Ninh Binh is a city situated in the Northern Vietnam beside the red River . This city has been famous for it’s Natural Beauty . It is a UNESCO World Heritage site . Here you can ride a boat in the River between the steep Limestone mountains . This place is often called the “Ha long bay of Land ” for it’s natural beauty and similarity in Landscape with Ha Long . Tam coc , Ninh Binh and trang An Landscape complex are the places you can visit in this place . River voyage in this red river is a mesmerizing experience and the view of Limestone Mountain and the green grass field from the boat is incredible . This place also famous for it’s Buddhist pilgrimage . Bai Dinh Pagoda and Bich Dong Pagoda are the famous Buddhist Pagodas in this place .
How to travel in Ninh Binh ?
Local transport system is almost non existent inside the city of trang an and Ninh Binh . So either you can travel like me as hichhiking in the Road or buy a ninh binh tour from Hanoi or Hire a bike taxi in the Ninh Binh City or at least hire a bicycle or a motorbike .
If you book a Ninh Binh tour from Hanoi it will cost 800000 VND for a day trip . They will arrange everything from the food , transport and the boating in the river .
If you are in Ninh Binh you may hire a motorbike for the Whole day or you can hire a bike cab for the break journeys . Places are quiet far from oneplace to another . Price for a bike hire for a whole day maybe 150000 VND /Day .
I traveled this place by hitchhiking . First I reach to the boating point of trang an from the Ninh Binh city by hichhiking a bike . Then I walked around this place . I did not go for the Boating as this is expensive for me . After that I come back to the Ninh Binh city which cost me 40000 VND for the journey .
Bicycle hiring is very costly in the Ninh Binh City . In the bike rental shops bicycles were rented at 120000 VND /day . So better will be to choose a Hostel which gives free bicycle or rent at an Affordable Price .
How to come Ninh Binh ?
In ninh binh there is train station . One way sitting ticket from Hanoi cost 100000 VND .
You can also come this place by big bus from the different cities of vietnam and also from the laos as the border is very near . one way tickit toward vientine (Capital) from Ninh Binh city is 1300000 VND .
I come this place from Halong bay by a shuttle bus . This shuttle buses are very small bus carrying only 8-9 passengers and pick up from your hotel and drop in your destination hotel .
Tam Coc Village :
Tam Coc is a famous village in the Ninh Binh area and there are three caves to visit in this place . There is a green rice Field , Limestone Mountain and small settlement for the tourists . Most of the foreign tourist come here for the accommodation . This place is more peaceful than Ninh Binh .
Trang An Landscape Complex :
This is an complex , from here lots of boats leaves for a day trip around the river within the limestone blocks and the lush green paddy field . This are manual boats which are run by a single driver . In those boats most of the drivers were Ladies and they wear traditional vietnames hat to protect from the scorching sun . In One boat there is maximum four person to seat . There is life jacket for the each passengers in the boat .
For Boarding on those boats you need to buy ticket from the Ticket counter . Ticket prices is 240000 VND for one person . In this area there are lots of boats and they are piled around the boat leaving station .
Bai Dinh Pagoda :
The 700 acres Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the biggest pagoda in Vietnam . It has two complex of old and the new . The tower is 59 meter high and situated in the old complex . This pagoda is situated little far from the main city .
Entry Fees : Entry fees to Bai Dinh Pagoda is 30000 VND / per adult .
Local Market around Sân vận động Ninh Bình :
I stayed in the Golden Bell Back packers Hostel in the Ninh Binh City . This market is situated around the Sân vận động Ninh Bình . Lots of street vendors come here to sell fruit , vegetables , different types of meat and some local street food . In this Market I see lots of different types of fish and frogs were sold . This Market has been spread all around the stadium . Most of the vendors sells items around the road and this shops were temporary . Specially you should visit this market in the evening time .
Bich Dong Pagoda :
Bich Dong Pagoda is situated in the Tam Coc Village and it is an ancient Buddhist temple . It was originally build in the year 1428 . Near by mountains are worth of visiting . This is an UNESCO World Heritage site .
Entry Fees : There is no entry fees for the Bich Dong Pagoda .
Summary :
Ninh Binh is a city which is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trang An and Tam Coc . It is situated in northern vietnam , 105 km from the Hanoi City . The river cruise in this karnst mountain valley and the paddy fields are a mesmerizing experience .Bai Dinh Pagoda and the Bich Dinh Pagoda are the religious places to visit in Ninh Binh . Either you can book a full day tour from the Hanoi city or make a private tour by the bicycle or Motorcycle .
