Ninh Binh is a province located in the northern part of Vietnam about 2 hours away from Hanoi by taxi or private bus. It is known for its stunning landscapes and natural beauty, with towering limestone karsts and picturesque rice paddies that have earned it the nickname "Halong Bay on land". Tam Coc a nearby town that's about 10 minutes away from Ninh Binh. It's a popular destination for tourists looking to experience the natural beauty of Vietnam and take in the local culture.
Where to Stay
I would highly recommend staying in Tam Coc over Ninh Binh because it's such a cute town where you can walk very easily to everything you need from bars to restaurants to shopping and spas. It's super touristy-friendly and everyone is willing to help give you guidance on where to go and what to eat. Ninh Binh is more urban and busy with buildings and honestly part of the reason you are going to the Ninh Binh region is because of all the beautiful scenery around so I would opt for a more peaceful environment. I will also say it's definitely worth staying closer to the Tam Coc city center, near the lake area and not too far from that.
While it's a popular destination for tourists looking to experience the natural beauty of the region, it can be a bit challenging to get around Tam Coc without a car. This is because the area is relatively remote and not well served by public transportation and even getting a taxi is not always easy. We made the mistake of staying at the Tam Coc Garden Homestay, which was decent for the price but it was a bit of a walk every time we wanted to go into town or back to the resort after a night of drinking. Even finding a taxi or Grab anytime after 8 was difficult and drivers would often upcharge and negotiate higher rates with us since they knew we didn't have any other options. So definitely stay close to Tam Coc city center, which is around the lake, It will also make it easier for you to catch a ride-hailing service, if you need to go to Ninh Binh.
How to get around
As I just mentioned, it's not always easy to hail a ride around Tam Coc so how should you get around?
Bikes/ Mopeds - Our hotel offered free bikes and rental mopeds as did a few local shops in town. One of the advantages of using a bike or motorbike to get around Tam Coc is that it allows you to explore the area at your own pace and take in the beautiful scenery. Make sure to bring your driver's license or valid identification if you plan to rent a motorbike. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws and regulations before hitting the road.
Charter bus/Pre-planned tour - You can opt for a pre-planned tour of Tam Coc, which can be a convenient and hassle-free way to see the sights. There are many tour operators in the area that offer a variety of options, such as boat rides through the Ngo Dong River, visits to local villages, and stops at popular landmarks like Bich Dong Pagoda. Tours can be arranged through your hotel or hostel, or you can look for tour operators in the town center.
Get the number of a local taxi driver - While it's difficult to rely on getting a taxi, it's not impossible. Once you get into town you can look usually find a taxi in the city center during the daytime and if you take a ride with them and ask for their number, they will usually be happy to keep in contact with you during your trip. A fallback option is to ask a nearby hotel or even a restaurant to call a cab for you. The locals are very friendly and the owner of a small souvenir shop helped us call a taxi when we couldn't get one at Bich Dong Pagoda.
What to do
Bich Dong Pagoda - As you stroll through the pagoda, you'll be amazed by all the intricate details in the architecture. The main temple is a three-story structure built in the traditional Vietnamese style, with huge roofs and super pretty carved woodwork.
In addition to the main temple, the Bich Dong Pagoda complex has a bunch of other cool stuff to check out. You can visit the Xuyen Thuy grotto, which has a ton of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, or take a hike along the Ngo Dong river and take in the gorgeous natural setting.
Thung Nham Bird Valley - Located in the Ninh Binh province of Vietnam, Bird Valley is a beautiful natural attraction that is a must-see for any birdwatcher or nature lover. To get the best chance of seeing a variety of birds, plan to visit around 5:30 pm. To make the most of your time at the valley, arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand to allow for the walk through the attraction to the boat area. As you explore the valley, you'll be struck by its peaceful atmosphere and stunning natural setting. Surrounded by towering limestone karsts and lush green rice paddies, the valley is a picturesque and serene place to spend an afternoon. Unfortunately, the sun had already started to set by the time we finished the boat ride, so I wish we had arrived earlier in the day to have more time to walk around.
Where to eat
I absolutely have to recommend my top 2 places in the area.
Family restaurant (Tam Coc)- They are run by an incredibly kind family. We got the spaghetti and it was much sweeter than American spaghetti so we weren't a big fan of it. When the owner saw that we hadn't touched it she asked us to order another item on the menu free of charge. Other than the spaghetti the rest of the food was really tasty and reasonably priced. As a traveler on a budget, I appreciated that they didn't overcharge us for a bottle of water.
Bánh Mì Giòn (Ninh Binh) - This is a small family-owned restaurant where you'll see the Mom & Dad in the kitchen working together to cook something up. It's a hidden hole in the wall that requires you to walk down this dead-end alleyway. You'll think that you've walked into a residential area, but at the end of the street, you'll see a sign pointing to the right where the restaurant is. Here you'll find local pricing (cheap) for amazing drinks, Bahn Mi's, and Pate.
