Looking for the best things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc? This guide will show you exactly that, including some practical info to help you plan your trip.
Located about 2 hours south of Hanoi, the Ninh Binh province is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Vietnam.
Dubbed the Halong Bay on Land, Ninh Binh is famous for its tranquil rivers winding through rice fields and soaring karst cliffs, impressive cave systems, stunning viewpoints, and unique religious sites.
In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, including advice on how to get there, where to stay, when to visit, and other helpful tips.
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Things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
Trang An Boat Tour
One of the best things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc is taking a scenic boat ride. The most famous one is the Tam Coc boat tour but this doesn’t actually mean it’s the best one out there.
I’ve heard from other tourists and even locals that the Tam Coc boat tour was a bit scammy as you’re forced to tip the rower and constantly harassed by vendors to buy goods at inflated prices.
Since I was looking for more of a peaceful experience, I opted for the Trang An boat tour instead. The boat tour lasts around 2.5-3 hours and you can choose between three routes.
Route 1 takes you through 9 caves and 3 temples, Route 2 through 4 caves and 3 temples, and Route 3 through 3 caves (including the 1-km long Dot Cave) and 3 temples.
I personally chose Route 3 as I heard it was more scenic and less crowded than the more popular Routes 1 and 2.
Each boat can accommodate up to 4 people. If you’re alone, you’ll have to wait for other passengers or else pay for the entire boat.
Luckily, you won’t have to wait too long as it’s one of the most popular attractions in Ninh Binh. In my case, I had to wait less than 5 minutes for the boat to fill up.
Entrance fee: 250k VND for adults, 120k for children between 1m and 1.3m, and free for children under 1m.
Mua Caves Viewpoint
One of my favorite things to do in Ninh Binh is hiking to Mua Caves viewpoint.
If you’re up for the challenge of climbing over 500 steps, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Ninh Binh and its surroundings.
Depending on your fitness level, it should take around 30-45 minutes to reach the top. Keep in mind that some of the steps are steep and uneven, especially near the summit.
There are actually two viewpoints here. The highest one is where you’ll find the famous dragon statue, and from there, you can admire the boats gliding across the river, surrounded by rice fields and limestone cliffs.
The other viewpoint sits slightly lower and has a small shrine that offers stunning views of Ninh Binh City.
Along the way are several viewing platforms with benches where you can rest and enjoy the view as well as a shop selling water and snacks.
Since the path is completely exposed to the sun, an early start is advisable to avoid the heat and crowds. Alternatively, you can visit at sunset but be prepared to share the view with hundreds of other tourists.
One important thing to be aware of when hiking to Mua Cave viewpoint is the parking scams. You’ll see several parking signs a few meters before the entrance, with people waving you into their private parking lot.
They can be very persistent, and I even saw one of them jumping in front of a tourist and almost making him fall off his bike.
Do not park there as it’s more expensive than the official parking at the entrance, which should cost only about 10k VND.
If your accommodation is nearby, I suggest walking to Mua Cave to avoid any trouble. I stayed at Cherry Homestay, which was close by, and it took me around 30 minutes to get there.
Entrance fee: 100k VND for adults and children over 1m. Free for children under 1m. If you’re staying at Mua Caves Ecolodge, you can visit the viewpoint for free.
Related post: Hiking to Hang Mua Caves Viewpoints
Explore Ninh Binh by Bicycle
If you’re staying in a central location like Cherry Homestay, you can easily explore the attractions in Ninh Binh by bicycle. Most of the roads are flat and well-paved except for a few gravel roads here and there.
Luckily, most hotels and homestays offer free bicycles to their guests, which is super convenient as taxis can be quite expensive.
Since I decided to skip the Tam Coc boat tour, I opted to cycle around the area instead.
I started at the Tam Coc boat pier and made my way toward Thai Vi Temple. About halfway through, I arrived at a little bridge overlooking the river and mountains.
I kept cycling and eventually reached a little street flanked by palm trees and lotus ponds with several limestone mountains in the backdrop.
