Ninh Binh Day Trip Itinerary: Vietnam's Best Kept Secret (2026)
Last updated: June 2026
Welcome to Ninh Binh, Vietnam’s best-kept secret and the perfect place for a day trip. This charming city, located on the Red River Delta, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trang An Landscape Complex. Ninh Binh offers a day filled with picturesque moments, from riding a bicycle through limestone karsts to floating in a small wooden boat along its waterways. To ensure you capture all the highlights, I have created the perfect 1-day itinerary for an unforgettable experience.
Ninh Binh is one of my absolute favorite places, not just in Vietnam but in all of Southeast Asia. It is truly unmissable and I am SO excited to help you plan one of the most memorable days here.
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the best ninh Binh itinerary
My boat ride along the Tam Coc river through limestone karsts in Ninh Binh Vietnam
Hang Mua Viewpoint: The Best Sunrise Spot in Ninh Binh
500 steps stand between you and the best view in Ninh Binh, I promise they are worth it.
The view from the top of Hang Mua Viewpoint — one of my favorite views in all of Southeast Asia.
Your first stop of the day will be Hang Mua Viewpoint! Hang Mua is one of the most popular things to do in Ninh Binh. Climb 500 stone-carved steps to the summit, where panoramic 360° views of Tam Coc, Trang An, and the Ngo Dong River await you.
The steps can be tiring, but the viewpoint is worth the sweat. It took me 10 minutes to climb to the top, and I spent 20 minutes or so exploring the viewpoints and taking them in. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes as the steps are uneven and can be slippery after rainfall.
Hang Mua Viewpoint Hours: 6 AM - 7 PM | Entrance Fee: 100,000 VND (4 USD); children under 1 meter tall get free entry.
You have two options here, depending on which type of morning person you are. You can either wake up around 5:00 AM to catch the sunrise before you ride to Hang Mua Viewpoint or sleep in a bit and grab some coffee at Brick Coffee before heading over. Whichever you decide, you will not be disappointed.
If you skipped breakfast and coffee for the sunrise or you just need a second cup (because why not), choose one of the small coffee shops or cafes that line the base of the summit. There is also a small cave and lots of little wooden bridges and decorations to walk around at the bottom.
Cycling Through Ninh Binh's Limestone Karsts to Tam Coc
Cycling through Ninh Binh is an absolute must.
I found one of the best ways to experience Ninh Binh is by cycling through the massive karsts. There is really nothing that compares to riding your bike with all of the mountains around you.
I never really had an exact path on my GPS to follow, and instead rode my bike whichever way I wanted to. But with limited time, I recommend taking the most direct scenic route to Tam Coc, a section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trang An Landscape Complex. The roads are mostly gravel or sand and are best ridden when it has not rained. There was not much other traffic along the roads until I got onto the main road to head towards the Pagoda Complex (see further down). Evenings did get a little chillier, so a light sweatshirt or jacket could be worth bringing along.
How to get a bike? Most accommodations offer them free with your stay. If not, there are many smaller local shops to rent from.
Tam Coc Boat Ride: The Most Serene Experience in Ninh Binh
There is nowhere quite like Tam Coc (this view never gets old).
Why paddle with your arms, when you can multitask and paddle with your feet.
Ninh Binh, which translates to "serene and flat," perfectly captures the essence of its landscape and is best experienced by boat. The boat ride takes you through the water, offering incredible views of Ninh Binh. There are multiple places in the Trang An Scenic Complex to catch a boat ride through the limestone karsts. However, to maximize your time, head to the Tam Coc dock for your boat ride.
There is a small admissions box to purchase a ticket. Once you have your ticket, walk along the dock until you find a local welcoming you onto their boat. Life jackets are required, but I used mine to sit on instead.
Ticketing, Hours, & More:
Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM, Rain or Shine.
Entrance to Tam Coc: 120,000 VND or 4.50 USD (60,000 for children under 3).
Boat Fee: 150,000 VND or 5-6 USD for 1 Boat (accommodates 2 in addition to your boat driver)
Total Entrance Fee: 250,000 VND or 9.50 USD
The guides driving the boat work hard all day long, pedaling through the 2 to 3 hour boat rides, some even using their feet!
Travel Tip: Before heading to your next stop, I recommend grabbing lunch at Nhà Hàng Chay Hoa Lư Vegan Restaurant (Vegan) or a neighboring restaurant, and then heading back to your accommodation to drop your bike.
→ If you love vegan food in Vietnam, check out my guide to the best vegan restaurants in Hoi An too.
Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda: Vietnam's Largest Temple Complex
The view from the top of Bao Thap Tower at sunset.
Bao Thap Tower at golden hour.
Once you have had some food and dropped your bicycle, your next stop is the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex (Bái Đính Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex). The Cultural Complex is a 30-35 minute drive from Tam Coc (2 to 3 hours by bike) or 7-10 minutes from the Trang An area. You can either hire a taxi (your accommodation can call one) or rent a motorbike (around 120,000 to 180,000 VND per day).
