NINH BINH
10 BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS YOU MUST CHECK IN NINH BINH
Just 100km south of the capital city of Hanoi is the lesser-known gem of Northern Vietnam. Ninh Binh is a quaint city famous for its picturesque natural scenery and beautiful historical and religious sites. Also known as the “Ha Long Bay on Land”, it offers similar landscape views, but with the benefit of being much less touristy and untouched. Categorised into the four main areas, Ninh Binh is full of charming experiences.
Ninh Binh is surrounded by a stunning landscape of lush green paddy fields and striking limestone outcrops with main tourist sites including Tam Coc, Trang An, Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda – A biggest Pagoda in Vietnam, Van Long Nature Reserve and Cuc Phuong National Park, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Oldest Capital of Vietnam, Phat Diem Stone Catheral, Thung Nham Bird Garden… Now let’s join Xuan Son Travel to list of these hot spots through the following article.
1. TRANG AN LANDSCAPESDistance: 90 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
Trang An is the top attraction in Ninh Binh which you can visit first or later but never should skip, for whatever reason. Being a complex of ecotourism zone with a various system of limestone cliffs and karst caves, Trang An boasts bountifulness of biology and geographical diversity.
There are hundreds of limestone islands, islets and river caves constructing by Sao Khe and Ngo Dong rivers. Some of them you can’t miss: Dia Linh cave, Sinh Duoc cave and May cave. Each cave is different in beauty and has its own legend. Dark Cave has wide and narrow parts while Light Cave is adorned with magnificent sparkling stalactites.
Covering such a vast area Trang An is a biological treasure trove obtaining over 350 species of plants, animals and many other rare species. Taking a boat through nice caves of Trang An complex and visiting some historical and cultural places on the way are highly recommended. From Trang An, visitors shouldn’t miss Bai Dinh pagoda – the largest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam with impressive architecture.
2.TAM COC CAVE – BICH DONG PAGODA
Distance: 90 km far from Hanoi center.
It’s located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a familiar destination that tourists certainly cannot ignore when travel to Ninh Binh. Visiting Tam Coc, you will be seated on a boat, travel down the Ngo Dong River, dreaming of the same mountains and the golden rice fields. The poetic scene here will surely captivate any visitor.
Only 2 km away from Tam Coc Whalf, Bich Dong Pagoda is a solemn place where the pagoda entrance was built on a limestone island. Visitor will walk on a thin stone bridge to pass the gate to come deep into the chambers of Bich Dong Grotto – ‘the second nicest grotto’ in Vietnam. Come and find out if the grotto’s beauties really live up to its given title.
Thien Huong grotto can be visited on your way to Thai Vi temple. This grotto is wide, located on mountain and looked very much like a colossal lightwell since the ceiling of the grotto is a hole. So it has also another name – Sky Grotto. Thai Vi temple is a place to worship many national characters and heroes: King Tran Thai Tong, King Tran Thanh Tong, General Tran Hung Dao, General Tran Quang Khai and Queen Tran Thi Dung.
3.HOA LU ANCIENT CAPITAL
Distance: 90 km south of Hanoi
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is the capital of an ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet in the 10th century. This small Kingdom covered an area of only 300 hectares, and reigned from the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties, to the 11th century, during the Ly Dynasty. The Kingdom was enclosed by a citadel. The citadel and the Yen Ngua limestone hills provided a good defence for this kingdom against the Chinese.
