What to do in Ninh Binh? 21 exciting tourist and entertainment spots

Ninh Binh is not only a fairyland hidden among green mountains and blue waters, but also a brilliant symphony of colors from enchanting entertainment spots that leave visitors speechless. Like a living painting, every scene here is imbued with the breath of nature and echoes of countless wandering journeys. What to do in ninh binh? Let's explore through the fascinating coordinates below! What to do in Ninh Binh? 21 exciting tourist and entertainment spots

1. Explore 4 caves at Trang An

Trang An is like a sentimental landscape painting, where ancient caves exude peaceful and mysterious beauty. The strange stalactites, towering rock walls and crystal-clear water create a unique landscape, making visitors feel like stepping into a separate world. Each cave here not only hides historical stories but is also a living testament to the miracle of nature, inviting those who love to explore and contemplate pristine beauty.

Below are some typical caves at Trang An that visitors can tour for free or experience for just 20,000 VND/person:

• Mua Cave: About 10km from Ninh Binh center, Mua Cave is famous for its 486 winding stone steps leading to the top of Mua Mountain - where there's a "masterpiece" panoramic view of Tam Coc. Admission tickets cost about 100,000 VND for adults and free for children under 1m tall.
• Dark Cave: Located about 7km from Ninh Binh city with a length of about 320m, Dark Cave hides in absolute darkness with no natural light penetrating. Adult tickets for those over 1.3m cost 250,000 VND/person, children from 1m - 1.3m cost 120,000 VND/person and free for children under 1m.
• Wine Cooking Cave: Only 7km from Ninh Binh city, Wine Cooking Cave stands out with unique stalactites, one of five famous caves and UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites. Admission tickets cost about 20,000 - 30,000 VND/person.
• Van Trinh Cave: About 30km from Ninh Binh city center, Van Trinh Cave impresses with two mysterious Upper - Lower caves. The Upper Cave stands out with "divine eye pair" symbolizing yin-yang harmony, while the Lower Cave captivates with a 7m high, over 10m long stalactite wall.

Ninh Binh is famous for many beautiful caves that enchant visitors (Source: Internet)

2. Visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong scenic complex

• Address: Tam Coc, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
• Cost: Adults about 120,000 VND/person/trip and children under 1.4m cost 60,000 VND/person/trip.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is a natural wonder consisting of three large caves stretching among lush rice fields and towering limestone mountains. This place attracts visitors not only for the magical beauty of the cave system but also for its historical value associated with the Tran dynasty. You can explore this scenic spot by boat, winding through limestone caves, feeling the fresh air and pristine beauty of nature.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a destination with enchanting natural scenery, surrounded by majestic mountains and vast rice fields (Source: Internet)

3. Listen to historical stories at Hoa Lu ancient capital

• Address: Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
• Cost: About 20,000 VND/person.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a prominent historical relic and place that preserves important traces of the Dinh - Earlier Le dynasties. Here, visitors not only admire ancient temples but also have the opportunity to learn about legendary stories and glorious battle achievements of heroes.

Each step in the quiet space of Hoa Lu is like taking you back in time, feeling the strong vitality of a historic land. For those who love exploring history, Hoa Lu is a perfect stop to understand more about national culture.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a landmark preserving many important historical traces of the Dinh - Earlier Le dynasties (Source: Internet)

A destination for check-in and preserving many moments among majestic nature (Source: Internet)

4. Conquer Ngoa Long mountain peak

• Address: Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
• Cost: Free.

Ngoa Long Mountain located in Trang An heritage area allows visitors to experience mysterious feelings when boating through caves or climbing to the mountain top to admire the panoramic view of Trang An. The path to the mountain top is not too difficult but requires patience, an interesting challenge for those who crave conquest and enjoying majestic beauty from above.

Especially, Ngoa Long Cave with unique limestone blocks along with relics at Hoa Lu ancient capital is where you can deeply feel the combination between magnificent nature and ancient culture.

Ngoa Long Mountain is an ideal stop for visitors who want to immerse themselves in wild, quiet space (Source: Internet)

Check-in "virtual living" beside towering mountain peaks (Source: Internet)

5. Boat rowing to view ripe rice fields

• Address: Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
• Cost: Boat rental for sightseeing costs about 150,000 VND/boat.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong during ripe rice season is like a sentimental landscape painting, outstanding with the golden color of rice fields harmonizing with overlapping mountains and the gentle Ngo Dong River winding around. The journey of sitting on a boat slowly drifting through caves, rice fields and peaceful villages brings visitors a gentle feeling, separated from the noisy pace of life.

