Buzz
Just under 100 km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh boasts numerous scenic wonders and historical significance, making it an ideal destination for a Binh Than Lunar New Year adventure.
Embark on a 2-day 1-night Ninh Binh spring escapade
From Hanoi, there are two routes to Ninh Binh, offering choices between a quick journey or a leisurely drive to admire the beautiful scenery.
The first route takes you from Giap Bat Road along the Phap Van - Cau Gie highway on National Highway 1A, covering approximately 100 km. The advantage of this route is its short distance and straightforward path, minimizing the risk of getting lost. However, be cautious of heavy trucks, road safety, and less attractive scenery.
The second route involves taking Nguyen Trai Road straight to the Xuan Mai intersection, turning left to enter the Ho Chi Minh trail. This route is about 30 km longer and might be challenging to find. It requires assistance from Google Maps and locals to avoid getting lost in Thanh Hoa. The advantage lies in the Ho Chi Minh trail, offering fewer vehicles, breathtaking scenery along the road, especially through the lush forests of Cuc Phuong, high safety levels, and a chance to relax and enjoy the view.
You can also opt for a comfortable bus ride from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus stations to Ninh Binh, with ticket prices ranging from 60,000 to 100,000 VND. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
Day 1: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Bai Dinh Pagoda – Temples of Kings Dinh and Le – Trang An).
Departing from Hanoi at 6 am, you'll reach Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh after 2-3 hours.
Along the way, you can stop for breakfast in Phu Ly (Ha Nam), known for delicious banh cuon and banh da cua if you take the Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh expressway route. Alternatively, if you haven't arrived in Ninh Binh yet, you can enjoy various dishes such as bun cha, pho, banh xeo... but miến lươn (eel noodles) is still the best and suits the chilly weather.
You'll need 2-3 hours to explore Bai Dinh Pagoda. To save time and energy, consider purchasing tickets for the electric shuttle service for visitors (30,000 VND per ride) as the temple complex is quite extensive. Visit the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda (4 km from the new pagoda) with the Hang Sang Cave, Dark Cave, Thanh Nguyen Temple, Cao Son Shrine, Ngoc Well, and more – famous for numerous records such as the largest area (107 hectares), the largest bronze Buddha in Southeast Asia, and the two largest bells in Southeast Asia (36 and 27 tons) among others.
After leaving Bai Dinh Pagoda at 11 am, you can stop by the temples of Kings Dinh and Le, just 4 km away from Bai Dinh (entrance fee: 20,000 VND).
Enjoy a leisurely lunch break of 1-2 hours, savoring a simple meal like pho or indulging in Ninh Binh specialties such as goat meat and crispy rice.
At 2 pm, head to Trang An tourist area (ticket price 150,000 VND) for a 3-5 hour exploration. This picturesque region features serene landscapes, blending skies, and crystal-clear waters reflecting the stunning karst formations. With 31 lakes and ponds interconnected by 48 discovered caves, including the 2 km-long Dia Linh Cave, Sinh Duoc Cave, and May Cave.
Seated on a small boat, marvel at the enchanting caves within the Trang An complex, adorned with a myriad of rock formations in various shapes and sparkling colors. Aside from the natural beauty, you'll encounter spiritual landmarks such as the Trinh Temple, Tran Family Temple, and Cay Thi Temple.
By 6 pm, return to Ninh Binh city, check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and relax. The city offers numerous options for evening snacks and activities, from street food around District 8, barbecue and hotpot near the sports complex, to karaoke singing—all at reasonable prices.
Day 2: Tam Coc – Bich Dong – Van Long – Hanoi
After breakfast in Ninh Binh city, depart at 7 am for the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area, approximately 8 km from the city.
At 8 am, embark on a boat journey along the Ngô Đồng River (150,000 VND per boat trip) to explore the scenic Tam Coc amidst lush rice fields. This area comprises three caves: Cave One, Cave Two, and Cave Three.
By 10 am, you'll arrive at Bich Dong Pagoda. This cave temple style is popular in Ninh Binh, renowned as the 'Second Heavenly Cave of the South,' ranking as the second most beautiful cave under the Southern sky.
Take a break for lunch and rest until 1:30 pm, then continue your journey to the Vân Long ecotourism area.
Explore the Vân Long ecotourism area by boat (ticket price 45,000 VND per person). This is the largest wetland nature reserve in the northern Red River Delta. Supported by the Dutch government, Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center at Cuc Phuong, it aims to conserve rare species. Here, you can also visit Cat Scratch Mountain, Orphan Mountain, and Fish Cave.
At 4:30 pm, begin your journey back to Hanoi.
On the way back, you'll find many stores selling packaged crispy rice, a perfect souvenir. Additionally, Ninh Binh offers various local specialties to bring home, such as Yen Mac fermented pork roll, wine, and Gia Vien shrimp paste.
According to Zing News
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourFebruary 16, 2016
