Ninh Binh 3 Days Itinerary: Halong Bay on Land Complete Guide
blessed by natural beauty, history and culture.
It is known as “Ha Long Bay on Land”.
Magnific puffy limestone mountains interrupt the rice fields and the canals of Red River, the second largest river in Vietnam.
It is easy and affordable to discover this area on a motorbike or a bicycle.
You can climb on the limestone cliffs to get breathtaking views, enter the numerous caves and discover the hidden ancient temples, explore Vietnam’s ancient capital and take an unforgettable boat ride.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh
It is possibile to visit this region all year long.
The driest season between January and March.
The best time to find the Tam Coc view in its iconic colours is when the rice fields are yellow, from May to early June. We visited on February, in the dry season, although the colours weren’t like in the postcards but still we were amazed. It is like walking or driving inside the Halong Bay jsut there is no water so you can explore by yourself and enjoy whichever angle you want.
How Many Days You Need in Ninh Binh
A stay of at least 2 full days in Ninh Binh Area to explore the highlights destinations in Ninh Binh. If you want to see all the attractions then must count on 3 full days.
How to Get from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (All Transport Options)
It’s very easy to organize transportation from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. You can book online—I’ve provided some trustful links below. There’s no extra cost for you, but I may earn a small commission.
A public bus costs around $2–$3, but getting to the bus station might double your overall expense and effort. Instead, there are many private buses and transportation services operating daily and frequently.
You can book HERE a private bus transfer —often referred to as a tourist limousine. While the term “limousine” might sound overly luxurious or touristy, it actually refers to comfortable minibuses that seat up to 8 people. These are used not only by tourists but also by locals, as they frequently run between Hanoi and Ninh Binh.
This is how we traveled to Ninh Binh ourselves. The limo operators are well organized: they pick you up directly from your accommodation and drop you off at your destination, with no additional charge—except in remote areas of Ninh Binh, where a small surcharge might apply.
The distance between Hanoi and Ninh Binh is about 80 km, and the trip takes roughly 1.5 hours. However, if you’re picked up at 7:30 am, you’ll likely reach Ninh Binh around 10:00 am, since it can take about an hour from the pickup time until the actual departure.
If you prefer a quicker and more flexible option, private transportation is available and surprisingly affordable. For 2 or 3 people, the cost is around €50 in total. The service is fast, convenient, and direct—point to point.
Here are some links:
Book Your Hanoi to Ninh Binh Transfer Here for 3 people or more
- This Is What We Took – Book the Same Ride – Comfortable Shared Limousine (Up to 8 People)
If you are planning to travel to Ninh Binh from Halong Bay, you can book your private transportation here – the cost is around 60 USD per person – group discount available and they operate at any time according to your boat arrival.
TRAIN:
The train is the safest option to go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi as in Vietnam they drive like crazy.
Honoi – Ninh Binh by train takes 2 hours.
Interestingly, if you purchase in person from a train station, a round-trip train ticket between Hanoi-Ninh Binh may cost you the same as a one-way limo ticket.
Vietnam Railway official online prices vary though more expensive (15 or 18 USD one way)
As the drivers in Vietnam are quite crazy on the road, the train can offer you a more tranquil solution. But expect delays.
Complete 3-Day Ninh Binh Itinerary (Day by Day Guide)
Day 1
MORNING
Start with the best attraction in the Ninh Binh Area, a 3 hour boat tour in Trang An. The boat tour has various stops and lets you discover some hidden temples and do some trekking if you want.
If your time is limited or if you want to avoid crowds, read my below tips on the Tran An Boat Tour section below.
NOON
On your way back, have a lunch in the Trang An countryside, in one of the scenic restaurants belonging to the homestays. They offer both amazing views and fresh and typical food.
Afternoon Mua Caves and Rice Fields
Climb to the Mua Cave and admire the view of Tam Choc. The real star is not actually the Mua Cave but the stairs, views and the famous dragon statue at the top of the cliff. Take amazing photographs at the sunset on the paths inside the rice fields just in the entrance of the Mua Caves.
Evening Dinner in Tam Choc
Have a typical dinner in Tam Chocat the Ngọc Linh Restaurant.
Day 2
Morning- Bich Dong Pagoda
Start by visiting the enchanting Bich Dong Pagoda, An Ancient Temple Complex consisting of 3 different Pagodas, impressively positioned under the under limestone cliffs . It is only 3 km. from Tam Coc and you can go by bicycle. If you go by motorbike you can enjoy taking different scenic paths as this is an extremely beautiful area. There is also a shuttle bus frequently operating from Tam Coc Pier.
Noon – Tam Coc Area by Bike
Explore the stunning Tam Coc Area by bike or bicycle towards the Thai Vi Temple.
