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With numerous globally renowned cultural, historical, and geological values, the Tràng An scenic complex (Ninh Bình) has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.
Explore Ninh Binh and Uncover Tràng An for Under 500,000 VND
For just 500,000 VND, can you believe we can explore Tràng An from Hanoi?
I used to be skeptical too, so whenever I was in Hanoi for work, I only focused on exploring the capital. However, one bold day, I discovered an affordable way to explore Tràng An myself.
Best time: Weekdays are preferable to weekends (usually crowded). The optimal times for you are: 8 am or 2 pm. Morning visits offer sunrise views, while afternoon visits offer sunset views.
Starting point: Giap Bat Bus Station (Hanoi). You can take a bus heading to Thanh Hoa or Ninh Binh.
You can get off at the Hoa Do Intersection - Ninh Binh. This is a nearby point to reach the tourist area where the bus can drop you off along the way.
Tip: Take sleeper buses to Thanh Hoa. These buses pass through Hoa Do Intersection, ticket price is 80,000 VND for a sleeper bed, negotiate the price with the driver. All fixed-route sleeper buses are registered, so you don't have to worry about being deceived. Make sure to note down the bus license plate.
The journey from Hanoi to Hoa Do only takes 1 hour. From here, you can take a motorbike taxi, or if traveling in a group, you can take a taxi to Trang An Ninh Binh tourist area. I was traveling alone so I took a motorbike taxi for 50,000 VND.
The scenery along the way is absolutely stunning, with rice fields, limestone mountains, and peaceful goats on the hills.
The ticket price for exploring Trang An on a hand-rowed boat (rowed by the boatman) is 150,000 VND per person, with the boat only departing when there are 6 passengers on board.
On the boat, tourists explore 12 caves and numerous ancient temples. Sitting on the boat listening to the boatwoman talk about the history of Trang An is truly an indescribable feeling.
Note: At the first stop, the boatman will guide you to Tran Temple, the oldest and most revered temple in the tourist area. It is said that a visit to Trang An without visiting Tran Temple is incomplete. Visitors need to climb over 200 steps through the mountains to reach the temple. I'm sure you won't regret it, because Tran Temple is incredibly beautiful.
Returning to Hanoi, we will travel in the opposite direction, and I dare to summarize that a trip to Trang An costs only 410,000 VND per person (including 160,000 VND for 2 bus trips + 150,000 VND for the tour ticket + 100,000 VND for 2 motorbike taxi rides).
If you're feeling adventurous, I encourage you to explore the local cuisine here, especially the goat dishes. The goats in Ninh Binh are small but their meat is delicious and fragrant.
Experience tells me that you should choose restaurants with the most license plates from Ninh Binh province, they're both delicious and affordable (Ninh Binh license plates start with the number 35).
Source: Zing News
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourSeptember 6, 2016
