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Ninh Binh itinerary: Perfect options for 1 to 5 days

10/11/2024

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If you are planning your trip to Ninh Binh and need an ideal Ninh Binh itinerary, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of must-see attractions that are perfect for trips ranging from 1 to 5 days.

1. Best places to include in any Ninh Binh itinerary
2. Ninh Binh itineraries for 1 to 5 days

1. Best places to include in any Ninh Binh itinerary

1.1. Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Location: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex spans the districts of Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, and Nho Quan, as well as Tam Diep Town and Ninh Binh city.

Approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Hanoi lies Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning natural beauty. Spanning 6,172 hectares, the complex encompasses multiple tourist attractions.

For cultural exploration, travelers can visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – with ancient pagodas set amidst stunning landscapes, Bai Dinh Pagoda – one of Southeast Asia’s largest temples, and Bich Dong Pagoda – which offers a serene atmosphere perfect for spiritual reflection.

For ecological exploration, travelers can go to the ecotourism site of Trang An to admire natural beauty, discover Mua Caves for sweeping views, and enjoy a tranquil boat ride through Tam Coc – which is often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land”. Finally, a visit to the lively Thung Nham Bird Park allows you to observe a diverse array of bird species in their natural habitat.

Explore the breathtaking landscapes and rich history with Ninh Binh tours (Source: Collected)

Here are the fees for those attractions:

Attraction	Fee
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital	Adults: VND 20,000 Children (aged 6-15): VND 10,000 Seniors (aged 60+): VND 10,000
Trang An Ecotourism Site	Adults: VND 250,000 Children (1 – 1.3 meters tall): VND 120,000 Seniors (aged 60+): VND 120,000 Children (under 1 meter tall): Free of charge
Bai Dinh Pagoda	Entrance fee: None Electric car fee: VND 60,000/pax Bao Thap Tower entrance fee: VND 50,000
Tam Coc – Bich Dong	Adults: VND 250,000 Children (1 – 1.3 meters tall): VND 120,000 Seniors (aged 60+): VND 120,000 Children (under 1 meter tall): Free of charge
Mua Caves	Adults: VND 100,000 Children (under 1 meter tall): Free of charge
Thung Nham Bird Park	Adults: VND 150,000 Children (1 – 1.3 meters tall): VND 100,000 Children (under 1 meter tall): Free of charge

1.2. Hoa Lu Ancient Town

Location: Ky Lan Mountain, Tan Thanh Ward, Ninh Binh City

Fees:

Entrance fee: None
Regular boat fee: VND 100,000/pax
VIP boat fee (with canopy, tea/snacks): VND 150,000/pax

Hoa Lu Ancient Town, which opens from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM daily, has been meticulously restored to reflect the architecture, culture, and history of ancient Vietnam from the 10th century. The ancient town is divided into two areas: the traditional handicraft area and the traditional cuisine area. In the evening, as the town lights up, visitors can take a boat ride on Ky Lan Lake, release lanterns, and enjoy the illuminated beauty of the ancient town at night.

Trang An Complex is among must-see places to visit in Ninh Binh (Source: Collected)

1.3. Cuc Phuong National Park

Location: Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh

Fees:

Adults: VND 60,000
Children (aged under 10): VND 10,000

Recognized as Asia’s Leading National Park by the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years (2019 – 2023), Cuc Phuong National Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, rich ecosystems, and cultural significance, making it a top attraction for a Ninh Binh itinerary. Visitors can explore the ancient forest by hiking or biking, observe nocturnal wildlife, and visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center to learn about conservation efforts.

The diverse landscapes of Cuc Phuong National Park (Source: Collected)

1.4. Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve

Location: Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh

Fees:

Entrance fee: VND 20,000
Boat fee: VND 80,000/pax

Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, the largest wetland in northern Vietnam, boasts stunning limestone mountains emerging from expansive waters, creating a surreal landscape. As a popular attraction for nature lovers, it gained international fame when acclaimed American director Jordan Vogt-Roberts chose it as the backdrop for many battle scenes in the Kong: Skull Island movie. Including Van Long in your Ninh Binh itinerary offers a chance to experience this cinematic wonder firsthand and explore its tranquil beauty.

Van Long Wetland was the filming location of Kong: Skull Island (Source: Collected)\

1.5. Gia Hung Sheep Field

Location: Gia Hung Dike, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh

Fees:

Entrance fee: VND 50,000
Entrance fee plus wedding photography fee: VND 100,000

At Gia Hung Sheep Field, you can enjoy taking photos with the gentle, adorable sheep. The charm of these cute animals, paired with the peaceful landscape reminiscent of a movie scene, has quickly turned this place into a popular attraction. For those passionate about photography, the sheep field has many ideal backgrounds for you to take super cool shots. The sheep here are familiar with tourists taking photos, so they are very friendly and ready to pose with you.

1.6. Phat Diem Cathedral

Location: Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh
Fees: None

Phat Diem Cathedral is renowned as the most beautiful Catholic complex in Vietnam. Its architecture is particularly noted for the harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western design styles. The complex is designed in a layout that resembles the Chinese character “王” (Wang), with a pond positioned at the front and mountains at the rear. It comprises a main church, five smaller churches (one entirely constructed from stones, referred to as the stone church), a bell tower, and three man-made grottoes.

