Things to do in Ninh Binh at a glance
The things to do in Ninh Binh fall into four groups: boat rides through caves and rice fields, hill climbs with a view, temples and pagodas, and slow trips by bike through the villages. The landscape sits at the southern edge of the Red River delta, with limestone karst, flooded valleys and waterways that run partly underground.
Only the Trang An Landscape Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 2014. It includes the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the Trang An, Tam Coc and Bich Dong area and a protected forest. The rest of the province is not a World Heritage Site. Since 1 July 2025 the province of Ninh Binh also includes the former provinces of Ha Nam and Nam Dinh, but the sights on this page all lie in the karst region around Trang An and Tam Coc.
Our picks: things to do in Ninh Binh
One tour mixes biking, hiking and the Trang An boat, another goes to Van Long and the bear sanctuary, and the remaining one is a long day with a buffet lunch. Choose by mood: boats and caves, or wetlands and rescued animals.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Biking, hiking and a Trang An boat trip from Hanoi
- Biking, Hiking, Boating
- Boat Trip to visit Trang An
- All Sightseeing and Entrance fee
A limousine bus picks you up and drops you at your hotel, with lunch and a bottle of water. About 12 hours.
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Long Ninh Binh day with optional round-trip transfer
- Buffet decent lunch with Vietnamese cuisines
- English speaking guide during the trip
- All entrance tickets (Depend on option you choose)
Entrance tickets and the round-trip transfer depend on the option you choose. The 8% government tax is included in the price.
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Van Long wetland reserve and bear sanctuary tour
- Van Long Nature Reserve
- Boat tour on traditional bamboo sampan
- Rescued Moon and Sun bears
About 5 to 6 hours, with entrance tickets depending on the option. Seeing Delacour's langur is not guaranteed. Groups of four or more get a private car.
Check availability →Ninh Binh sightseeing days
The main sights, one by one
Each sight has its own page with fees and practical advice.
Trang An
The classic boat ride through limestone caves, rowed by local people. Read the Trang An guide for routes and tickets.
Tam Coc and Bich Dong
A river trip on the Ngo Dong past rice fields, plus a cave pagoda on three levels. See Tam Coc and Bich Dong.
Mua Cave
A steep staircase up the mountain to a viewpoint over the valley. Details on the Mua Cave page.
Hoa Lu
The capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, with two temples for early rulers. See Hoa Lu and the history of Ninh Binh.
Bai Dinh
A very large temple complex on the hillside. Read the Bai Dinh Pagoda guide.
Cuc Phuong, Van Long and Thung Nham
Forest, wetland and a bird park for a quieter day, covered on the nature page.
Cycling through the villages
The tourism office describes bike trips through villages and rice fields, often with a homestay. See cycling and motorbike.
Entrance fees at a glance
Prices in dong from the official list updated on 27 February 2026, unless another source is named.
| Sight | Adult | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trang An boat and landscape | VND 300,000 | 1 to 1.3 m: VND 150,000, under 1 m free; over 60 years: VND 150,000, shown with a Vietnamese ID card |
| Tam Coc and Bich Dong | VND 250,000 | VND 350,000 with electric transfer; children 1 to 1.3 m: VND 120,000 |
| Mua Cave | VND 150,000 | Under 1 m free |
| Hoa Lu ancient capital | VND 20,000 | Children 6 to 15, over 60 and disabled visitors: VND 10,000 |
| Bai Dinh electric car | VND 150,000 | Return trip, from 15 February 2026 |
| Van Long reserve | VND 100,000 | Children VND 50,000 |
| Cuc Phuong National Park | VND 60,000 | Primate programme VND 80,000 on top |
| Thung Nham bird park | VND 250,000 | Operator price from 1 April 2026 |
Two prices are worth a second look. Some press articles still quote VND 60,000 for the Bai Dinh electric car, while the official list says VND 150,000, so ask at the desk. For Mua Cave an older operator page from 2022 shows VND 100,000, but the 2026 official figure is VND 150,000.
Getting around between the sights
A free bus, bikes and local transport.
A tourism office notice of 24 July 2026 describes a free heritage bus linking Trang An, Bai Dinh and Dong Chuong lake, running every 2 hours with departures from 07:00 to 17:00. It has no line to Hanoi, and it is separate from the paid electric car inside Bai Dinh. Ask at the tourism office or on site whether it runs on your day, and read our Hanoi to Ninh Binh guide if you still need to arrive.
Most visitors base themselves near Tam Coc or Trang An and reach the sights by bike or on a day tour. For a two or three day plan, see the Ninh Binh itinerary.
What to eat in Ninh Binh
Two local specialities.
Mountain goat is the regional dish. The tourism office names goat with lime, grilled or fried preparations and herb dishes. Com chay is a crust of rice that is cooked, browned at the bottom of the pot, dried and fried in oil before serving. It is sometimes called burnt rice, but the crust is not burnt on purpose. It can come with soy sauce, fried onion, pork floss or goat sauce, so do not assume it is vegetarian. Ask the seller what is on top.
Storms, floods and boat operation
Check the local status before you go.
In heavy rain, storms and floods the authority can suspend routes or operation at short notice, on boats, in caves and in forest areas. Before you plan a boat or cave day, ask your hotel or the ticket desk about the local status, and keep one spare day in your plan. Our weather page shows the monthly climate figures.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do in Ninh Binh in one day?
A boat ride in Trang An or Tam Coc, the climb to the Mua Cave viewpoint and a visit to Hoa Lu fit into one day on a tour. Add a bike ride if you want to see the villages.
Is the whole province a UNESCO site?
No. UNESCO lists the Trang An Landscape Complex, listed in 2014. Other sights, such as Bai Dinh, lie in its buffer zone or elsewhere in the province.
Do I need cash for the tickets?
Fees are published in dong. Ask each ticket desk which payment methods it takes, and carry some cash in dong.
Where do I find help if someone pressures me to buy?
The tourism office lists a visitor support hotline, 19000117, for harassment, forced sales, fraud or theft.