How long should I spend in Ninh Binh?

Is Ninh Binh City worth visiting?

Ninh Binh? Absolutely worth it. Dramatic landscapes. Think towering limestone karsts. Like something out of a movie. Reminds me of that one with Ha Long Bay, except way less touristy. Last time I went, rented a motorbike. Explored the backroads around Tam Coc. Incredible. Saw rice paddies reflecting the sky. Almost surreal. What’s the meaning of it all, you know?

• Stunning scenery: Ninh Binh’s the place for that. Boat rides through caves. Hikes up mountains with panoramic views. Definitely check out Trang An. And Bai Dinh Pagoda. Largest in Southeast Asia. My friend, a photographer, goes crazy for the place.

• Cultural experiences: Plenty of those too. Ancient temples. Local villages. Bich Dong Pagoda, specifically, is beautiful. We tried goat meat there, actually. Not bad.

• Less crowded than Ha Long Bay: This is key. Similar landscapes, but way more chill. More authentic somehow. Found some hidden gems on a bicycle there a few months ago.

• Easy to get to from Hanoi: Just a couple of hours by train or bus. Makes a great weekend trip. Stayed at a homestay once near Cuc Phuong National Park. Definitely worth exploring that. Really got away from it all.

• Affordable: Food and accommodation are cheap. Rented a scooter for next to nothing. Bargaining’s expected in the markets, though. Picked up some silk scarves for my mom last time.

Ninh Binh definitely stands out. Different vibe than other places in Vietnam. More rural, more peaceful. Good for the soul. Need to plan another trip back soon.

How much time do you need in Ninh Binh?

Three days in Ninh Binh? Barely scratched the surface, honestly. We went in June 2024, heat was brutal. My wife, Sarah, and I, we wanted to see everything. Totally ambitious.

Tam Coc was amazing. The boat ride, though! Those guys row like crazy. So much better than the Trang An experience – way too touristy. Trang An felt like a theme park. Mua Cave? Killer views. The climb up was tough, but worth it. I nearly died, though, the heat was insane!

We cycled through rice paddies. Beautiful, but my butt hurt like crazy afterwards. Seriously, need better bike seats. We did not have enough time. We missed Cuc Phuong National Park completely! Gutted. Bai Dinh Pagoda was also on the list…nope. No way. Too packed.

Two days is a joke. Three days is better, but still rushed. Four or five? Now you’re talking. Even then, you’ll want more time. Five days is ideal. Things I wish we’d done:

• More hiking!
• Explored smaller villages.
• Tried local cooking classes.
• Visited a less-crowded pagoda.
• Honestly, I’d have liked more time just relaxing by the river, sipping something cool.

Ninh Binh is beautiful, but go prepared for the heat and plan extra time. You won’t regret it. Really.