Introduction
Ninh Binh is a famous tourist destination in Vietnam and a place you cannot miss on the Ninh Binh tourist map. With many famous landmarks and attracting millions of tourists yearly, Ninh Binh deserves to become your destination. If you have been planning to travel to Ninh Binh, do you have a Ninh Binh itinerary yet? If you still don’t know what to do in Ninh Binh, let Ninh Binh Private Car introduce you to it.
Best Places To Visit In Any Ninh Binh Itinerary
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Trang An, located about 90 km to the southeast, is a place you cannot miss in the Ninh Binh itinerary. UNESCO has recognized it many times as a cultural and natural heritage. Its area extends to 6,172 hectares and is home to thousands of wild creatures.
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex combines many famous places in spirit, history, and nature. So tourists have many options to visit when coming to Trang An because it has everything you want to know.
To explore culture, history, and spirituality, visitors can visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, where ancient pagodas are located amid beautiful natural scenery. Among them are Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest pagodas in Southeast Asia, and Bich Dong Pagoda, which has a simple appearance in the middle of natural mountains and forests.
To explore ecology, visit the Trang An eco-tourism and admire its natural beauty. Not only that, you can also explore Mua Cave to see the sweeping landscape of Ninh Binh. You can also enjoy a peaceful boat trip through Tam Coc or Ha Long Bay on Land. Finally, you can stop by Thung Nham Bird Park to observe rare birds living in their natural environment.
Hoa Lu Ancient Town
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was once the first capital of Vietnam, so it has many historical and spiritual values for the Vietnamese people. If you want to explore history or learn about spiritual values, this is the first place you should go in the Ninh Binh itinerary.
Over thousands of years, this place has been severely damaged by many factors, such as war, weather, and people, but it has now significantly been repaired. Tourists can see the ancient citadel, Ky Lan Lake, and release flower lanterns in the evening.
Cuc Phuong National Park
If you love to explore nature, Cuc Phuong National Park will surely be a top destination on the Ninh Binh Itinerary. The World Travel Awards have recognized it as Asia’s Leading National Park for six consecutive years (2019-2024).
This national park has a diverse ecosystem characterized by tropical rainforests. Many species of animals and plants at high risk of extinction are discovered and preserved here. So, indeed, this place is not to be missed for those who love nature. Visitors can explore nature here by hiking or cycling.
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is the largest wetland in the North, with high limestone mountains located in the middle of a vast water surface, creating an incredibly majestic scene. This place will be a perfect location for the list of what to do in Ninh Binh, especially if you are a nature lover.
This place became famous when director Jordan Vogt-Roberts chose to film some scenes of Kong: Skull Island. The set has become a renowned tourist destination thanks to the movie’s attraction.
Gia Hung Sheep Field
If you are an animal lover, especially sheep, and want to take beautiful photos with them, there must definitely be Gia Hung Sheep Field in Ninh Binh Itinerary. When you come here, you can take pictures of the lovely and soft sheep raised by the people here. The sheep are very familiar with tourists, so they are very friendly with everyone. Thanks to the attraction of sheep, this has become a famous tourist destination.
Phat Diem Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral (often called Phat Diem Stone Cathedral) is a Catholic church complex of about 22 hectares in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province. It is the top destination for Catholics on the list of Things to Do in Ninh Binh. Even non-Catholics should still come here to explore its architectural beauty.
The unique feature of these buildings is that the Catholic church is built entirely of stone and wood according to ancient Vietnamese architecture, resembling traditional communal houses, temples, pagodas, and palaces. The press rated Phat Diem Cathedral as one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam and is considered the “Catholic capital of Vietnam.”
Ninh Binh Caves
No one can miss the caves in Ninh Binh when coming to Ninh Binh. You should explore the Ninh Binh Caves Tour, whether you have many or a few days in Ninh Binh. So explore the famous caves on your Ninh Binh Itinerary journey.
Some famous caves can be mentioned as:
- Nau Ruou Cave (Hoa Lu District): This cave was named after a legend that the groundwater beneath it was ideal for wine distillation.
- Thien Ton Cave (Hoa Lu District): This unique site functions as a cave and a pagoda. It is religiously significant for both Buddhism and Taoism.
- Dich Long Cave (Gia Vien District): Emperor Minh Mang regarded it as the “Nam Thien De Tam Dong.” It is the third most beautiful cave in Vietnam.
