coc is the heart of the traveler scene in Ninh Binh. It’s filled with lively cafés, river views, restaurants, and bicycle-friendly paths that make it the easiest and most social area to stay. You’re surrounded by scenery but still have everything you need within walking distance. I stayed here and had a lovely time. I stayed at Le Maison Boutique Hotel and loved how big the rooms were and that it was close to the city, but still quiet enough with walking distance to the nature around.

Tam Coc Bungalow ($30 per night)

Right on the river, with mountain views and simple bamboo-style bungalows. It’s dreamy without being expensive.

Tam Coc Sunshine Homestay ($35 per night)

A cute family-run homestay with a lovely pool. It’s great value for money ratio.

Emeralda Resort ($70 per night)

A beautiful eco-style resort with big villas, a spa, and a lush riverside setting — feels like a quiet escape. It’s located in the heart of Tam Coc, but still secluded. When I go back, this would be my preferred stay.

Tam Coc Garden resort ($700 per night)

The most iconic luxury stay in the area, with lush gardens, peaceful rice fields, beautiful villas. Perfect for couples or anyone craving tranquility.

Trang An — Best for Nature Lovers & Peace Seekers

Trang An is quieter than Tam Coc, with fewer restaurants but the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Ninh Binh. Limestone cliffs surround you in every direction, and it feels like you’re staying in the middle of a national park. If you’re seeking peace and quiet this is the spot for you.

Trang An Family Home Stay ($27 per night)

Incredible value with cute and rustic cottages, warm hosts, and stunning Mountain View’s.

Trang An Retreat ($35 per night)

Stylish bungalows, a peaceful pool area, and winding paths overlooking rice paddies.

The Countryside (Hoa Lu, Mua Cave Area, Bich Dong)

Some of the most magical stays in Ninh Binh are tucked away in the countryside — small homestays and eco-style bungalows surrounded by nature. You’ll hear roosters in the morning, see fireflies at dusk, and feel like you’re part of rural Vietnam.

Hang Mua EcoLodge ($70 per night)

Affordable rooms set against dramatic cliffs. Great if you want to climb to Mua Cave viewpoint at sunrise.

Limestone View Homestay ($140 per night)

Huge rooms, beautiful views, and a warm local family.

Best Places to Eat in Ninh Binh

Even though I absolutely loved Ninh Binh, I have to say that I didn’t find the food scene here very interesting. The area is famous for duck, so you’ll see a lot of restaurants grilling and selling duck, other than that we didnt find many great Vietnamese options actually. There are some western places that were nice, especially for breakfast and lunch.

Below are my favorites that I ended up going back to a couple of times.

Best Breakfast & Lunch Spots in Ninh Binh

Cham Tam Coc Restaurant & Bakery
Sister Fields
Secret garden
Daisy & Rosie
Langs Salad

Best Cafes in Ninh Binh

Axasola Tam Coc
Si Cafe
At where (Turns into a wine bar at night)

Best Restaurants for Dinner in Ninh Binh

Phuong restaurant
Hoang Cuisine
The Farm Restuarant (I only tried the drinks here because they have a cute rooftop terrace)
Moments Coffe and restaurant
La Lumiere Restuarant
Chookies Beer Garden

How to Get to Ninh Binh

Getting to Ninh Binh is surprisingly easy, no matter where you’re coming from in Vietnam. Most travelers arrive from Hanoi, and the journey takes about 1.5–2 hours by bus or van.

The limousine vans are the most comfortable and will drop you off in Tam Coc or at your Hotel for an extra price. We booked a van directly from the Airport and it was super convenient.

If you’re coming from the south, you can choose to take an overnight train from Hue. Once you arrive, taxis and motorbike taxis are waiting outside the station.

This is the transport I booked from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.

If you want to book a bus or train I recommend using 12Go which is what I used every time I booked a bus in Vietnam.

How to Get Around Ninh Binh

This really depends on where you decide to stay. I stayed in Tam Coc and just walked most places or took a Grab (Vietnamese Uber) if I wanted to go further out of town. Many rent bicycles or scooters to move easily around. If you decide to stay at a homestay outside town or closer to Trang An, I would recommend renting a scooter to get around on your own.

You can rent bikes or scooters from most Hotels and Hostels as well as from one of the multiple spots in Tam Coc that offer both bikes and scooters.

Final Thoughts: Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting?

Ninh Binh is one of those places that stay with you long after you’ve packed your bags. Whether you’re climbing to panoramic viewpoints, exploring hidden caves, cycling through rice fields, or simply watching the sunset fade behind the mountains, Ninh Binh reminds you to slow down and just be in the moment. In my opinion every trip to Vietnam should include a visit to Ninh Binh!

I hope this guide helps you plan your amazing adventure to Vietnam and Ninh Binh. If you have any questions about Ninh Binh or travel in Vietnam in general, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

Ninh Binh - The Ultimate Guide with The Best Things to Do, Best places to Stay and Where to Eat