“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Ninh Binh Province

Location

Ninh Binh province is one of the important destinations in the North of the country. Here you may explore the amazing landscapes and the historic value that spread out of the time. Ninh Binh province locates in the Red River Delta to the south in the North of the country. The province borders Hoa Binh and Ha Nam provinces to the north, Nam Dinh province to east, Thanh Hoa to the west and the sea of Gulf of Tokin to the south.



  • Center city: Ninh Binh City.
  • City and Districts: Tam Diep City, Gia Vien District, Hoa Lu District, Kim Son District, Nho Quan District, Yen Khanh District and Yen Mo District.
  • Tourist places: Ninh Binh City, Gia Vien District and Hoa Lu District.
  • Climate: Ninh Binh is in the area of the humid subtropical climate. There is the rain time from May to September. It is dry and cold from November to March. The spring and autumn time is in April and October. The best time for travelling in Ninh binh province is considered from the beginning of the year to April because this time it is good and there are different local festivals. 
  • Transportation: Travel conveniently by land, by river way and railway to the province and from it to other provinces.

           The distance is for reference as below:
           From Ninh Binh to Ha Noi: 91 km
           From Ninh Binh to Noi Bai Airport: 119 km
           From Ninh Binh to Hoa Binh:  124 km
           From Ninh Binh to Ha Nam:  34 km
           From Ninh Binh to Nam Dinh:  23 km
           From Ninh Binh to Thanh Hoa: 62 km
  • Population: There are many the Kinh and Muong who live together in the province. The province is called the home of the heroes because there were a lot of talents of military and literature who were born here.


Landscapes

  • Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is far from Ha Noi 100km, 13 km from Ninh Binh City. It is located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh ascended to the throne and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang. The country was then called Dai Co Viet and Hoa Lu was its capital for 41 years (968-1009). In 1010, Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long.
  • Bich Dong Cave: Bich Dong Cave is in the Ngu Nhac Mountains, in Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District. In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer Nguyen Du) visited this cave. After viewing the whole scenery of the mountains, waterways, fields, and sky covered in green mist, he gave the cave the great name that was Bich Dong which literally means “Green Pearl Cave”. Bich Dong Cave is said to be the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam.
  • Bich Dong Pagoda: Originally, the pagoda was named “Bach Ngoc Thach Son Dong” which was that there is a stone pagoda as beautiful as pearl in the mountainous and waterway region. The pagoda was built in the ancient architecture with its sophisticated carving design.
  • Tam Coc Cave: Tam Coc means three caves. They are Ca Cave, Hai Cave and Ba Cave in which there are many stalagmites of different shapes and colors sparkling like gemstones. You can take a boat trip from Van Lam wharf to reach these caves.
  • Bai Dinh Pagoda: this is the biggest pagoda in Viet Nam. The pagoda locates to the west of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and far from Ninh Binh City about 15 km. There is the old pagoda and the new one that has been built in 2003.
  • Cuc Phuong National Park: The National Park is 100km south-west of Hanoi. It lies among Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. The park covers 25,000 ha, three-quarters of which are limestone mountains with altitudes ranging between 300 and 600m above sea level. The best time to visit the park is during the dry months from October to March.
  • Dong Tien or called Fairy Cave: It is also known as Moc Cave (Dong Moc) that located in Dam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Commune. The cave is about 1 km from Bich Dong and can be reached by boat or by foot.
  • Phat Diem Church: Phat Diem Church was built between 1875 and 1898 in Luu Phuong Commune. The place is far from Ha Noi 120 km and 29 km from Ninh Binh City. Phat Diem is a very interesting architectural complex combining the traditional pagoda architecture of Vietnam with the Gothic style of Christian architecture.
  • Kenh Ga Hot Spring: The Kenh Ga Hot Water Stream is in Kenh Ga Village, Gia Thinh Commune, and Gia Vien District. Although the fragrant stream has existed for a long time, it was first studied and exploited by the French in 1940. The mineral water here is of extremely high quality and contains chloride-natrium, chloride-calcium, calcium, and magnesium chloride. The water here is pure and it has a stable temperature of 530C with a source capacity of 5,000m3 per hour.


Festivals:

  • Truong Yen Festival:  the festival is happened from 9th-13th of March in lunar year. Truong Yen Festival is an important festival in Hoa Lu that attracts many people. This festival commemorates the merits of two kings, Dinh Tien Hoang, who reunited the country, and Le Dai Hanh, who defeated foreign invaders. In the 10th of the 3rd lunar month, it is the main day of the festival. There are many festivities, some of which are “reed flag” playing and word puzzling.         
  • Yen Cu Festival: Yen Cu festival takes place in Yen Cu village. The temple here is devoted to the cult of Tran Hung Dao, his wife and other princes. The festival includes a palanquin procession across the Day River to Phu Hao village.

And there are many unique festivals in the province.


Local specialties

There are different local specialties in the province such as sweet potato jam, Ninh Binh milk goat, Kim Son wine, Quang Thien rice vermicelli etc.