How to Spend One Day in Ninh Binh: Itinerary and Guide

Fun fact: Our day in Ninh Binh was actually a last-minute addition to our travel plans. And it turned out to be a highlight of our whole Vietnam itinerary! It’s a place I’m SO glad we included, as it’s one of the most awe-inspiring areas of Vietnam. This guide will help you experience the very best of Ninh Binh, including Tam Coc and Trang An, even if you only have 24 hours!

Often described as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, the province of Ninh Binh is loved by travellers for its beautiful natural landscapes, filled with towering limestone karst rocks, wide rivers and expansive rice paddy fields. I’d actually done minimal research into Ninh Binh before our trip, and it took seeing it with my own eyes to realise how magical this area is.

Although most travellers refer to the destination as just ‘Ninh Binh’, the main area you’ll actually want to visit here is Tam Coc. If you’re staying overnight, I’d definitely recommend booking accommodation in Tam Coc or close by, rather than in Ninh Binh City.

If you’re spending a day in Ninh Binh, this guide and itinerary will help you find the best things to do!

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Getting to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is an easy train or bus ride from Hanoi, which takes around 2-3 hours. From Ninh Binh station, you can get a taxi to Tam Coc, or pick up a scooter/motorbike to self-drive. The journey will take around 10-15 minutes.

If you’re heading from Phong Nha or elsewhere in the south, there are various ways to travel to Ninh Binh:

• By bus: Sleeper buses run to Ninh Binh from Phong Nha (8hrs), Hue (12 hours) and Hoi An (16 hours).
• By train: There are train links to Hanoi from the centre and south of Vietnam, including Da Nang, Hue and Dong Hoi (for Phong Nha). From here, get a train, bus or taxi to Ninh Binh. Bear in mind these journeys can take as long as some buses.
• By air: If you’d prefer to travel by air, you can get a flight to Hanoi from most airports in Central and South Vietnam and travel onward to Ninh Binh. Flying is the quickest way to cover long distances in Vietnam.

Getting around Ninh Binh

The main sights in Ninh Binh are relatively close together, and exploring the landscapes is part of the fun! The roads here are rural and mostly flat, and having your own method of transport means you don’t need to rely on taxis or joining a group tour.

On a scooter: Hiring a motorbike is a great way to get around Ninh Binh. As the roads here are relatively quiet, it’s a much less intimidating option than riding in Vietnamese cities. Renting a scooter for the day will cost around 100,000 to 150,000 VND. Motorbike Rental Viet Dung is located just across the road from Ninh Binh train station.

On a bicycle: If you prefer some pedal power, you can rent a bicycle in Tam Coc for around 40,000-60,000 VND per day. Some accommodations also offer free bicycle hire! We spent some time on bikes in Tam Coc, and I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable I was riding around, despite not being a confident cyclist.

With a private driver: For comfort and convenience, you can book a private taxi driver to take you around the main sights. Most travellers book these through their hotel, and you can also book in advance with GetYourGuide. Many of these tours will have an element of flexibility, so you can adjust your Ninh Binh sightseeing itinerary.

On a guided tour: If you’re travelling to Ninh Binh independently, you can join a guided tour of the region’s highlights with local pickup.

1 Day in Ninh Binh: Itinerary

Morning: Mua Caves & Tam Coc

Mua Caves

Mua Cave Entrance Fee: 100,000 VND per adult + 5,000 VND bike parking / 10,000 VND motorbike parking.
Mua Cave Visitor Tip: Avoid the locals trying to stop you to pay inflated parking fees before you get to the official parking at Mua Caves ecolodge.

I’d recommend heading to Hang Mua (Mua Caves) first, as soon as it opens from 6am, to avoid the day trip crowds. On our one day Ninh Binh tour, we ended up there at around 4pm, and it was absolutely packed out, to levels that felt unsafe. Regardless, it’s a must-visit spot on any Ninh Binh itinerary.

Despite it’s name, it isn’t the actual caves that Hang Mua is most famous for, but the view from Ngoa Long Mountain – also known as ‘Lying Dragon Mountain’. However, you’ll have to put in a bit of work to get there, as the pathway up involves a 500-step staircase!

