The Essential Ninh Binh Itinerary and Guide
Scribbled by Claire ⬩ 07 Apr 2025
Read on for everything you need to know for planning the perfect Ninh Binh, Vietnam, trip, including a two-day itinerary, accommodation suggestions, the best restaurants, quirky things to do, transport to-and-from, maps, and how to get around.
For me, rural Vietnam is an atmospheric and otherworldly place. It’s packed with jagged karst rocks enrobed in clouds and dripping caves obscured by creeping vines; abundant rice fields reflect the misty morning light and pink lotus flowers dot the hazy rivers. There’s an ethereal quality to the light and scenery in Vietnam and few places are better to experience it than Ninh Binh.
It’s one of the only destinations in the world where I felt that I was existing on a film set (the other is Wadi Rum in Jordan). Images of Vietnam are ubiquitous in the media, and this little slice of northern Vietnam did not let me (or my expectations) down.
Ninh Binh is the ideal location to experience everything Vietnam has to offer, beyond just scenery. There is (relatively) minimal tourism, epic rural adventures and easy access, only a few hours away by train or bus from Hanoi.
It’s also extremely affordable – there are no excessively expensive attractions, transport is fantastic value and the food and accommodation, for the price tag, are of high quality.
Of all the places we’ve visited in Vietnam, Ninh Binh was one of our favourite places for just hanging out. Our most recent visit was an entire glorious, unplanned week. We spent every day exploring on a scooter, eating decent food and checking out the magnificent scenery. All this, while staying under budget!
This Ninh Binh itinerary and guide contains everything we’ve discovered during our time there including logistics, prices, where to eat, things to do, where to stay and more.
IN THIS GUIDE //
Ninh Binh Itinerary
Where is Ninh Binh?
– Getting to Ninh Binh
– Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Bus
– Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Train
– Ninh Binh from Other Destinations
– Should You Day Trip to Ninh Binh?
How to get Around Ninh Binh
Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh
Tam Coc or Trang An?
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh
Where to Eat in Ninh Binh
This Ninh Binh Itinerary
How Long to Spend in Ninh Binh
– Itinerary Google Map
– Ninh Binh Itinerary: Things to Do
Ninh Binh in Two Days
Final Thoughts
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Where is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is a province in northern Vietnam, with its capital city sharing the same name. The provincial capital city of Ninh Binh is around 100 kilometres south of Hanoi, Vietnam’s present-day country capital.
The scenic region that most tourists actually visit surrounds the small town of Tam Coc, six kilometres southwest of Ninh Binh.
HOW TO GET TO NINH BINH
Most visitors to Ninh Binh arrive from Hanoi, and occasionally from Hue or Phong Nga in the south.
The most convenient international airport for visiting Ninh Binh is in Hanoi. It’s around 100 kilometres to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc from Hanoi via a straightforward two-hour journey south by road.
We have done this route by both train and bus – honestly the bus is easier, but the train is slightly cheaper.
We recommend booking a bus or train ticket, in advance, using 12Go Asia. This company is a reliable aggregator that sells transport tickets in English. It is also useful for checking representative prices and company reviews if you don’t want to reserve anything in advance (or are just trying to figure out your budget).
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Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Bus
Bus is the most popular option for transport on a Ninh Binh itinerary. It’s a short, comfortable trip that doesn’t necessitate any sleeper buses! Bus tickets to Ninh Binh are super-easy to arrange with your accommodation in Hanoi.
We haphazardly got put on a pimped-out party bus with some day-trippers and the driver just dropped us off in Tam Coc, en-route. It was on-time and comfortable (apart from a very early morning playlist blaring Whitney Houston, which just added to the hilarity – and my headache – at the time).
Alternatively, it is possible to prebook a bus route and company with 12GoAsia. This might be slightly more expensive than arranging in person but is great if you like (or need) to have things arranged ahead of time. It also means you can check reviews for those pesky Whitney playlists.
Many buses will pick passengers up from their hotel in Hanoi (or any other city) and drop them off directly at their accommodation – always check with whoever you book with, though. If you are dropped off in central Tam Coc, navigating to your accommodation is simple. ‘Grab’ taxis operate in the Ninh Binh area and there are always people around to give you a lift.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Train
The train is by far the most scenic way to travel between Hanoi and Ninh Binh (and Vietnam in general!).
