Exploring Ninh Binh How to get to Ninh Binh Where to stay
Discover Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, also called the dry Halong Bay, is a beautiful province surrounded by limestone karst mountains. Ninh Binh is also a city, but we don’t advise to stay here. Instead, take a taxi to Tam Coc (about 15 minutes) and book your accommodation close to Tam Coc River.
Tam Coc is a little village with several restaurants. From here you can easily arrange activities or explore the surroundings by bike.
An activity not to be missed is the boat ride along the Tam Coc or Trang An River. A local woman will paddle through the river while you enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
When you rent a (motor)bike, you can easily explore Ninh Binh and visit one of the several temples. Bái Đính Temple complex and Thai Vi Temple are our favourites.
Some people choose between visiting Cat Ba/Halong Bay or Ninh Binh, but we recommend exploring both if you have the time. Both places are known for the karst mountains, but they offer very different experiences.
In CatBa, you will pass fishing villages and see these mountains from the ocean. In Ninh Binh, your boat will slowly glide through the river while you enjoy the countryside.
Wondering whether to do a boat tour on the Tam Coc River or Trang An River? Consider that Tam Coc River is probably better when the rice fields are green/gold and Trang An is more adventurous as you will pass through more cliffs.
In the end, both boat trips are amazing experiences, so it’s really up to you if you do both or choose just one.
How to get to Ninh Binh
Our favourite places to stay in Ninh Binh
Tam Coc Family Hotel - Budget Friendly
Want to know what it feels like to stay with a Vietnamese family? Tam Coc Family Hotel really does make you feel at home with the family.
The friendly owners will tell you all of the best spots to visit in Ninh Binh, and start your day right with a delicious home-cooked breakfast. It’s a great example of why you don’t have to spend a lot for a great guesthouse.
Another plus: It’s a 1-minute walk from the Tam Coc river and drop-off point of the bus.
Tam Coc Bungalow - Mid Range
Do you prefer to stay at the riverside of Tam Coc? Tam Coc Bungalow has spacious bamboo bungalows right next to the Tam Coc river. Bungalows start from $32 and dorm rooms from $6.
What we really liked about this place is their open-air restuarant. From the terrace you can watch the locals paddling back to Tam Coc town during sunset and in the evening you can play a game of pool at the open restaurant area.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Hi Maarten,
I am very much grateful that I have found your site. Now I can create my itinerary. Love that you provided information on the transportation, travel time and estimated cost. Very helpful! I am planning to stay for 2 full days in Tam Coc directly from Hanoi, then from Tam Coc to Hoi An. Is there a direct bus/train from Tam Coc to Hoi An? Or do I need to go back to Ninh Binh first? Also, if you could provide some information on what are the things to do or see in Tam Coc, would be much appreciated.
Hi Cherry, thank you. It’s great to hear about your enthusiasm for using our site. Tam Coc is a beautiful place to stay and if you want to travel from there to Hoi An, you can take the Long Travel bus from Tam Coc to Hoi An. We also recommend checking out the other options. The train is a safer alternative but involves a trip back to Ninh Binh. Have a wonderful trip!
Hello Maarten!
Thank you for sharing your experience in Vietnam. Now I understand much better how to get around there 🙂 We are planing to go there at the very beginning of March with kids. Is 1 night in Tam Coc/Trang Ang enough to explore this area? I’m planning to leave Hanoi in the morning so we can have this day in Tam Coc, stay overnight there and then also all next day till the night train to Hoi An. Would that be enough or sound like a rush? And how long is the boat tour on Tam Coc river or Trang Ang? As my youngest kid is just 1 year old I’m thinking is this doable for us at all .
Thanks!
Hi Evita, glad we were able to help you plan your trip! A boat tour for Tam Coc and Trang An takes about 2 hours each. Since you’re staying there for almost 2 full days, we recommend that you take one boat tour per day. This way, you can still take it slow and be able to enjoy Tam Coc’s rural charm with your kids. Have a great time and safe travels!
Hello Maarten,
Thank you for the wonderful information you have given on Ninh Binh, it has been most helpful with planning our trip to Vietnam in April. We have decided to visit Ninh Binh instead of Sapa. We will be travelling from Cat Ba when we have finished our cruise. From the information I understand that bus is best but presume that private transportation may be available also (7 seater or similar). Also I have a very bad reaction to mosquitos, they love me. Is Ninh Binh particularly bad?
Hi Anne! Glad I was able to help with your planning! I’m guessing you had a hard time choosing between Ninh Binh and Sapa? Both very beautiful towns. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Ninh Binh though! Yes, a private transfer should be available. You can either book via a local travel agency or ask your hotel to arrange one for you. As for mosquitoes, I understand people are normally concerned because of the rice fields in Tam Coc. But it’s not that bad. If the mosquitoes really love you though, it might be best to bring a mosquito repellent to be sure. Have a safe trip!
Hi Maarten, thank you for such informative content! I am planning my trip to Ninh Binh (missed it in my last trip di Vietnam a few years ago), and I was wondering when would be the best time to visit so I can see the beautiful greenery, and is it easy to get around Tam Coc when I can’t ride a motorbike?
Thanks!
Hi Dewi! Thanks for leaving a comment! Ninh Binh/Tam Coc is a beautiful destination to visit, so definitely worth to travel back to Vietnam! In particular, April will be the best month to visit, but I would at least recommend to go between late March and beginning of May. This is the period when the rice terraces are ready to be harvested and glow up the landscape with a golde shine.
Getting around by bicycle is very easy in Tam Coc. You can rent them at many guesthouses (sometimes even for free). Most of the hotspots are very close and offers a beautiful surrounding that can easy be explored by bike. We really enjoyed it to ride a bicycle instead of doing it by motorbike!
Hope you will enjoy your trip!