Top 15 Attractions in Ninh Binh

Tailored Vietnam by Christine Travel
3 days ago
11 min read

1. Trang An Boat Tour (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Trang An is the most famous attraction in Ninh Binh and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is highly recommended for first-time visitors. The 2.5–3 hour boat journey takes you through spectacular limestone karsts, emerald rivers, hidden caves, and ancient temples.

Local rowers skillfully guide the boat through long water caves and peaceful valleys, creating a relaxing and unforgettable experience. Trang An is beautiful all year round, with emerald water, small ducks, birds, and breathtaking natural scenery.

here are 3 routes to choose from:

Route 1: 9 caves and 3 temples. Duration: around 4 hours

Route 2: 4 short caves and 3 temples. Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours

Route 3: 3 caves (including Dot Cave – 1 km long, the most stunning cave with impressive stalactites) and 3 temples. Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours

During the boat journey, you can choose to stop and visit the temples or simply stay on the boat. I recommend visiting just one of the three temples, as they are very similar. This will save you time while still giving you the experience.

👉 Highly recommended: I recommend Route 2 or Route 3, as both offer the perfect balance of Trang An's stunning scenery, caves, and temples.

Route 1 takes around 4 hours. Based on my experience as a tour guide, most visitors start to feel a little tired and develop some back discomfort after about 2 hours because the boats do not have backrests.

If you prefer a shorter trip of around 1.5 hours, you can end the tour early. You will need to sign a confirmation form at the ticket scanning area before boarding the boat.

Each boat accommodates up to 4–5 people, making it ideal for families or small groups. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, you may share the boat with other visitors.

Opening hours: 7am - 5pm. We recommend buying the ticket before 4:00 PM, since the boat trip takes about 2–3 hours, and it may be quite dark when you return.

Ticket price: 300,000 VND/person (~11.5 USD)

Private boat: 1,500,000 VND (~58 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XfWgaUX7u4e7kwvU9

2. Tam Coc Boat Ride

Known as “Ha Long Bay on Land,” Tam Coc offers a scenic boat trip along the peaceful Ngo Dong River. The journey takes you through three natural caves — Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba — surrounded by towering limestone mountains and vast rice fields.

🌾 Rice Season: The landscape changes beautifully throughout the year. Rice is planted in February. From March to early May, the fields are lush green. From mid-May to mid-June, they turn golden before harvest, creating one of the most iconic and breathtaking landscapes in northern Vietnam.

After the rice harvest, the water level rises, so local farmers do not grow a second rice crop. Instead, they grow water lilies.

🌸 Water Lily Season: Tam Coc grows water lilies from July to December. During this period, the river is covered with blooming pink water lilies, creating a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

☀️ Best time to see water lilies blooming:

Hot days: before 9:00 AM
Cold or cloudy days (winter): before 11:00 AM

Early mornings offer cooler temperatures, softer light, and fewer crowds, making the experience even more enjoyable.

P/S: The Tam Coc boat ticket counter is not located at the pier. You need to buy your ticket about 500 meters before reaching Tam Coc Pier, opposite Tam Coc Queen Travel. After purchasing your ticket, you can take the free electric buggy provided to transfer you to the pier.

To save time, please click the Google Maps link below to find the ticket counter easily:

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5BDBYf8nj299W7Fx7

Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Opening hours: 7:30am - 5pm.We recommend buying the ticket before 4:00 PM, since the boat trip takes about 1.5–2 hours, and it may be quite dark when you return.

Ticket price: 250,000 VND/person (~10 USD)

Boat capacity: Note: The Tam Coc boat ticket is for 2 adults per boat for foreign visitors.

3. Mua Cave (Hang Mua Viewpoint)

Climb nearly 500 stone steps to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for one of the best panoramic views in Ninh Binh, overlooking Tam Coc, the Ngo Dong River, and the surrounding limestone mountains.

