A Guide To Ninh Binh, Vietnam [UPDATED FOR 2024]

Making the most of Ninh Binh Vietnam on a budget

Like anywhere in the world and especially Vietnam you can spent as little or as much as you are willing to and get varying degrees of satisfaction out of that. In places such as Phong Nha as a budget traveller you often feel left out of the loop of the main action. However due to Ninh Binh being a somewhat over looked location as well as much more accessible than the jungles of Phong Nha or the bay of Ha Long it means adventure is out there for those on a budget.

Not only are many of the notable sights much cheaper but there are also many places to explore for free if you have your own transport, which again is available for a nominal fee. Ninh Binh Vietnam and the national park are also nice places to ride around and tours are really quite unnecessary given the compact nature of this region too.

Top experiences for a short trip to Ninh Binh Vietnam

Tam Coc

Ninh Binh’s most famous attraction you can take one of the traditional boats and take in the stunning route of the river Ngo Dong from the bottom of the rice paddy covered valleys. Weaving in and out of the mountains and seeing just how this river feeds the farming community here is on of the best perspectives from which to take in this region. To make the experience that much more interesting it is highly likely that your guide will row with their feet rather than their hands, keeping them free for holding an umbrella or talking on the phone! Quite a sight to see and an example of some amazing skill!

Hiking up to the Bich Dong pagoda…and scrambling further!

For the tiny fee of 10,000 dong, around £0.40 you can visit the cave of Bich Dong. But where many do the short hike and turn back around rather underwhelmed the intrepid continue up along the sharp ridge towards the top of the peak.

Following the shiny and well worn rock rather than a clearly marked path the scrambling is steep and the rock sharp, but for those well versed in climbing an easy and enjoyable task. Up here you will likely find yourself alone, or maybe even a few mountain goats for company, but the views over the valley, mountains, rice paddies and lakes below will reward your adventurous spirit!

View over the river at Mua Caves

There are hundreds of Karst Mountains that characterise this region, each one offering a different and unique viewpoint on this beautiful landscape. Reputed to be the most beautiful and also providing that picture postcard view of Ninh Binh used to advertise this region the hike up Mua Caves Is not to be missed.

Its hard going in the heat of early summer up the hundreds of steps to reach the top of Mua but once you do reach the top you will be blown away. Make sure to continue your climb up and on top of the Dragon for unforgettable views down on the Ngo Dong River as it makes its way through the lush rice paddies.

Safety Wing Travel Insurance

The Best Insurance for Nomads

No one likes buying insurance, but equally everyone hates skyhigh medical bills! Get yourself covered so you can enjoy your trip worry free!

Here at The Roaming Renegades we love Safetywing Insurance because it’s designed for nomads, you can buy it when you’re already abroad and it’s kickass!

Click the button below to get a quote on your insurance provided by Safetywing.

Explore by bike

Most of the sights of Ninh Binh are within a 12km ride from the city centre which makes them easily accessible on your own. On either a bicycle or motorbike the best way to see the stunning beauty of the Cuc Phuong National Park in on two wheels.

Quiet and flat roads provide the perfect surface between the towering limestone formations to take a leisurely ride. Finding routes along the backstreets and dirt tracks often also providing the most wonderful and unspoilt scenery.

Our Favourite Backpacks

Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview

We’ve used the Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!

The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!

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Have you ever visited a karst region like Ninh Binh?