This Buddhist temple complex holds a mix of ancient and new pagodas that are laid across nearly 200 miles of land (80 hectares). I recommend heading here later in the day to catch the sunset atop Bao Thap Tower (shown above; the largest temple in Vietnam) and to see the complex lit up once it is dark.
You need a few hours at the park to have plenty of time to see all of the structures. The park is known for breaking many of the country’s records, including the tallest pagoda and largest Buddha structures.
Some Tips For Your Adventure:
Hours: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Parking Fee: 40,000 VND (car) or 15,000 VND (motorbike)
Bao Thap Tower Fee: 50,000 VND
Electric Car Fee: 60,000 VND (per trip while in the park)
You will need a few hours to explore the park in its entirety.
Don’t miss Vietnam’s largest Maitreya Buddha statue smiling atop a hill!
Extra Travel Tip: When you buy your tickets, the employee at the counter may speak fast to try and offer you a package that costs more than you need to pay. Be sure to take a moment to review the price board and only purchase what you need.
General Information: Ninh Binh
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh:
Trang An or Tam Coc. I stayed in Tam Coc, situated in the limestone mountains. Tam Coc has a better "downtown area" (one main road) offering more food options.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler:
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Banana Tree House Hostel
Best Low-Budget: Trang An Lamia Bungalow or Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
Best Mid-Budget: Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa, or Tam Coc Lion Kings Hotel & Resort
High-End: Athena Premier Resort Ninh Bình (I stayed here; it was beautiful and with a perfect location)
Best Luxury: Tam Coc Garden Resort
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World! You can help support my travel blog by clicking and booking through the links!
Best Time to Visit Ninh BInh:
November to April during the dry season. Rainy season can cause flooding in Ninh Binh. I was here in January during “harvest season.”
How to Get to Ninh Binh From Hanoi:
To get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, you must first fly into Hanoi’s International Airport (HAN). To book flights, I suggest looking on Kiwi.com or Skyscanner.com for the best flight deals. Unlike Google Flights, Kiwi and Skyscanner include regional flights in their search results.
Pro Tip: Americans need a pre-approved e-visa before entering Vietnam. Apply for the e-visa here. It is 25 USD, allows a single entry, and is valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3-5 working days. Other countries, like the UK, can enter visa-free.
From Hanoi to Ninh Binh:
Bus / Shared Van: 6-14 USD and takes around 2 hours. 12GoAsia has the best options for booking per usual!
Train: A little over 2 hours and costs around 4-12 USD. You know what I am about to say… 12GoAsia
Motorbike: This is always an option, but with the other options being so cheap and easy— why bother?
How to Get Around Ninh Binh:
The best way to see all the nature and picturesque landscapes in Ninh Binh is by bicycle. Most accommodations here offer them for free with your stay. However, if you plan to head to Bai Dinh Pagoda (which you should), definitely rent a scooter that day (around 180,000 VND per day).
I did it by bicycle, so trust me on this one…it is farther than you think— especially when you continuously stop to take photos and view the mountains. I ended up returning to my accommodation after dark. I had to imagine my bed the entire time to keep me pedaling until I got there.
Best Vegan and gluten-free Food Options:
NGON Vegan Restaurant (I think I ate here literally every day…)
Brick Coffee Shop (Yummy coffee)
→ For more information about the country of Vietnam, check out my full travel guide!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
Yes, Ninh Binh is absolutely worth visiting. It is one of the most scenic destinations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, though it is often overshadowed by Ha Long Bay, despite it offering a similar landscape without all of the crowds. Ninh Binh was one of my personal favorite places that I still dream about returning to.
How many days do you need in Ninh Binh?
One day is doable to zip through all of the top things to do (Hang Mua Viewpoint, Tam Coc boat ride, Bai Dinh Pagoda), but it will feel a bit rushed. If you prefer a more relaxed pace as I do, I recommend checking out my 2-day Ninh Binh itinerary.
How do you get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh?
You can travel to Ninh Binh by bus or shared van (around 2 hours, 6–14 USD) or train (around 2 hours, 4–12 USD). I recommend booking via 12GoAsia.
Is Ninh Binh safe for tourists?
Yes, Ninh Binh is one of the safest places in Vietnam. As always, follow common travel safety practices:
Always check vaccination requirements and travel advisories, and practice food and water cleanliness/safety. Do not drink tap water in Southeast Asia.
Be aware of travel scams and know how much things should cost.
Secure valuables.
Stay connected and never lose your way with an eSIM. I always use Airalo, and it's been a total game-changer for service abroad.
Emergency Contact Numbers: Fire: 114 | Police: 113 | Ambulance: 115
Travel medical insurance is a must for sickness, injuries, and theft. Safety Wing has saved me more times than I can count, from hospital visits in Asia to unexpected trip mishaps.