At the foot of the mountain, you can also visit two small caves: Mua Cave and Tiger Cave. The climb to the summit is rewarding but can be challenging, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Note: The 500-step hike may not be suitable for seniors or travelers with high blood pressure, especially on hot days. As an alternative, visitors can enjoy a relaxing cycling tour around the surrounding countryside.

🌸 Lotus Season: From April to July, lotus flowers bloom at the foot of the mountains, adding vibrant colors to the landscape and making the area even more picturesque. May and June are the best months to enjoy the lotus in full bloom.

📸 Best time to visit: Morning or sunset for cooler temperatures and stunning views — perfect for photography.

Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours

Opening hours: 5:30am - 7pm.

Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person (~6 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2StE9cYSProHrre97

4. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. Surrounded by limestone mountains that once served as natural defenses, it offers insight into Vietnam’s early independence period.

Visit the temples of King Dinh and King Le to learn about ancient Vietnamese history and architecture.

Note: The ticket counter is located opposite the citadel. Many tourists waste time looking for where to buy the ticket because the counter is not located directly at the entrance and can be easy to miss.

Duration: 1 hour

Opening hours: 7am - 5pm.

Ticket price: 20,000 VND/person (~0.8 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RxTCTgZTD4ArCyqF8

5. Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh is the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia and one of the most important spiritual and pilgrimage sites in Vietnam. The vast complex features massive bronze Buddha statues, a corridor of 500 Arhat statues, and a giant 36-ton bronze bell.

Visitors can explore impressive temples, peaceful courtyards, and scenic mountain views. Due to the large size of the complex, electric cars are available to help visitors travel between the main areas.

Note: Bai Dinh Pagoda is much bigger than you might expect. If you want to finish your visit earlier, you should walk at a faster pace or buy an electric buggy ticket to save time and energy.

There is also a local restaurant nearby called Com Nieu Viet Xua Bai Dinh, which serves traditional Vietnamese food and is quite tasty.

Duration: 2 – 3.5 hours

Opening hours: 7am - 9pm.

Ticket price:

There are several ticket options:

Basic electric car: 150,000 VND (~6 USD)
Advanced electric car: 300,000 VND (~12 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FJiNushxtuXhD4ip7

6. Bich Dong Pagoda (600 years old)

Built over 600 years ago, Bich Dong Pagoda is a charming ancient temple complex nestled into limestone cliffs near Tam Coc. The pagoda is built on three levels - Ha (Lower), Trung (Middle), and Thuong (Upper) - connected by about 170 stone steps.

Surrounded by limestone mountains and lush greenery, the peaceful setting offers beautiful views and a tranquil spiritual atmosphere. In front of the pagoda, a water lily pond blooms from June to December, adding to the area's natural charm. Sometimes, locals also grow lotus flowers, depending on the season and local farming conditions.

Bich Dong is a perfect combination of history, spirituality, and nature, making it a lovely stop when visiting Tam Coc.

Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour

Opening hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm.

Ticket price: Free entrance

Parking: 5,000 – 10,000 VND

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TxT3pPes96jeskMVA

7. Thung Nham Bird Valley

Thung Nham Bird Park is an eco-tourism park famous for its large bird sanctuary. Every day, thousands of birds (locals say around 40,000) return to their nests, creating a spectacular natural scene surrounded by limestone mountains and peaceful wetlands.

Besides bird watching, visitors can also take a boat to Buddha Cave (included in the entrance ticket) and walk to Mermaid Cave, two fascinating natural attractions inside the park.

To watch the birds, visitors can either take a small boat (up to 10 people) to the bird valley for a closer view (highly recommended) or walk about 800 meters to a hill opposite the bird valley for a wider panoramic view.

🐣 Breeding Season: From September to April, many bird species nest and raise their chicks in Thung Nham. During this period, visitors may see nests with eggs, young birds, and mother birds feeding their chicks, making it one of the best times to visit.