- Van Trinh Cave (Nho Quan District): This cave, which spans 3,500 square meters and is situated inside Mo Mountain, is still an unspoiled natural treasure.
How Long To Spend On A Ninh Binh Itinerary?
Ninh Binh is a famous tourist destination with many beautiful places, including caves, national parks, and spiritual tourism. With countless interesting destinations, we recommend spending at least three to four days there to fully explore Ninh Binh. You can customize your travel destinations to ensure the itinerary best suits you.
Recommended Ninh Binh Itineraries
Ninh Binh 1-day Itinerary
If you can only choose the one-day Ninh Binh Tour, we will reserve two destinations for the one-day itinerary. Those two destinations are Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Tam Coc—Bich Dong, both of which contain elements such as nature, spirituality, and history. So, if you only have one day to spend in Ninh Binh, these two destinations are the most suitable.
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: As the first capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu has historical and spiritual value for the Vietnamese people. Here, you’ll encounter ruins of ancient walls, revered temples, and the picturesque Tuyet Tinh Coc, among many other highlights. The surrounding mountains and rivers enhance Hoa Lu’s landscape, creating a wonderful picture.
- Tam Coc: Only 7 km from Hoa Lu, these two locations are relatively close, making traveling to Ninh Binh on a one-day route convenient. With three beautiful caves, Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave, you will take a boat on the Ngo Dong River to go through the three caves.
Ninh Binh 2-day Itinerary
If you have more time, you should consider staying an extra day in Ninh Binh to visit more interesting places. In the Ninh Binh itinerary for a two-day tour, we will suggest more destinations for you to explore freely.
- Day 1: Begin your adventure at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, then go to Tam Coc for a scenic boat ride. Next, you can visit Mua Caves, where you can ascend 500 stone steps to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Ninh Binh. Then, you can return to your hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s itinerary.
- Day 2: To begin day two, visit Thai Vi Temple, a calm location honoring the Tran dynasty. After that, proceed to Bich Dong Pagoda and end your journey by birding at Thung Nham Bird Park.
3-day Ninh Binh Itinerary
- Day 1: Begin your journey with a scenic boat ride in Tam Coc and visit Bich Dong Pagoda near Tam Coc. Then, head to Mua Caves to enjoy breathtaking views of Tam Coc, and end your first day by exploring Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel.
- Day 2: Spend your second day at Bai Dinh Pagoda, where you can learn about its spiritual significance. Afterward, visit Trang An Ecotourism for an unforgettable boat tour.
- Day 3: On your last day, take a 2-kilometer walking excursion through Cuc Phuong National Park and visit the Cave of Prehistoric Man, a 7,500-year-old cave that was used as a prehistoric settlement.
4 days in Ninh Binh
You may completely immerse yourself in the natural and cultural splendor of Ninh Binh with this 4-day tour.
- Day 1: Begin your first day with a visit to Hoa Lu, the Ancient Capital, and a scenic boat ride through Trang An Eco-tourism.
- Day 2: Take a boat trip via Tam Coc-Bich Dong to appreciate Ninh Binh’s tranquil scenery. Then, ascend to Mua Caves. To cap off your day, visit Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
- Day 3: Explore architectural marvels such as Chau Son Monastery and Phat Diem Cathedral. Additionally, visit Van Trinh Cave, famous for its remarkable rock formations.
- Day 4: Conclude your journey in Cuc Phuong National Park.
5 days in Ninh Binh
- Day 1: After starting your excursion at Bai Dinh Pagoda, take a magnificent boat trip to Trang An. The tours depart from the wharf and pass through May Cave, Suoi Tien Pagoda, Dia Linh Cave, and the famous Kong filming location.
- Day 2: Explore Hoa Lu’s Ancient Capital and take a boat trip to Tam Coc. Visit Ca Cave and Hai Cave, then continue to Bich Dong Pagoda.
- Day 3: Spend the morning visiting Thung Nham Bird Park. In the evening, experience the gastronomic pleasures of Hoa Lu Ancient Town while having a leisurely boat cruise.
- Day 4: Explore the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Cave of Prehistoric Man during your entire day in Cuc Phuong National Park.
- Day 5: Enjoy your adventure by visiting Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and exploring the picturesque Gia Hung Sheep Field.
Conclusion
Ninh Binh has many tourist destinations, including ecotourism, spirit, history, and more. Defend your time here so you can choose where to visit Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh Private Car hopes that all the information in this article is helpful to you and that you can select the right Ninh Binh Itinerary for you.