You absolutely cannot visit Northern Vietnam without putting Ninh Binh on your list.
Seriously, the spectacular karst peaks I saw rising from the emerald river in Trang An? That sight alone is worth the trip!
The best part? Ninh Binh is a super easy trip, just a two-hour bus or train ride from Hanoi. Don’t skip out on this slice of awe and fun!
The photos below are a glimpse of your unforgettable adventure if you take a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi using this itinerary. Click the images below to enlarge.
That said, getting around Ninh Binh could be a challenge. The region lacks public transportation that connects the main sights.
Many attractions also offer similar experiences. If you do not plan your itinerary well, you might find yourself repeating activities and wasting precious travel time.
But don’t you worry. I’ve created a detailed itinerary you can easily follow to maximize your trip. The timing and sequence of destinations are based on the day group trip we joined, so you can trust the plan is proven and optimized.
Ninh Binh Day Trip from Hanoi Itinerary
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The highlights of this Ninh Binh trip are Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An. Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam. Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning natural scenery and rich cultural history.
Don’t miss my detailed Map of Bai Dinh Pagoda to discover all the must-see spots.
For an unforgettable boat tour in Trang An, check out my travelogue. It is packed with tips and insider suggestions to make the most of your visit.
Are you not sure whether to explore Ninh Binh on a DIY trip or with a group tour? Well, we were in the same boat when we planned our visit.
I’ve shared how we made our decision in another post, so check it out! It offers insights that can help you choose the best option for your trip.
Before getting into the details of this itinerary, I’d like to introduce myself.
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Getting There and Exploring Ninh Binh
For this Ninh Binh trip, having your own private car with a driver is really the most convenient way to get around. I recommend it if you’re traveling with a group. This way, everyone can stay together.
Solo travelers and couples can mix public transport to get to and from Hanoi with a rented motorbike for getting around locally. But if you want something super convenient, just use Grab. It is available everywhere in Ninh Binh. Grab is basically the Uber of Southeast Asia, and it is safe, reliable, and provides much better service than local taxis.
The only downside to using Grab is that it can be harder to book during peak hours, which might throw off your schedule. You might also run into surcharges when demand is high.
You can use my map of Ninh Binh to find all the must-see spots in the area. The post where you can find the map also includes direct links to Google Maps for easy navigation. Yep, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to plan your own itinerary.
Ninh Binh Day Trip Itinerary Details
To maximize your day, you should aim to leave Hanoi as early as possible.
Ideally, get to your first stop, Bai Dinh Pagoda, around 8:00 AM. This gives you plenty of time to explore the major highlights of the place (the Stupa, Ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda, Three Periods Temple, and Water Pavilion) and see the rest of the grounds before lunch.
“We’re going to check out the pagoda from 8 to 12. Is four hours too much time?“
Honestly, based on my experience and what everyone says, you really need at least half a day in Bai Dinh Pagoda. It’s over 500 hectares (1250 acres), trust me, four hours is just enough.
Anyway, if you are going to Ninh Binh using public transportation, buses start leaving Hanoi as early as 5:00 AM. The first train, however, departs at 6:00 AM. Depending on the traffic, the trip usually takes about two to three hours.
Good to know: I found on 12go.asia that there are buses and limousine shuttles that drop you off directly at tourist spots like Bai Dinh Pagoda. They are a bit more expensive. However, it is worth the extra few dollars compared to arriving in Hoa Lu town and having to grab a ride to the attraction.
For your lunch, you’ve got two main choices: eat at Bai Dinh Pagoda or grab a bite at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Bai Dinh has a restaurant in its hotel right near the Three Periods Temple. I’m not totally sure what they serve, but just be ready for it to be more expensive than the places outside the pagoda.
If you’re looking to save some money, your best choice is to hit up the small restaurants around the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital parking lot. They mainly serve local food, but I think you can also find international stuff, like Indian cuisine.
So, is Hoa Lu Ancient Capital your next destination? Yes, it is simply because it is the nearest attraction. From Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is only a fifteen to twenty minute drive.
More importantly, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was once the heart of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le dynasties.
The highlights are the temples of King Dinh and King Le, the old citadel area (the original palaces and fortifications no longer remain), and the scenic viewpoint on Ma Yen Mountain.
Unlike Bai Dinh Pagoda, this place is much smaller. There are only a few main spots to check out. That is why I planned for just an hour there, with maybe an extra thirty minutes in case you wanted to look around a bit more.