Hoa Lu district. It is a particularly important national monument of Vietnam. This relic includes King Dinh temple, King Le temple and many other works. Hoa Lu ancient capital is now a favorite destination of many tourists. Especially for those who want to learn about Vietnamese history
4. MUA CAVE
Distance: 90 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
Vietnamese name of Mua caves is Hang múa (Hang in English means cave),located in Khe Ha Village, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. It’s about 6km far from the city center and is a frequently stop of Tam Coc Mua Cave Tour. The attraction is very peaceful, natural since there are huge karst mountains along with impressive landscape around. Mua Cave is lying at the foot of Mua mountain which shapes a bell with a width of around 800 square meter. On the left and right of stair case it is decorated on the stone with the dragon or phoenix carved properly very sharp and beautiful
The way leading to the cave formed by a long stone staircase zigzags through the karst, there are nearly 500 steps to a simple altar to Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy). It is assumed that the cave entrance seems to be similar as“ Great wall of China Legend of Mua Caves Ninh Binh : According to Vietnamese legend when the king Tran arrived at Hoa Lu to establish Thai Vi temple, the King was like visiting this cave for enjoying dancing performance by ladies ( who serve imperial ). In Vietnamese “mua” means dancing so that the cave was named “Hang Mua” Tourists setting their foot on this place normally try to conquer the peak of mountain to look down a stunning beauty of Ninh Binh especially Tam Coc where having floating boats
If you are looking for a short mountain trek .If you come here on clear day you will see the steps that extend to the top of the mountain look like the Great Wall of miniature. Up to the top of Mua Mountain, you will see the view of the nine rice fields, the rowing boats rowing low on the water.
5. BAI DINH PAGODA Distance: 100 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
Bai Dinh Pagoda is Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex. It consists of several temples and over 500 intricately carved statues of Buddha, including one that’s made of bronze and is 10 metres in height. Set within the Gia Sinh Commune, it attracts a huge crowd of local devotees and travellers looking to pay their respects and have their fortunes told by the resident monks.
There are two main pagodas of the same name, one of which is located on the slopes of Dinh Mountain. Accessible via a 300-step stairway, this quiet shrine houses a main prayer hall and natural caves, where locals pray to Buddha and mountain spirits such as Saint Nguyen and Genie Cao Son.
6. AM TIEN CAVE
Distance: 80 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
Am Tien cave is located in Hoa Lu ancient capital relic, Ninh Binh province. It is about 400m from the East gate – King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple in Trang An direction. The location of ancient Am Tien cave is adjacent to the Eastern part of Hoa Lu capital.
Legend has it that Dinh dynasty used this cave as a dungeon. The king bred tigers and panthers there to torture those who committed serious crimes. Later, the cave was no longer used as dungeon. In Ly dynasty, Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong built a Buddhist shrine in the cave. After that, in order to commemorate his works, people built more shrines in the cave. The beautiful scenery in the cave with an addition of Buddhist shrine can sure satisfy tourists. The cave becomes a peaceful place which is why it is named “Am Tien” cave or “Am Tien” pagoda. Am Tien cave is located halfway up the mountain, most of the cave is surrounded by high erect mountains. Tourists must climb through 205 stone steps through the cliff in order to reach the cave.
Am Tien cave faces west, you can watch sunset and see a large lake that called Ao Giai from the cave gate.
Looking down from the Am Tien pagoda, tourists will see the vast expanse of the majestic landscape here with high mountains and spacious clear lake. With unspoiled natural scenery and unique terrain, Am Tien cave is a separate world hidden in colorful history which can attract any tourist.
7. THUNG NHAM BIRD GARDEN
Distance: 80 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
It’s one of the most attractive places in Ninh Binh and also a place full of cultural and spiritual elements as well as biodiversity. Surrounded by strips of rainforest on limestone mountains, with many caves and valleys mingling with nature and trees. Surrounded by tropical forests on the limestone mountains, many valleys, and caves, blending with grass and flowers, Thung Chim has been given a beautiful natural landscape.
Coming to Thung Chim, visitors of Hoa Lu Tam Coc tour also explore the wildlife of nearly 40 species of birds with about 50 thousand birds. Especially at sunset, each flock of white storks hovers, shelter in a wetland, then visitors will feel the primitive beauty difficult to find.
8. VAN LONG NATURE RESERVE
Distance: 90 km from the city of Hanoi to the south
In recent years, Van Long Nature Reserve has appeared on many visitors’ bucket list of Ninh Binh’s top things to do. Vietnamese people have this saying to describe the natural beauty: the mountains and the water found harmony, and that harmony is found in Van Long. Served as a nature reserve with a wide range of fauna and flora species, including the rare species listed in Red Book and one of them are the silver langurs. A boat trip is the best way to enjoy the beauties and the atmosphere of Ninh Binh’s hidden gem.
A charming eco-tourism area, famous poetic sky and clouds is no less than Tam Coc scenic is Van Long lagoon. The lagoon covers an area of 3000ha and is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern of Vietnam.When traveling buy boat on the lagoon. You will see the flat water as a giant mirror. So this place is also known as “the bay without waves”. Following the small boat, you are surrounded by a vast swamp of water, birds, turtles and limestone massifs with the right names such as Meo Cui mountain, Mam Xoi mountain, Hom Sach mountain, Co mountain. Tien … The poetic natural scenery here makes everyone fall in love
9. CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK Distance:130km south of Hanoi
Cuc Phuong National Park has a total area of 25,000ha. It is a famous tourist destination for ecology and environment, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Visitors here will discover rich flora and fauna, admire the beautiful natural landscape, participate in eco-tourism, convalescence, trekking, research and historical culture programs.
You can visit Cuc Phuong National Park during the day. If you want to experience and explore more so you can do 2 to 3 day trip is appropriate. According to Ninh Binh’s travel experiences, going to Cuc Phuong in the early rainy season of June – July every year. You will have the opportunity to admire the butterflies flying through the forest.
11. PHAT DIEM STORE CHURCH
Distance: 120 km from the city of Hanoi
Phat Diem cathedral (often called Phat Diem stone church). It’s covering about 22-hectare Catholic church complex, located in Phat Diem town. Phat Diem store Church is one of the most beautiful churches and the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam.
Phat Diem cathedral was built entirely of stone and wood. It’s started construction and completed from 1875 to 1898. Although it is a Catholic church, it is modeled after the architectural features of traditional Vietnamese temple. It’s created special features that no other church has.
Hopefully, the most famous Ninh Binh tourist destinations above will help you have more choices and interesting experiences in this beautiful land. If you have any questions, please let us know.
All THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO NINH BINH
Ninh Binh is a tourist destination that attracts not only local tourists. Almost visitors travel to Ninh Binh admire the beauty and tenderness of poetry. But also very spectacular with a series of scenic spots. Such as Trang An, Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Van Long lagoon, … Each Ninh Binh’s destinations all have extremely different and profound characteristics, creating a highlight to attract more and more tourists come to visit.1.How Ninh Binh is unique?
If you come to this ancient land but you do not visit Trang An Ninh Binh tourist area. It will be indeed a huge omission. With its spectacular scenery, Trang An is a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage site so many foreign tourists often want to explore this place. If you are still not sure which Ninh Binh belongs to, the answer is that Ninh Binh is a piece of land located between the three regions of the Northwest, North Central and Red River Delta. It only 90km away from the center of Hanoi capital. Perhaps because it is located in such a favorable location. This place is intersected by different cultures and also owns its World-Recognized Heritage
2. How to travel to Ninh Binh from Hanoi? Detailed directions
Ninh Binh is a province just about 90km from Hanoi with convenient transportation advantage and the North-South railway running through. So that you can come here by many different ways.
- If you travel by train
- Traveling by coach (Local bus):
- Traveling Ninh Binh by motorbike:
3.Top things to do in Ninh Binh?
