Ninh Binh Tours & Travel

"Take a boat tour in Trang An and Tam Coc"

Both Trang An and Tam Coc are stunning places to enjoy a boat ride on winding rivers, however each allures tourists with different charms. While the most attractive lure of Tam Coc boat trip is admiring amazing views of immense rice fields on the two sides of Ngo Dong river, Trang An is a huge scenic landscape complex of stunning valleys, limestone mountains, cross-water caves and age-old temples as well as the original backlot of the blockbuster Hollywood movie, Kong: Skull Island. If you have limited time in Ninh Binh, you could choose one of the two boat tours to enjoy.

"Take in the tranquillity of Ninh Binh temples and pagodas"

Ninh Binh is the land of temples and pagodas which are famous with both domestic and international tourists. The most popular sites are Hoa Lu - the ancient capital of the Dinh and the Tien Le dynasties, Bich Dong Pagoda - a special complex of three separate layered pagodas carved into the foot of a limestone mountain, and Bai Dinh Pagoda - a huge spiritual complex famous for the collection of 500 stone arhats and the 100-tone bronze Buddha. Make a visit to Ninh Binh temples and pagodas, then find yourself a peaceful time before joining other excursions.

"Cycle around the rice fields"

Ninh Binh is one of the best places for cycling in the north of Vietnam due to its mainly flat roads and authentic countryside settings. Wandering through the small paths in immense rice fields or dirt roads winding to idyllic villages will definitely make your bike tours much more amazing than ever. It is very easy to rent a bike in Ninh Binh and many hotels could offer free for tourists. If you join a Ninh Binh tour, especially Tam Coc - Bich Dong route, cycling activity will be included in the itinerary.

"Conquer Hang Mua peak"

If you are into photography, Hang Mua peak will take your heart with amazing panoramic views and stunning Instagramable photos. To reach the top, it could be a challenge with about 500 stairs up from the ground, but it is totally worth a try when you get the gorgeous views from the surrounding peak. You can admire the entire landscape of rice fields below on Ngo Dong river of Tam Coc valley or enjoy a nice time taking spectacular photos near the stone dragon statue and age-old temple. 

"Get out into nature at Van Long Nature Reserve"

Great for nature lovers, Van Long Nature Reserve is a perfect stop to discover Vietnamese wildlife just outside of the city (around 20 kilometres). Coming to this protected site, you will enjoy an amazing boat tour around the wetland and if lucky, see many endangered species of reptiles and monkeys. Another feature that definitely allures you to this reserve is its unique birdsong. The whole charming landscapes are teeming with local birds that make bird watchers feel satisfactory during the tour.

"Com Chay (Burned rice)"

When it comes to popular Ninh Binh dishes, com chay (burned rice in English) is on top of the list. According to the traditional method, the scorched rice on the bottom of the cooker/pot, after cooled down and dried in the sunlight, will be fried in hot oil pan until it turns golden brown and crisp. This dish is served with pork floss, dried shrimp, fried shallots and chilli paste on top.

"Goat Meat"

Goat meat is another popular food in Ninh Binh that you could easily find a goat meat eatery or restaurant along the roadside. The goats are fed on the hills and rocky mountains, eat grass, wild trees and even medicinal plants, so goat meat in Ninh Binh has excellent taste. Most restaurants have the same menu with a long list of unique and strange dishes, but the most preferred should be rare goat meat with lemon,  stir-fried goat meat, grilled goat, goat hotpot, and roasted goat meat.

"Nho Quan wine "

Nho Quan rice or Ruou can Nho Quan in Vietnamese, is one of the specialities in Ninh Binh. What makes it special is that this wine is made without distillation. Local people often use sticky rice for the best wine. The yeast is also unique which is the peel of a local tree mixed with ginger, chilli powder and guava leaves. The mixture of cooked rice and yeast will be incubated in a jar for three months. Drinking Ruou can also be a great experience for tourists as you don’t drink in a glass or bowl but through pipes. These pipes are hollow bamboo stalks plugged directly into the jar.

"Goi Ca Nhech Kim Son (Nhech salad at Kim Son)"

Nhech (cá nhệch in Vietnamese) is a kind of eel that can be cooked too many delicious dishes but in Kim Son district of Ninh Binh, the most popular is Nhech salad. Local people mix meat slices with the thing, made of roasted sticky rice for an attractive aroma and good flavour. The skin is deep-fried and the bone is ground for a dipping sauce with chilli, ginger, garlic, pepper and minced lemongrass. The salad could be rolled with rice paper or local greens.

"Ca Kho Gao (Fish cooked with sauce and nauclea orientalis)"