By following the free entrance scenic view signs that you will find everywhere, reach Thung Sen Restaurant and Caffe and have your lunch in a beautiful garden. If you are not scared, you can climb on the rocks, to catch a different view over Tam Coc.
If you like to take a boat tour in Tam Coc, lunch time is the right time to do it to avoid the crowds.
Afternoon – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Dedicate the afternoon to the history and visit The Ancient Capital of Vietnam Hou Lu in peace, after all the tourist groups have already left. Assure to come on time before the closure time, 17.00. It takes around an hour to visit all the sites.
Day 3
Morning Bai Dinh Pagoda
Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest in South East Asia Bai Dinh Pagoda. And explore the countryside towards Van Long preferbly by a scooter.
Noon – Van Long Area
Have your lunch at the Nha La Restaurant in Van Long.
Take a boat tour just before sunset to witness bird species flying over your head.
Here it takes 1,5 hours and costs 110.000 VND per person.
Evening – Ninh Bing City
Visit Silver Pagoda and go to the recreational area open on weekends. Take a romantic boat ride, enjoy a street food dinner, do some shopping and watch a traditional performance. Read below for more Ninh Binh tips.
Best Areas to Stay in Ninh Binh
Then there are villages like Tom Choc and Trang An which are popular among tourists for accommodation options and attractions around.
You will mostly spend time within this triangle; Ninh Binh, Trang An and Tam Coc.
Is It better to stay in Tam Coc or Trang An?
It is better to stay in Tam Coc if you want to be in nature but still want to go out at night.
Staying in Trang An means immerging completely in nature, in the country side. It is for whom prefer a quiet vacation.
Ninh Binh vs Tam Coc vs Trang An: Choosing Your Base
Staying Ninh Binh City
PRO’s:
- As a big city, you will find more restaurants, accommodation and transfer options.
- It is close to the main attractions being in the centre of the region.
- The Silver Pagoda Area on weekend evenings is not to be missed.
CON’s:
- No view or naturalistic aspect.
- Not bicycle friendly.
Staying in Tam Choc
PRO’s:
- Beautiful country-side
- Town centre with hotels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, shops and markets are all inwalking distance.
- Can visit many attractions on a bicycle.
CON’s:
- The restaurants are very touristic and more expensive.
- The Tam Choc boat ride is evitable.
Staying in Trang An
PRO’s:
- The real countryside, immersed in nature
- It can be discovered by bicycle.
- Trang An Boat Ride, the best experience of this zone, is very close.
CON’s:
- No town centre, it’s isolated
- Not many accommodation options, mostly homestays and guesthouses.
- You may have to dine always at your homestay
Ninh Binh Areas in Details
NIN BINH CITY
Every single blog post on the internet I read was blaming Ninh Binh for being an awful place to stay and having nothing to do during the evenings. But we proved it to be wrong, at least during the weekend evenings.
Ninh Binh is the biggest city in the region and it is not a beautiful city at all. But it may be practical to stay here and organize your transfers and trips. It is also close to all the main attractions.Being bigger, it offers you a better variety of hotels and authentic restaurants. As well as good weekend entertaintment.
On weekend evenings there is a festival atmosphere near the Silver Pagodas that is not to be missed. Good street food, shops, and a theatre stage where they perform traditional dance and music shows.
Traditional boats with lanterns like in Hoi An, where you can take your food or traditional tea o while sailing on the river.
SILVER PAGODA: After sunset in the Trang An River, you will see two floating pagodas on the Trang An River, Silver Pagoda and Ky Lan (Unicorn) Temple and lotuses illuminated beautifully in Ninh Binh City. These pagodas are called Silver Pagodas and can be visited through a flat bridge built on the river. All connected to Ky Lan Hill which is a little island hill. Ky Lan means unicorn in Vietnamese, the name given due to its shape. The Silver Pagoda was inaugurated in 2018 by Buddhist Monks with a spiritual ceremony. It is recent though beautiful, and you will not be able to find much material on the internet other than the Vietnamese language.
GOLDEN PAGODA: On your way to Trang An from Ninh Binh, in about 1 km. away from the city centre, you will see a gorgeous temple in the Ca Voi Lake. This is an ancient temple built 1000 years ago, according to the octagonal architecture with 8 sides facing each other in 8 directions, symbolizing the worship of the 8 Kings of the 12 ancient armies. It used to be the most important worshipping place before the construction of the gigantic temple of Bai Dinh. After sunset, it is beautifully illuminated.
Ninh Binh City from Trang An or Tam Choc takes around 15 min. by motorbike.
Tam Choc
Tom Coc is the favourite place for most tourists as it offers a country-style feeling but still has a town centre, hotels, guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants.
