What Can You Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam?

Discover Epic Destinations in The Landscape of Limestone Mountains and Buddha Statues

Ninh Binh is an incredibly beautiful place to visit in Vietnam, full of rich history, culture and majestic sites. Nihn Binh is known as the “Ha Long Bay on land” and is one of the most scenic areas of the country. Found in the Red River Delta, the wild landscape is made up of limestone mountains, Buddha statues, deep valleys and limestone karsts—which were formed over two hundred million years ago.

In addition to its stunning landscape, Ninh Binh is a region that is full of amazing activities and attractions for visitors to experience. From exploring national parks, visiting ancient temples and tombs to exploring caves and biking around, there’s an activity for everyone. In this guide, we take a look at what to do in Ninh Binh, and show you all the exciting experiences you can have in this enchanting region.

Explore the National Parks of Ninh Binh

The national parks in Ninh Binh are a big draw for many visitors. Cuc Phuong National Park is a popular spot, located around one hundred and ten kilometers south of Hanoi. Cuc Phuong National Park has been home to Ninh Binh residents since the Stone Age, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—hosting a wide range of plants and animals. Here you can do activities such as trekking, motorbike riding, or explore the astounding monkey center.

Another national park to explore is Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, which was considered the Vietnamese capital in the 10th and 11th centuries. This park offers a look at a rich history, with two ancient temples that remain from two dynasties—the Dinh Dynasty from 968-980 and the Le Dynasty from 980-1009. It’s also home to some of Ninh Binh’s oldest limestone mountains.

Visit the Famous Buddha Statues

Another popular attraction in Ninh Binh is Bai Dinh Temple—which is also located in Cuc Phuong National Park. It’s a beautiful spot that has long been at the heart of Vietnamese nationhood since its founding in the tenth century. The site of Bai Dinh Temple is extremely impressive, with a one thousand-year-old tree, 500 arhat statues and an incredible three-story bronze Buddha statue known as “The Star of Asia”.
The real highlight of Bai Dinh Temple though is its cluster of 500 magnificent arhat statues. Each lavish sculpture depicts one moment in time, like an eternal snapshot in history. The best way to see these works of art is to walk around each one individually and marvel at their craftsmanship—from the intricately sculpted metal hats to the finely detailed clothing.

Explore Ruins of Ancient Temples

Ninh Binh also contains some aging remains of ancient temples that visitors can explore. The most impressive is Tam Coc Bich Dong—which means ‘three caves and two grottoes’ in English. It is one of the most popular destinations in Ninh Binh and known as the “Halong Bay on land’. The sights here are incredible—from the peaceful river winding around the limestone peaks to the huge “Hang Mua’ cave with its 100+ steps leading up it—it’s an opportunity not to be missed when visiting Ninh Binh.

For more ancient temple ruins, Mua Cave is another site worth exploring. Located on the slopes of Ngu Nhac Mountain, Mua Cave was constructed for a prince named Lê Hoàn around 968AD. Although largely in ruins today, visitors can still admire stunning mountain views at its entrance and explore rooms within—which provide insight into how dwellings were in this part if Vietnam many years ago.

Spend Time in Tam Coc-Bich Dong Nature Reserve

Tam Coc-Bich Dong Nature Reserve is another popular spot in Ninh Binh. Spanning almost 700 hectares, it’s an incredibly picturesque area with forests and grasslands home to an array of species such as pheasant, common mongoose and deer. There are plenty of activities to do here including cycling, rock climbing and trekking—allowing visitors to have fun while taking in all that nature has to offer.

Conclusion

Ninh Binh offers visitors a range of stunning attractions that make it a must-see destination for all travelers. From visiting ancient temples and national parks, to exploring caves and taking in stunning views—there’s something for everyone here! With all this in mind, it’s clear that Ninh Binh is a must-see destination on any trip to Vietnam, with plenty of amazing sites sitting just waiting to be explored by travelers from all walks of life. To learn more about what to do in NinH BinH, check out this article for inspiration!