Ninh Binh

Spreading across a vast natural area, Ninh Binh has forests, sea and a diverse system of fauna and flora. Ninh Binh topography encompasses plains and the mountains of the Vietnam northwest mountain range. Blessed with harmony climate, Ninh Binh owns a magnificent beauty and the charm of myths waiting for visitors from all over the world to discover and indulge.

Ninh Binh is endowed with many places of particular interest which have been well-known inside and outside Vietnam such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Cuc Phuong National Park, Trang An Grottoes and Van Long Nature Reserves. There are also many historical relics, for instances Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, Tam Diep Defense Line…. All of them are attractive to both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. The unspoilt beauty here will bring you sense of peace, true relaxation and being with nature.

The most famous attraction of Ninh Binh is Trang An eco-tourism center which has just been expanded in recent years and soon become famous for a system of caves, valleys and historical relics. With a chain of natural wonders like Tam Coc, Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong Pagoda, Fairy cave or Sunny Valley; Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist center is regarded as “South second nicest grotto. If your tour does not provide enough time for the whole Ninh Binh, visiting this destination is the best choice satisfying yourself.

For environment and animal lovers, Cuc Phuong National Park with the total area up to 22,000 ha, is a must-see site. Cuc Phuong boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent Limestone Mountains rise up majestically from the green rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill-tribe. Covered with dense forests, this landscape forms the habitat for some of Asia’s rarest animal and plant species. This ancient tropical forest is covering over 2234 vascular and non-vascular plants, 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 135 species mammals, including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur, Owston’s Civet and Asian Black Bear. There are also an incredible 336 bird species. In addition, in earlier times, Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority people and nowadays these interesting people and their unique culture are still housed in a few scattered villages around the park’s periphery.

From Cuc Phuong, tourists are suggested to visit submerged Van Long nature reserve, which is the largest conservation area of this kind in the North of Vietnam, with Kenh Ga hot spring and Van Trinh cave and Kem Trong cave, or to Ngoc Son and Pu Luong Nature Reserve – all within easy access. Those destination will bring you the real nature, with green of trees, the spectacular sights of mountains and the tranquil atmosphere.

For the cultural explorers, Ninh Binh is also a fantastic destination to travel and experience. This land was soon developed as the cultural and political center of Vietnam since the reign of Dinh Tien Hoang King in 968. Thanks to this factor, the number of ancient vestiges here may overwhelm any other provinces in Vietnam.The first capital of Vietnam feudal centralism regime and the Dai Co Viet’s political, economic and cultural centre Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is undoubtedly the most attractive site where tourists may find thousands of vestiges of palaces, temples, pagodas and tombs related to the three dynasties of Dinh, Le and Ly. Nowadays, with a long history and cultural tradition, the people of Ninh Binh are traditionally very industrious, hard working, studious, kind, patriotic and particularly hospitable. Bai Dinh Pagoda and Phat Diem Church are two religious places that attract tourists from different oriented religions.

BEST THINGS TO SEE:

1. Tam Coc-Bich Dong:
Located in the Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a grandiose complex of Bich Dong pagoda and Tam Coc grotto ranked in top 21 crucial tourism destinations of Vietnam. Its pristine natural beauty together with a simple but nice countryside landscape, and a sacred spiritual life have converged into a fascinating and attractive Tam Coc-Bich Dong to numerous tourists. There have been various types of tours for visitors from all over the world: ecological tours, culture, history, and festival tours. No one could deny that Tam Coc – Bich Dong has become a legend of rivers and mountains, a green, pure, and safe destination for every traveler.
Hire a boat to travel along the river, you will find yourself escape from the real world and lost into a fairy site. Some rowers’ main income is from hand-made embroideries, which the women rowers make at home. You are not obligated to buy it but if possible, do not forget to give some tips for the rowers as rowing is hard.