After visiting Thai Vi Temple, I turned right and arrived at a small pier overlooking the river and Mua Cave viewpoint.
There’s also a cave here with some benches and tables, making it a great spot for a picnic.
You can choose to stop here or continue all the way to Thung Sen Tam Coc Glamping & Restaurant which has a viewpoint overlooking the river.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a huge temple complex featuring numerous Buddhist temples, caves, gardens, and lakes.
The main highlight is the Bao Tien Stupa, which is the tallest stupa in Asia, standing at a height of 100m. You can take an elevator to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the whole complex.
Although there’s no entrance fee to visit Bai Dinh, it’s so huge that you’ll need to hire an electric car to take you from the ticket counter to the entrance and back.
Tickets for the electric car cost 60k VND for adults and 40k VND for children. If you wish to go up the stupa, you’ll need to pay an additional 50k VND. Note that the stupa ticket can only be purchased at the ticket counter, not at the stupa itself.
Be aware that even if you take the electric car to the entrance, there will still be a considerable amount of walking involved. For instance, it took me nearly one hour to walk from the entrance to the stupa.
If you have mobility issues, I recommend purchasing the combo ticket, which costs 220k VND for adults or 160k VND for children. This includes multiple electric car shuttles between each temple and an entrance ticket for the stupa.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Established by King Dinh Bo Linh, Hoa Lu served as the first capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010.
It boasts numerous temples, palaces, lakes, and limestone karsts, as well as a viewpoint where you’ll find the tomb of King Dinh Bo Linh.
You can spend around 2 hours exploring the entire area on foot, but if you’re short on time, you can hire a motorbike taxi instead.
Entrance fee: 20k VND for adults and 10k VND for children under 15 years old
Am Tien Cave & Pagoda
If you’re already visiting Hoa Lu, you can also check out Am Tien Cave and Pagoda since they are located within walking distance.
Here, you’ll find a beautiful lake surrounded by steep cliffs. There is a short trail around the lake that you can explore either on foot or by bicycle.
However, the true highlight of the area is the viewpoint, which can be reached after climbing more than 200 steps. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the lake, making it one of the best things to do in Ninh Binh.
Entrance fee: 50k VND
Thai Vi Temple
Thai Vi Temple is a small Buddhist temple situated at the foot of a mountain, not too far from Tam Coc boat pier.
The best way to get to the temple is by cycling from the boat pier and following the scenic road.
The temple is free to visit and generally has only a handful of tourists, making it an ideal location for those seeking peace and quiet.
As mentioned above, if you follow the road next to Thai Vi Temple, you’ll eventually arrive at a small pier and cave that offer breathtaking views of the river and Mua Cave viewpoint.
Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong Pagoda is one of the most iconic places to visit in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc.
The temple is situated at the edge of a lotus pond. Depending on the time of the year, you may be able to witness the lotus flowers in full bloom.
Unfortunately, there were no lotus flowers when I visited in November but it was still a nice spot to visit.
The entrance gate is the most photogenic section of the temple, so you’ll always find people taking photos there. If you want to take photos, be sure to go in the morning to avoid crowds.
Inside, you’ll find a few temples and a cave. At the end of the cave is a viewpoint and a small shrine.
Entrance to Bich Dong Pagoda is free, but there’s a parking fee of 10k VND for bicycles.
Van Long Nature Reserve
Located slightly outside of the Tam Coc region, about a 40-minute drive away is Van Long Nature Reserve.
The best way to explore Van Long is by taking a boat ride that lasts around 1-1.5 hours and costs approximately 100k VND per person.
While it isn’t nearly as impressive as Trang An, the landscape is pretty similar with rivers, lakes, and soaring cliffs.
You can also spot some wildlife here, including the endangered Delacour’s langurs, Asian black bears, and various species of birds.
Hoa Lu Old Town Night Market
If you’re wondering what to do in Ninh Binh at night, you can visit the Hoa Lu Old Town Night Market, which is located about 8 km from Tam Coc.
