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If you’ve started planning a trip to Vietnam, you’ve probably come across Ninh Binh. With its dramatic limestone cliffs, winding rivers and rice fields, it’s often called “Halong Bay on land”. Like Halong Bay, it’s also one of the most popular day trips from Hanoi, which means it can feel overvisited. So, is Ninh Binh really worth visiting?
We hesitated for a long time before adding it to our itinerary. We don’t usually enjoy crowded places and were worried it might feel too touristy. Indeed, there were a lot of people when we visited Ninh Binh. But was it still worth it? I’ve shared below what we loved, what we didn’t, and when Ninh Binh is worth including in your Vietnam itinerary, with tips to plan your visit.
What makes Ninh Binh special
Trang An boat ride
Ninh Binh’s scenery is among the most beautiful in northern Vietnam. The region combines striking karst mountains, emerald-green rice paddies and peaceful rivers. The best way to take it all in is from the water, and the Trang An boat ride was easily one of the highlights of our trip around Vietnam. Gliding through limestone caves, surrounded by cliffs, felt magical – especially when the crowds thinned out on our route.
Views from Mua Cave
The viewpoint at Mua Cave offers one of the most iconic panoramas in Vietnam. From the top, you can see the river winding through the limestone peaks and the boats gliding below. The climb is steep but short, and the view from the summit is absolutely worth the effort.
Hoa Lu Old Town
We also loved spending an evening in Hoa Lu Old Town (different from the Ancient Capital). One part of town was quiet and beautifully lit, with lanterns reflecting on the river and temples glowing softly at night. We climbed up to the Ky Lan Pagoda for a sweeping panorama of the area. If you’ve heard of Hoi An’s famous lanterns, Hoa Lu Old Town offers its own version – vibrant, colourful and much more peaceful. Short evening boat rides under the lantern light added a romantic touch.
There’s also a livelier area with a walking street, market, restaurants and bars. It was a great spot for dinner with a view – and dessert! We used Grab to get there and explored at our own pace, but if you prefer having everything arranged or feel more comfortable in a group, you can easily join an organised tour.
What can be disappointing
Having to rush
If you visit Ninh Binh on a group day tour from Hanoi, expect it to feel busy and rushed. That was our case: our guide wasn’t particularly engaging or good at keeping everyone on schedule. She often didn’t join us during visits, which had its advantages – we could explore at our own pace – but it also meant we kept waiting for others who were late, and ended up rushing through the later stops. With so much to see in just one day, every lost minute mattered.
Visiting Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi is stunning – but be prepared for a long, tiring day.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
The visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital felt a bit flat, with limited explanations and not much atmosphere. The cycling activity actually followed the main road, alongside traffic and our own bus, which made it neither scenic nor particularly special.
Crowds at Mua Cave
By the time we reached Mua Cave in the afternoon, the viewpoint was crowded, which took away a bit from the experience. We had no trouble climbing up despite the 500 steps, but you sometimes have to queue, so it takes longer than expected, and you don’t get much time at the top. The area around the dragon statue was especially busy and a bit chaotic, with little respect for the site or the line. I decided to turn back – I never see the point of queuing for a photo when you can’t really enjoy the atmosphere.
Others in our group struggled due to the heat and were still making their way up the 500 stairs when it was already time to leave. Thankfully, we were staying overnight in Tam Coc, so our guide arranged a taxi to drop us at our accommodation instead of waiting for the group. Otherwise, we would have been back in Hanoi very late.
Lotus Pond at Mua Cave
We read that the lotus pond is at its best from May to July. It was surely not as scenic outside the blooming season. We were a bit disappointed to find there was an extra fee just to walk around the pond – we only wanted a quick visit while waiting for others to finish the climb. Still, it’s nice that they offer an alternative activity for those who cannot tackle the 500 steps to the Mua Cave viewpoint.
Tam Coc boat ride
If you’re considering a boat tour in Tam Coc, just go with the right expectations – reviews often mention pushy sellers trying to get tips or sell souvenirs during the ride. We decided to skip the boat tour after reading about that and were happy with a quiet walk along the river at sunset instead. With fewer boats on the water, it felt peaceful and scenic – and maybe that’s the best time to experience Tam Coc.