2. Trang An Grottos:
Trang An Landscape Complex is Officially inscribed as the world heritage by UNESCO for its Outstanding Universal Value. It exhibits a marvelous humid tropical, limestone tower karst landscape. Dissection of an uplifted limestone massif has reached the final stages of karst evolution, and the modern landscape contains a wide range of classical karst landforms, including spectacular cones, towers and transitional karst hills, surrounded with a network of closed depressions and valleys inter-connected by an intricate system of caves, including many subterranean waterways. After several times invaded and reworked by the see in addition with landform development in millions of years, this place now owns a scenic landscape of extraordinary beauty with exceptional aesthetic qualities. Tourists are stunned by its blend of towering cliff-bounded mountains, draped in a natural cover of rain forest, surrounded by huge and deeply developed internal basins whose clear and quietly flowing waters are connected through a maze of underground caverns and streams, many of which are navigable by sampans carrying visitors.
Best time to enjoy this magnificent complex is in early morning or late afternoon. Here you are much less bothered by vendors selling beverages and hand embroidered gifts. Arrange your time to deeply feel this outstanding landscape.

3. Cuc Phuong National Park:
Tourists are offered an excellent opportunity to go trekking or hiking in the primary forest. Going with a guide, you can catch the primates centre where about 150 primates are being prepared for release back in the wild world. From the entrance you can drive, motorbike or cycle a further 20 km along a densely rainforest road, from which several tracks will lead you through the jungle to ancient trees and caves. Cycling is probably the most favoured way to travel this 20 km of often steeply inclined paved road and mountain bikes can be hired at the park entrance. One of the amazing things about this drive is the colourful butterflies filling the roadway. Peak time for butterflies apparently is during April and May but in later months there may still many to be seen. Many people walk here to see a thousand-year-old tree or touch the old parashrea stellata and Dancorra Edulis trees, 50-70 m high. There are also guided night tours available if you want to see the animals at night.

4. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Phat Diem Cathedral and Bai Dinh Pagoda:
These are three outstanding places for those who are interested in structure. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was built in the 10th century, showing the traditional structure of ancient Vietnamese people. This historical place also holds an annual festival called Truong Yen, regaining the spirit of ancient Emperors that attracts many tourists. On the other hand, Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for its enormous area and its astonishing “collection” of 500 Arhat statues. This massive structure is considered the largest religious tourist centre in Viet Nam. If you are not interested in Buddhism, Phat Diem Cathedral is a good choice. Mixing Eastern and Western architectural styles, it is quite spectacular, especially because of its size and its interior with its huge iron wood columns.

5. Try tasting specialties in Ninh Binh:
No trip is completed with only sightseeing. Coming to Ninh Binh, you should try some famous local dishes. Elderberry in Ninh Binh, Goat meat Ninh Binh, Nem de Ninh Binh,Nem Chua Yen Mac, Kim Son nhech raw fish, Kim son wine and so on are all worth tasting. Unlike dishes served in restaurants like Nem or meat, the elderberry are packed and easy to buy, bring with you on the way or even take it as present for your friends at home.

SUGGESTED HOTELS & RESTAURANTS IN NINH BINH:

1. Tam Coc Garden:
The hotel offers stylish and comfortable rooms with great privacy which is very satisfied. Staff are extremely helpful. You can enjoy a stunning view of a rice field with a quiet patio when having green tea and fresh fruit each morning.
Opening time: 24h
Address: Hai Nham Hamlet, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Website: tamcocgarden.com

2. Cuc Phuong Resort And Spa:
Conveniently located in the heart of Ninh Binh, Cuc Phuong Resort And Spa provides easy access to area attractions such as Bich Dong and Phat Diem. The hotel offers spacious and well-appointed rooms. The on-site restaurant offers authentic delicacies for guests to enjoy in an elegant atmosphere. Friendly staff at the reception provides warm hospitality throughout your stay. This place will complete your trip with fully relaxation.
Opening time: 24h
Address: Nho Quan Town, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Website: cucphuongresort.vn

3. Chookie’s:
This restaurant is recommended place to visit. It gets high reputation for extremely delicious dishes and very helpful staffs. This is one of the rare landscapes in Ninh Binh where staffs speak English to communicate with foreign guests for the best service.
Opening time: around 11:30 am- 22:00pm
Address: 17 Luong Van Tuy, Ninh Binh, Vietnam

4. Trung Tuyet Restaurant:
This is not a modern luxury restaurant but gets a very friendly Vietnamese atmosphere. Trung Tuyet restaurant is not only very welcoming but very very good and cheap.The portions are huge and delicious. If you are looking for real local Vietnamese dishes, this is an ideal suggestion that you should try.
Opening Time: 7:00am – 22:00pm
Address: 14 Hoang Hoa Tham, Trung Son, Thanh Binh, Ninh Binh, Vietnam