Ripe rice fields at Tam Coc are like a sentimental landscape painting, where the golden color of yellow rice harmonizes with mountains and the winding Ngo Dong River (Source: Internet)

Rowing boats along the river is an activity not to be missed when visiting this tourist spot (Source: Internet)

6. Visit 3 religious cultural architectures

Among magnificent nature and the thousand-year historical flow, the following 3 religious architectural works are living testimonies to the intersection between spirituality, art and Vietnamese cultural identity:

• Bai Dinh Pagoda: The largest Buddhist architectural complex in Southeast Asia, located among mountains, forests and lakes creating a solemn space harmonious with nature. The work stands out with its massive scale and many outstanding records such as: Vietnam's largest pagoda, Southeast Asia's largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue, etc. Admission tickets for adults and children over 1.2m cost 50,000 VND/person and free for children under 1.2m.
• Phat Diem Stone Cathedral: A Catholic monument with over 130 years of history, harmoniously combining traditional Asian design with European Gothic style. Visitors can tour for free and admire typical architectural highlights such as Phuong Dinh and the statue of Our Lady's Heart.
• King Dinh Temple - King Le Temple: An important historical relic complex belonging to Hoa Lu ancient capital, associated with the formation of the first independent feudal state. The temple is built with ancient architecture and solemn spatial layout clearly showing political and cultural imprints of the Dai Co Viet era. Temple admission tickets cost about 20,000 VND/person for adults and children over 1.2m; free for children under 1.2m.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest spiritual destination in Southeast Asia, famous for many world records (Source: Internet)

Visit Phat Diem cathedral with over 130 years of history, designed in traditional Asian architecture and European Gothic style (Source: Internet)

Cannot miss King Dinh Temple - King Le Temple to explore more about national history (Source: Internet)

7. Immerse yourself in nature at 4 eco-tourism areas

Ninh Binh is not only famous for its romantic scenery but also owns eco-tourism areas that attract many visitors. Below are 4 destinations that help you find peace, enjoy fresh air and immerse yourself in the pure beauty of mountains, forests, rivers and waters:

• Van Long Wetland: A nature reserve that impresses with mirror-flat water surface, surrounded by limestone mountains and reed forests. This is also home to white-rumped langurs - a rare primate species listed in the Red Book. Admission tickets cost about 20,000 VND/adult, 10,000 VND for children under 1m and elderly people from 60 years old.
• Thung Nham Bird Garden: Home to thousands of bird individuals, including rare species such as herons and phoenixes. The fresh ecological space with bustling bird sounds here brings visitors a rare peaceful feeling. Bird garden admission tickets cost about 150,000 VND for adults, 100,000 VND for children from 1m to 1.3m.
• Dong Chuong Lake: Like a "mini Da Lat" in the heart of Ninh Binh, Dong Chuong Lake is a natural freshwater lake surrounded by cool green pine forests and rolling hills. Visitors can leisurely cycle, walk on trails around the lake or experience electric cars to explore the panorama. Lake admission tickets cost about 150,000 VND/person when experiencing cycling/walking and 250,000 VND/person if renting electric cars.
• Kenh Ga - Van Trinh Tourist Area: This is one of Vietnam's five most beautiful outdoor hot mineral springs, outstanding with natural mineral water from underground at about 53 degrees C, very good for health. This destination attracts visitors with experiences of soaking in natural mineral water streams, relaxing mud baths and exploring the unique life of Kenh Ga floating village. Gate tickets cost about 15,000 VND/person and from 75,000 VND for hot mineral spring bathing services.

Immerse yourself in nature at 4 eco-tourism areas in Ninh Binh (Source: Internet)

8. Trekking at Cuc Phuong national park

As Vietnam's first and largest primary forest, the park exploration journey will immerse you in wild nature and have opportunities to admire rare animals such as white-rumped langurs, sun bears along with ancient tree species like thousand-year-old cho trees.

The trails lead visitors to mysterious destinations like Ancient People's Cave and Son Cung Cave, each step is an adventure deep into the heart of the primary forest. The ideal time to experience this activity is from December to April because of dry weather, favorable for exploration.