How to make it worth it
If you can, stay overnight rather than visiting as a day trip. Once the buses leave, the atmosphere changes completely – it becomes peaceful, and you can really appreciate the beauty of the area. We stayed one night in Tam Coc and loved exploring the surroundings in the evening, especially Hoa Lu Old Town.
Staying longer also gives you the flexibility to visit the main spots early or late in the day, when they’re much quieter. If we were to go again, we’d spend two full days in Ninh Binh to explore at our own pace and enjoy the calm before or after the day trippers. And if you have time to explore beyond the main sights, the countryside around Tam Coc is lovely for cycling or a peaceful stroll once the day-trippers have gone.
If you prefer to avoid crowds and rushed tours, consider booking a private tour or hiring a driver for the day. It’s more expensive but allows you to travel at your own pace and enjoy more meaningful stops – and you’ll appreciate the air conditioning if you visit in the warmer months!
When it might not be for you
If you’re travelling mainly for cultural or off-the-beaten-path experiences, Ninh Binh will feel too touristy. During peak hours, you’ll see long lines of boats and large groups everywhere. Those who dislike busy attractions or prefer trekking in quiet landscapes might find Sapa or Pu Luong more rewarding. We’re those types of travellers, and while we didn’t enjoy the atmosphere at Ninh Binh, we’re still glad we visited – I’d just recommend staying longer than a day trip to make it worthwhile.
We went to Pu Luong straight after Ninh Binh, and it was exactly what we were looking for – green, peaceful, and far less crowded. The contrast made us appreciate both places for what they offer.
So, is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
For us, yes – Ninh Binh is worth visiting, but with the right expectations. It’s not the quiet countryside escape some photos might suggest, but the landscapes are spectacular and unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. If you plan your visit carefully and look past its popularity, Ninh Binh will absolutely be worth it.
If you visit independently or stay overnight, you’ll find moments of calm that make it truly special. We don’t usually enjoy crowded attractions, yet we’re glad we went – and if we were to do it again, we’d plan two full days to see it at our own pace.
Still deciding between destinations?
If you’re short on time and trying to choose where to go, you might find these articles helpful:
They go into more detail about the differences between these popular spots and can help you plan your itinerary.
Quick tips for visiting Ninh Binh
- What to expect: Impressive limestone mountains, scenic boat rides, and historic temples – but also plenty of tourists, especially around Mua Cave.
- How long to stay: Can be done as a day trip, but I’d recommend staying at least one night, ideally two, to explore at a relaxed pace and enjoy the countryside without rushing.
- How to get there: Around 2 hours south of Hanoi by car. A private driver or tour is the easiest option.
- Where we stayed: At Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa in a quiet and pleasant area that felt especially lovely in the late afternoon. There was also a good massage place nearby – perfect after a day of exploring. We spent the evening in Hoa Lu Old Town, which had a great atmosphere and would also have been a nice place to stay.
- Top highlights: The viewpoint at Mua Cave, the boat ride in Trang An and Hoa Lu Old Town in the evening.
- What to pack: Comfortable walking shoes for climbing Mua Cave, a hat and sunscreen and light clothes if visiting during the hotter months (it gets very hot and humid from April to August).
Best time to visit Ninh Binh
The experience in Ninh Binh can vary a lot depending on the season, so timing your visit makes a big difference:
- Spring (February–April): Mild temperatures and lush green landscapes make it a pleasant time to visit. Humidity starts to rise towards April. This is when we visited!
- Summer (May–August): Expect hot, humid days and heavy downpours, especially in July and August. The rice paddies are vibrant, and water lilies are blooming, but boat rides and hikes can be very uncomfortable in the heat.
- Autumn (September–October): Often considered the best time to visit Ninh Binh. The weather is more comfortable, and the rice fields turn a beautiful golden colour during harvest.
- Winter (November–February): Cooler and sometimes foggy, with shorter days and less sunshine. It’s a good season to enjoy fewer crowds.
Where is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is in northern Vietnam, about 90 kilometres south of Hanoi (roughly a 2-hour drive). It’s an appealing stop for visitors short on time and don’t want to venture too far. Indeed, the province is compact and easy to explore, with the main attractions like Trang An, Tam Coc, and Mua Cave all within a short drive from Ninh Binh town or the nearby village of Tam Coc.
