There’s a side of Vietnam hidden between lush green rice fields, oddly shaped mountains, and lotus ponds—where the honking of scooters gives way to cicadas and frogs, and life is simply less busy, less chaotic. Welcome to Ninh Binh.
Many travellers squeeze this place into a day trip from Hanoi, but I don’t think that does Ninh Binh justice. It’s a paradise on earth. So here is our 3 day Ninh Binh itinerary, based on our Vietnam trip in 2026 to show why you need to add this place to your Vietnam bucket list.
Duration
3 days
Pace
Moderate
Transportation
Transfer / Bike / Motorbike
Ninh Binh itinerary overview:
Day 1 of our Ninh Binh itinerary
Getting to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
We took a limousine transfer from our hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter straight to our hotel in Tam Coc, and it couldn’t have been more convenient. Just make sure your accommodation falls within the operator’s pick-up area if you want door-to-door service. The minibus itself was a little older, but honestly, convenience was all I really cared about.
The journey back, from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, wasn’t quite as seamless—we were unexpectedly asked to switch minivans halfway through the trip, so I suppose it’s a bit of a game of luck. You can also take the train from Hanoi Railway Station to Ninh Binh, which is the cheaper option, but with two large suitcases, the transfer simply made life easier.
Rent a bike and ride along Ninh Binh’s stunning scenery
Bike rental has a fee
By the time we’d checked into our hotel in Tam Coc (our base for the whole trip), it was already around midday, so we rented electric bikes and headed out to explore.
Cycling through Tam Coc itself is a little hectic, with cars and motorbikes weaving through the streets. But once you leave behind the cafés, spas, and mini-marts, everything changes. The roads open up into a landscape of dramatic limestone peaks rising from endless green rice fields, the stalks swaying gently in the breeze like waves on the sea. Out here, on the quieter outskirts of Tam Coc, life slows down.
Renting electric bikes in Ninh Binh cost a little more than regular bicycles—and even more than renting a scooter—but they take all the effort out of cycling, which you’ll be grateful for in the Vietnamese heat.
To be honest, simply riding through Ninh Binh without a destination, turning down quiet country roads and seeing where they lead, would have been rewarding enough. But we did have somewhere in mind: Bich Dong Pagoda.
~3km from Tam Cock center
Bich Dong pagoda
Paid parking
The pagoda appeared beside a pond blanketed with water lilies, framed by the familiar limestone mountains that seem to rise from every corner of Ninh Binh. An old stone gate with three archways and an elegantly curved roof marked the entrance.
Beyond it, we found a peaceful temple nestled beneath towering cliffs draped in greenery. A narrow stone path climbed the cliffside, and we followed the steady stream of visitors upwards. There’s a moment during the climb when you glance up at the sheer rock walls towering above you and notice water slowly dripping down from impossible heights. Suddenly, you feel wonderfully small, reminded of just how immense nature can be.
The path eventually led into a vast cave filled with stalactites and the occasional screech of bats. Most of the hundreds of bats hanging from the ceiling were fast asleep, though every now and then one would swoop overhead. An altar sits inside the cave, with another small worship area tucked away at the far end.
The place is recognised by UNESCO as a natural and cultural heritage site and is so beautiful that it almost doesn’t feel real.
Whether you’re into nature or spirituality – this Ninh Binh attraction deserves a space in your Ninh Binh itinerary.
From there, we cycled towards Buffalo Cave, once again surrounded by Ninh Binh’s dreamy landscape of limestone peaks and emerald rice fields.
Somewhere along the way, we took a wrong turn and found ourselves on a quiet country road ending at a small roadside temple marked by tall grey pillars.
The surrounding plants had grown a little wild, but a light still flickered beside the altar as frogs and cicadas filled the evening air with their chorus.
It turned out to be a dead end, so we retraced our route—but it was a lovely little detour all the same.
Bufalo ala
Paid entrance
Buffalo Cave itself is hidden behind a café, so visiting this Ninh Binh attraction requires buying an entrance ticket that includes a soft drink and duck feeding. The ducks didn’t seem especially enthusiastic about yet another snack, though—my travel buddy, who grew up in the countryside, reckoned they were probably overfed.
The Buffalo Cave café, however, was surprisingly fun
I ordered a refreshing mango smoothie after the ride, and the grounds were beautiful to wander around, with ponds connected by bamboo bridges and narrow pathways weaving across the water. It wasn’t polished… but it was rather rugged, but it made this Ninh Binh attraction stunning in its own way.
The cave itself is the less exciting part of the experience—the journey to reach it is the real adventure. First, you cross a bamboo bridge beside a small waterfall before tackling nature’s own obstacle course: a slippery, uneven rock entrance where you have to crouch, climb, and carefully pick your way inside.
