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Why Visit Ninh Binh?
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  • Holidays in Vietnam
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Just an hour or two south of Hanoi, this beautiful rural part of northern Vietnam has been described as ‘Halong Bay On Land’. The scenery here is breathtaking; the land is streaked with vivid green fields and flowing rivers beneath limestone mountains and caves. During your stay, you can spend time exploring the paddy fields by either walking or cycling or taking gentle boat rides through the timeless Trang An ecosystem. There are some interesting off-the-beaten-track temples here and on the flip side, it's worth visiting the largest pagoda in Vietnam, Bai Dinh Pagoda, a pilgrimage site for Vietnamese Buddhists.

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The town of Ninh Binh itself is rather uninspiring, however, to the south, the nearby village of Tam Coc has some of the best countryside scenery in the region. In the opposite direction sits one of Vietnam's ancient capitals, Hoa Lu. Not much remains of this 10th-century royal city apart from some intricate archways and the atmospheric dynastic temples of Dinh Tien Hoang, Nhat Tru Temple and Le Dai Hanh.

Home to the Unesco World Heritage Site known as the Trang An Grottoes, the caves, rock formations and canals here are some of the most popular attractions in Ninh Binh. The best way to experience its beauty is to meander down the canals and rivers on a relaxing boat ride with a local as they row you through caves and past temples. If you’re seeking some of the best views in the region, get up high and walk the 500 steps up the Hang Mua Caves to take in the scenery from above, looking out over the mountains, fields and river. For wildlife lovers, Van Long Nature Reserve provides a tranquil and alluring wetland setting ideal for bird watching.

An exciting way to get to and from Ninh Binh is by train as it sits on the main north to south train line. Just a two-hour journey south of Hanoi, you can also continue down south to Hue. Take the 11-hour overnight sleeper train ride and wake up to the tropical scenery before you arrive in Hue.

Vietnam Holidays With A Difference:

Vietnam Train Odyssey

Vietnam Train Odyssey

Traverse Vietnam along the North-South Railway. Take in the scenery from the train and stop to explore the highlights with a guide.

Northern Loops of Thailand and Vietnam

Northern Loops of Thailand and Vietnam

Discover the most beautiful parts of both Thailand and Vietnam. Lovely hotels, authentic local experiences, overland travel.

Countryside, Caves & Beach

Countryside, Caves & Beach

Take a train through Vietnam's countryside to discover some of the country's lesser-explored natural highlights.

A Different Side of Vietnam

A Different Side of Vietnam

Weaving a different path through Vietnam, this holiday combines remarkable countryside with insider cultural tours via unique transport.

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020 7924 7133 Get in touch

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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Vietnam
    • Classic Vietnam Holidays
    • Vietnam & Cambodia Holidays
    • Vietnam Family Holidays
    • Vietnam With A Difference
    • Ultimate Vietnam Holidays
    • Mekong River Journeys
    • Indochina & Beyond
  • Guide to Vietnam
    • Why choose Vietnam
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Info on Vietnam
    • Why Visit Vietnam?
    • Getting Around
    • Guides & Drivers
  • Regions of Vietnam
    • Northern Vietnam
      • Overview
      • Hanoi
      • Halong Bay
      • Bai Tu Long National Park
      • Cat Ba Island
      • Sapa
      • Ha Giang Province
      • Mai Chau
      • Pu Luong
      • Ninh Binh
    • Central Vietnam
      • Overview
      • Hue
      • Hoi An
      • Danang
      • Hoi An Beaches
      • My Son
      • Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
      • Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)
    • Southern Vietnam
      • Overview
      • Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
      • Mekong Delta
      • Mui Ne & Phan Thiet
      • Dalat
      • Nha Trang
      • Cat Tien National Park
      • Con Dao Islands
      • Phu Quoc Island
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Contact Us
  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family Travel
  • Inspiration
    • Inspire me
    • Travel Soon
    • Plan Ahead
    • Month by month weather guide
    • Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • My Booking
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  • Blog