Ninh Binh Itinerary is what you are looking for? Here we are to provide you the BEST Itinerary to this beautiful hidden gem of Vietnam.

With more than 5 years of experience in planning itinerary and providing tours to more than 100.000 travelers to the North of Vietnam, We – AZlocaltrip would like to introduce you the best itinerary that is suitable for most travelers.

Feel free to contact us for Ninh Binh Tours and FREE Itinerary Planning that help you make the most of your trip even in a short time!

Why Go To Ninh Binh? Is Ninh Binh Worth Visiting?

Well! I can say it’s one of the most sublime and magnificent natural landscapes in Southeast Asia. How can I be so sure about this statement?

A vast amount of limestone mountains emerging from meandering rivers, immense green or yellow rice fields depending on seasons… Perhaps that’s why we called Ninh Binh as “Halong Bay on land”.

Mua Cave

Amazing view from Mua Cave

If spectacular scenery isn’t convincing enough, let Ninh Binh show you the way to its true beauty. Contrary to luxury, the splendor of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, this rural area is another way of living, slower and more peaceful. It’s totally a leisure trip for anyone who wanna stay away from a dynamic lifestyle in cities.

If you are a cultural explorer, there are many architectural constructions here to delve into the historical timeline of Vietnam. You will also have a chance to discover the capital of Vietnam in the 11th century in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Or you want to escape from busy routine life and immerse yourself into unspoiled and natural landscapes. Tam Coc or Trang An landscape complex is definitely an ideal option.

trang an boat tour

The poetic beauty of Trang An makes everyone excited

Do you think Ninh Binh is a worth-visiting destination yet? If you still doubt about spending your time here, see more detailed things below to have your best decision: where to go, what time and some helpful tips.

How Long To Spend in Ninh Binh? 

There are quite lots of destinations and interesting things to do in Ninh Binh. Besides, Ninh Binh boat tour including Trang An and Tam Coc boat tour takes nearly 3 hours. Therefore, Ninh Binh 2 day tour is the best option, you can take a rest after a tiring day trip. In addition, you also spend 1 day or 3 days in Ninh Binh.

>Explore our Ninh Binh 2 day trip now<<

explore tour

 Traveling From Hanoi To Ninh Binh

By train

It takes 2.5 hours to get here and the train stops at the station near Trang An. About 2.5 US$ is the amount of money you need to pay for a one-way ticket from Ninh Binh day trip from Hanoi.

Train

Train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

By private cars

You can hire a private car through a tourist agency and go straight to the destination in Ninh Binh. However, this is properly costing the most out of 3 ways.

By bus

A regular bus from Hanoi bus terminal Giap Bat departs quite often. It costs about 3.15 US$ and 3 hours as usual. You can buy tickets in the hall of the station.

Like going by train, the bus stops in Ninh Binh, you need to have a suitable transport (taxi, bike) to the tourist area.

local bus

Bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

The easiest and most convenient transportation is private cars without a doubt. Or you can book a Ninh Binh tour that includes transportation, you don’t need to worry about how to go anymore. Take a look at our Ninh Binh Tours to the most popular destinations in Ninh Binh.

If you want to know more information, see more: [2020] How To Travel From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

Suggested Ninh Binh Itinerary

Ninh Binh 2 days itinerary map by AZ Local Trip

Day One – Ninh Binh 1 day itinerary

Morning

  • Bai Dinh Pagoda

Time to spend: 2 hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee but if you use the electric car then it costs 30.000 VND/way

In this architectural construction, not only the discovery of Buddhist values, but you also see many well-known records of this famous pagoda. These records are The biggest golden Buddha statue in Asia, The biggest Arhat hall in Asia, The biggest copper bell in Vietnam, The most La Han statues in Vietnam, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam, The biggest well in Vietnam.

Being a huge religious complex (5.39 square kilometers), Bai Dinh compound includes 1.07 square kilometers of new and old Buddhist temples and cultural park, Buddhist academy,… With this large area, people often visit the whole place by electrical car. We can also take a walk around and then enjoy the natural view more.