🕊 Best time to visit:

Around 7:00 - 9:00 AM
After 3:00 PM, when birds return to their nests and the sunset creates beautiful scenery

To reach the bird valley, visitors walk about 800 m (8–10 minutes) one way from the entrance. If you prefer not to walk, you can take an electric car for 40,000 VND (~1.5 USD).

In addition, visitors can explore gardens, caves, and scenic walking paths throughout the park.

Duration: Around 1 – 2 hours

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm.

Ticket price: 250,000 VND/person (~9.5 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m7x4wwk32J11NKvAA

8. Van Long Nature Reserve

Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in northern Vietnam and is much quieter and more peaceful than Trang An and Tam Coc. A bamboo boat ride through calm waters offers stunning views of limestone mountains and tranquil landscapes.

It is also one of the best places to spot the rare Delacour’s langur, one of the most endangered primates in the world. However, seeing them depends on the weather and luck. They are usually easier to spot on dry and sunny days when they come out to feed, drink water, and move around the limestone mountains.

Besides langurs, visitors may also see storks, egrets, and other wetland birds.

👉 Highly recommended: Visit in the late afternoon near sunset for the best chance to see the langurs on the cliffs. They are usually not visible on rainy days.

Visitors can also rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding countryside and visit a nearby local church.

Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Opening hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm.

Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person (~6 USD), 2 people per boat. If you are traveling alone, it is recommended to buy the whole boat ticket instead of waiting for another passenger to share the boat, as the waiting time can be quite long.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/euLoW9M4nvBzZ5eq7

9. Cuc Phuong National Park

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam’s oldest national park, known for its lush jungle, thousand-year-old trees, and rich biodiversity. It is a great destination for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts who want to explore the peaceful atmosphere of a tropical rainforest.

There are two main trekking routes:

Dang Tree: 2 – 4 km (easy to moderate)
Cho Chi Tree: 7 km (more challenging trek)

Visitors can also explore the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Turtle Conservation Center, both dedicated to protecting rare and endangered species. On-site guides are available to provide presentations about their conservation work.

Note: There is no phone signal or Wi-Fi in most areas of the forest, so it is recommended to trek with a local guide.

During rainy days or after rainfall, leeches can be more common in the forest. They may attach to your clothes or skin, but they are not dangerous. Simply remove them calmly and do not panic. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and covering your body well is recommended for a more comfortable trekking experience.

Duration: Half day – Full day

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm.

Ticket price: 220,000 VND/person

📍 Google Maps (Ticket counter): https://maps.app.goo.gl/aFSPzRWMjQehZfL36

10. Thung Nang Boat Ride

A peaceful and less crowded alternative to Tam Coc, Thung Nang (“Sun Valley”) offers a relaxing boat ride through caves and untouched countryside landscapes. Located between Tam Coc Boat Pier and Bich Dong Pagoda, making it a convenient stop when exploring the Tam Coc area, it provides a quiet and authentic experience. The site is open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and each boat carries up to 2 tourists.

Along the riverbanks, you will see water lilies and local houses, giving a truly local feeling. To see water lilies in full bloom, it is best to come early in the morning, as they close under strong sunlight.

The trip takes about 1.5 hours, making it ideal for those who prefer a shorter boat ride. Along the way, you might see ducks, birds, fish, or even mountain goats. The boat also passes through two cool, dark caves, softly lit by a small torch so visitors can admire stalagmites formed over thousands of years.

Quieter than Tam Coc but just as beautiful, Thung Nang is a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss.

Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours

Opening hours: 7am - 5pm.

Ticket price: 300,000 VND/boat (up to 2 adults) (~12 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/on5wnffG5s7jvYt1A

11. Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc)

Often called the “Secret Garden of Ninh Binh,” Tuyet Tinh Coc is a hidden valley surrounded by high limestone cliffs and an emerald-green lake. It is located near Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, making it a convenient stop when visiting this historical area.