It’s a little less comfortable than the bus and a bit slower, but we love train journeys, so don’t mind. Depending on your baggage, you can even walk to the central train station in Hanoi – it’s only a little past the famous train street everyone raves about (which is not worth the effort, in our opinion). After arriving at the train station in central Ninh Binh, you’ll need a taxi if you’re staying in Tam Coc. This makes getting the bus a little less hassle as it usually drops you directly there.
The easiest option for booking train tickets in Vietnam is through 12GoAsia. You can also reserve via the Vietnam Railway official website, but this crashes often, so we’ve never managed to use it despite having taken a bunch of trains in Vietnam. It can be viewed in translated English and claims to accept international credit cards, so if you can get it to work – it’s all good! Maybe we were unlucky and it’s improved since we last tried?
Let us know if you have better luck than us.
Ninh Binh from Halong Bay (and Other Destinations)
Other popular options for departure destinations include Hue further south, and Sapa and Ha Giang in the north, as well as Halong Bay and Cat Ba.
As with everywhere in Vietnam, buses can be effortlessly arranged directly through your accommodation from all these locations. They can also be purchased by visiting the local bus terminal, or by reserving a ticket in advance on 12GoAsia.
Many of the routes northbound will stop in Hanoi – we have travelled from Ninh Binh directly to Sapa, for example, with a three hour stop in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Should You Day Trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
Day tripping to Ninh Binh from Hanoi is a popular option but we do not recommend this choice unless you are extremely strapped for time.
There are a lot of things to do in the area and for a 1.5-2-hour journey each way, it’s just not that much fun, plus you’ll be escorted all the time. We’ve said the same about day-tripping to Halong Bay – you spend more time transiting than actually seeing anything!
Having said that, if you have very little time on your schedule and no other option but to day trip, we’d recommend booking a Ninh Binh day trip with Get Your Guide. The region is absolutely still worth visiting, even with little time.
12GOASIA ON THIS NINH BINH ITINERARY
12GoAsia (One-Two-Go-Asia but I always say ‘twelve’) is a very reliable website that acts as a broker for transport companies all over southeast Asia. We’ve used them in the past and almost every traveller we’ve ever met in southeast Asia has, at some point, made use of it!
Even if you do not want to book in advance on 12GoAsia (we often don’t because we have highly flexible schedules), this website is invaluable for figuring out how much a journey will roughly cost and how long it will be. It’s great for budgeting, planning and getting an idea of what your options are, transport-wise. We highly recommend it.
It’s also great for booking any routes that might get busy (or if you are travelling around holidays, like Tet, for example).
Usually, it is cheapest to book onward (non-flight) travel directly with an operator when you arrive. However, it might be worth paying a dollar or two more for the convenience of having everything booked for your trip in advance, giving you more time to explore.
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HOW TO GET AROUND NINH BINH
Although Tam Coc is quite compact, you will need a vehicle to get around the wider area. Distances between places on this Ninh Binh itinerary are quite large and definitely not walkable.
The best options to get around are bicycle or scooter, however a private driver/Grab taxi would also work.
It is easy to get around on either a bicycle or scooter, depending on your preference. Per day, a scooter costs around 120k VND (quality will vary – we had three bikes break down). Bicycle rental is normally around 80-100k VND.
The roads are mostly quiet – avoid the big dual carriageways if you don’t want to deal with large, speeding trucks!
Find out if you’re insured to ride a scooter in Vietnam.
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Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is during the first quarter of the year. These months have the mildest daytime temperatures (around 20-25 degrees C) and are perfect for climbing all the stairs at Hang Mua! Generally, the period between November and April is the driest too (this area of Vietnam can be really rainy).
Rain: the rainy season in Ninh Binh typically runs from May to September. The summer months see average day temperatures in the low 30s Celsius and average around 50% rainy days. It can be very hot and humid!
Flowers: if you are visiting to see the flowers, the lotus season in Ninh Binh province typically runs from May to September, carpeting the ponds and waterways with the fragrant pink, white and red blooms.
PLANNING A VIETNAM TRIP?
Have a quick peek to see if any of our northern Vietnam posts might be helpful.
Destination info:
Learn the truth about the Tam Coc Boat Tour
Don’t miss these 11 things off your first-time Hanoi itinerary
How to cruise Halong Bay on a budget
Read about how to ride the Ha Giang Loop independently
Why you should avoid Sapa’s Cat Cat Village
Planning guides:
An entire one Month Vietnam trip budget for backpackers
What to expect and how to book Vietnam sleeper buses
Three 7-day Vietnam itinerary routes, perfect for shorter trips
Figure out if you’re insured to ride a scooter in Vietnam
How to get scooter insurance if you can’t get a 1968 IDP
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Is it Best to Stay in Tam Coc or Trang An?