It’s free to visit and it comes alive from 6 p.m, with stalls selling souvenirs, local handicrafts, and delicious food.
There’s also a lake here, and in the middle is a small pagoda that lights up at night.
Cuc Phuong National Park
If you enjoy hiking and plan on spending more than 2 days in Ninh Binh, you might want to consider visiting Cuc Phuong National Park.
The park is located around 50 km outside of Ninh Binh and is best visited as part of a guided trekking tour that covers hotel transfers and entrance tickets.
The park is home to several hiking trails as well as a primate rescue center and turtle conservation center.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh?
Since there isn’t much to do in Ninh Binh city itself, I recommend staying in either Tam Coc or Tang An so you’re close to all the main tourist attractions.
Tam Coc is more lively and offers a huge selection of hotels, restaurants, and bars while Trang An is quieter but still has enough facilities.
I personally stayed at Cherry Homestay, which is situated between Tam Coc and Trang An.
It’s very affordable, and the location is excellent as most of the Ninh Binh attractions are within walking distance or a short bike ride away.
They offer complimentary breakfast while lunch and dinner are available at an additional cost. There are also several restaurants and cafés nearby for those who prefer to eat out.
I stayed in one of their king rooms, which had a fantastic view of the mountains and rice fields. I could even see the dragon statue atop Mua Cave viewpoint from my room!
The homestay is run by the friendly Cherry, who gave me tips on the best places to visit and even helped me arrange a transfer back to Hanoi at a very good deal.
You can use their bicycles for free or rent a motorbike from them. The host’s husband also provides taxi services if you need to travel longer distances. Check their latest rates and availability here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN NINH BINH
How to get to Ninh Binh?
Bus
If you’re coming from Hanoi, you can take a limousine bus/van which should take around 1.5 hours. These buses are spacious and comfortable and some even have massage seats. Tickets cost around 200-250k VND.
Keep in mind that they might not always drop you off directly at your hotel, so you’ll have to take a taxi once you arrive in Ninh Binh.
CHECK PRICE FOR THE BUS TO NINH BINH
Train
Another option for getting to Ninh Binh is by train which should take a little over 2 hours. It’s slightly cheaper than the bus, costing around 150-250k VND depending on the time and cabin class.
Once you reach Ninh Binh Railway Station, you can then take a taxi to your hotel.
CHECK PRICE FOR THE TRAIN TO NINH BINH
Taxi
If you’re traveling with a group, you can hire a private taxi starting at USD 40. The total journey should take around 1.5 hours.
CHECK PRICE FOR A TAXI TO NINH BINH
Tour
If you have only one day to spare for a visit to Ninh Binh, I recommend taking a day tour from Hanoi.
The tour includes visits to Trang An Complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Mua Cave viewpoint as well as hotel transfers, boat tour tickets, lunch, and water.
CHECK PRICE FOR A NINH BINH DAY TOUR
Getting Around
The best and cheapest way to get around Ninh Binh and Tam Coc is by bicycle. Since there isn’t much traffic and the roads are relatively flat, it’s very easy to get around by bicycle.
The best part is that most hotels provide bicycles for free or you can rent one for very cheap. Alternatively, you can also hire a motorbike for about 150k VND per day.
If you can’t ride a motorbike but would still like to explore the attractions further away from the city, such as Van Long Nature Reserve or Cuc Phuong National Park, it’s best to hire a taxi.
Personally, I found taxis in Ninh Binh to be quite expensive, so this option would be better suited for those traveling with a group.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is from February to May and from October to November. During these months, the weather is mostly dry and not too hot or too cold.
If you want to witness the rice fields in their golden hue, then you should plan your trip in May, right before harvest season.
I hope this guide to the best things to do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc was helpful. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below.
2 comments
Always been a fan of your articles on hikes in MRU, even happier to see our shared interest in Vietnam!!
Thank you, Arvind! I’m so glad you’re finding the Vietnam articles helpful too! Happy travels! :)