The Tam Coc boat ride, once the only one in the region, now overthrown by the Trang An Boat Tour, has an unfavourable fame due to insistent floating vendors. Tam Coc is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and can be discovered by bicycle.
Follow the street on the left side of the Tam Coc Pier to enter the Tam Coc Landscape. Explore the caves and temples on your way. If you feel tired, get a drink or lunch in the beautiful garden of the Thung Sen Restaurant. After lunch, go back and follow the street on the right side of the Pier, passing through the main street of Tam Coc go outside of the town to observe the limestone mountains interrupting the rice fields. The last destination is the Bich Dong Pagoda.
Trang An
Trang An is located more in the countryside, in the middle of scenic landscape. There are not yet hotels here but just homestays, most have beautiful views of the rice fields and mountains.
The distance between Trang An and Tam Choc is just 15 min scenic ride by motorbike.
If you stay in Trang An, be sure that your homestay has a motorbike or bikes you need to rent.
The two most important activities Mua Cave and Trang An Boat Ride, are placed near Trang An.
Trang An does not have a proper town centr. If you like to experience nature and stay isolated, this is the right choice.
The restaurants, homestays and cafes are sparsely located on two long parallel streets.
Trang An Boat tour is much more beautiful and interesting than Tom Coc Tour.
It is better to stay in Tam Coc if you want to be in nature but still want to go out at night. Staying in Trang An means immersing completely in nature, in the countryside. It is for whom prefer a quiet vacation.
How to get around in Ninh Binh Area
Motorbike:This is the best and most efficient way to explore Ninh Binh is to get on a motorbike or scooter. As most tourists choose to ride on a motorbike it is very easy to find one to rent.
You can ask the place you stay, they will certainly help you to find it or they will rent you directly.
The cost varies between 100.000 to 150.000 VND/day.
For fuel, prefer bigger stations on the highways instead of small shops where they will charge you double. You may spend 4-5 USD on fuel for a couple of days.
The parking fee cost 5.000 to 10.000 VND.
If you cannot drive a motorbike, you can still enjoy motorbike freedom by renting a motorbike with a driver. It costs 500.000 VND (20 EUR-21 USD) per day for 9 hours.
BY Bicycle:Ninh Binh Area is considered one of the best cycling areas in Vietnam as it is not hilly and most of the attractions are within cycling distance.
The cost of a Bicycle is as cheap as 50.000 VND per day.
Many hotels offer free use of bicycles for their guests.
Whereas this experience may not have a happy ending every time.
You need to pay attention to the following points:
- Assure you get a good bicycle to enjoy the day ride.
- If you stay in Ninh Binh City, cycling out of the centre can be dangerous due to the public roads with a lot of traffic.
- It is not recommendable to cycle to the Bai Dinh Pagoda for the dangerous traffic as well.
- Cycling is not always fun in Ninh Binh as some roads are stony.
- If you want to see many places in one day, you may not be able to catch up everywhere with a bicycle.
- It requires a lot of navigating through back roads in the countryside.
- If you cannot make it within the daylight, the night ride is pitch black in this zone.
I only recommend you 1 day on a bike and only around Tam Coc.
1-day cycling itinerary in Ninh Binh:
Explore Bich Don Pagoda and Tai Temple both at the 2 different edges of the town of Tam Coc.
Follow the street on the left side of the Tam Coc Pier to enter the Tam Coc Landscape. Explore the caves and temples on your way. If you feel tired, get a drink or lunch in the beautiful garden of the Thung Sen Restaurant. After lunch, go back and follow the street on the right side of the Pier, passing through the main street of Tam Coc go outside of the town to observe the limestone mountains interrupting the rice fields. The last destination is the Bich Dong Pagoda.
If you are in a good shape and often cycle then you can add:
- Add Hua Lu to the above itinerary if you wake up early. Do not forget that after sunset, the roads become dark.
- From Tam Coc to Trang An: You can cycle to the Trang An Boat Pier (8 km.) On the way back if you decide to go to the Mua Cave, you need to be in good shape as it requires a lot of energy to climb and get down.
BY CAR:You cannot rent and drive a car in Vietnam as a tourist.
If the car is your only option to explore Ninh Binh, then it will cost you around 1.150.000 VND per day (around 45 EUR – 49 USD)a private car with a driver to explore wherever you want in the zone in privacy.
An organized tour can take the same but per person, as they include the guides, entrance fees and lunches.
Some days, you can take GRAB (the Asian version of Uber) or a taxi from a reliable company like Mai Linh or Hoa Luu.
It costs about 15000 VND/km.
Examples:
Mua caves-Tam Coc 50.000 VND
Ninh Binh train station – Mua caves cost 100,000 VND