Although the actual city of Ninh Binh is a perfectly reasonable place to stay for exploring the region, there are two better location choices. Both have their benefits and drawbacks!
Why Choose Tam Coc
The first is the charismatic, bustling little village of Tam Coc, the charmer of the region. It’s surrounded by some of the prettiest scenery and has a few tourist comforts like tour agencies, restaurants, hotels and the Tam Coc boat tours.
Tam Coc is best for people without independent transport, who like convenience, or want to be surrounded by places to grab a beer in the evenings. It’s also where a lot of local bus transport will drop you off.
It’s quite a lively area – there is even a party bus in Tam Coc by the pier. There are karaoke opportunities (ubiquitous in Vietnam) and lots of hostel bars.
Why Choose Trang An
An alternative is the more rural, homestay-style options in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Set along the stunning Song Sao Khe (river) to the north of Tam Coc, Trang An is a haven for anyone looking for a peaceful, countryside-heavy stay.
This fruitful, lush region is closer to the Trang An boat tours and inhabited by incredible guesthouses in unfathomably beautiful locations, pressed up against the vertical karst rock cliffs. It’s utterly magnificent, but a little further away from the bulk of the restaurants and tourist facilities of Tam Coc.
It’s best to have your own scooter rental out here (check with your accommodation of choice – many offer this service).
WHERE TO STAY IN NINH BINH
In Tam Coc, we recommend:
Della Luna Tam Coc: very affordable; lovely owner (she even brought me yogurts when I was sick); fantastic central location, very clean, modern rooms
Nam Hoa Hotel: more of a comfortable, tour group standard hotel with a western vibe (if that’s what you’re looking for); very central location.
In Trang An, we recommend:
Trang An Memory Homestay: stunning location at the bottom of the karst rocks; cute pool; lovely clean bungalows; isolated, quiet location, comes highly recommended from our friends!
Lotus Field Homestay: super cute and pretty little huts; crazy beautiful scenery; hosted by a friendly family; great place for a coffee, even if you don’t stay here.
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Where to Eat in Ninh Binh
We found the food in Ninh Binh to be typical of most places in Vietnam – great value, reasonable quality and easy to find.
Tam Coc, in particular, has many chilled out places to grab a beer, smoothie or something to eat. An added plus is the numerous options to stop and grab something along the river (often with incredible views) between Tam Coc and Trang An. We also found that the Ninh Binh area had more varied, affordable and decent vegetarian options than other parts of northern Vietnam.
Some of our favourite places to eat are:
⬩ Buddha Belly Vegetarian and Vegan
⬩ Family Restaurant
⬩ Chookie’s Beer Garden
⬩ Lotus Field Homestay
⬩ Napolis Pizza Bar Tam Coc
⬩ Hoang Cuisine
We don’t recommend the Farm Restaurant and Pub in Tam Coc. This one had a drunk, abusive male owner who tried to intimidate us into paying more and was pretty unpleasant.
We were recommended ‘Nhà Hàng Dê Chính Thu Ninh Bình’, for the speciality goat, but didn’t visit because we don’t eat meat.
If you want to see the traditional whole smoked goats by the road, being sold by the kilogram, check them out around the GPS points 20.250317, 105.929586 and 20.249857, 105.928519. Be aware, they’re pretty horrifying.
PLANNING A VIETNAM TRIP?
Have a quick peek to see if any of our other northern Vietnam posts might be helpful.
Destination info:
Learn the truth about the Tam Coc Boat Tour
Don’t miss these 11 things off your first-time Hanoi itinerary
How to cruise Halong Bay on a budget
Read about how to ride the Ha Giang Loop independently
Why you should avoid Sapa’s Cat Cat Village
Planning guides:
Are you insured to ride a scooter in Vietnam?
An entire one Month Vietnam trip budget for backpackers
Three 7-day Vietnam itinerary routes, perfect for shorter trips
What to expect and how to book Vietnam sleeper buses
How to get scooter insurance if you can’t get a 1968 IDP
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This Ninh Binh Itinerary
Your personal Ninh Binh itinerary will (obviously) depend on how much time you have to spare in the region. Over two visits we spent a total of about 10 days in Ninh Binh, most of which was just whizzing about on a motorbike and taking random side quests whenever we saw them.
We have noted some absolute highlights of the region below, along with how long we think each should take. The important, ‘can’t-miss’ sights, are also marked so you can choose to prioritise them too.
