Ninh Binh, the ancient capital with a rich history and majestic natural landscapes, is always an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. In just 2 short days, you can fully explore the highlights of Ninh Binh, from the magnificent Trang An and poetic Tam Coc to the sacred Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. This article will share detailed experiences for a 2-day self-guided Ninh Binh tour, helping you have a complete and memorable journey.
Suggested 2-Day Ninh Binh Itinerary
To have an efficient 2-day trip to Ninh Binh and explore many attractive destinations, you can refer to the following suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Exploring Natural Beauty and History
Morning:
- Trang An: Start your Ninh Binh exploration by visiting Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its cultural and natural values. You will have the opportunity to sit in a traditional boat, weaving through mysterious caves, admiring the picturesque scenery of mountains and water, and feeling the peacefulness of this land. There are 3 different Trang An boat tour routes, each offering unique experiences. Routes 1 and 2 are often chosen by most visitors due to the diversity of caves and attractions.
Trang An – Boat tour exploring magnificent caves.
Lunch:
- Lunch at a local restaurant: Enjoy Ninh Binh specialties such as “com chay” (crispy rice crust), mountain goat meat, and “goi ca nhech” (raw fish salad) at restaurants around Trang An or on the way to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
Afternoon:
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Move to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first capital of the centralized Vietnamese feudal state. Here, you will learn about the nation’s heroic history, visit the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, admire the ancient architecture and the sacred atmosphere of the historical site.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Exploring historical landmarks in the ancient capital.
- Hang Mua Cave: Continue your journey to Hang Mua Cave, a famous destination with unique architecture and stunning panoramic views. You will conquer nearly 500 stone steps to reach the mountain peak, admire the entire view of Tam Coc from above, check-in at the “stairway to heaven”, and enjoy the fresh, airy atmosphere.
Hang Mua Cave – Admiring the panoramic view of Tam Coc from the top of Ngoa Long mountain.
Evening:
- Dinner and rest in Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc area: Choose a restaurant and hotel that suits your preferences and budget. Tam Coc area has many charming homestays and bungalows close to nature, while Ninh Binh city offers more convenient hotels and diverse restaurants.
Day 2: Visiting Pagodas and Exploring Tam Coc
Morning:
- Bai Dinh Pagoda: Start your second day by visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest pagodas in Southeast Asia. Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for its massive architecture, numerous Buddhist records, and peaceful, sacred atmosphere. You can take an electric car to move around the large pagoda grounds and admire unique architectural works such as Tam The Palace, Pháp Chủ Palace, and the Stupa.
Bai Dinh Pagoda – The largest pagoda in Vietnam with massive Buddhist architecture.
Lunch:
- Lunch at a vegetarian restaurant or local restaurant near Bai Dinh Pagoda.
Afternoon:
- Tam Coc – Bich Dong: Spend the afternoon exploring Tam Coc – Bich Dong, known as “Ha Long Bay on land”. You will take a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River, admiring the golden rice paddies stretching along both sides of the river (during harvest season), passing through natural caves, and admiring the poetic and lyrical beauty of Tam Coc. After the boat trip, you can visit Bich Dong Pagoda, an ancient pagoda nestled in the mountains.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong: "Ha Long Bay on land" with beautiful river scenery.
Evening:
- Shopping for souvenirs and enjoying local cuisine: Before ending your 2-day Ninh Binh trip, you can buy typical souvenirs such as “com chay”, handicrafts at shops in Tam Coc area or Ninh Binh city. Don’t forget to enjoy a final dinner with delicious Ninh Binh dishes to conclude your memorable trip.
Transportation and Accommodation for a 2-Day Ninh Binh Trip
Transportation
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Getting to Ninh Binh:
- Coach bus: Coach buses are a popular and economical way to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi or neighboring provinces. You can catch a bus at Giap Bat or My Dinh bus stations.
- Limousine bus: Limousine buses offer a more upscale service with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, suitable for those who want comfort and save time.
- Train: Trains are an interesting option if you want to experience sightseeing along the way.
- Motorbike, self-driving car: If you want to be proactive about time and schedule, motorbikes or self-driving cars are ideal, especially if you are a group of friends or family.
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Getting around Ninh Binh:
- Motorbike: Renting a motorbike is the most popular and convenient way to explore Ninh Binh. You can easily rent a motorbike at hotels, homestays, or rental shops.
- Car: If traveling in a large group or family, renting a private car or taxi is a suitable option.
- Bicycle: In some areas like Tam Coc, bicycles are an ideal way to explore slowly and enjoy the fresh air.
- Public bus: Public buses are also an economical option, but may be limited in terms of time and routes.
Accommodation
Ninh Binh has a variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels and high-end resorts to homestays and budget-friendly guesthouses. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose suitable accommodation.
- Luxury hotels, resorts: Mainly concentrated in Ninh Binh city and Trang An area, providing upscale services and amenities.
- Homestays, bungalows: Popular in Tam Coc and Hang Mua areas, offering a space close to nature, cozy atmosphere, and local cultural experiences.
- Budget guesthouses: Available everywhere, affordable prices, suitable for budget travelers.
Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh – Luxury accommodation option in Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh Legend Hotel – Comfortable hotel in the city center.
Must-Try Ninh Binh Cuisine in 2 Days
Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also attracts tourists with its unique cuisine. During your 2-day trip to Ninh Binh, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the following specialties:
- Ninh Binh Crispy Rice Crust (“Com Chay”): A famous snack, crispy, greasy, often served with a rich dipping sauce.
Ninh Binh Crispy Rice Crust – Famous specialty of the ancient capital.
- Ninh Binh Mountain Goat Meat (“De Nui”): Goat meat raised naturally on rocky mountains, firm, fragrant, and made into many attractive dishes such as goat salad, grilled goat, and goat hotpot.
Ninh Binh Mountain Goat – Enjoying the unique flavor of the mountains and forests.
- Raw Nhech Fish Salad (“Goi Ca Nhech”): A unique salad with fresh “nhech” fish, mixed with herbs and spices, creating a sour, spicy, and sweet flavor.
- Ant Egg Sticky Rice (“Xoi Trung Kien”): A strange but nutritious dish, made from fragrant roasted young ant eggs, mixed with sticky rice.
Ant Egg Sticky Rice – Unique and nutritious dish of Ninh Binh.
- Fermented Shrimp Paste (“Mam Tep Chua”): A rustic dish with a rich local flavor, often served with white rice or boiled pork.
Important Tips and Notes for Your 2-Day Ninh Binh Trip
- Best time to visit: Spring (January-March) and autumn (September-November) are the best times to visit Ninh Binh, with cool and pleasant weather. Summer (May-August) can be hot and rainy.
- Book accommodation and services in advance: If traveling during peak season or weekends, it is advisable to book hotel rooms, entrance tickets, and rental services in advance to ensure good prices and avoid sold-out situations.
- Prepare appropriate clothing: You should bring comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, hats, and sunscreen as you will be moving and visiting many outdoor locations. If visiting pagodas, you should choose polite and discreet clothing.
Essential notes for a complete Ninh Binh travel experience.
- Bring cash: Some tourist spots, especially local markets and small eateries, may not accept card payments.
- Maintain environmental hygiene: Do not litter, protect natural landscapes and historical sites.
- Research information beforehand: You should research information about destinations, itineraries, ticket prices, and transportation in advance to have a proactive and effective 2-day Ninh Binh travel plan.
With these detailed 2-day Ninh Binh travel experiences, hopefully you will have a truly interesting and memorable trip to this beautiful ancient capital. Ninh Binh is always ready to welcome you and bring you wonderful experiences!