Ninh Binh - Limestone peaks south of Hanoi

If you travel south - north, 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.

Ninh Binh Scenery

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

There are many pagodas, some nearby the caves.

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

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.

Getting there and away

With it's 93 km from Hanoi it is easy accessible by bicycle. If you are coming from Hue, you might 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 Quang Tri, Vinh and Thanh Hoa in between.

There are regular buses between Hue and Hanoi with stops in Ninh Binh. The easiet option from the south is still the train.

From Ninh Binh to Hanoi you can choose either the train or the faster regular buses from Ninh Binh bus station.

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.