How long do you need for this Ninh Binh itinerary?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Ninh Binh for this itinerary is around 2-3 days.
We spent a week on our most recent visit to Ninh Binh and it was perfect, but we ambled around a lot. If you want to see the major highlights, several days would suffice.
It is possible to see a lot of the attractions in one day, but that would be rushed. So, at a minimum, we’d recommend an overnight stay.
Below the itemised list of things to do in Ninh Binh, we’ve discussed how we would fit everything into two days.
Ninh Binh Itinerary Map
Below is a savable Google Map of all the locations listed in the post, colour coded.
⬩ Restaurants are in green.
⬩ Hotels are in purple.
⬩ Places of interest are marked in yellow.
To save the map to your Google Maps, click on the star icon by the title. Select the screen icon in the top left to show or hide the breakdown of sections for this Ninh Binh itinerary. Click on a tick box to hide/show a section.
Things to do on a Ninh Binh Itinerary
Hang Mua Viewpoint
This was our favourite thing to do in Ninh Binh. It involves climbing a whole load of pretty (steep) stone steps (we heard it was about 500, but who knows – we didn’t count). These lead up to two karst rock peaks, both with exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, extending for miles in every direction.
The peaks are situated in an ‘ecolodge’, which has a lot of Instagrammy, photo op type spots including a field of lotus flowers (super-beautiful in the right season).
It gets crazy-hot in Ninh Binh (at least for us) so we went first thing in the morning and were the only people on the mountain. Despite the heat, Hang Mua gets rammed with tourists on day trips during the day.
Cost: the peaks are within the Hang Mua Ecolodge which has an admission fee of 100K VND per person, plus a motorbike parking fee of 10K VND.
Distance from Tam Coc: 5 kilometres
Time needed: 1-3 hours depending on how many photos you take and how quickly you can scale the steep stairs (these steps reminded me of Mayan pyramids which are narrow, steep and difficult to climb).
Priority: high
Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich dong, meaning ‘green cave’, is a striking Buddhist pagoda, situated across a small bridge surrounded by lake, very close to Tam Coc’s centre. Anybody who’s checked Ninh Binh on Google Images will almost certainly recognise it!
Continue past the first, very famous ‘Instagram spot’ gate; there is more to explore here than just that one picture-perfect location. Wear sensible shoes, the area can get slippery especially on the steps and in the cave. Also, remember to cover up shoulders and knees – it’s a sacred place. There are, as per usual, some pushy vendors – ignore them. Visit early to avoid crowds.
Cost: entrance is free and motorbike parking is 10k VND (but we’ve heard of people being told 20k). Only stop your motorbike at the furthest point – people will shout at you to stop earlier but they just want to charge you to park in their space or eat in their restaurants.
Distance from Tam Coc: 3 kilometres
Time needed: at least 1 hour
Priority: high
Ninh Binh Boat Tours
This is a favourite tourist attraction around Ninh Binh, with the inspired ‘foot-rowing’ method used by rowers.
There are two popular boat tour options if you want to float through hair-skimming caves and karst mountain scenery. The first is at Tam Coc, the second is in Trang An. There are pros and cons to each, but both provide an experience through the karst rock countryside from a river perspective. We’ve written about our experience at the Tam Coc boat tour, and why we think you should avoid it (see further down).
A third, quieter boat tour option, with less tourists, is at the Van Long Nature Reserve. Located to the North of Tam Coc, the boat tour here is far less well-known and is fantastic for bird watching through the wetlands.
Costs: Tam Coc – 250K VND per person, Trang An – 250K VND per person, Van Long – 100K per person
Distance from Tam Coc: 0 – 11 kilometres
Time needed: 2-4 hours depending on boat tour of choice
Priority: high
WHICH NINH BINH BOAT TOUR IS BEST?
Most visitors assign a few hours of their Ninh Binh itinerary to floating aside the incredible karst rocks. So, which boat tour is best?
There are several to choose from – the Tam Cốc boat tour or the Trang An boat tour.
On paper they both look similar:
Tam Coc boat tour: this costs either 250K or 340K VND per person. The boat tour lasts about 1.5 hours – departs from ‘Tam Coc Van Lam Pier’.
Trang An boat tour: this costs 250K VND per person and lasts 2-3 hours – departs from ‘Phòng vé Bến thuyền Tràng An’. There are three route options.
Our suggestion: the Trang An Boat Tour.