Technically, once you get to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, you’ve actually already arrived at your next destination: Trang An! Think of Trang An as this massive, breathtaking natural and cultural park. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is just one of the historically important sites tucked right inside it.
The main experience in Trang An, which is the boat ride, however, does not start in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The wharf and the ticketing booths for the boat ride are still a ten to fifteen minute drive away from Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Usually, a boat ride in Trang An lasts for two hours. You will be going through winding emerald rivers surrounded by spectacular karsts, passing through underground rivers and caves, and going by temples along the way. If you want, you can even stop at the temples in Trang An to do extra sightseeing and make new discoveries.
There’s plenty that I would like to share with you about Trang An boat ride to make the most of your visit. So make sure to read my blog post about it.
Our group tour returned to Hanoi right after the Trang An boat ride, which made sense because we had to catch the overnight bus to Sapa between 9:30 and 10:00 PM.
If we had only had more time, though, we definitely would have checked out Hoa Lu Old Town, since it’s just a short drive from Trang An.
So, yes, after visiting Trang An, your next stop is Hoa Lu Old Town, also known as Phố cổ Hoa Lư! This spot is a replica of the ancient capital we’ve talked about, and it’s absolutely perfect for winding down and chilling out after a big day of adventures.
Essentially, it’s the main hub for nightlife, food, and fun in Ninh Binh.
From what I can tell on Google Maps and travel blogs, they have lots of shops, ranging from souvenirs to beers. It is the ideal place to hit after your day out, grab some dinner, and fuel up before the drive back to Hanoi.
If you get there in the late afternoon, seriously, take a few minutes to look around and then stick around for the sunset.
When the sun goes down, the whole area just transforms into this magical spot, with all these colorful lights along the streets and reflecting off the canal where the boats are docked. And just wait until you see the central pagoda reflecting in the water along the Ninh Binh Walking Street… it’s stunning!
You are going to get so many great photos here!
Here’s some practical info:
- If you are traveling by private car, you can find the paid parking lot beside the intersection of Trang An Boulevard and Tran Hung Dao Street. If you are coming from Trang An and heading into the town, you will spot the temple standing in the canal of Phố cổ Hoa Lư to your right, and you can find the parking lot to your left.
- For travelers visiting Ninh Binh without a private vehicle, know that most bus and limousine shuttle companies offer the last trip back to Hanoi at 8 PM. On 12go.asia, however, I found that a few companies offer a trip back to Hanoi as late as 10 PM.
Here’s an important personal tip:
If you are traveling on a weekend, you might still want to return to Hanoi around 7 PM. This way, you can still catch Hanoi Walking Street, which is a fantastic event.
Basically, Hanoi Walking Street was one of the things that really surprised me during my trip to Vietnam. It has given me a complete perspective about travel. I recommend that you read my post about it so you can get an idea of the fun you can have at the event.
Final Thoughts
By visiting the attractions I’ve included here, Trang An, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Pho Co Hoa Lu, you will truly experience the essence of Ninh Binh. You will understand exactly what makes this destination so unique and historically important.
But know that there is more to discover here, with plenty of breathtaking sights to take in. For example, Mua Caves has several viewpoints on top, offering the most iconic views of Trang An, the same views of Ninh Binh you have likely seen on Instagram.
Also, instead of the Trang An boat ride, you might want to try the boat ride in Tam Coc. There, you can watch the rowers steer the boat with their feet instead of their hands. The Tam Coc route offers a slightly different view, featuring rice fields at the base of the towering karst mountains.
Regardless, if you want to see the entirety of Ninh Binh, you might want to spend more than a day here. Two days is enough, but three days will let you see the area without feeling rushed.
For more tips on exploring Northern Vietnam, check out my posts on Sapa and Hanoi. Thank you for reading!
Planning to Explore Ninh Binh?
Check out my travel planning resources and my Ninh Binh tourist map that can help you organize your trip.
This tourist map comes with tips and Google Maps links to help you plan a trip you will always remember.
Let’s start planning and organizing your unforgettable trip to Ninh Binh. Everything you need for your adventure is just a click away in the button below.
Let’s Go Explore Northern Vietnam!
Being in Ninh Binh puts you within easy reach of more beautiful places in Northern Vietnam. We made sure to see Sapa and Hanoi as well, and I am sure you would find them wonderful. Check out my 4-Day Vietnam Itinerary to learn more.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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