For people who are not very keen on the noise in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, a city in a state of the same name, makes a good alternative. It is a place of unspoiled beauty; and of peace and quiet.

Ninh Binh is a haven for nature lovers. Its prized attractions are splendid sceneries of limestone formations, mossy pagodas, and untainted landscapes. What’s the best way to experience all those natural wonders? It is through a paddleboat. Traversing Trang An in a paddleboat allows you to appreciate the jungle-covered karsts all over the place. Paddleboats also stop by temples, so you do not miss the city’s captivating culture and history.

There are not so many attractions within Ninh Binh city itself. But it is a fantastic starting point for exploring Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and Van Long, which keep even more of Vietnam’s natural wonders. Plus, it is accessible from Hanoi, a two-hour ride by bus or train, where international flights come in.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Ninh Binh travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Ninh Binh HotelsTours + discountsFlights

View all travel tips on: Ninh Binh.

1. Hang Mua Peak (Mua Caves Viewpoint )

Location: thôn Khê Đầu Hạ, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

See rates & book online

Mua Cave and Trang An Tour from Hanoi

For more travel inspiration, follow Detourista on:

InstagramFacebooktiktokPinterest

2. Tam Coc River

Location: Tam Coc Ninh Binh Đội 2 văn lâm, Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

See rates & book online

Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Day Tour from Hanoi

3. Trang An

Location: Tràng An, Trường Yên, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

See rates & book online

Mua Cave and Trang An Tour from Hanoi

4. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Location: Trường Yên, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

5. Bai Dinh Pagoda

Location: Xã, Gia Sinh, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

6. Bich Dong Pagoda, Tam Coc

Location: Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province 430000, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

7. Thung Nham Bird Park

Location: Thôn Hải Nham, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

8. Thai Vi Temple, Tam Coc

Location: Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

9. Explore Ninh Binh by Bicycle

10. Mua Caves Ecolodge

Rooms & rates at Mua Caves Ecolodge

Check rates online here

Location: Khê Hạ, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province 430000, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

11. Phat Diem Cathedral

Location: TT. Phát Diệm, Kim Sơn District, Ninh Bình Province 430000, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Where to go near Ninh Binh & beyond

Hanoi

Location: Northern Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Hanoi Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Halong Bay

Location: Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Halong Bay Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Phong Nha Caves

Location: Bố Trạch District, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Save on Google Maps.

Phong Nha Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Ninh Binh that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh tourist spots, things to do in Ninh Binh, where to go in Ninh Binh & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh

Click below & search recommended Ninh Binh hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

AgodaBooking.com

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Don’t Stop Here

Click below for more travel inspiration: