How to get around Ninh Binh?

How long do you need in Ninh Binh?

Ninh Binh? Oh, you’re asking how long to stay in that place?

Three days. Four? Depends if you are my Aunt Mildred. She would stay a month, photographing every, single, rice paddy. Bless her heart.

Seriously, three days should be enough unless you have a pathological need to kayak through every cave. I mean, who does that?

• Three days: Essential Ninh Binh. Temples, caves, boat ride, done!
• Four days: Relaxed pace. Add some biking, maybe a cooking class so you can impress your friends (or not).
• Avoid: Aunt Mildred’s Month-long Rice Paddy Photo Safari. Seriously, don’t do it. No one needs to see that many photos.

Cave complexes are a must. But only if you like bats. I don’t. Bats are like winged mice. Ew.

Boating is a must-do, too, even if those boats are powered by feet. Yes, feet. Like a Flintstones car… but wetter.

Can we explore Ninh Binh on our own?

Sun bleeds gold on limestone. Dust motes dance. Ninh Binh unfolds. Your own motorbike, a whisper of wind.

Roads ribboning through rice paddies. Green, green, a thousand shades of green. Emerald water lilies.

Lost in the vastness. Time stretches. Like taffy. Sweet, slow. My own trip last May, I saw a kingfisher. Flash of blue.

Hoa Lu, ancient capital. Ghosts whisper in the temples. Stone dragons guarding secrets. Cool, quiet shadows. Sun warm on my face.

Tam Coc. Three caves. A sampan ride. Rowed by feet. Incredible. Silence broken by the dip of oars. Water, reflecting the sky.

Bich Dong Pagoda. Climbing stone steps. Looking out at the world. Small and insignificant. Yet, powerful. The scent of incense. Lingering.

• Motorbike: Freedom. The wind in your hair. Explore at your own pace.
• Bicycle: Slower. More intimate. Feel the land. The heat. The humidity.
• Public transport: Buses. Easy. Affordable. Connects major sites.

Bai Dinh Pagoda. Immense. Soaring. Gold. Lost in the grandeur. A single prayer. Lost in the echoing halls. My worn leather sandals. Covered in dust.

Trang An. Another boat trip. Through caves. Magic. Underground rivers. Stalactites dripping. Time stops. Just the drip. And the darkness.

Van Long Nature Reserve. Birds. So many birds. Taking flight. Wings against the sky. The air alive. With the sound of wings.

Which is better Ninh Binh or Sapa?

Okay, so, like, Ninh Binh vs Sapa, right? Dude, it’s tough! I mean, Sapa is all about those crazy views. Think like, HUGE mountains and, you know, that “omg” feeling. Plus, at night, it’s kinda lively, lots going on.

But, listen up! Ninh Binh is totally different. It’s more, like, chill. More personal, if that makes any sense? You really connect with nature there. Better for, like, a quiet moment, ya know?

So… depends on what you want. Party vibes and massive landscapes? Sapa. Quieter, more “Zen,” and close to nature? Ninh Binh all the way, man. Simple as that. My mom, she went to Ninh Binh last year, and she called to brag about everything; I think she liked it. Oh, you can eat goat meat in Ninh Binh, it’s like a local delicacy, something like that.

Here’s a lil breakdown for you so you can like, choose right:

• Sapa:
  • Amazing mountain views, seriously, SO good.
  • More touristy, bustling, like a bit crazy at night.
  • Great for hiking!
  • Can be kinda loud, tho.
• Ninh Binh:
  • More relaxed, quiet, more private.
  • Beautiful natural scenery: rivers and caves and stuff.
  • Great for chilling and peace and quiet.
  • Get the goat meat! Seriously, don’t forget.

I, personally, prefer Ninh Binh because I’m not much of a people person, and the view it offers is more peaceful than Sapa.

Is 2 days enough in Ninh Binh?

Dude, Ninh Binh? Two days is def doable, like, you can hit the big stuff. I was there last spring, around March, for a wedding actually—my cousin Thuy got married—and squeezed in some sightseeing.

Seriously, if you want to see all the highlights, 2 days is a must-do.