Trekking at Cuc Phuong National Park to explore nature and have chances to meet many rare animals in the red book (Source: Internet)

Participate in exciting sports activities like rowing boats in cool water streams (Source: Internet)

9. Visit other natural destinations

Besides cultural and historical heritage, Ninh Binh also owns many locations with wild, rustic but captivating natural beauty:

• Tam Diep Pineapple Hill: A prominent destination with lush green pineapple clusters stretching to the horizon. This is an ideal destination for those seeking impressive photos with tickets costing about 20,000 - 80,000 VND/person.
• Non Nuoc Mountain: With panoramic views of Ninh Binh city, Non Nuoc Mountain not only bears deep historical imprints but is also called "fairy scenery in the mundane world". This place owns poetic beauty and is associated with important historical achievements, with gate tickets about 5,000 VND/person.
• Kim Son Beach: An 18km long beach with wild space, an ideal destination to enjoy nature's peace. Visitors can stroll on sea dikes or explore sedge fields, shrimp ponds, etc.
• Yen Quang Lake: Surrounded by majestic limestone mountain ranges, Yen Quang Lake brings a magnificent and peaceful natural space. Visitors can participate in outdoor sports activities like kayaking, SUP surfing or relax in fresh air.
• Ninh Binh Museum: Designed like a lotus flower floating among magnificent nature, Ninh Binh Museum is an unmissable destination to learn about ancient Vietnamese civilization. Here, visitors can learn about ancient culture through displayed artifacts with tickets costing about 30,000 VND/person for adults and free for children.

Visit many other famous natural landmarks in Ninh Binh (Source: Internet)

10. Enjoy local cuisine

Ninh Binh cuisine not only captivates visitors with distinctive flavors but also contains the cultural essence of this ancient capital land. Each dish here is like a small story, opening new discoveries about culture and people, leaving unforgettable impressions in every diner's heart:

• Ninh Binh crispy rice: Crispy fried rice pieces that melt in the mouth, eaten with rich goat meat sauce, harmoniously salty and sweet.
• Yen Mac sour pork roll: Hand-wrapped rolls from lean meat and pork skin, naturally fermented, light taste, crispy and gently fragrant with garlic.
• Gia Vien shrimp paste: Paste made from fresh shrimp fermented with roasted rice powder, strong aroma, often used to steam meat or dip boiled vegetables.
• Kim Son sticky rice wine: Wine made from golden flower sticky rice, fermented long in earthen jars, smooth taste, fragrant and sweet aftertaste.
• Ninh Binh mountain goat meat: Free-range mountain goat with firm meat, less fat, steamed, grilled or made into lime salad, eaten with raw vegetables and sauce.
• Kim Son snakehead fish salad: Fish cleaned and mixed with roasted rice powder, eaten with fig leaves and galangal dipping sauce, strange spicy-sour taste.

Ninh Binh cuisine always creates nostalgia for many visitors (Source: Internet)

11. Suggested Ninh Binh travel itinerary

Whether you only have 2 days 1 night or enjoy 3 days 2 nights, you can still fully feel the heritage beauty, poetic scenery and culinary essence here with suggested itineraries:

11.1. 2 days 1 night itinerary

The 2 days 1 night itinerary is a perfect choice for visitors to explore natural beauty, distinctive culture and enjoy unique cuisine of Ninh Binh in a short time:

Day 1

Day 2

11.2. 3 days 2 nights itinerary

The 3 days 2 nights itinerary below is suitable for visitors who want to explore in detail the nature, cultural heritage and unique cuisine of Ninh Binh:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

What to do in ninh binh is no longer a difficult question because this place owns many destinations that both have landscape value and are deeply cultural. Each journey to Trang An, Tam Coc, Mua Cave or Hoa Lu ancient capital opens up distinctive experiences. If you are looking for a place to both relax and explore many new things, then Ninh Binh is a destination not to be missed!

Are you ready to explore Ninh Binh - the land that converges natural beauty and distinctive cultural heritage? Your journey will be more complete when traveling with Vietnam Airlines - The 4-star airline recognized by Skytrax. With spacious seating, high-standard cuisine and rich entertainment systems, each flight is designed to bring the most comfortable and quality experience to customers!