Quick answer (updated November 2026): Ninh Binh sits about 100 km south of Hanoi, roughly 2 hours by car. On a first visit, take the Trang An boat trip (300,000 VND per adult since 1 January 2026, 2 to 3 hours) and climb Mua Cave early in the morning (150,000 VND since 1 April 2026). A day trip works, but 2 days lets you skip the midday heat. The best months are September to November.
I am Phan The Anh, a Vietnamese travel blogger. I have visited Ninh Binh many times, first on rushed day trips from Hanoi and most recently on a slower 3-day stay. This guide is the version I give friends who ask me where to go in Vietnam after Hanoi.
Ninh Binh is no longer a hidden gem. The province received about 19.42 million visitors in 2025, including about 2.2 million international arrivals, according to VietnamPlus. The same report noted that the World Travel Awards named Ninh Binh “Asia’s Leading Destination”. In my view, that is exactly why timing and route choice now matter more than ever.
One administrative note: since 1 July 2025, Ninh Binh, Ha Nam and Nam Dinh have merged into one province that kept the name Ninh Binh. The sights in this guide are unchanged.
How to get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
The drive is about 100 km and takes around 2 hours one way by private car. Group tours, buses and trains also run from Hanoi. For a detailed day trip plan with three route options and a Hanoi car service, see this Ninh Binh day trip guide from Gola (in Traditional Chinese).
My own tip: leave Hanoi by 7:00. Ninh Binh is far more pleasant before 10:00, both for the weather and the crowds.
Trang An vs Tam Coc: which boat trip should you choose?
Both are rowing-boat trips through limestone karst and caves. Most first-time visitors only have time for one.
| Trang An | Tam Coc | Hoa Lu ancient capital | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket | 300,000 VND, boat included | 250,000 VND, boat included | 20,000 VND |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours | About 2 hours | About 1 hour |
| Best for | Caves, temples, UNESCO scenery | Rice fields, especially in May and June | History, a short stop |
| My pick | First visit | Second visit or rice season | Combine with Trang An |
Trang An price: Báo Văn Hóa, 31 March 2026. Tam Coc and Hoa Lu prices: Gola, 2026. Note that Trang An suspended Route 3 from 31 July 2026 because of high water in the caves, while Routes 1 and 2 kept running (CafeF). Ask at the pier which routes are open on the day.
Mua Cave: the best viewpoint in Ninh Binh
Mua Cave is really a stairway of around 500 stone steps (486 is the number quoted most often) up to a dragon sculpture and a small shrine. The view over Tam Coc and the river is the classic Ninh Binh photo.
Tickets rose from 100,000 VND to 150,000 VND per person on 1 April 2026, with children under 1 m free (Báo Văn Hóa). Climb before 8:00. The stairs have no shade, and the summit is tiny, so early is the only way to get a clean shot.
Other places worth adding
- Hoa Lu ancient capital: the 10th century capital of Vietnam. Quick to visit and cheap.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda: a huge temple complex. Entry is free, but the electric shuttle costs extra. Good for travellers who want to avoid stairs.
- Thung Nham bird park: 250,000 VND per adult since 1 April 2026.
- Tam Coc by e-bike: the lanes between rice fields and karst are flat and easy to ride.
Ninh Binh itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
1 day from Hanoi
- 07:00 leave Hanoi
- 09:00 Trang An boat trip
- 12:30 lunch, try goat meat and crispy rice
- 14:00 Hoa Lu ancient capital
- 16:00 Mua Cave for the late light
- 19:00 back in Hanoi
2 days (my recommendation)
- Day 1: arrive, Trang An in the afternoon or rest, sunset from a rooftop
- Day 2: Mua Cave at 6:30, e-bike around Tam Coc, back to Hanoi after lunch
3 days
- Add Bai Dinh Pagoda and Van Long or Thung Nham on the third day
Best time to visit Ninh Binh
- September to November: my favourite. Dry, cooler and quieter.
- Late May to early June: golden rice in Tam Coc. Beautiful but busy.
- July and August: very green, very hot, sudden storms. Start early.
- December to February: cool and misty. Great for photos, bring a jacket.
- March and April: mild weather and temple festivals.
What to eat in Ninh Binh
Mountain goat is the dish Ninh Binh is known for. Order it steamed if it is your first time. Pair it with com chay, the crispy scorched rice that the province is famous for.
If you only try one unusual dish, make it raw fish salad (goi ca nhech). I had it at Vu Bao Restaurant, open since 1995, which cooks for locals first.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
Most visitors choose a Tam Coc homestay. If you prefer a full-service hotel, I stayed 3 days at Pullman Ninh Binh, the first international hotel in the area. Every room has a balcony, and the rooftop looks over the whole karst landscape. Read my full Pullman Ninh Binh review and 3-day itinerary. My stay was hosted, and I say so in that review.
Watch: starting your trip in Hanoi
Most trips to Ninh Binh start in Hanoi. Here is my Hanoi staycation vlog (in Vietnamese, with plenty of visuals).
More photos from my trips are on Instagram @lecturer.anh and YouTube @ThayGiaoAnh.
Practical tips
- Carry cash in small notes. Tip your boat rower 50,000 to 100,000 VND.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen. The boats have no shade.
- Wear shoes with grip for Mua Cave. The steps get slippery after rain.
- Cover shoulders and knees inside temples and pagodas.
- Check visa rules before you fly. Many nationalities need a Vietnam e-visa.
Ninh Binh FAQ
Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
Yes. It combines UNESCO-listed karst scenery at Trang An, easy boat trips and a short drive from Hanoi. It is the easiest big nature trip in northern Vietnam.
How many days do you need in Ninh Binh?
One day covers Trang An, Hoa Lu and Mua Cave. Two days is better because you can avoid the midday heat. Three days lets you add Bai Dinh and Van Long.
Trang An or Tam Coc: which is better?
Choose Trang An for a first visit because of the caves and temples. Choose Tam Coc in late May and early June, when the rice turns gold.
How much is the Trang An ticket in 2026?
300,000 VND per adult since 1 January 2026, including the boat. Children from 1 m to 1.3 m pay 150,000 VND.
How do I get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
By private car (about 2 hours), group tour, bus or train. A private car is the most flexible for a day trip.
Sources
- Báo Văn Hóa (31 March 2026): Trang An, Mua Cave and Thung Nham ticket prices
- CafeF (31 July 2026): Trang An Route 3 suspension
- VietnamPlus (6 January 2026): Ninh Binh visitor numbers and awards
- Gola: Ninh Binh day trip guide (Tam Coc, Hoa Lu prices and transport)
Related guides
- Pullman Ninh Binh review: 3-day itinerary with Trang An and Mua Cave
- Tết 2027 in Vietnam: dates, closures and travel tips
- About me: Vietnamese travel blogger Phan The Anh
✍️ Written by Phan The Anh, a well-known Vietnamese travel blogger (travel blogger Vietnam), PhD in marketing and founder of VoyageBlogger.com. Follow me on YouTube @ThayGiaoAnh, Instagram @lecturer.anh and TikTok @phantheanh88.
