7 best things to do in Ninh Binh

Let’s get to the most interesting part first! Because information about all the great things you can do in Ninh Binh is what you’re really here for, right? Ninh Binh is the kind of place that deserves a slow pace and time to soak up its beautiful nature. If you do, you will be rewarded with kind smiles from the locals and low blood pressure. 

1. Go bicycling through the countryside

The absolute best way to explore Ninh Binh is on two wheels, passing rice fields, lotus ponds and local villages at your own pace. Most hotels and homestays offer free or cheap bike rentals.

It’s the best way to get to the nearby attractions, such as Hang Mua and Bich Dong Pagoda, if you’re staying in Tam Coc (more on where to stay later). With a biking trip, you get close to the wonderful nature and I can almost guarantee you’ll meet some friendly locals along the way.  

Make sure to take some of the tiny paths along the way, whether it’s a shortcut or a little detour, it’s fun and often leads to true hidden gems. There are small, cosy restaurants and bars in places you wouldn’t have imagined them.

2. Climb the Hang Mua Viewpoint

Hang Mua, or the Mua Cave, is less known for the cave it’s named after and more for the 500 steps up to the two viewpoints towering above. Although it can be though walking up, especially when it feels like being in a sauna every time you step outside, this is one of the absolute must-dos in Ninh Binh!

It’s recommended coming here either as early as possible (it opens at 06:00) or just in time for sunset. I was there at 07:00 and while there were some other people already, there were far more coming up as I went down. I even got some time alone at the top. There will most likely be more people at sunset. On the other side, sunset is a big pro.

The main highlight are the two viewpoints with panoramic views to the stunning landscape. We recommend going to the left one first, as this is the highest point. From the other, you have a great view to the dragon as well as the lotus fields below. 

Admire the lotus field

At the bottom of the steps, you find the cave that has given name to the area. Hang Mua actually means “the dancing cave” as legend had it that King Tran Thai Tong went here to watch dancing performances. Today, the cave is a small temple and it’s worth popping by to see. 

If you visit between May – July, you definitely want to spend some time strolling around the beautiful lotus field on your way out. You can off course explore it year-round, but summer is blossoming season for the lotus flower. 

Another good tip is to stop by the café to get an energy refill before you leave. Rarely has a cold, fresh coconut tasted better! 

3. Visit Tam Coc Ancient House

You can find ancient houses in several places around Vietnam, and they are essentially examples of traditional homes open to the public. In Tam Coc, there’s one, the Co Vien Lau, just a short stroll from the main street. Although there’s little information to find, it’s worth a few minutes of your time and the 50.000 VND to enter.

The Co Vien Lau is a private museum of a collection of houses built during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). It’s a great example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and culture. You can walk around on your own and take a look into the different buildings where daily tools are displayed.

I always find it fascinating to see how much detail has been put into making homes look pretty throughout history, all across the world!

4. Take a scenic boat trip

Like the Mua Cave, this one is a must. The rivers flow through the Ninh Binh-region as arteries and a boat trip is one of the best (and most comfortable) ways to explore this phenomenal landscape. 

You can choose to do a boat trip in Tam Coc or in Trang An. Read more about the two alternatives below.

5. Explore the Bich Dong Pagoda

Another must thing to do in Ninh Binh, is visiting the Bich Dong Pagoda. It’s located in super scenic surroundings in the countryside about 2,5 kilometres from Tam Coc. It’s a flat and easy bicycle ride that’s even signposted from the centre. I recommend using the main road to get there and do a detour along the smaller paths between the rice paddies going back. 

The name means the Emerald Green Grotto. And as so much else in this region, the Bich Dong Pagoda is built into the mountain, and it almost looks like it’s part of the green landscape. 

6. Cooking & Dining in a 100-Year-Old House

In the heart of Tam Coc, there is a house that has stood for over a century. This is not just a place to cook - it is a place to understand Vietnam.

Here, you will: Explore traditional architecture/ learn how houses were built using bricks, stone, and wood/ cook and share a meal inside a real living space

Every detail tells a story: the wooden beams/ the aged bricks/ the layout of the home

7. Becoming a Farmer

Welcome to the Tam Coc farming experience, where visitors can participate in activities such as fishing, rice planting, growing and harvesting vegetables, cooking, and discovering the traditional manual process of rice production. They can also learn to cook with fresh ingredients from the garden—recreating the daily life of Vietnamese farmers of yesteryear…