Afternoon

  • Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Time to spend: 1 hour 30 minutes

Entrance fee: 20.000 VND

In Ancient Capital Hoa Lu, you can pay a visit to King Dinh and King Le temple, the founders building this capital during the 10th century. Gaining knowledge of the history of Vietnam more than 1000 years ago is a good idea, right?

Hoa Lu Ancient

Chosen to be the first capital in Vietnamese feudatory era, Hoa Lu is definitely attached to many historical stories of 3 dynasties Dinh, Le, Ly.

Before, Hoa Lu was a splendid palace, covered by majestic mountainous area, meandering Hoang Long river and immense Nho Quan, Gia Vien rice fields. All of these makes Hoa Lu be a perfect military basement and got notice of the first King Dinh Tien Hoang.

  • Trang An Ecological Complex

Time to spend: 2 hours

Entrance fee: 200.000 VND/adult for Trang An boat ride: 100.000 VND/child

Well-known as ‘Halong Bay on land’, Trang An is indispensable in Ninh Binh day trip itinerary and essential convergence of majestic limestone mountains, peaceful rice paddies, and clear emerald river. With the huge area (2.168 square kilometers), Trang An is totally a dreamland of tourists that make us surprise by majestic, picturesque landscape. Containing globally eminent values, Trang An deserves to get recognized as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO.

You can explore this region by Trang An boat ride or cycle around is also great! Trang An is less crowded than Tam Coc, which means you can fully enjoy the serene atmosphere and spectacular landscape here.

>>> Book Now: Bai Dinh Trang An Tour 

Day Two – Ninh Binh 2 day itinerary

Morning

  • Tam Coc – Bich Dong

Time to spend: 2 hours

Entrance fee: 150.000 VND

Floating along Ngo Dong river, you can hear the whisper of the wild winds, enjoying the serenity of this tranquil countryside. Tam Coc is literally known as ‘three caves” in Vietnam.

Visiting Tam Coc, mysterious caves open for you, including Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba. Majestic limestone cliffs, mysterious caves, rural scenery with the peaceful river, rice fields – Tam Coc seems to possess all.

Thung Nang

Time to spend: 1 hour

Entrance fee: 15.000 VND for sightseeing ticket; 60,000 VND for the boat ride

We are easily fascinated by the pristine, tranquil beauty of Thung Nang, of an immense lake reflecting prolific trees around majestic mountains. Just exactly the name people called Thung Nang (Sun area), the sun illuminates everywhere, down to leaves, reflecting lake surface, creating a colorful, magnificent landscape to us.

Noticing some birds flying or landing on boughs, we will see the liveliness, diversity of this wonderful destination. One hour floating on the river seems another great experience, right?

  • Mua Cave

Time to spend: 1.5 hour

Entrance fee: 100.000 VND

Testing your flexibility by climbing 486 stone stairs to the mountain,  we will see the picturesque view of Tam Coc – Bich Dong area, especially on rice paddy season. Don’t miss a chance to contemplate Vietnamese version of Great Wall.

Amazing view from Mua Cave

View from the top of Mua Cave

Afternoon

  • Van Long Nature Reserve

Time to spend: 2 hour

Entrance fee: 60.000 VND for the boat ride and 20.000 VND for admission.

Van Long Nature Reserve

Van Long serves a unique and diverse ecosystem

Being the largest drowning natural reserve in North Vietnam, Van Long Natural Reserve is a unique and diverse ecosystem, a shelter for a wide variety of rare plants and animals.

In Van Long, we will go into the lively life of nature, in an easy, serene scenery, explore marvelous and glorious caves and mountains

>> Discover other hand-picked Hanoi- Ninh Binh 2 days 1 night<<<

Day three- Ninh Binh 3 day itinerary

Morning

  • Cuc Phuong national park

Time to spend: 3 hours

Entrance Fee: 20.000 VND and 30.000 VND if you want to visit The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

If you natural- lover and have a great passion for trekking, Cuc Phuong national park can satisfy you. There is a house of thousands of flora and fauna and a large museum for nature preservation, a botanical garden, a rare and precious zoo in Viet Nam and in over the world.

