Ninh Binh is renowned as the land of wonders and cultural heritage, blessed by nature with splendid landscapes and famous landmarks such as the Trang An scenic complex, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with its glorious history, the breathtaking beauty of Mua Cave, the Tam Coc-Bich Dong complex, the enchanting Van Long lagoon, and more. Additionally, Ninh Binh is also a repository of a rich cultural and traditional heritage.
I. Where is Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is situated in the southernmost part of the Red River Delta, connecting the North and Central regions via the majestic Tam Diep mountain range. It is located 93 kilometers south of Hanoi. Endowed by nature and enriched with a profound history, Ninh Binh boasts numerous scenic spots and historical and cultural relics.
With its favorable geographical location, abundant tourism resources, and a well-developed tourism service system, Ninh Binh has a solid foundation to attract tourists.
II. How to Get to Ninh Binh from Ha Noi?
By private means of transportation:
Motorcycles and cars are favored by many young people and travelers when traveling to Ninh Binh, as they offer control over time and distance and often offer cost savings compared to other modes of transportation.
Not only are they convenient, but they also provide interesting and memorable experiences and discoveries along the way, allowing you to stop anywhere you like to admire the scenery, take photos, or capture beautiful moments.
By bus:
If you don’t have the means to travel by private car or motorcycle, you can choose the bus. Traveling by bus allows you to rest and relax to prepare yourself physically and mentally for your exploration journey.
By train:
In addition to the above-mentioned means of transportation, another option to get to Ninh Binh is by train. Traveling by train is also a very interesting experience and an ideal choice for those who suffer from motion sickness. Ninh Binh and Hanoi are both stops on the North-South railway line, making it very easy to travel between the two cities by train.
III. Ninh Binh People
In recent years, by reviving and promoting the cultural identity of the ancient capital, a land with a thousand years of civilization, and actively building cultural behaviors for the people, Ninh Binh has successfully established itself as a friendly destination.
It has been widely recognized by many international travel newspapers and magazines as a top destination in Southeast Asia, with its pristine beauty resembling a precious gem amidst the land and sky.
Ninh Binh is home to two main ethnic groups: the Kinh and the Muong. Currently, there are over 20,000 Muong people living alongside the Kinh people, mainly concentrated in districts such as Cuc Phuong, Ky Phu, Quang Lac, Phu Long, Yen Quang, Xich Tho, Thach Binh, and Van Phuong in Nho Quan district.
IV. Typical Culture of Ninh Binh
With its geographical location and terrain, Ninh Binh has been a settlement for prehistoric people, as evidenced by archaeological sites such as Thung Lang in Tam Diep, Dang Dang Cave in Cuc Phuong, Man Bac in Yen Mo district, and many other sites within the Trang An scenic complex.
The cultural creativity of the community over thousands of years has left Ninh Binh with a vast array of relics, artifacts, and cultural treasures of significant scientific, historical, and aesthetic value. This is one of the foundations to build a sustainable and distinctive brand.
Cultural activities on the river during festivals have long been a cultural highlight of Ninh Binh. The traditional values of these festivals remain intact, passed down from generation to generation, like the continuity of historical flow. Water procession rituals or artistic programs on the river are unique cultural features that contribute to the charm of festivals in Ninh Binh.
The river culture is considered one of the distinctive features of Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and winding rivers such as the Ngo Dong, Hoang Long, and Sao Khe rivers. Folk festivals are closely associated with the rivers, creating a vast cultural space and crystallizing high humanistic values and rich diversity.
Visitors constantly seek and experience the local culture, in which cultural values make a difference in their journey. Creating local products by hand is also a way for tourists to have an interesting travel experience, helping them understand more about the cultural history of each rural area in Ninh Binh. Experiencing local culture in various aspects intertwined with history is a very interesting dual experience.
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V. Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh?
1. Spring
Ninh Binh has a tropical monsoon climate and is located in the Red River Delta region. Like most provinces in the North, the weather in Ninh Binh is divided into four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Among these seasons, the answer to the question of which season is the most beautiful for visiting Ninh Binh is undoubtedly spring.
Spring in Ninh Binh usually starts from the first lunar month to the third lunar month. During this time, the weather is warm, not too hot or too cold, making it perfect for spring excursions. In the early morning and late afternoon, you can feel a slight chill along with the mist, creating a poetic and incredibly romantic atmosphere.
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2. Harvest season
which season is beautiful? Summer is a vibrant time in Ninh Binh with many impressive scenes, especially during the harvest season. For tourists, both of these times are ideal for exploring the beauty of Ninh Binh.