Hauling ourselves up in the Vietnam heat, we took plenty of breaks to admire the views. Believe me, this was a SWEATY hike – but achievable for anyone with a moderate to good level of fitness. The first half of the climb is up multiple sets wider, well-kept stone stairs. You’ll eventually hit a point where you can turn left or right to continue your journey. From here, you can explore one or both sides of the summit.

Head left to make your way up to the ‘lying dragon’, the highest peak; and right to visit the ornate pagoda that towers over the fields below. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy incredible views of the vibrant rice paddies and imposing limestone kasts that surround Mua Caves.

We decided to take the left hand route towards the dragon, a longer climb to a higher peak. As we gained elevation, the steps became more uneven – at one point, I was on my hands and knees. There are also no hand barriers and some of the edges are quite low. The steps also narrow out, so at a crowded time, it’s much slower going. On your way up, look to your left to see the winding river below.

Upon reaching the top, we took a moment to take in the spectacular surroundings. Believe me, they’re WORTH the exertion! If you’re feeling extra brave, you can crawl out onto the dragon itself. We didn’t do this, due to how busy it was, but there’s a decent-sized pagoda viewpoint where you can soak in the panoramic views.

Alongside the iconic hike, there are a few more things to tick off at Hang Mua Caves complex. The actual Mua Cave entrance sits at the bottom of the mountain, although it was temporarily closed off when we visited.

The grounds are particularly beautiful, with bamboo houses, statues, garden areas and traditional wooden bridges. You can also walk along pathways across the lotus flower pond, a perfect backdrop for photos! If you visit around March and April, the lotus flowers will still be in full bloom – but as I found out from our November visit, it’s beautiful here all year round!

Exploring Tam Coc

If you started early at Hang Mua, you should have a bit of time left before lunch to explore Tam Coc. On our tour, we took a short bike ride around the area. This was actually the part I was most nervous about, as I hadn’t ridden a bike since I took a cycling tour in Washington DC almost 8 years ago!

Thankfully, there are plenty of quiet roads and countryside pathways to ride around and hiring a bike is a great way to explore. If you haven’t rented a bicycle for your full day, you can do a short rental with Mountain Bike Rental & Ninhbinh Tours in Tam Coc town.

Highlights of cycling in Tam Coc include:

• Bich Dong Pagoda: A 15th-century pagoda complex with three ancient mountainside temples.
• Thai Vi Temple: A lesser-visited 13th century temple with traditional Vietnamese architecture.
• Thung Nham Bird Valley: A scenic spot known for its rich biodiversity and birdlife.
• If you have time and a motorbike/car, you could also visit Bai Dinh Pagoda. One of the largest pagoda complexes in Southeast Asia, it’s home to over 500 Buddha statues.

If you’re not up for the ride, there are some good walking routes close to the town for an idyllic stroll amongst the rice paddies.

Lunch in Tam Coc

To make the most of your day in Ninh Binh, a buffet lunch is a great way to fill up cheaply and affordably. Our Ninh Binh day tour included a lunch at Go Asia Restaurant. I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive of this inclusion in our tour, as I’m often wary of being disappointed by buffets. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the amount of vegetarian choices.

If buffet lunches really aren’t your style, I’ve shared some of the best restaurants in Tam Coc later in this guide! Popular choices include: Hoang Cuisine, Madam 7 Tam Cốc and Ngo Dong Vegan Restaurant.

Afternoon: Trang An Boat Ride & Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Trang An

Trang An Boat Tour Fee: 250,000 VND per person
Guide Fee: Minimum 300,000 VND per boat (of up to 4) – paid to the rower in cash at the end of the journey
Getting to Trang An: From Tam Coc, getting to Trang An takes around 10-15 minutes by car motorcycle; or around 30mins by bicycle.

Our boat ride in Trang An was probably one of the ultimate highlights of my Vietnam trip! Trang An is a scenic area around 25km from Tam Coc, and is possibly one of Vietnam’s most beautiful natural areas. Here, the river winds through limestone mountains and biodiverse plant life, punctuated by secret caves and revered temples.

