12 Captivating Tourist Attractions in Ninh Binh

Say Hello Vietnam

The ancient land of Hoa Lu captivates millions of tourists each year with its many attractive destinations like Mua Cave, Thung Nham Bird Park, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, temples honoring kings, Trang An, and Phat Diem Church. Moreover, countless other fascinating tourist spots in Ninh Binh await you to discover. Let’s look at these must-visit attractions in Ninh Binh in this article!

Renowned for its rich natural beauty, including bird parks, crystal-clear lakes, and beautiful lotus ponds, Ninh Binh also boasts unique and distinctive architectural structures. Save these enticing tourist spots below to explore Ninh Binh to the fullest!

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Visiting Ninh Binh, spiritual tourism is indeed incredibly suitable. Pay a visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda, about 15km from the city center, and you’ll be amazed by the scale of Vietnam’s largest pagoda. Notably, Bai Dinh Pagoda has received numerous accolades, such as having the most Buddha statues in a corridor, the largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, the largest well, and the largest bronze bell.

Praying for peace at Bai Dinh Pagoda. Photo by linhlinhdu.

Like a fairyland, Bai Dinh Pagoda provides a tranquil atmosphere. Thanks to this, the hustle and fatigue of work and life seem to be dispelled when coming here. That’s why Bai Dinh Pagoda has become a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and tourists seeking a place for worship and reverence.

Ecotourism at Trang An

The most sought-after tourist attraction in Ninh Binh is Trang An, attracting millions of visitors. Blessed by nature, Trang An boasts picturesque green valleys, mysterious caves, and beautiful winding rivers.

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Trang An is beautiful and poetic. Photo by trangtronf15.

When visiting Trang An, you can take a boat tour to appreciate the natural scenery. Admiring the landscape of Trang An, with its cool water, fresh air, and magnificent limestone mountains, will offer you unforgettable moments of relaxation and tourism.

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One of the best attractions in Ninh Binh – Mua Cave

Located at the foot of Mua Mountain, this tourist spot is also known as Mua Cave, which is closely associated with the mountain’s name. Often compared to a “miniature” Great Wall, Mua Cave carves its path from the foot to the summit with 486 steps. The journey to explore and conquer Mua Cave is well worth the effort, as the final reward is the breathtaking natural scenery of Ninh Binh.

Lotus racing in vibrant colors in Mua Cave. Photo by im.rot.

Depending on the season, the landscape from the top of Mua Cave will offer different beauties. In summer, you will see a sea of golden rice fields covering Ninh Binh. But if you visit Ninh Binh in the early months of the year, the place wears a fresh green coat of young rice plants. Mua Cave has become a free Ninh Binh tourist destination where people seek to capture unforgettable photos.

Taking Instagram-worthy shots in Mua Cave. Photo by rai_photos.

Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu – Attractive Tourist Destination in Ninh Binh

The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is a special historical site with significant importance to our country. This complex consists of temples dedicated to King Le, King Dinh, and other preserved historic structures.

Hoa Lu ancient capital with its old-world beauty. Photo by minchu.94.

Exploring the ancient capital of Hoa Lu seems like a journey back in time, thanks to the architectural works that have retained their majestic, solemn, and ancient beauty despite the passage of time. In addition to the temples dedicated to King Le and King Dinh, when visiting Hoa Lu, you will also have the opportunity to admire unique architectural temples such as Nhat Tru Pagoda and Ngan Xuyen Pagoda.

Kenh Ga – Van Trinh Tourist Area

The Kenh Ga – Van Trinh tourist area consists of several smaller attractions you can experience in Ninh Binh, such as the floating village of Kenh Ga, Kenh Ga hot spring, Nham Hao Cave, and Van Trinh Cave.

Kenh Ga Mineral Stream. Photo by collected.

In the heart of Ninh Binh, the Kenh Ga hot spring is ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation. The mineral-rich hot spring water will provide you with comfortable and soothing moments. Don’t forget to visit the Kenh Ga fishing village to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and picturesque mountains and savor the fresh seafood here.

The Kenh Ga – Van Trinh tourist area also features the enchanting Van Trinh Cave. To date, the cave still retains its most pristine features gifted by nature. Van Trinh Cave is an attractive tourist destination in Ninh Binh for adventure teams keen on conquering hundreds of meters high mountains.

