When you’ve got two days in Ninh Binh, you’ll be able to experience the best that it has to offer. However, expect fairly full days, as there’s lots to see and do.
Ninh Binh is sometimes referred to as “Halong Bay on land,” since its landscape is dotted with limestone mountains that are also found in Halong Bay. When visiting Ninh Binh and its towns of Tam Coc and Trang An, the main attractions are the nature and historical temples.
❕ Note about Ninh Binh
It’s important to know that there’s Ninh Binh province and Ninh Binh city. When I refer to Ninh Binh, I’m talking about the province. Tourist attractions are located throughout the province, with most of them being in the towns of Tam Coc and Trang An. When booking your transportation or accommodation in Ninh Binh, select Tam Coc as your destination. Otherwise, if you set your destination as Ninh Binh, you may find yourself in Ninh Binh city.
This Ninh Binh two-day itinerary highlights the places and activities that are a must when visiting. Each day features three to four things to do, although you don’t have to get to all of them if you prefer to travel at a more relaxed pace. You’ll also find a map below that marks the location of everything mentioned in the itinerary. Whether you decide to follow this itinerary exactly or customize it, you’ll have a great time exploring all that Ninh Binh has to offer.
Day 1
Rent a motorbike or bicycle
In order to fully take advantage of your two days in Ninh Binh, you’ll need some mode of transportation. The best way to get around is either by driving a motorbike or biking. Ninh Binh’s main attractions are all located fairly close together, so it’s not a problem if you don’t know how to drive a scooter. Plus, the roads are flat and there’s not much traffic. Seeing Ninh Binh by bicycle will just take a bit more time and physical effort.
If you’re staying in Tam Coc or Trang An, there are several places to rent a scooter or bicycle. Your accommodation may even offer rentals.
Hannah Bike Rental, Motorbike Rental Ha Tien, Tam Coc Motorbike Rental Center, and Ninh Binh Motorbike are all highly-rated motorbike rental places that are located in the center of Tam Coc or nearby. Ninh Binh Bicycle Rental and Mr Phong Bike Rental & Coffee offer bicycle rentals in Tam Coc.
Take the Trang An or Tam Coc boat ride
After renting your scooter or bicycle, your first destination is either the Trang An or Tam Coc boat ride. Both of them are very popular, which is why you want to get there early in the day. (Alternatively, the boat rides are lovely at sunset if you don’t mind more people.) The Tam Coc boat ride is right in the center of Tam Coc town, while it’ll take you about 10 to 15 minutes by motorbike to reach the Trang An boat ride.
Both boat rides will take you through the rivers and caves of Ninh Binh. The Trang An boat ride also includes temples, where you can hop off the boat in order to visit the temple.
The Tam Coc boat ride is shorter than the Trang An one and less organized, but you can’t go wrong with either since they’re both great ways to experience the beauty of Ninh Binh.
Get lunch in Trang An or Tam Coc
If you want to have lunch in Tam Coc, check out my list of some of the best restaurants in Tam Coc and Ninh Binh for ideas on where to eat. Some of my favorites from this list are Ngoc Linh Restaurant, Banh mi Hanoi, and NGON Vegan Restaurant.
As your first proper meal in Ninh Binh, this is also a good opportunity to try some of the local foods that Ninh Binh is known for, like goat meat or rice crust (cơm cháy).
Step back in time at Bich Dong Pagoda
Although Bich Dong Pagoda isn’t large, it was my favorite temple/pagoda that I visited in Ninh Binh. The pagoda is set against a beautiful backdrop, as it’s surrounded by limestone mountains, trees, and water. It’s also conveniently close to the town of Tam Coc. In fact, you can even walk to it.
It’s free to enter the pagoda, although you’ll need to pay a small fee to park your motorbike/bicycle. You can avoid this fee by either going toward the end of the day or by parking on the side of the road before you reach the pagoda and then walking the rest of the way.
Climb up to the Hang Mua viewpoint
Hang Mua viewpoint is a scenic place to catch sunset, as you’ll climb up 500 stairs to the top. If you’re visiting Ninh Binh when it’s hot, you may want to visit Hang Mua early in the day instead. There isn’t any shade on the way up, so it’ll be more comfortable if you go in the morning.
Although the viewpoint is the main attraction at Hang Mua, you can also visit the Mua Caves. The small park at the base of the viewpoint is well taken care of and decorated, making it a nice place to take photos and sit.
Day 2
Wander around Bai Dinh Pagoda
Start your second day in Ninh Binh by driving or biking to Bai Dinh Pagoda, which is a complex that contains several temples, pagodas, and Buddhist statues. In addition to the admission fee, you can pay extra to take the electric shuttle and save yourself some steps. Since the place is huge, expect to spend around three hours there if you want to see everything.
Get lunch nearby
After several hours of walking around, make a stop for lunch to fuel up before your afternoon adventures. Since Bai Dinh Pagoda is a major tourist attraction, there are many restaurants immediately outside it. Thien Son Lounge, Family Organic Restaurant, Nhà hàng minh khôi, and Viet’s Choice are all top restaurants in the area that serve typical Vietnamese dishes.
Discover Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Just a 15-minute drive from Bai Dinh Pagoda is Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The site used to be Vietnam’s capital during the 10th and 11th centuries. Now, you can explore the grounds and its temples, pagodas, and tombs.
Enjoy either Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve or Thung Nham Bird Park
As your last activity in Ninh Binh, you’ll need to decide whether to visit Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve or Thung Nham Bird Park. The two are located in opposite directions. Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is farther from Tam Coc, while Thung Nham Bird Park is close to Tam Coc and near Bich Dong Pagoda.
Both places show off Ninh Binh’s scenery. Since it’s farther from town, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is extremely quiet and less touristy than other places that you’ve visited so far in Ninh Binh. You can also take a serene boat ride to see birds, flowers, and even monkeys. On the other hand, Thung Nham Bird Park is closer to town and busier. Yet it’s still a lovely place to birdwatch, and a short boat ride is included in your ticket.
More resources for traveling Vietnam
- How Long to Stay in Ninh Binh
- The Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
- 13 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
- 13 Best Restaurants in Tam Coc and Ninh Binh: Where to Eat
- 10 Best Foods in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc You Have to Try
- How to Get to Ninh Binh From Hanoi, Sapa, Hue, and More
- 5 Complete Itineraries to See North Vietnam in 7 Days