Once you arrive at Trang An, there are three different boat routes you can take. Route 1 visits nine of the shorter caves; Route 2 covers four caves and three temples; and Route 3 goes through the longest cave in the Trang An complex, Dot Cave.

Our tour took us on route number three and can definitely recommend it for Dot Cave alone, but whichever route you choose, you’ll get breathtaking views and the chance to visit some gorgeous temples.

Joining with another couple, we followed the trail of other boats making their way along the river, marvelling at the towering karst rocks covered in lush green foliage. I truly felt like I was in an action movie (once I forgot I was wearing a bright orange life jacket, at least…).

We ducked our heads as we slid through the caves, where colourful illuminations highlight the dangling stalactites above. There was also time to hop off the boat (remember your boat number!) and explore some of the peaceful temples. Despite there being a fair amount of other travellers around, the boat ride was a really serene and relaxing experience.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Entrance Fee: 250,000 VND per person
Getting to Hoa Lu: From Trang An, Hoa Lu is around 8 minute drive, or 20-25 mins cycle.

Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s first capital, back in 10th and 11th centuries under the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. An important cultural and trade hub for Vietnam, the preserved temples and remnants of the city are worth checking out if you’re in Ninh Binh for a day.

Where to eat in Tam Coc

If you’re staying the night or have a late journey back to Hanoi after your day in Ninh Binh, enjoy some local Vietnamese cuisine in one of Tam Coc’s restaurants:

• Hoang Cuisine is one of the top-rated restaurants in Tam Coc serving Vietnamese dishes.
• Madam 7 Tam Coc is a peaceful family-owned restaurant, tucked away down a side alley
• Chu’s House offers Western dishes such as burgers and pizza, alongside more traditional options.
• Ngon Vegan Restaurant serves plant-based Vietnamese dishes with generous portion sizes.

Where to stay in Ninh Binh

If you’re spending the night in Ninh Binh, I’d recommend staying in Tam Coc and the surrounding area to experience the peace of the region after the day trip tourists have departed!

• The Banana Tree Hostel ($) offers dorm beds in Tam Coc
• Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow ($$) was mentioned to us by two travellers we met
• Hang Mua Ecolodge ($$$) For a magical stay at the base of Lying Dragon Mountain, check out

If you don’t mind being further out, consider staying in Trang An for a more peaceful atmosphere.

General tips for your day in Ninh Binh

• Get there early (or stay the night before) for quieter attractions first thing in the morning.
• Consider an overnight stay to enjoy the illuminated pagodas after dark.
• Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear. Especially if you’re planning to climb the Mua Cave viewpoint.
• Try local food. Ninh Binh has its own specialties including goat meat, scorched rice topped with pork floss and even mountain snails!
• Carry cash – make sure you have enough Vietnamese Dong on you to cover activities, entry fees, guide tips and food. A couple of ATMs can be found in Tam Coc on the main street.
• Dress modestly at sacred sites to show respect – wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
• Check the weather, as you’ll spend most of your time in Ninh Binh outside. Pack waterproofs and an umbrella, and don’t try climbing the Mua Caves viewpoint in the rain.
• Keep alert to scams, as you would anywhere travelling – particularly when it comes to being offered tours, parking or being asked for money by children.
• You don’t have to buy printed photographs. Photographers at tourist sites here may take your photograph, then print it out to try and sell them. Don’t feel obliged to buy these if you don’t want them.

More Vietnam Travel Guides:

• How to spend one day in Hue
• How To Spend 2 Days in Phong Nha: Your Complete Travel Guide
• 10 Of The Best Cave Tours in Phong Nha
• How To Visit Paradise Cave in Phong Nha
• What To Expect on an Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay
• 9 of the Best Art & Craft Workshops in Hoi An
• 2 Days in Dalat, Vietnam: Travel Guide & Things To Do
• A Vintage Train Ride in Dalat, Vietnam: Guide, Schedule & Prices
• How To Travel Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass on a Motorbike in One Day
• What to Expect on a Vietnam Sleeper Bus & How To Book