Ha Long Bay on Land
Explore Ninh Binh
About a 90-minute drive south of Hanoi by private car, Ninh Binh is often described as “Ha Long Bay on land”, and it is easy to see why. Limestone mountains covered in dense greenery rise dramatically from rice fields and rivers, while caves and waterways weave through the landscape.
Ninh Binh can be visited as a day trip from Hanoi if time is limited, but I chose to spend a couple of nights here. Upon arriving in Hanoi, I hired a private car for our group of four and travelled directly to Ninh Binh rather than staying in the capital first.
Check out my photography in Ninh Binh Visual Stories
for more inspiration and places I have explored.
Why I Enjoy Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a destination best enjoyed without rushing. The combination of limestone mountains, rivers, caves and temples gives the area a completely different character from nearby Hanoi.
I stayed at Mua Caves Ecolodge, right at the foothill of Hang Múa. The lodge itself was simple, but its location was the main reason I chose it. Being only steps away from the entrance meant I could start climbing early in the morning, before most day-trippers arrived and while the temperature was still comfortable.
After the morning climb, a lazy boat ride through Trang An was a welcome change of pace. It was a hot day, so sitting back while the boat slowly moved between limestone mountains and hidden temples was a good way to spend the rest of the morning.
Here are Ninh Binh’s
Most Instagrammable Spots:
There are many places scattered around Ninh Binh, including Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh, Hang Múa, Trang An, Tam Coc and Bich Dong Pagoda. Other attractions such as Phat Diem Cathedral and Thung Nham Bird Garden are farther from the main sightseeing area. I managed to visit only some of the main highlights on this trip.
- Hang Múa (Mua Cave Viewpoint) – One of the most photogenic places in Ninh Binh and worth the steep climb of around 500 steps. From the top, you can look across the river, rice fields and limestone formations. Staying at the foot of the mountain allowed me to climb early before the crowds and midday heat arrived.
- Trang An – A wonderfully lazy river ride that almost feels like a theme-park attraction created entirely by nature. Boats glide between towering limestone formations, through caves and towards temples hidden among the mountains. You choose a route when purchasing your ticket, and along the way there are stops where you get off the boat to explore the temples. If you’re lucky, you may also see a rower skilfully using their feet to row. I would start around 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning and try to finish before the strongest midday heat.
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Vietnam’s ancient capital during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. The historic area is surrounded by mountains and greenery, with temples and old structures that make it worth spending more time here if your itinerary allows.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda – A vast Buddhist temple complex that requires considerably more time than a quick stop. Electric vehicles help visitors travel between parts of the large site, and I would allow at least two hours if you want to explore it properly.
- Tam Coc – Another of Ninh Binh’s famous river landscapes, where boats travel between limestone mountains and rice fields. If your itinerary is short, you may need to choose between spending more time here and taking the Trang An boat ride.
- Bich Dong Pagoda – A historic pagoda complex built against the limestone mountain, with temples at different elevations. Its old stone entrance, bridge and mountain setting make it another distinctive photography stop.
- Cycling Through the Countryside – For those whose legs are fit and ready, a bicycle is a great way to explore the rice fields, villages and smaller roads around Ninh Binh. I chose to save my leg energy for the considerable amount of walking and climbing instead.
How Long to Stay in Ninh Binh
You can make Ninh Binh a day trip from Hanoi and cover a few key highlights, but it would be a long day. One night gives you more flexibility, particularly if you want an early start at Hang Múa. I chose to stay two nights, which gave me more time to explore without turning the trip into a race from one attraction to another.
Even then, I missed a couple of places I would have liked to see. For me, that was fine—Ninh Binh was well worth the extra time beyond a Hanoi day trip.