- Cruise on a paddleboat tour in Trang An or Tam Coc
- Go temple trekking at Bich Dong Pagoda
- Stroll Through Hoa Lu Ancient Village
- Book a local homestay
- Motorbike tour
- Light trekking : Go for a hike in Cuc Phuong National Park
WEATHER & BEST TIME TO VISIT NINH BINH:
In general, there isn’t a major reason not to visit Ninh Binh at any time of the year on the family tours in Vietnam. Similar to other parts of northern Vietnam, the weather between the months of November and April is mostly dry and cool, while May to October leads to humid, hot and plenty of rainfall. Additionally, the month of September is especially at risk of typhoons. However, the wet season is a great time to visit for nature lovers that are interested in seeing the vivid green color of the rich fields. The Ninh Binh weather is comparable to Hanoi and other northern cities.
- April and May – a visit to the fascinating landscape of Ninh Binh during the months of April to May is a great time to appreciate the ripen rice fields and the early harvest time.
- June – a Ninh Binh tour that takes place in June is certain to give a perfect opportunity to take the stunning photographs of flowers, especially lotus. While there are plenty of other places to see the water-lily and lotus flowers, a great thing about Ninh Binh is the natural and picturesque background that is more striking than other places like Hanoi.
- September and October – the package holidays to Vietnam that takes place during September and October makes it possible to appreciate the wet rice harvest time. Any travellers that book a boat tour along the Bich Dong River can get to explore the Trang An Landscape Complex – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Tam Coc while being surrounded by the wonderful scenery of yellow rice fields.
- November – a trip to Ninh Binh at the end of November is likely to be relatively low on tourist traffic. The ability to explore the region can be so much more enjoyable without the crowds. However, the only issue is likely to relate to the paddy fields. At this time of year, the rice has already been harvested and want is left is brown or yellowish fields. Apart from this, the local scenery is still great and the weather is pleasant and may reach around the 20° C mark during the day, although the evenings can get a little chilly.
TOP 9 MUST TRY FOOD IN NINH BINH FOR FOODIES
Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful with many tourist attractions but also for special and delicious food. The famous food here smell and taste with the flavor of limestone mountains where locals feed animals. If you have a chance to visit Ninh Binh, don’t miss to try 9 special foods which are cooked by locals with well cooking skills. We would like to introduce for you 9 best traditional dishes in Ninh Binh.
1. Rice crust (Com chay)
The top famous food in Ninh Binh is rice crust. t is a natural and simple dish but very yummy and attractive. To make this food, it requires a good cooking skills. To make good dish, we also need experience in choosing ingredients, especially rice. Rice to make this dish is glutinous rice named “ Huong” which has pure and round grains helping the dish get extra flavor. Com Chay should be supported heat by charcoal and during cooking , we keep suitable heat to create burned rice with equal thickness around the bottom of the deep pot . It is one of the most difficult step in cooking. After that, burned rice is put out to dry in the sun several times and preserved in fresh places to avoid mouldy state and keep its flavor. After drying, slices of steamed rice are fried in hot oil pan until they turn yellow and crisp. Together with main ingredient, steamed rice, are beef, pig’s heart or kidney, some vegetables like mushroom, tomato, carrot and spices such as fish sauce (nuoc mam), pepper, red chili, onion, salt. Beef and pig’s heart or kidney are thinly sliced, marinated with such spices and mixed with vegetables . Then the mixture is fried until fragrant and put into Com Chay bowl.
2. De tai chanh (Raw goat meat with lemon )
Slicing goat meat, put into hot water about 1 minutes. Mix raw goat meat with lemon water, ginger, garlic, chilli, shredded lemon leave. Eating this dish with unripe banana, fig and ‘tuong ban” (a Vietnamese sause is made from soybean, rice and salt).
3. Kim Son raw Nhech fish salad
Nhech fish salad (or cá nhệch) is a special dish in Ninh Binh but you have to try this salad in Kim Son where considered as best place to enjoy it. Nhech fish has curved shapes of eels but larger and longer. Nhech has much meat, less bone, lots of protein. In order to make a delicious salad and attractive curved a meticulous process and sifted are emplemented by the chef. Nhech fish be rubbing with salt, or we can use ash, bamboo leaves, leaf or leaf imitation, slime wash off later bled before surgery and for a few stages to spicy fish meat more tasty. The first bite of Nhech salad will bring you the attractive aroma of roasted sticky rice, light sour of vinegar interjected to the spicy of ginger, garlic, pepper, chili and lemon grass. You will never forget this taste.
4. Nem chua Yen Mac ( Yen Mac Fermented Pork Roll)
Nem Chua Yen Mac is one of foods or gifts which you should try and bring to your home. Nem Chua has a light pink color and a sour, sweet, salty and spicy smell and taste. Nem chua Yen Mac used to be a favorite food of Vietnamese King. It made from rustic ingredients, namely ground pork thigh, minced pork skin, chili, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, salt, those are mixed, pressed and then naturally fermented by tender fig or guava leaves, Nem Chua has a very characteristic sour, acquired sweet, garlicky and salty taste with a nice crunch of pork rinds. While the fig leaf cover can be eaten with Nem Chua, creating a special acrid taste, the banana leaf cover makes its flavor more subtle and attractive.
5. Ruou Can Nho Quan (wine drunk out of a jar through pipes)
Ruou Can Nho Quan (Nho Quan wine drunk out of a jar through pipes) is one of the special cuisines in Ninh Binh. You can come there to try or also buy for your friends, family and gather together to enjoy it, you will have unforgettable moments. Ruou Can is inside a jar, the size of the jar will depend on your hobby. To get a good bottle of wine, it must undergo several stages: from selecting ingredient to the processing and especially to calculate the appropriate time so that just in time. The main ingredient depends on the region, it may be corn, rice or cassava, but the best is sticky rice. To make Ruou Can Nho Quan is made from sticky rice. The Sticky rice must be chosen new rice, the alcohol will be delicious. Alcohol yeast are made from the peel of trees mixed with chili powder, ginger powder, rice powder and water, this combination is cut into smaller pieces and dried in 10-15 days, then crushed and mixed with the dried mixture of cooked rice and rice hulls, which is kept in the vase in 1-2 days, then dried banana tree’s leaves are covered on the surface of the mixture in 1 month before the wine is ready to drink. The longer the wine is kept, the better taste it has; each material has its own taste. Drinking Ruou Can with Com Chay Ninh Binh (Ninh Binh Rice Crust), it will be the best combination.
6. Mam tep (Shrimp paste)
Shrimp paste is made from fresh small shrimp, mixed with roasted rice flour, salt and water. Then it is brewed for at least 1 month.
A good paste have to be brown and red, not too salty, smell good. Gia Vien shrimp paste is the most famous one in Ninh Binh. If you have a chance to visit Gia Vien, don’t miss to buy a shrimp paste bottle!.
7. Xoi trung kien (sticky rice with ants eggs)
Not all kinds of ant eggs are edible. It must be eggs of black ants that build nest on the tree. The ant egg season begins from March of the lunar calendar and this period lasts over a month.
Processing ant eggs is very sophisticated. These tiny eggs are cleaned gently with warm water and mixed with seasonings, dried onion and fried with fat until the eggs spread the nice aroma.
The eggs are then put on a banana leaf so the nice smell of eggs is mixed with the smell of the leaf. This dish goes with steamed sticky rice and fried onions.
8. Bun moc (Rice noodle with “moc” soup)
If you visit Phat Diem Cathedral, don’t miss to try “Bun moc”. “Moc” is made from pork, mushroom, green onion, lemon grass, chili). With the wellcooking skills of locals here, “Bun moc” has an amazing flavor, you won’t have second chance to try this dish everywhere else beside eating here.
9. Ninh Binh mountain snail
This kind of snail lives on the limestone mountain, which is located in Tam Diep town, Yen Mo, Nho Quan. This snail just appears from April to August, which very tough and crunchy because it eats the natural plants on the limestone mountain. There are many dishes from this snail but the boiled snail is still the most favorite dish. The boiled snail usually be eaten with fish sauce.
