Ultimate Guide to Ninh Binh Vietnam: A 3 Day Biking Itinerary

Often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, ancient temples, and tranquil countryside. Exploring this area by bicycle is the perfect way to enjoy the scenery and take in the beauty. Bike rentals are readily available, the sights are all within easy biking distance and the roads are well-paved and flat. In this detailed 3 day itinerary for Ninh Binh, we will share the highlights, activities, where to stay and the costs.

How much time do you need to visit Ninh Binh, Vietnam?

To fully experience the beauty of Ninh Binh, we recommend spending at least three days in the region and exploring via bicycle. This timeframe allowed us to visit the major attractions and slowly enjoy the scenery via bicycle. Of course, if you are limited in time, there are plenty of tour operators that offer a day trip from Hanoi. You can also save time by seeing the sights via car.

Detailed Itinerary for Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Here is a daily summary of our itinerary in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Day	What did we do?
1 (Monday)	Arrive from Hanoi, check-in at the guesthouse, lunch at Pig Family Restaurant, visit Bich Dong Pagoda and Thai Vi Temple, visit Thung Sen Tam Coc cafe, and dinner at Minh Khoi Restaurant.
2 (Tuesday)	Bike to Mua Cave, breakfast at the guesthouse, lunch at Que Vu Restaurant, 3+ hours boat ride tour at Trang An and return to Mua Cave.
3 (Wednesday)	Breakfast at the guesthouse, leisurely walk along the picturesque rice paddy fields, lunch at Hai Linh, check-out from guesthouse, and return to Hanoi.

The map below captures all the sites we’ve stopped at as well as the places we stayed and ate at.

Note: Links to the accommodations below are affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase any of them, Nomad Numbers may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information please review our disclaimer page.

Day 1 – Check-in, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple

Our Ninh Binh adventure began with a comfortable semi-private van ride from Hanoi to our guesthouse in Ninh Binh, which took approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the guesthouse staff at Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay who kindly offered us refreshing pineapple and ginger tea. Since our room wasn’t ready yet, we decided to grab some food at a nearby restaurant.

Once settled into our room, we took advantage of the guesthouse’s bike rental service, an excellent way to navigate the bike-friendly streets of Ninh Binh. We strongly recommend exploring the area by bike as it offers a unique sense of freedom and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the stunning rice paddy fields and quaint streets.

Our first destination was Bich Dong Pagoda, an enchanting complex of three ancient pagodas nestled into the mountainside. As we ascended the stone steps and ventured deeper into the pagoda, we admired the architecture and the serene atmosphere. The highlight was reaching the top of the mountain, where a special cave and panoramic view awaited us, making the climb well worth the effort.

Continuing our journey, we headed back towards our guesthouse and made our way to Thai Vi Temple. Though small in size, the temple had a tranquil charm. It’s not a major highlight and only worth a stop if you have extra time while exploring.

As the day progressed, we couldn’t resist stopping at Thung Sen Tam Coc restaurant & cafe, known for its breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. We hiked around their natural grounds before cooling off with some refreshing drinks.

To conclude our eventful day, we treated ourselves to an early dinner at Minh Khoi Restaurant which was very enjoyable.

Day 2 – Trang An Boat Tour and Mua Cave

On our second day in Ninh Binh, we woke up early with the intention of watching the sunrise at the renowned Mua Cave. However, the foggy weather prevented us from climbing the mountain and we decided to return when the weather was better. We embraced the opportunity to explore the nearby biking paths and had some interesting encounters with friendly local animals along the way.

Later in the day we biked to Que Vu Restaurant, a picturesque dining spot with a stunning view. Food tastes better after a break from a nice long bike ride.

The highlight of the day was the Trang An boat ride, an amazing boat ride where you can fully experience the natural beauty of Ninh Binh. Lasting over three hours, the boat ride took us through a network of rivers, caves, and lush greenery, with stops at various temples along the way. We even had the chance to visit the filming location of the famous movie “King Kong.” There’s another boat ride offered in Tam Coc but we are glad we chose Trang An because it felt more remote and special.

To complete the day, we returned to the Mua Caves, this time there was clearer weather. Climbing the steep staircase to the peak rewarded us with a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region. The views are really breathtaking and although it’s not an easy climb, it’s definitely worth it.

Day 3 – Chill Day Exploring Ninh Binh on Foot

On our final day in Ninh Binh, we took a break from biking and strolled towards the serene Hang Thiên Hươngto temple. This picturesque walk took us through the town, past stunning rice fields, and was another nice way to appreciate Ninh Binh’s natural beauty.

