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Ninh Binh - Limestone peaks south of Hanoi

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If you travel from south to north Vietnam, Ninh Binh should be your first stop. At 93 km from Hanoi, a cyclist will anyway make a stop here. Some nickname Ninh Binh the dry version of Ha Long Bay. And yes there are certain similarities between the two areas.

Ninh Binh also played its role in the Sino French War in August 1874 when it was considered to be an important outpost of the French who build a citadel to control the river traffic to the Gulf of Tonkin.

The main reason for tourists to visit the area nowadays is the spectacular landscape. If there is one area in Vietnam where you should get a bicycle and explore the countryside, the limestone peaks, caves and pagodas, it is here, in and around Ninh Binh.

A magnificent view over the river in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is famous for the Tam Coc cave, the Dich Long cave and pagoda (Gia Thanh - Gia Vien) and for the Cuc Phuong National Park, west of the city.

There are many pagodas, some nearby the caves.

• Bich Dong pagoda and cave
• Can Linh Pagoda
• Banh Long Pagoda
• Dinh and Le Temples
• Hoa Lu ancient capital
• Hoa Lu Citadel; Nhat Tu Pagoda
• Phat Diem stone church (Phat Diem - Kim Son)

But even if you think you have seen already all the best caves and pagodas in the world, the rice fields are still a knock out. The Van Long are the conserved wetland area (Gia Vien).

The rice fields of Ninh Binh

The old city of Ninh Bình is one of many famous historical sites in Vietnam but often overlooked by tourist as the surrounding scenery is so spectacular.

The city is a pleasant and has several good and cheap hotels.

Finding food is not that difficult too.

If you stay in the center of the city, take one of the few roads out on the west side. Within a few 100 meters you are in the countryside and a few km further you're in the spectacular limestone mountains.

One of the many temples in Nin Binh

Getting there and away

With it's 93 km from Hanoi it is easy accessible by bicycle. If you are coming from Hue, you may want to drop your bicycle on a train as the ride from Hue to Vinh is hardly worth the effort but not impossible with cities as Dong Ha, Dong Hoi, Vinh and Thanh Hoa in between.  This is a pleasant though not very spectacular ride for the most.

• Check my page about cycling from Hanoi to Vinh

In case you want to skip this lesser interesting part of Vietnam, there are trains and buses to Hanoi and Hue/Danang/Ho Chi Minh City. I took once the train from Hue which was a fine overnight ride.

Hotels in Ninh Binh

The Thuy Anh Hotel Ninh Binh is an excellent choice to stay. For around US $35-40 you will have not only all the luxury you can wish for but a great staff with excellent service. It's small hotel which makes even more a kind of homestay.

One traveler says: "Great hotel. The staff were extremely friendly and all spoke very good English. They could not have been more helpful in assisting us with our onward travel plans. "

• Book NOW your room in the Thuy Anh Hotel Ninh Binh

In town there are many Mini Hotels, family hotels with basic rooms but usually a very friendly and helpful staff. Watch out for the signs "mini hotel" or ask around when you arrive. The Viet Hung Hotel and the Ngoc Anh Hotel are recommended by many low budget travelers for their cheap rooms (US $8-10) and hospitality.

Another good option is the Viet Hung Hotel, which has clean and spacious rooms. Owner speaks German, as she has lived in Berlin.

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Back to cycling in Vietnam

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