The first time I came to Ninh Binh, I didn’t have a list of things to do in Ninh Binh in my hand.
A friend simply said, “Go. It’s like Ha Long Bay on land, but quieter.”
I didn’t believe him until the bus turned past the first limestone cliffs.
Rice fields opened up on both sides of the road, buffalo standing in the water, and the river curling through the valley exactly the way every Ninh Binh travel guide tries to describe – but never fully captures.
If you’re wondering what to do in Ninh Binh, the answer becomes clear the moment you arrive: just slow down.
Everything here asks you to breathe a little deeper.
Getting to Ninh Binh Vietnam
Reaching Ninh Binh is easier than most people think.
I’ve taken this route more times than I can count, and honestly, the journey itself already feels like part of the list of things to do in Ninh Binh – the moment the roads open up and the limestone peaks start appearing in the distance.
If you’re from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, the ride is only about two hours.
Buses run all day, but choose a good one – the kind where you’re not squeezed between backpacks and strangers who fall asleep on your shoulder.
From Cat Ba, the trip is smoother than it looks on a map.
The team at Good Morning Cat Ba has direct transfers, so you don’t have to loop back through Hanoi. It saves hours, and you arrive in Ninh Binh with enough time to explore instead of waiting around for connections.
Most travelers ask me what to do in Ninh Binh the moment they arrive, but the truth is… the journey there already sets the mood.
Fields, rivers, small towns passing quietly outside the window – it’s the kind of slow travel you miss once it’s gone.
For anyone wanting a reliable option, especially if you’re planning your first trip using a Ninh Binh travel guide, going with a local operator is always the simplest and safest choice.
And if you’re starting from Cat Ba, you already know who handles that route best.
The Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh
1. Drift Through the Rivers of Tam Coc or Trang An
If there’s one thing you remember about Ninh Binh, it’ll be this.
You sit in a small wooden boat. The woman rowing it doesn’t say much – she just smiles, and her feet move the oars like she’s done it a thousand times. The water is still. The cliffs rise up like old gods.
There’s a soft echo every time you pass through a cave.
Somewhere nearby, someone laughs, and it bounces off the rock walls.
- Tam Coc is simple, quiet, and intimate.
- Trang An is larger, full of temples and long cave routes – a bit more dramatic.
Go early or go late. The middle of the day feels too sharp for a place like this.
2. Climb Hang Mua for the View You’ll Never Forget
You’ll see the dragon statue at the top from far away – that’s Hang Mua.
The climb is only about 500 steps, but it’s steep and uneven, the kind that makes you laugh halfway because you didn’t think it’d be this tough.
At the top, though, you’ll stop talking.
Below you: Tam Coc’s river curves through rice paddies like a green snake.
If you catch the light just before sunset, everything turns gold.
Bring water. Bring patience. You’ll thank yourself later.
3. Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda – A Place That Feels Endless
You’ll hear the bells before you see the pagoda.
Bai Dinh isn’t one temple – it’s a whole mountain of them. Long stone corridors, hundreds of Buddha statues, a bronze one so huge it makes you feel small in the best way.
There’s a quiet kind of strength here.
Even when it’s crowded, it feels calm.
Take your time walking up. Let the air and incense do their work.
4. Take the Boat Again, But Different – Trang An
Trang An isn’t just a river trip. It’s a journey through time.
Caves open into hidden valleys; small temples sit quietly by the water, half-forgotten.
This is where Kong: Skull Island filmed – though in person, it’s even more unreal.
Each boat route lasts around two hours, but it never feels long. There’s too much to take in – the way the mountains reflect perfectly in the water, how even the rowers hum softly as they paddle.
5. Visit Hoa Lu – The Old Capital That Still Whispers
Before Hanoi existed, Vietnam’s kings ruled from here.
Now, only the temples remain – simple, small, and surrounded by stone cliffs.
It’s quiet in the morning. Sometimes you’ll hear a rooster crow, or a monk chanting somewhere far away.
Don’t rush this stop. It’s not about what you see; it’s about what you feel standing where history happened.
6. Ride a Bicycle Into the Green
If you do one thing for yourself here, make it this.
Rent a bike and ride with no plan. The roads are flat, the air smells like wet grass, and every turn looks like a postcard.
You’ll pass kids waving “hello!”, buffalo chewing lazily, maybe even a farmer smiling with a handful of rice shoots.
It’s impossible not to smile back.
7. Stay the Night – and Let Ninh Binh Get Quiet
When the day-trippers leave, the real Ninh Binh appears.
The rice fields go dark. Frogs start singing. Somewhere far off, a motorbike hums once and fades.
Stay in a homestay or small bungalow – not a hotel.