A compelling reason you must drop Cuc Phuong national park is this is the only place in the world nurturing and rescuing Delacour’s Langur, Hatinh Langur, Golden-Headed Langur, Phayre’s Langur, Grey-Shanked Douc Langur. Now, Let’s pack up your backpack and discover wild animals in the IUCN red list.

Afternoon

  • Phat Diem cathedral

Time to spend: 1 hours

Entrance fee: no entrance fee

You must be a bit tired if have Ninh Binh 3 day itinerary. So instead of exploring and trekking so much, we highly recommend you visit Phat Diem cathedral.

Phat Diem Cathedral complex robs tourist’s heart by a peaceful lake, a grey-headed cathedral, an ancient stone church, a Bellhouse and 3 artificial grottoes.So, you are truly religious ones and ‘d like to witness the unique combination between Eastern and Westen architecture style.  Let’s check it now!

  • An Tiem cave

Time to spend: 2 hours

Entrance fee: 20.000 VND

An Tiem cave is luckily awarded charming and gentle beauty with nostalgic value and spectacular view. Setting foot on this inspiring landscape, don’t forget to bring a camera to capture a sublime valley full of emarded water and covered with majestic stone mountains.

Different from other destinations in Ninh Binh, An Tiem is tinged with ancient and sorrow beauty and isolated from the city. Visiting this sight, you seemingly venture into the historical and antique era.

3 days Itinerary in Ninh Binh [Updated]

Great choice! Ninh Binh is a beautiful destination in Vietnam, offering stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Here’s a suggested itinerary for 3 days in Ninh Binh:

Day 1:

  • Arrive in Ninh Binh and check-in at your accommodation
  • Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the former royal capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties
  • Explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le
  • Take a bike ride or walk through the picturesque countryside to Tam Coc, known as the “Halong Bay on land”
  • Enjoy a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River to admire the karst formations and rice fields

Day 2:

  • Wake up early and visit Mua Cave, a beautiful cave with stunning panoramic views from the top
  • Visit Thung Nham Bird Garden, a nature reserve with over 40 bird species and many caves and valleys to explore
  • Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your accommodation or explore Ninh Binh town

Day 3:

  • Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia
  • Take a boat trip to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site with caves, waterways, and stunning scenery
  • Return to Ninh Binh town for a final walk and some souvenir shopping before departing

Note that this is just a suggested itinerary, and you can adjust it based on your interests and preferences. Safe travels!

here are some tips to help you plan your Ninh Binh itinerary:

  1. Decide on the duration of your trip: Ninh Binh can be explored in as little as one day or as long as a week. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
  2. Choose your mode of transportation: Ninh Binh is easily accessible from Hanoi by car, bus, or train. You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the area.
  3. Pick your accommodation: There are many types of accommodation available in Ninh Binh, ranging from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury resorts. Choose one that suits your budget and preferences.
  4. Research the attractions: Ninh Binh is home to many attractions such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tam Coc, Trang An, and Bai Dinh Pagoda. Research these places to see which ones interest you the most and plan your itinerary accordingly.
  5. Consider hiring a local guide: A local guide can help you navigate the area and provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Ninh Binh.
  6. Pack appropriate clothing: Ninh Binh can get hot and humid, so pack light, breathable clothing. If you plan on visiting religious sites, dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees.
  7. Bring insect repellent: As with any rural area, mosquitoes and other insects can be prevalent in Ninh Binh. Be sure to bring insect repellent to avoid getting bitten.
  8. Respect local customs: Ninh Binh is a conservative area, so it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. Dress modestly, remove your shoes when entering temples and homes, and avoid public displays of affection.

With these tips, you should be able to plan a memorable trip to Ninh Binh.

>>> You might want to find Ninh Binh travel agency and What day trips from Hanoi to Ninh Binh should do- how to book?  <<<

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Above is everything you need to consider when planning Ninh Binh Itinerary.

AZ Local Trip is here to provide you Free Itinerary Planning, don’t hesitate to contact us!