Ninh Binh is a province located in northern Vietnam.
It's known as "that place where people in Hanoi go for a quick weekend trip". For less than a couple of hours and 250,000VND, you will find yourself strolling along the countryside. The best way to go around Ninh Binh is by motorbike or bicycle.
Here's a list of activities you can do while you're in this charming place.
A motorbike in Ninh Binhm Vietnam. Photo by the author.
1. You can cycle.
The roads are flat and safe. Cycling without a helmet on is acceptable here so you just embrace that. 😀
If you are about to book a hotel or homestay in Ninh Binh, choose one located in Tam Coc Village.
Tam Coc is the center of the town and close to nearby attractions like the port for the Tam Coc River Tour, Bich Dong Pagoda, and scenic views of the rock mountains and fields. You will find ATMs, resturants, cafes, and pharmacies as well.
Some hotels and homestays provide bicyles for free. Others charge 30k to 60k VND per day.
Exchanged this city bike to a mountain bike later on.
2. Hop on a boat.
Choose between the Trang An a or Tam Coc River tours for a peaceful tour along the banks. The best part about these tours is going under the caves. They're dark but lit, and quite eerie but amazing.
Trang An River is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Go for a hike.
Hoa Lu is the ancient capital of Vietnam. During the 10th and 11th centuries, this area was constantly bombarded by Chinese soldiers.
Don't expect to go inside a dark cave when you visit Mua Cave. It's a hike up 500 steps! The view at the top is fantastic and worth the leg workout.
View from the peak
4. Visit temples.
Vietnam is one of those countries that's not short on temples. Bich Dong Pagoda is surrounded by caves and can be reached by bicycle or motorbike from Tam Coc Village.
Bich Dong Pagoda
5. Find your cafe.
Through a friend's recommendation, I found Brick Coffee, a family-owned, quaint cafe along Ninh Thắng . We knew it was family-owned because there were three girls playing on the first floor with their grandma watching over them. Their dad is the one serving customers. Aside from drinks, they sell cakes too.
Brick Coffee, Ninh Thắng, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình
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This is a blog post about travel and writing combined. Sa Pa is another favorite tourist destination here in Vietnam. Read about it here.