The cave itself is just a simple rocky chamber, and with no exit on the other side, you have to turn around and head back the same way before the trail loops back towards the café via bamboo footbridges crossing the ponds, making for some great photo opportunities along the way.
After that we cycled back to the hotel before sunset, cooled off in the pool, and later headed to a little noodle restaurant beside the lake where the Tam Coc boat rides begin. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the rowers finishing their day, gliding across the water while rowing with nothing but their feet.
Day 2 of our Ninh Binh itinerary
The next day, we rented a scooter since the Ninh Binh attractions on our list were a little further apart. If you have an extra day to spare in your Ninh Binh itinerary, I’d recommend splitting this day into two and spending the remaining time relaxing by the pool—that would be the perfect pace. But if you’re happy with a busier itinerary, it’s absolutely doable in a single day (we did it).
Trang An boat ride: the highlight of any Ninh Binh itinerary
Paid entrance
The highlight of the day—and probably of the whole Ninh Binh trip—is the Trang An boat ride.
You can choose between three different scenic routes; we went with the route number 3. Boats seat four people, so we were paired up with other travellers and given a lovely lady as our rower. I honestly don’t know how these women do it—the ride lasts three hours, and their endurance is admirable.
From the very start, you’re gliding through emerald-green water, surrounded by lush tropical plants and mountains overgrown with greenery, their peaks blurring into the smog in the distance. Picture-perfect doesn’t even cover it.
And that’s not all—the ride includes several stops along the way. (I may be mixing up the exact order.) The first was one of several temples, marked by giant stone fish at the landing point, with huge, live fish crowding the water below.
The temple itself is a beautiful piece of religious architecture—tall wooden ceilings hung with chandeliers, illuminating the gold detailing around the altar.
Back on the boat, we continued through this watery wonderland to the most thrilling part of the journey: a long cave tunnel running under the mountain, so narrow in places that you have to duck to avoid the stalactites and uneven rock overhead.
It’s claustrophobic and thrilling in equal measure, and the tunnel seems to stretch on forever.
Next came another island with a temple, this one with a distinctly jungle feel—jackfruit trees and other tropical trees everywhere, along with a building built from bamboo and clay walls.
After that, more caves, more temples, and picturesque spots where the surrounding cliffs look particularly striking. The final stop is that little floating structure you’ve probably seen in every photo of Trang An—and yes, it really is as beautiful in person as it looks online.
Three hours flew by in this extraordinary corner of the world.
~16km by motorbike
Bái Đính pagoda
Paid entrance
Our second stop of the second day of our Ninh Binh itinerary was the enormous Bái Đính Pagoda complex.
Looking at photos beforehand, we’d only seen the famous pagoda itself, so we had no idea just how vast the entire complex actually is. It’s so large that visitors travel between different areas using electric golf-cart-style shuttles.
After hopping off the first shuttle, we passed through an enormous entrance gate guarded by stone lions with bright red ribbons tied around their necks. Beyond it stretched the Hall of Arhats—a long covered walkway climbing gently uphill, lined with hundreds of stone statues, each carved with its own distinct expression and personality.
Behind them stood hundreds more statues, these ones covered in shimmering gold, while Vietnamese flags and colourful ribbons fluttered gently overhead. Soft music drifted through the complex, making the whole place feel wonderfully peaceful.
As we continued climbing, a small path on the left led us to an observation platform overlooking the famous pagoda. It was only from up there that we realised just how expansive the grounds of Bái Đính Pagoda complex really are, with smaller temples and pagodas tucked among the surrounding greenery in every direction.
Back in the centre of the complex, we stepped inside one of the largest halls, home to three enormous golden Buddha statues. Sweet incense drifted from a giant burner in front of them, filling the vast wooden hall with its unmistakable scent. The contrast between the understated wooden exterior and the richly gilded interior was striking.
Although tired after such a long day exploring Ninh Binh, we were still determined to reach the pagoda itself, although one final distraction slowed us down—a huge Laughing Buddha statue peeking through the trees at the top of another long stone staircase.
Eventually, we arrived at the 100 m high terracotta-coloured Bái Đính Pagoda, its intricate carvings standing proudly above the surrounding landscape.
We took the lift to the twelfth floor, where an incredible panorama unfolded before us. Layers of limestone mountains faded into the hazy distance, while ponds, temples, and tree-lined pathways spread across the vast green complex below.
After that we caught the electric cart that shortened our walk a bit, but then we still had to walk to get to the other cart that would take us back to the ticket office. I’m still not sure if the extra price we paid for the transportation inside the complex was worth it. Not gonna lie, the ticket options in Bái Đính Pagoda are generally confusing, so it is hard to tell which is the best deal.
The second day of our Ninh Binh itinerary had been a long one, but also an unforgettable one. If you have the time, I’d genuinely recommend splitting these two Ninh Binh attractions across separate days so you can experience them at a slower pace.