Phat Diem Cathedral – an architectural gem (Source: Collected)

1.7. Caves in Ninh Binh

The caves in Ninh Binh are a highlight that has earned a spot on the global tourism map. Visiting them in person will be an unforgettable experience during your Ninh Binh itinerary.

Here are some must-see caves in Ninh Binh:

Nau Ruou Cave (Hoa Lu District): This cave was named after a legend where groundwater beneath the cave was ideal for wine distillation.
Thien Ton Cave (Hoa Lu District): A unique site that functions as both a cave and a pagoda, Thien Ton Cave holds religious significance for both Buddhism and Taoism.
Dich Long Cave (Gia Vien District): Regarded as the “third best cave” by Emperor Minh Mang, this cave plays a significant role in the local culture.
Van Trinh Cave (Nho Quan District): Located inside Mo Mountain and spanning 3,500 square meters, this cave remains a pristine, untouched natural wonder.

These caves will be a highlight in your Ninh Binh itinerary (Source: Collected)

2. Ninh Binh itineraries for 1 to 5 days

2.1. 1 day in Ninh Binh

If you are crafting a Ninh Binh itinerary for 1 day, make sure to focus on the must-see Ninh Binh tourist attractions. Start with Hoa Lu Ancient Capital to dive into Vietnam’s rich history. Next, enjoy a scenic boat ride through Trang An for its majestic limestone mountains and serene rivers. Don’t miss the chance to explore four stunning natural caves (Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Dai Cave) and three spiritual sites (Cao Son Pagoda, Suoi Tien Pagoda, and Vu Lam Palace).

2.2. 2 days in Ninh Binh

This thoughtfully crafted Ninh Binh itinerary for 2 days offers a perfect blend of cultural and natural experiences.

Day 1: Begin your adventure at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, then make your way to Tam Coc for a scenic boat ride. Next, visit Mua Caves, where you can ascend 500 stone steps to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Ninh Binh.
Day 2: Start day 2 with a visit to Thai Vi Temple, a serene site dedicated to the Tran dynasty. Then, head to Bich Dong Pagoda and conclude your adventure at Thung Nham Bird Park, where you can enjoy birdwatching.

Any Ninh Binh one day tour should include a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (Source: Collected)

2.3. 3 days in Ninh Binh

Here is our suggested Ninh Binh itinerary for 3 days:

Day 1: Begin your journey with a scenic boat ride in Tam Coc, followed by a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda. Then, head to Mua Caves to enjoy breathtaking views of Tam Coc, and conclude your first day by exploring Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Day 2: Dedicate your second day to Bai Dinh Pagoda, where you can learn about its spiritual significance. Afterward, make your way to Trang An Ecotourism Site for an unforgettable boat tour.
Day 3: On your final day, experience a 2-kilometer Cuc Phuong National Park trekking tour and explore the Cave of Prehistoric Man, a 7,500-year-old cave that served as a prehistoric habitation site.

2.4. 4 days in Ninh Binh

This 4-day Ninh Binh itinerary allows you to immerse yourself fully in cultural and natural beauty.

Day 1: Begin your first day with a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and a scenic boat ride through Trang An Ecotourism Site.
Day 2: Experience the serene beauty of Ninh Binh with a boat tour through Tam Coc – Bich Dong, then hike up to Mua Caves. End your day at Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
Day 3: Discover architectural wonders like Phat Diem Cathedral and Chau Son Monastery. Additionally, visit Van Trinh Cave, which is famous for its remarkable rock formations.
Day 4: Conclude your journey in Cuc Phuong National Park.

Wondering what to see in Ninh Binh? – Be sure to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda (Source: Collected)

2.5. 5 days in Ninh Binh

Day 1: Begin your journey at Bai Dinh Pagoda, then embark on scenic Trang An boat tours. The tours will take you from the wharf, passing through May Cave, Suoi Tien Pagoda, Dia Linh Cave, and the famous Kong filming location.
Day 2: Explore Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and take a boat trip in Tam Coc. Visit Ca Cave, Hai Cave, then continue to Bich Dong Pagoda.
Day 3: Spend the morning at Thung Nham Bird Park. In the evening, enjoy the culinary delights of Hoa Lu Ancient Town while taking a leisurely boat ride.
Day 4: Spend a full day at Cuc Phuong National Park, exploring the Cave of Prehistoric Man and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Join the night tour to see nocturnal wildlife.
Day 5: Wrap up your adventure with a visit to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and explore the picturesque Gia Hung Sheep Field.

*The information provided in this article is for reference purposes only. For the most up-to-date details, please contact the management board of the tourist attractions.

Ninh Binh’s stunning landscapes and rich heritage have enchanted visitors from across the globe. By following our suggestions, you can create a Ninh Binh itinerary that perfectly suits your trip. Whether you have just one day or several, prepare for a journey full of unforgettable experiences!

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is conveniently located near Ninh Binh, making it an ideal destination to combine with your Ninh Binh itinerary. For an entertaining experience in Hanoi, consider visiting VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park. This entertainment complex offers a perfect blend of thrilling water activities and relaxing fun, making it an excellent choice for families and friends alike.