Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay on the land

One of the most beautiful places that I have been so far for a trip is definitely Ninh Binh. Have you been to Cat Ba or Ha Long already? Ninh Binh is called Ha Long on the land and it is like that for a reason. 

This place is stunning and worth more than just one night that people usually think. Take at least two or three because there is a lot to see. This place is also very easy to drive around. Get a bike (understand motorbike) because it is quite flat and very easy to drive around. Your local place will usually have bikes to rent and the prices vary from 100.000 to 150.000 VND a day, depends on the area. 

How to get there: Take a bus (local or fast bus, depends on how much money do you want to spend as well as how much time do you want to spend on the bus)

How long does it take: Depends on the bus that you take but it could be something from 2.5 hours to 4 hours from Hai Phong

How much does it cost: Again depends on the option you choose

I will try to give you a list of places to see with maps. I have also some recommendations for accommodation. Here we go:

Places to stay

Tam Coc area

This is my personal favorite where I stayed with my parents. It is a family hotel with an amazing girl at the reception, very nice breakfast and very close to the town and many places to visit in the Tam Coc area. They also have a swimming pool and bikes for rent. 

Booking: www.booking.com/s/17_8/be496e6d

Trang An area

I did two different areas each time so it was easier and faster for us to reach the places we wanted to visit. This is my favorite which is situated in a very quiet area of limestone mountains. They have dorms as well as private bungalows that we took. Very comfortable beds, great breakfast, and very friendly staff. They also offer bikes for rent but as I remember they were a bit more expensive than in the Tam Coc area.

Booking: www.booking.com/s/17_8/be496e6d

Those are just two where I stayed but I heard about more places to stay that look absolutely stunning, for example, this one: 

www.booking.com/s/17_8/be496e6d

Places to visit

Let's imaginary divide the map into two areas: Tam Coc and Trang An so it will be better to cover all the trips.

Tam Coc area

Tam Coc boat tour

See the description of Trang An boat tours below for more info, please!

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/EeUMpN3bm4J2

Thai Vi temple

One of the beautiful small local temples around Ninh Binh, where you should just stop by bike and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. This place is situated and surrounded by limestone mountains, most of the time with cows or other animals passing by. Don't forget to donate a bit when you leave, the people are running the temple by themselves and every penny counts at this point.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vdx9MjttC5T2

Temple in the cave

Talking about temples, this was one of the best ones we have visited when I was in Ninh Binh. You definitely wouldn't expect a temple in the cave. Few steps up the hill to the cave where you can find a small temple hidden. Beautiful and peaceful place hidden in the countryside. If you are looking for something a bit different, it should be this place.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/itRVehSqaxu

Pagoda Linh Coc

Just a beautiful small pagoda located in the countryside and surrounded by limestone mountains as well as just nature. Enjoy the peace a bit.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/iF6QXEtE15K2

Động tiên cá - Mermaid cave

One of the places where I haven't been yet but got a recommendation to do so. It is supposed to be a nice and quite big cave to explore located in the countryside of Ninh Binh.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4fchmvMW4CH2

Hang Múa - Mua Cave 

One of the most beautiful places I have visited in Ninh Binh. This is a MUST when you are there! If you can do the hike and watch the sunset from the top, it will be the best but if not, it is still damn worth a visit! Why is it this way? Well, because the view from the top of the mountain is just mesmerizing! Around 400 steps are waiting for you to climb up the hill and a surprise of a huge dragon statue waiting for you on the top of the hill. It is not just the hill that is beautiful but when you climb back down the hill, you should explore the surroundings as well. There is a quite big cave and a nice park around, so enjoy both of them and maybe you will even find something new that I didn't!

Entrance fee: 100.000 VND/person

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/iNmMn9RKJTL2

Trang An area

Hoa Lu Ancient capital

This is a complex of temples and the old capital of Vietnam. The area is one of the ricefields broken by picturesque limestone mountains. The area of the ancient imperial capital of Hoa Lư features several dozen monuments, you can find temples there as well as some caves and tombs.

How much does it cost: The entrance fee should be around 20.000 VND  which doesn't include the parking fee that should be around 10.000 VND.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LP1e4VtWbvC2

Quy Minh temple

The small stone temple located at the cave. A bit different from the rest and it deserves attention. 

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/wrzMMDPoML52

Trang An Grottoes - boat tours 

There are two places where you can take the boat tours around the limestone mountains and both of them are gorgeous. 

How to decide? It depends how much money would you like to spend as well as how much time on the boat do you want to stay. There is also one more thing to mention, the Trang An was made by human cut compare to Tam Coc area is natural, may be smaller but natural. On the other hand, if you are into movies and you will like to do the destination that is captured in the King Kong Skull Island movie, then you have to do Trang An tour. 

How long does it take: This boat tour is a half-day thing (you can choose from different routes) but it will take you two hours anyways as it is very long but definitely beautiful and worth it! I also heard it is more worth than Tam Coc. There are more caves on the way and you make two stops on the way so that's why it might take a bit longer and you might need to wait for other people as you pay per person so the boat has to be full before the departure.

How much does it cost: Prices at both are fixed but differ: at Tam Coc you pay 150,000 dong for the boat and 120,000 dong per adult, with a maximum of two foreigners per boat, whereas Trang An charges 200,000 VND per adult, with no apparent maximum, other than the number of seats—though they may expect a minimum of four passengers, meaning you might need to wait around. 

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/U49YWTDi4YS2

Bai Dinh Pagoda  

 

The biggest pagoda that you can find in the north of Vietnam. Such a beautiful area, you should definitely take your time while visiting it, no rush. It is a big complex of more temples and many buddha's statues. It is definitely worth at least half a day trip. 

One tip: it can be very beautiful at the sunset because the temples are going to light and you can see the full complex from the high tower lighting around.

Electrical car: 30.000 VND/person for a 1-way ticket

Visiting Bao Thap: 50.000 VND/person 

 

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7pGYDsGb1wD2

Cuc Phuong National Park

To be honest, there is not too much to see there. We were expecting while climbing up the hill to have a stunning view but it wasn't as stunning as we expected it to be. It is a real jungle though, so if you want a bit of peace and nature, you can go there. The only disadvantage is that this place is quite a long drive.

Entrance fee: 60.000 VND/person, 20.000 VND/student, 10.000 VND/children

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/WyLup9WhcGT2