Visitors coming to Ninh Binh during the harvest season will witness firsthand the beautiful painting of mountains and clouds seemingly merging into one. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling the radiant glow of the sun shining down on the golden, ripe rice fields is the most beautiful moment of the year.
The harvest season brings a strong, rustic fragrance, imbuing the air with the essence of the countryside. Along the Ngo Đong River, the shimmering golden strips against the backdrop of the green sky seem like a picturesque and romantic scene.
3. Lotus bloom season
The lotus season is a poetic and delicate moment in nature. The pink and white lotus petals blooming amidst the rice fields and mountains create a beautiful picture, soothing the hearts of people and immersing them in the natural beauty of this land.
The lotus in Ninh Binh is a Japanese variety, with smaller petals than those in Hanoi but no less beautiful. The blooming time of lotus season usually starts in late May and lasts until July.
This is the time when the lotus ponds begin to show off their beauty, shining golden under the bright sunlight. The fresh air and gentle fragrance of lotus permeating everywhere create a feeling of relaxation and sophistication for tourists.
VI. Attractions in Ninh Binh
1. Trang An Ecotourism Area
This ecotourism area is located within the Trang An World Heritage Complex, which preserves and contains various ecosystems, including flooded forests, limestone mountain forests, archaeological sites, and cultural relics.
In 2014, Trang An Ecotourism Area was designated as a special national monument by the Vietnamese government and recognized by UNESCO as a dual World Heritage Site. Referred to as a “Ha Long Bay on land,” Trang An captivates visitors with its diverse system of limestone mountains and natural caves. Visitors here can admire the enchanting natural landscape and experience moments of tranquility and relaxation amidst the unique cultural and spiritual space.
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2. Mua Cave
Mua Cave is situated at the foot of Mua Mountain in the ecotourism complex located in Khê Đầu Hạ hamlet, Ninh Xuân commune, Hoa Lư district, Ninh Binh. The highlight of this tourist destination, aside from its stunning scenery, is the pathway leading to the summit of Mua Mountain, which is built resembling the architecture of the Great Wall of China with nearly 500 stone steps.
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3. Thien Ha Cave
Thien Ha Cave is located in the Tuong mountain range, with a height of nearly 200 meters, forming part of a sturdy natural wall that protected the southwest of the 10th-century Hoa Lu capital. It is closely associated with historical and cultural landmarks such as the Lê Dynasty’s Boat Landing, Phat Đau Son Mountain, and the Fighting Field Terrace.
4. Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Tam Coc-Bich Dong is the “second nicest grotto in the South.” It is a key national tourist area in Vietnam. Upon arrival, visitors usually visit Bich Dong Pagoda, the “second most beautiful cave in the South,” to get an overview from above.
Then, tourists can take a boat ride along the Ngo Đong River to explore Tam Coc. Tam Coc, meaning “Three Caves,” impresses visitors with its majestic limestone mountains, fascinating cave formations, and golden rice fields on both sides.
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5. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, spanning three dynasties: Dinh, Early Le, and Ly. It is one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage Complex recognized by UNESCO. Here, visitors can visit the temples of King Dinh (Dinh Tien Hoang), King Le (Le Dai Hanh), and the museum preserving artifacts. These two temples were built around the 17th century, surrounded by many trees. Visitors should register for guided tours to better understand the historical value of this place.
6. Cuc Phuong National Park
Located in Nho Quan district, Cuc Phuong National Park lies between three provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa. It is the first national park in Vietnam, covering an area of about 22,000 hectares and attracting a large number of tourists with diverse tourism activities, from ecotourism to research to adventure.
Visitors to Cuc Phuong can explore the primeval forest, caves with fascinating formations, and caves containing ancient cultural relics such as Trang Khuyet Cave, Chua Cave, Thuy Tien Cave, and Nguoi Xua Cave. Cuc Phuong National Park also features hot springs, a rich flora and fauna system, and thousands of years-old ancient trees, such as the millennium-old Parashorea tree, a conservation area for animals.
7. Am Tien Cave
As a national relic within the Hoa Lu national relic complex, Am Tien Cave is a destination that visitors cannot miss if they want to enjoy the peaceful and romantic natural scenery. With its untouched beauty, completely different from the outside world, it is often called “The Enchanted Gorge” by young people.
Everything here carries a somewhat melancholic tone, tinted with the colors of time, and the scenery resembles a fairyland, offering tourists a different feeling compared to other landscapes in Ninh Binh.
8. Thung Nham Bird Garden
Thung Nham Bird Garden is one of the most attractive destinations in Ninh Binh, where cultural, spiritual, and diverse biological landscapes converge. Surrounded by tropical forests on limestone mountains, with many caves and valleys blending with nature, vegetation, and flowers.
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