Tam Coc – Bich Dong

Sailing along the Ngô Đồng River, you can admire the stunning natural beauty of Ninh Binh. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is known as the “Ha Long Bay on land,” with many majestic limestone caves in various shapes. Tam Coc presents a gentle, harmonious beauty that brings a sense of tranquility.

Tam Coc – Bich Dong through the lens of tourists. Photo by gracelynly.

Meanwhile, Bich Dong Pagoda is a temple with three levels on the mountain, including Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda. This unique feature arouses curiosity among visitors. Traveling to Bich Dong, you will visit a dry cave halfway up the mountain, followed by a water cave called Thuy Dong.

The Largest Bird Garden in Thung Nham

With over 50,000 birds from 40 different species, Thung Nham has become one of the largest bird gardens in the country. Surrounded by mountains, plants, and sky, Thung Nham’s abundant vegetation creates a stunning landscape.

Thung Nham is green and cool all year round. Photo by Dinh Thi Thu Huyen.

The most prominent activity at Thung Nham is eco-tourism on boats to observe various bird species directly. Additionally, what could be better than camping and picnicking amidst the natural mountain landscape in Thung Nham? This place is also an attractive tourist destination in Ninh Binh for large groups organizing team-building events with outdoor games.

Am Tien Cave – The “Fairyland” of the Ancient Capital

What’s beautiful about Ninh Binh? Undoubtedly, it’s Am Tien Cave with its unique watercolor. Known as the “fairyland” of Ninh Binh, Am Tien Cave attracts many young visitors with its turquoise lake. Moreover, visiting Am Tien, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered the mysterious, pristine scenery of ancient martial arts movies, surrounded by mountains.

The mysterious Am Tien Cave. Photo by vietnam_travel_information.

Venturing into Am Tien Cave, you’ll feel completely detached from the bustling, noisy world outside. Am Tien Cave offers a strangely peaceful and tranquil experience? Don’t forget to capture your visit with some stunning check-in photos!

Attractive Tourist Destination in Ninh Binh – Van Long Lagoon

For those who love the water, Van Long Lagoon is one of the fantastic tourist attractions in Ninh Binh. As a waveless bay, you’ll notice the calm water surface without a single ripple when exploring the lagoon by boat. As a result, you can see the green moss at the bottom while boating.

Having fun at Van Long Lagoon. Photo by ariana.chu__.

Spanning 3000 hectares, Van Long Lagoon is home to various bird and langur species. Moreover, it serves as a saltwater wetland conservation area in the Red River Delta.

Traditional Craft Villages in Ninh Binh

When exploring Ninh Binh, don’t forget to visit its traditional craft villages. Ninh Binh is famous for its rivers and lakes and traditional crafts like mat weaving, pottery, and woodworking, representing the rich culture of this ancient land.

The village of weaving in Kim Son – Ninh Binh. Photo by collected.

Immersing yourself in the peaceful, simple atmosphere of traditional craft villages, you’ll have the chance to witness artisans showcasing their skills. Experience pottery making or mat weaving to create memorable moments in Ninh Binh.

Kim Son Beach – Floating Island

In Ninh Binh, not only can you enjoy ecotourism and water landscapes, but for those who love the sea, an attractive tourist destination in Ninh Binh is Kim Son Beach – Floating Island. The coastal area of Ninh Binh is also a UNESCO-recognized world biosphere reserve.

New tourist spot – Kim Son – Con Noi beach. Photo by collected.

Explore the pristine beauty of Kim Son Beach with its vast mangrove forests. Kim Son Beach – Floating Island is divided into various zones: protective forests, reed fields, and shrimp farms.

Phat Diem Cathedral

One of Vietnam’s most unique and unusual churches is Phat Diem Cathedral. Constructed from wood and stone, this 22-hectare Catholic church in Ninh Binh has an architectural design similar to traditional pagodas. It’s safe to say that few churches can boast such a distinctive design.

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral. Photo by soaipham.
A church made of stone and wood with ancient beauty. Photo by soaipham.

What to Keep in Mind When Traveling to Ninh Binh?

Visiting Ninh Binh in the spring or fall is recommended. Photo by b.kimdung.

Ninh Binh features a diverse landscape, from hills to plains and limestone mountains, creating a unique beauty in the region. However, when traveling, exploring, and sightseeing in Ninh Binh, keep the following tips in mind:

Say Hello Vietnam hopes that these 15 attractive Ninh Binh tourist destinations and shared travel experiences will help you have the best experience possible. Plan your itinerary to explore all the must-see places in Ninh Binh and fully discover the land of the ancient Hoa Lu capital!

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