Day 3 of our Ninh Binh itinerary
For the final day of our Ninh Binh itinerary, we only had one attraction planned, so we simply booked a Grab to get there.
But what a stop it turned out to be!
Mua Cave hike, Ninh Binh — how hard is it really?
Paid entrance
I know most people visit this Ninh Binh attraction for the climb, but I don’t think enough people talk about just how beautiful the grounds of Mua Cave complex are before you even set foot on the stairs.
The entrance leads you along a lantern-lined pathway dotted with little cafés and photo spots, from bonsai trees and horse statues to a small artificial waterfall.
Then, to your right, the landscape opens up into a vast pond blanketed with lotus leaves and water lilies. Narrow pathways criss-cross through the water, surrounded by vibrant green leaves that, during our visit, had only just begun to bloom.
You can wander along these little walkways hoping to spot ducks gliding between the lilies or stop at one of the many photo spots—small bridges, swings, and decorative frames. But for me, it wasn’t the photo opportunities that made this place special. It was the wild beauty of the overgrown pond itself.
Then it’s time to prepare yourself for the climb.
I’d say I’m in reasonably good shape—I run regularly and play squash—but climbing hundreds of stone steps of the Mua Cave hike in 30-degree-plus heat was a CHALLENGE. I definitely underestimated it.
The staircase begins gently enough, guarded by an impressive stone dragon, but the higher you climb, the steeper and more uneven the steps become.
Around halfway up, you’ll have to make a choice: continue towards the famous dragon viewpoint of Mua cave or head for the slightly easier peak crowned by a stone pagoda.
Honestly, I’d recommend doing both if you have the energy.
From the dragon side, you’ll get the iconic view you’ve probably seen all over social media—the winding staircase leading dramatically towards the pagoda peak.
From the pagoda side, you can admire the dragon itself stretching across the mountaintop in its full length.
We tackled the dragon first, and by the time we reached the summit of Mua cave, everyone was exhausted. People sat beneath the white statue of the goddess, catching their breath and trying to escape the midday sun.
If you actually want to climb right onto the dragon itself, you’ll need to be a little braver and more reckless than I was. The rocks leading up to it are sharp, uneven, and surprisingly slippery, so I decided not to risk it. Instead, I climbed over to the other viewpoint and admired the Mua dragon from a much safer distance.
Anyways, the reward for making it to the top is a breathtaking panorama across Ninh Binh. Limestone mountains rise from endless green rice fields, rivers snake between the valleys, and tiny rowing boats drift quietly through the landscape below. After spending three days exploring the Ninh Binh region, it felt like the perfect place to look back over everywhere we’d been.
After the hike, it was straight back to the hotel for a shower—trust me, you’ll definitely want one—before catching our transfer back to Hanoi.
Continue your Vietnam trip
What to see near Ninh Binh?
~3 h away
Hanoi
Vietnams chaotic capital
FAQs about traveling to Ninh Binh
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
We were considering both the Tam Coc area and Hoa Lu town, but I am glad that we chose Tam Coc as this was an ideal starting point for cycling. It was in the perfect distance from all Ninh Binh attractions in this list to reach them by a bicycle or scooter, so I would highly recommend staying in Tam Coc.
Also they don’t do pick up – drop off for limousine transfers from Hoa Lu town, so that is also an important consideration. But if you’re traveling with the train or night bus – Hoa Lu is where those terminate.
We stayed in Tam Coc Center Luxury Hotel and Villa which was reasonably cheap, central and had a beautiful courtyard with a pool. The breakfast was a bit bland, but the rest was great.
Is Trang An worth it?
Yes, to me it was the best part of the whole Ninh Binh trip and the number one thing I tell everyone about when they ask me about Vietnam. It’s beautiful, serene and adventurous at the same time. I would recommend choosing route 3 – the mix of temples and caves was perfect.
Should I visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi?
Only if you have no other chance due to time constraints. In my opinion Ninh Binh deserves more time than just the couple of hours you get as part of the day trip. So I think you would be missing out if you just did the day trip from Hanoi.
Do I need to book tickets to any of the Ninh Binh attractions in advance?
We bought the Trang An tickets online which made it quick and convenient as we were able to skip the line to the ticket office, but theoretically you can buy them on the spot too. For the rest of the Ninh Binh attractions I mentioned we bought tickets on the spot.
Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
I absolutely loved Ninh Binh.
It’s genuinely difficult to capture just how special this place feels through words alone. Every day seemed to reveal another landscape that looked even more beautiful than the last, yet somehow the peaceful atmosphere never changed.
If I were planning this trip again, I’d shorten my stay in Hanoi, and spend at least four days exploring Ninh Binh instead.
It really was that beautiful.
If a friend asked me where to experience Vietnam at its greenest, quietest, and most peaceful, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.
I’d send them straight to Ninh Binh.