For lunch, we ate at Hai Linh, a local restaurant known for some unique Vietnamese dishes we hadn’t had before like cured pork. After a satisfying meal, we checked out and our mini-van picked us up from near the hotel to return back to Hanoi with lots of great memories from Ninh Binh.

Where to stay in Ninh Binh

While we usually like to use AirBnB to save close to 50% on accommodation cost, on short stays AirBnB doesn’t always offer the best deals (partly due to the cleaning fee that can be as high as the nightly rate). For short stays, we usually use Booking.com which has a lot of options on what we were looking for. 

Day	Accommodation / Location	Nomad Numbers Rating
1-3	Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay (Ninh Binh)	5 out of 5 – Great place, exceptional hospitality A really nice guest house that comes with a swimming pool and free breakfast. While there isn’t a view of the mountain, the hospitality and their passion for welcoming hosts far exceed the view. We highly recommend this place. (9.7 score on booking.com)

Here are a few pictures and a short tour of our accommodation

Pro-tip: When searching for accommodation in Ninh Binh, keep an eye on accommodations with views of the surrounding rice fields. While we prioritized central convenience to explore by bike, opting for a guesthouse with a view can be an excellent alternative.

How to get to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is easily accessible from major cities in Vietnam. The most convenient ways to reach Ninh Binh include:

• By train: You can take a train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, with the journey taking approximately two hours.
• By bus: Regular bus run from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• By semi-private van. We do recommend this option as they are more frequent and provide a door to door experience. 

Cost of trip to Ninh Binh

Our 3 day trip to Ninh Binh was budget-friendly and really a steal, mostly due to the fact that Vietnam is a really affordable country.

As a couple we spent a total of 135 USD for this trip. Note: this budget is as a couple so if you travel solo, your budget might differ.

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Here is our budget breakdown per spending category: 

Category	Total Cost USD	Comments
Local Transportation	$37.84	This is for our semi-private van + bike rental
Accommodation	$34.90	Two nights at the great Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay
Dining Out	$32.68	This covered our lunch and dinner since breakfast was included in our homestay
Entertainment	$20.86	Mostly entrance fee for the cave and the boat ride
Snacks	$9.16	Coconut, pancakes and other local treats
TOTAL	$135.02	At $22.50 per day for two people, this 3 day trip to Ninh Binh was really affordable especially for the experience we got!

Tips for visiting Ninh Binh

Here are our tips for anyone that is planning to visit Ninh Binh and wants to save time and money while having the best possible experience:

• Time your visit: Ninh Binh is beautiful year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season (from November to April) when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is minimal. Avoid the rainy season (from May to October) when heavy downpours can affect outdoor activities.
• Explore by bicycle (not scooter!): Consider renting a bicycle to explore Ninh Binh at your own pace. It provides flexibility and allows you to discover hidden gems and truly enjoy the scenic countryside.
• Take a river boat ride: Ninh Binh is known for its stunning waterways, so don’t miss the chance to take a boat ride. Whether it’s Tam Coc-Bich Dong or Trang An, these boat tours offer a unique perspective of the karst landscapes and caves.
• Sample local cuisine: Ninh Binh is famous for its delicious food. Don’t hesitate to try the local specialties such as goat meat dishes, rice crust, and eel preparations. Explore local markets and street food stalls for an authentic culinary experience.
• Stay in a homestay: Consider staying in a homestay to experience the warm hospitality of the locals and immerse yourself in the authentic Vietnamese lifestyle. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with the community and learn about their traditions.
• Carry cash: While some places in Ninh Binh accept card payments, it’s advisable to carry enough cash or you will have to face a 3% (or above) fees to pay by card or even get cash. There are a couple of ATMs and they charge crazy fees.
• Pack water – The area can get really hot in the summer, especially if you like hiking. Make sure to pack plenty of water and stay hydrated.

This 3 day bike itinerary in Ninh Binh was a highlight of our Northern Vietnam trip. We enjoyed it as much as Halong Bay if not more, even though Halong Bay is much more world renowned. Ninh Binh truly is a natural gem and should be a stop on everyone’s visit to Northern Vietnam.

Have a trip planned to Vietnam? Check out our other Vietnam articles: Ultimate Guide to Lan Ha Bay, Destination guide for Hanoi, Destination guide for Ho Chi Minh City and How to Apply for a Tourist Visa in Vietnam.

What do you think about our itinerary to Ninh Binh, Vietnam? Did you know about Ninh Binh? Would you like to spend a few days there and enjoy everything this region has to offer? Please leave us a comment in the comment section below!