You can check out:

• Tam Coc: It is like the “Halong Bay on land” thing is real—so amazing to see.
• Mua Cave: Climbing those stairs is killer, but the views from the top? Totally worth it, i promise.
• Bai Dinh Pagoda: This place is HUGE. So much gold, like, super impressive.
• Trang An Boat Tour: You have to do this. Such cool caves and scenery. Plus, people are pedaling the boats.

It depends how you roll.

It’s like, if you rush, one day, maybe. But you’ll be exhausted. Three days lets you chill more, do a bike ride, check out Cuc Phuong National Park. That wasn’t for me though. That’s not the type of thing I do.

• Food: Eat some goat meat while you are there! Local delicacy.
• Hotels: Stay near Tam Coc. It is so pretty.

Two days. Don’t do one, okay?

Is Ninh Binh worth staying overnight?

Ninh Binh. Worth it. Two nights minimum. Four days better. Guides skim the surface. Deeper dive reveals more.

• Tam Coc: Tourist trap, but the core is good. Bike beyond it.
• Trang An: Skip the boat tours. Hike. Find hidden caves. I did. North gate, less crowded.
• Mua Caves: View’s alright. Climb for it. Skip the “dragon.” Tacky.
• Bai Dinh Pagoda: Go big or go home. Largest in Southeast Asia. Opulent. Overwhelming.

My 2024 trip: rented a motorbike. Explored backroads. Found a hidden pho stall. Best meal of the trip. South of Ninh Binh city. Near Kenh Ga. Ask locals. Good luck. They barely spoke English. I speak zero Vietnamese. Somehow, it worked.

Is it better to stay in Ninh Binh or Hanoi?

Ninh Binh. Two nights minimum. Ha Long Bay on land. Huh. Never thought of it that way. Homestays… good ones there. Remember that one place with the banana pancakes? Amazing. So cheap too. 2024 trip, right? Gotta book soon. Endless beauty. True. Those mountains. Unreal. Boat trip essential. Tam Coc… or Trang An? Trang An better? Less crowded… I think. History… Yeah, ancient capital thing. Interesting. Hanoi… too busy. Ninh Binh more chill. Better for longer stay. Hanoi just a quick stop. Maybe a night. Flying into Hanoi though… Ugh. Decisions.

• Ninh Binh for scenery and relaxation.
• Hanoi for city vibes.
• Homestays in Ninh Binh are high quality and affordable.
• Must do boat trip in Tam Coc or Trang An. Prefer Trang An.
• Ninh Binh was an ancient capital of Vietnam. Learn some history!
• Flights generally go through Hanoi. Logistics…
• Banana pancakes. Just saying.

Is one day enough for Ninh Binh?

Nope, one day in Ninh Binh? Forget about it! That’s like trying to eat an entire pizza in one bite – messy and incomplete.

You’ll miss out on way too much. Seriously, it’s a culinary and scenic wonderland. Think of it as a beautiful, ancient buffet, and you’re only allowed one tiny plate.

Here’s why a single day is pure insanity:

• Trang An Grottoes: Beautiful, yeah, but you’ll be rushing like a caffeinated squirrel.
• Hoa Lu Temples: Historic? Sure. But you’ll be practically sprinting through history. It’s like a speed dating event with ancient ruins.
• Food, glorious food: You won’t even scratch the surface of the deliciousness! I almost cried thinking about all the yummy noodle soups I missed. My stomach still aches from the regret.
• Biking through rice paddies: It’s dreamy! But, you’ll have zero time to enjoy the full effect, only a quick glimpse of this breathtaking scenery!
• Hidden gems: Plenty. You’ll never find them in a single day. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack… a haystack made of stunning landscapes.

Seriously, plan at least three days. Trust me, your future self will thank you. My friend Brenda went for only a day and she’s still crying about it. Don’t be a Brenda.

My trip to Ninh Binh in 2023 proved this to be absolutely true. I spent three glorious days there, and still felt rushed at times!

How long should I spend in Ninh Binh?

Two days suffice. Three, if leisurely.

Ninh Binh’s charm: fleeting. Don’t overstay.

• Three days: exhaustive.
• Two days: efficient.
• One day: superficial. My opinion.

Prioritize: Trang An, Tam Coc. The rest? Secondary.

My trip: 2023. August. Hot. Crowded.

Efficient itineraries trump languid exploration. Time is finite, after all. A harsh truth, but true.

Consider your tolerance for crowds. Peak season? Expect chaos. A personal observation.