According to legend, this place was once used as a punishment site during the Dinh Dynasty and was sometimes referred to as a “tiger cave.” Today, the area is peaceful, scenic, and highly photogenic, attracting visitors who want to enjoy its quiet beauty.

To explore the caves, temples, and the best viewpoints, visitors need to climb about 150 steps. You can also rent a bicycle for around 50,000 VND to ride around the lake and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at a relaxed pace.

Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm.

Ticket price: 150,000 VND/person (~6 USD)

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/v2mv8YmhN2TcoGpS8

12. Hoa Lu Walking Street (Night Activity)

Located in the city center of Ninh Binh, this lively walking street comes alive in the evening with colorful lanterns reflecting on the lake. Two iconic towers in the middle of the water create a beautiful and memorable night view.

Visitors can enjoy local street food, souvenir shops, music performances, and a relaxed atmosphere while walking around the lake.

Weekend show: From Friday to Sunday (depending on the week and season), there is a live performance called “Anh Hung Co Lau” starting at 8:30 PM.

📅 Show Schedule: Please check the official Facebook page for the latest performance dates and times:https://www.facebook.com/share/1Esg4Aa5AR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The show tells the story of King Dinh Bo Linh and the establishment of the Dai Co Viet Kingdom in the 10th century.

💡 Hoa Lu Walking Street is an ideal place for a relaxed, family-friendly evening. Visitors can enjoy local food, cultural activities, and beautiful night photography.

🎟️ Ticket Prices for the “Anh Hung Co Lau” Show:

250,000 VND (~US$9.50)
350,000 VND (~US$13.50)
500,000 VND (~US$19)

Best time to visit: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Opening hours: Wholeday

Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Ticket Price for Hoa Lu Walking Street: Free entrance

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5bazPrqPHe8T7pom6

13. Galaxy Cave (Thien Ha Cave) – 20 km from Tam Coc

Located in a peaceful countryside area, Galaxy Cave is considered one of the most beautiful caves in Ninh Binh. The experience includes a boat ride through a water cave followed by a walk inside a dry cave filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

This destination is less crowded than Trang An and offers a more adventurous and authentic experience. In summer, visitors may even see bats inside the cave.

Option: After visiting Galaxy Cave, you can also take another small boat to Linh Coc Boat Harbor, which is very close to the Tam Coc area. From there, you can ask your driver to pick you up and return to your hotel.

Duration: 1.5 – 2.5 hours

Opening hours: 7:30am - 4pm.

Ticket price:

200,000 VND/person (~8 USD) (2 people per boat)
Extra boat to Linh Coc Boat Harbor: 80,000 VND/person

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y8LB9nSqDw3qW9Ly9

14. Thai Vi Temple

Thai Vi Temple is a peaceful temple dedicated to the kings of the Tran Dynasty. Located in the Tam Coc area, it is surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains and rice fields, creating a quiet and spiritual atmosphere. Sometimes, visitors may see an 80-year-old local man playing traditional musical instruments, adding a unique cultural touch to the visit.

The temple is an important historical and cultural site, featuring traditional Vietnamese architecture with stone pillars, wooden structures, and ancient carvings. Many visitors enjoy cycling through the countryside to reach the temple, making the journey just as pleasant as the destination.

Duration: 30 – 45 minutes

Opening hours: 7am - 5pm.

Ticket price: Free of charge

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fKpe1fECPWPU6jzY9

15. Golden Pagoda at Nui Lo Lake

Located just 300 meters from Hoa Lu Walking Street, this beautiful golden pagoda stands in the middle of Nui Lo Lake, connected by a floating bridge. Surrounded by emerald water, it creates a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

At night, the pagoda is illuminated with vivid golden lights, creating a breathtaking reflection on the lake.

Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours All day

Duration: 30mins - 1 hour

Ticket price: Free of charge

Note: Please wear modest clothing when visiting.

📍 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/szdTWv11fZMXWRfn7