You’ll wake up to mist over the fields, the sound of birds, and coffee waiting outside your door.
It’s not luxury. It’s better. It’s real.
8. The Hidden Pagoda at Bich Dong
Bich Dong is one of those places that never shows off.
It’s small, tucked between mountains, and you probably wouldn’t notice it if no one told you.
I went there on a late afternoon, when the light was soft and the air smelled like wet stone.
There were only a few people – a couple taking photos, a monk sweeping the stairs.
You climb up through a narrow stone path, and suddenly you’re inside a cave, cool and silent.
Incense smoke curls in the dark. There’s a statue, candles, and the sound of water dripping somewhere deep.
Then, as you keep climbing, the view opens.
The rice fields spread out below, and the sky turns gold just before sunset.
It’s not a famous place – but that’s why it stays special.
9. Eat Like a Local
If you’ve been in Vietnam long enough, you know this rule: the smaller the place, the better the food.
Ninh Binh is no exception.
There’s com chay – crispy rice – simple but addictive. Locals fry it until it turns golden and serve it with spicy goat meat.
You’ll find it everywhere, but the best version? Usually at a tiny restaurant with plastic chairs and a grandma in the kitchen.
Try goat meat with lemongrass and lime too. It’s smoky, tender, and full of flavor.
And if you’re vegetarian, don’t worry – the mountain herbs and home-cooked tofu dishes here taste better than you’d expect.
Don’t just eat.
Talk to the people who cook for you. They’ll probably smile shyly at first, but if you say “ngon quá” (delicious), the whole table will light up.
10. The Sunset You Don’t Plan For
I didn’t go looking for a sunset that day.
I was just riding – slow, without a map, the kind of ride you take when you don’t have anywhere to be.
The road curved through rice fields that smelled faintly of rain.
A few kids waved as I passed. Somewhere far off, someone was burning dry leaves; you could smell the smoke in the wind.
Then the light began to change.
Not suddenly – just little by little. The green fields turned gold. The mountains started to blur into the sky.
I stopped the bike on the side of the road. No sound except the soft splash of a buffalo moving through water.
Everything felt still – the kind of stillness you don’t get in cities.
The sun slipped behind the rocks, slow and quiet, like it didn’t want to leave.
And for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
I didn’t take a picture.
Some things are better left as they are – kept in your memory, warm and imperfect.
That’s what Ninh Binh gives you: not just places to see, but moments you feel without trying.
Suggested 2-Day Itinerary in Ninh Binh
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive from Hanoi or Cat Ba
- Midday: Boat trip in Tam Coc
- Afternoon: Visit Hang Mua and catch the sunset
- Evening: Dinner at a local homestay
Day 2:
- Morning: Early bike ride through the villages
- Late morning: Visit Bich Dong Pagoda and Hoa Lu
- Afternoon: Lunch and slow return to Hanoi
It’s simple – two days, but they stay with you for years.
Practical Tips to do in Ninh Binh
- When to visit: March to May or September to November – when it’s green and calm.
- Getting around: Rent a bicycle or scooter. You don’t need a car here.
- Stay: Pick a homestay near Tam Coc. Waking up to the sound of roosters and seeing the mist over rice fields is worth it.
- From Cat Ba to Ninh Binh: Good Morning Cat Ba has daily transfers and tours that connect both places directly – safe, fast, and handled by locals.
FAQs – What to see in Ninh Binh
Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
Yes, totally. I’ve been a few times and the place just feels… calm. If you like mountains, rivers, and not too much noise, you’ll get it.
How many days should I stay?
Two days is the usual. You can squeeze a lot in, but you won’t feel like you’re racing between spots.
Best time to visit?
I’d go in spring or around September. The weather behaves better, and the fields look nicer. Summer’s fine too, just hotter than you expect.
How do I get there from Hanoi?
Most people hop on a limousine bus. I’ve done it a couple of times – it takes about two hours, and it’s pretty painless.
What shouldn’t I miss?
The boat ride is the big one. Hang Mua for the view, and honestly, a simple bike ride through the villages feels just as good as any “famous” attraction.
Safe for solo travelers?
Yes. It’s quiet, people are friendly, and you don’t really run into trouble. Just normal travel common sense.
Should I book a tour?
If you don’t want to think too much about logistics, yes. If you like wandering around on your own, you’ll be fine doing that too.
Ninh Binh isn’t just about caves and temples – it’s the silence between the mountains, the glow of sunset on the rice fields, and the kindness of people you meet along the way.
If you’re wondering what to do in Ninh Binh, start slow: take a boat, ride a bike, breathe. The best things to do in Ninh Binh often find you, not the other way around.
For a journey that feels real, explore with Good Morning Cat Ba – your trusted local Ninh Binh travel guide.