2 Days in Ninh Binh.

2 Days in Ninh Binh.

3 Days of Nature, Culture & Tranquility

Often called "Halong Bay on land", Ninh Binh offers dramatic limestone karsts, lush rice paddies, serene rivers and cultural landmarks. Just a few hours from Hanoi, it's the perfect escape into Vietnam's tranquil countryside, best explored by bike or boat.

Day 1: Arrival & Slow Living by the Water

Morning / Early Afternoon

  • Take a private taxi or transfer from Hanoi to your accommodation (approx. 2–2.5 hours)

  • Recommended Stay: Book a lodge near the water and limestone cliffs, such as Trang An River Mountain Ecolodge, for peaceful views and direct access to nature

  • Most lodges offer free bicycles — hop on and explore the countryside at your own pace

  • Cycle through scenic rural roads, passing rice paddies and karst cliffs

  • Stop for a local banh mi lunch at Hai My Food & Drink, a casual spot known for fresh, flavorful Vietnamese sandwiches

  • Continue your ride with a break at a riverside café — enjoy a Vietnamese iced coffee, play a game of cards and soak in the tranquility


    Evening

  • Dine at Trang An Skyline Restaurant, offering Vietnamese dishes and outdoor seating with beautiful views

Day 2: Full Cultural & Scenic Tour

Morning to Afternoon

  • Book a guided tour or private driver to explore Ninh Binh’s cultural and natural highlights

    • Stop 1: Bich Dong Pagoda – a peaceful, centuries-old temple set into the mountainside

    • Stop 2: Tam Coc – admire the rice paddies and karsts

    • Stop 3: Hang Mua Viewpoint & Mua Cave – climb 500 steps for a panoramic view over Tam Coc and the surrounding landscape

    • Stop 4: Local lunch

      Stop 5: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – take a rowing boat tour through limestone caves and past Skull Island, the film set for Kong: Skull Island

    Evening

  • Dinner at 1990 Restaurant, a relaxed venue offering traditional Vietnamese cuisine with vegetarian options and local rice wine

Day 3: Leisure & Local Life

Morning

  • Spend the day cycling independently, revisiting favorite spots or discovering new corners of the Vietnamese countryside

  • Stop for a Vietnamese coffee at Café Thuc Giang, a quiet, shaded spot popular with locals


    Afternoon

  • Enjoy a relaxed lunch at Montana Restaurant, known for its tranquil setting and panoramic views of the karst landscape

  • Return to your lodge to relax before heading back to Hanoi or onward to your next destination