Must-Visit Attractions in Ninh Binh

Trang An Eco-tourism Complex

Referred to as a "Ha Long Bay on land," Trang An captivates visitors with its diverse system of limestone mountains and natural caves. Visitors here can enjoy a mesmerizing natural landscape and have peaceful, relaxing moments in a unique cultural and spiritual space. This eco-tourism area is part of the Trang An World Heritage Complex, preserving and housing many wetland ecosystems, limestone forest ecosystems, archaeological sites, and historical cultural relics since 2014.

Address: Trang An Road, Đong Thanh, Ninh Binh (approximately 7 km from Ninh Bình bus station and 8 km from Ninh Binh train station).

Ticket price: 250,000 VND per person.

Trang An - Photo: Dan tri

Tam Coc - Bich Dong

Tam Coc means three caves: Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. Tam Coc astonishes visitors with its towering limestone mountains, fascinating cave formations, and golden rice fields on both sides. Visitors often first visit Bich Dong Pagoda, known as "Nam Thiên Đệ Nhị Động", for a panoramic view from above. Afterward, visitors can take a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River to explore Tam Cốc.

Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

Ticket price:

  + Tam Coc Ticket: Adults: 120,000 VND/person/trip. Children under 1.4m: 60,000 VND/person/trip (free for children under 3 years old).

  + Boat ride ticket: 150,000 VND/boat/trip (free for children under 3 years old).

  + Bich Dong entrance fee: 20,000 VND/ticket/trip.

Thach Bich - Thung Nang

Thung Nang is an attractive tourist destination in Ninh Binh, featuring golden rice fields and emerald green rivers. True to its name, the sun shines everywhere, from the leaves to the rustic thatched roofs along the banks, down to the water's bottom, creating a brilliant and peaceful scene.

Address: Đam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District.

Kenh Ga Van Trinh Tourism Area

Kenh Ga – Van Trinh Tourism Area is one of the largest tourist areas in Ninh Binh. This area is located in the floodplain of the Hoang Long River, bordering the two districts of Gia Vien and Nho Quan. It is formed by the investment and connection of two famous tourist spots: Kenh Ga Hot Spring and Van Trinh Cave.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong. Photo: Ninh Binh travel

Non Nuoc Mountain

Non Nước Mountain (formerly known as Duc Thuy Son) is located at the confluence of the Van River and the Day River, nestled between the Non Nuoc Bridge and the Ninh Binh Bridge.

The path to the top of Non Nuoc includes 72 stone steps divided into five levels. The mountain's peak is relatively flat, with lush greenery, making it a convenient resting place for visitors. At the foot of Non Nuoc Mountain is Non Nuoc Pagoda, an ancient temple built during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. In 2006, the pagoda was renovated to be more spacious while retaining its sacred and tranquil charm.

Mua Cave

Mua Cave is a popular check-in destination for visitors to Ninh Binh. To reach the top of Mua Cave, visitors must climb about 500 stone steps. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Ninh Binh with winding rivers, rice fields, and majestic mountains. You should spend about 2-3 hours exploring and taking photos in the area.

Address: At the foot of Mua Mountain, Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh.

Ticket price: 100,000 VND per person.

Am Tien Cave

In the past, the only way to reach this place was by climbing, so Am Tien was dubbed the "Tuyệt Tình Cốc" (The Valley of Love). Nowadays, visitors can travel through a tunnel, then climb the mountain to visit the pagoda, offer incense, and admire the cave with its marvelous stalactites. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains like fortresses and a cool blue lake in the middle, this place is often described by visitors as poetic, yet tinged with a bit of sadness and mystery.

Address: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, about 10 km from the center of Ninh Binh city.

Entrance fee: 20,000 VND per person.

Van Long Lagoon - Photo: Onevivu

Vân Long Lagoon

Dubbed the "bay without waves," when riding a boat on the lagoon, visitors will see the water surface as smooth as a mirror. The water is not as blue as the sea but crystal clear, revealing layers of moss below. The lagoon also holds two records from the Vietnam Book of Records Center in 2010: the place with the most Delacour's langurs and the largest natural picture.

Entrance fee: 20,000 VND per person & boat ticket: 60,000 VND/2 people.

Thung Nham Bird Garden

Thung Nham Bird Garden Ecotourism Area is home to about 40 bird species and over 50,000 birds. The best time to watch flocks of birds returning from feeding is around 5 pm.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong, located at the border of three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, attracts many tourists with various types of tourism, from ecotourism and research to adventure tourism. Visitors to Cuc Phuong can explore the primary forest, caves with fascinating shapes, and caves that contain long-standing cultural and historical relics such as Trang Khuyet Cave, Chua Cave, Thuy Tien Cave, and Nguoi Xua Cave.

Cuc Phuong park - Photo: Phunu

Tam Diep Pineapple Hill

Tam Diep is a newly popular check-in spot, attracting visitors with its vast, green pineapple fields. Located about 20 km from Ninh Binh city, it’s important for visitors to remember not to pick the pineapples and to ask for permission before taking photos. There is no entrance fee.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was the first capital of the centralized feudal state of Vietnam, marking the ups and downs of the Đinh, Early Le, and the early Ly dynasties. Despite more than 1000 years of history, Hoa Lu still retains a complex of relics, including architectural works built in the 17th century such as the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and Le Dai Hanh Temple. It is recognized by UNESCO as one of the four core areas of the Tràng An World Heritage Complex.

Address: Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

Ticket price: Adults: 20,000 VND; Children 6-15 years old: 10,000 VND; Seniors (60 years and older) and disabled people: 10,000 VND/person.

Bai Dinh Pagoda

The Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, built in 2003, spans over 500 hectares and is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains.

Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh

Ticket price:

  + Entrance fee to the stupa: 50,000 VND/person

  + Electric car fee: 30,000 VND/person/one way.

Bai Dinh Pagoda - Photo: VnE

Phat Diem Stone Church

Located 28 km from Ninh Binh city, Phat Diem Stone Church boasts unique architecture, blending traditional Vietnamese pagoda styles with Catholic elements. The complex includes the main church and five smaller churches (one of which is made entirely of natural stone, known as the stone church), phương đình (the bell tower), ponds, and three artificial grottoes.

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