On our Ninh Binh trip, we chose the Tam Coc boat tour based on various factors including price and location. However, we would definitely recommend taking the Trang An boat tour instead as we did not have a positive experience with our rower in Tam Coc. We’ve written more about our Tam Coc boat tour on a separate post – check it out if you’re interested.
Not everyone has had a negative experience on this boat tour, of course, but it is definitely something we thought to mention if you are trying to decide which to choose. Have a read of the reviews on Google for ‘Tam Coc Van Lam Pier’ if you’re curious and also check out review for the Trang An equivalent.
When we go next go back to Ninh Binh, we’ll take the Trang An boat tour and update this post with which one is best!
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Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
This ancient, thousand-year-old site was the capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1009. Nestled between limestone mountains, Hua Lu was positioned in a strategic defensive location alongside the nearby Hoang Long River, which provided the city with access to trade routes and fresh water. When the capital was transferred to Hanoi in 1010, Hoa Lu was abandoned and fell into ruin.
Much of the site exists today through restoration works, such as the citadel, which was rebuilt in the 17th century. The relatively small, but spacious, site of Hoa Lu is now home to, amongst other things, two temples from different dynasties and the Tomb of the First Emperor.
The site is pretty, the grounds well-kept and the ruins historically significant, however unless you are a big Vietnamese history fan, it’s not worth putting at the top of your itinerary. Considering Hoa Lu was a former capital, it’s not that grand and reasonably small – you don’t need a guide or transport around it. We’d recommend a short stop here as part of a longer Ninh Binh itinerary.
Cost: 20K VND
Distance from Tam Coc: 13 kilometres
Time needed: 1 hour
Priority: low
Bai Dinh Pagoda
This massive Buddhist temple complex is part of the Trang An UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a surprisingly remarkable sight.
Bai Dinh covers an area of more than five square kilometres with over a dozen sights to see within it, including the impressive 13-storey Báo Thiên Stupa, two temples (one is the largest in Vietnam), many hundreds of metres-tall stone statues, and a ten-metre-high, 100-tonne statue of Buddha. Although this complex exudes an ancient, historic vibe, the majority is actually relatively new and was completed in 2010!
Bring decent shoes for this site, it’s big. Plus, make sure you go up the stupa for the magnificent panoramic views.
When we visited Bai Dinh Pagoda there was free entry, however we have heard there is now a charge of 60k VND for the bus to the site. There is a separate 50k VND charge for entry up Báo Thiên Stupa and an all-encompassing 200k entry ticket which includes the bus, Stupa entrance and use of electric shuttles on site. There is a fee of 15k VND for motorcycle parking and 40k VND for cars.
Distance from Tam Coc: 13 kilometres
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Priority: medium
Try the Ninh Binh Regional Specialities
De Tai Chanh is a speciality of Ninh Binh, consisting of locally reared mountain goat cooked with lemon juice and a combination of chilli, garlic, pepper and sesame. Apparently, this dish is special due to the goats’ diet and lifestyle – they roam free on the mountains with a unique diet of vegetables and herbs. We’ve not tried this personally; it doesn’t sound appealing (and looks even less so on the side of the road!). Nevertheless, it’s a speciality and any foodie visiting Ninh Binh should give it a go.
Another, slightly less horrifying speciality is com chay. This is glutinous rice which is cooked, pressed, dried and then cut into shaped blocks before being deep fried and served with meats (often goat) or vegetables.
Explore the Ninh Binh Countryside
This is a bit vague, but if you’re hanging around the Ninh Binh area for a few days, you’ll be at least a little tempted with a jaunt down some unknown road (surely?). There are water buffalo in the fields, lotus-carpeted rivers, narrow tracks dotted with small shrines and drying rice, and serene little water-side places to have a coffee.
We absolutely loved spending our days looking for alternative views and angles of the surrounding landscapes and seeking a new, beautiful sunset spot every evening. For example, check out this empty road just outside Tam Coc at 20.224193, 105.916780 for sunset, easily accessible by bicycle.
THIS NINH BINH ITINERARY IN TWO DAYS
If we had two days in Ninh Binh, this is how we’d schedule our time if we were staying in Tam Coc:
Day One
Early morning: hike up Hang Mua and explore the grounds
Lunch: back to Tam Coc, grab lunch at Buddha Belly, or head up the road to try the local goat at Nhà Hàng Dê Chính Thu.
Afternoon: visit Bich Dong Pagoda, hike around the area
Late afternoon: explore the scenery around Tam Coc (check out the Thung Nham Bird Sanctuary at the end of the Bich Dong Pagoda road – it’s great in the later afternoon because the birds come back to roost and few tourists visit! Also, there’s a cool cave.).
Evening: the scenery all around here is magnificent – it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset (20.224193, 105.916780, for example). Use all your spare time exploring as much as you can!
Dinner: if you’re looking for a lively evening, head to Chookie’s or the Banana Tree Hostel in Tam Coc. If you’re after a quieter dinner, check out Hoang Cuisine for some cracking Vietnamese food.
Day Two
Early Morning: Trang An Boat Tour
Lunch: grab a coffee and a meal from the Lotus Field Homestay (for the scenery) or get a bite on the main road.
Afternoon: visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Bai Dinh Pagoda (if you only have time for one, we’d recommend the latter). However, with a bit of dedication you can visit both!
Evening: if you fancy something un-Vietnamese, try the pizza and pasta at Napolis Pizza and Bar in Tam Coc.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there ATMS in Tam Coc?
Yes, there are ATMs in Tam Coc. There are multiple machines, all in the centre of the town.
Are there ATMs in Trang An?
Yes, there is one ATM in Trang An – a BIDB machine. We’d recommend taking cash to Trang An because this machine charges withdrawal fees.
Is a guide necessary for Ninh Binh?
No, you do not need a guide to visit Ninh Binh. Every activity listed in this itinerary is open to independent travellers (however, you can hire a guide if you want!).
How long should I spend in Ninh Binh?
The ideal trip to Ninh Binh would be about three days if you want to see all that is on offer.
Can I visit Ninh Binh on a day trip?
Yes, day trips to Ninh Binh from Hanoi are common. Check Get Your Guide for prices and tour options.
Is GRAB taxi available in Ninh Binh?
Yes, you can get a Grab Taxi in Ninh Binh and the surrounding area.
Final Thoughts: Ninh Binh Itinerary
I find it astounding that so many people miss this little region off their Vietnam itinerary or bucket list. It’s probably the prettiest place we’ve visited in Vietnam, along with Ha Giang in the far north, and even has really straightforward access from Hanoi.
Vietnam, as a country, is one of the most chaotic, feverish and vibrant that we have ever visited. However, Ninh Binh encapsulates everything wonderful about Vietnam and wraps it in a soothing, calm little bow. If you are looking for a break from frenetic Hanoi – this is the perfect place!
Ninh Binh probably won’t remain tranquil, serene and peaceful for much longer though – the region seems like a prime target for excessive development and gentrification. The irony of promoting this place isn’t lost on us, but we figure people are going to visit whether they read this blog or not, so they may as well get information from a reliable source. Having said that, please keep your money local and respect the people and environment when you visit.
Have a fantastic trip to Vietnam!
Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running.
Thank you, Claire + Nick
Thanks so much for the great insight. I actually use your blog to try and find the less touristy things to do! Currently in Vietnam and planning my Ninh binh trip based off your post.
Hi Amber,
That’s awesome! We’re really glad to have been of help.
Thank you for bringing such valuable insights on your
blog. Your approach to showing the intricacies of photography
makes your posts absolutely captivating. It’s clear that an immense amount
of knowledge and passion goes into your work, rendering it a valuable resource for photography enthusiasts such as myself.
Keep up the great work, and thank you for expanding our
knowledge of photography. Warmest regards, Anja
Hi Anja,
Thanks so much for your lovely comment 🙂
Thanks a lot guys! This is the best blog on Vietnam we have found. Very accurate!
Hey! Great blog.
Is it essential to rent a motorbike in Ninh Binh? Is it worth going if not confident to rent one?
Hi Alexia,
Thanks for your comment. We think it’s definitely worth visiting Ninh Binh, even without a motorbike.
If you’re not confident driving a motorbike, lots of people ride bicycles around the main areas of Tam Coc and Trang An (if you can tolerate the weather and temperatures – it can sometimes be hot or wet). It’s also possible to hire a driver to get around those areas too – it might be worth enquiring with your accomodation about this.
Hope this helps and you have a good time 🙂
Thank you soul MUCH! I included many of the things you recommended in my soon to happen visit to Nin Bihn.
Thanks for the blog! Great insight too! We will be heading to Ninh Binh in September
Thanks for the information! We booked 5 nights and cut one in Hanoi as it seems so beautiful and we love nature. I was not sure if it’s too long but after reading this it seems like it’s good. We are going in Feb. 2025 😊
Hi Elaine,
Happy to have been of help.
I hope you have a great time 🙂