Whenever I go on trips abroad, I try as much as possible to include a day trip to a nearby province. I think it's a good way to experience a much slower and relaxed pace since it's a chance to explore more of the countryside and its nature attractions.
Which is why my friends and I decided to visit Ninh Binh during our Hanoi trip! It's known to be the "Ha Long bay on land" because of its many limestone mountains which you can easily see from land by biking or spending time in the rice fields.
Ninh Binh is roughly 2 hours away from Hanoi, which was perfect for a day trip. We booked the Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and Bich Dong Tour from Hanoi with Klook and it included the following:
- Roundtrip van transfer to and from our accommodation
- Lunch buffet fee
- Admission fees to the attractions
- English-speaking guide fee
- Note: A surcharge of VND200,000/pax will apply if your participation date is on public holiday, payable onsite
The attractions included in the package were:
- Mua Caves (turned biking activity for us)
- Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Tam Coc
Our call time was around 7:00AM, wherein our van picked us up right in front of our Airbnb (right on the dot!). Once inside, our guide shared with the whole group our detailed itinerary and what to expect. There was a mix of us inside the van; the rest of the group booked through another website while we booked with Klook.
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| I bought Banh Mi before I hopped in the van. This was my breakfast! |
Since we booked through Klook, our guide explained to us that it had the old itinerary, and instead of biking around Bich Dong, it now has the Mua Caves activity wherein one has to hike up 500+ steps to reach the viewpoint which overlooks the many rice fields and limestone mountains. The guide gave us a choice to either join the Mua Cave activity or to go biking, although we would have to pay the entrance fee to the cave (100K VND) since it wasn't covered when we booked through Klook. The reason why they removed the biking tour was because not a lot of joiners could bike or wanted to bike, so they had they exchanged it with the cave activity instead.
I have to admit it was quite misleading, but I appreciate how there was flexibility for us. There really is a designated area wherein we could rent bikes after all, and there was no additional fee since it's included in Klook's itinerary which was what we paid for.
I think whichever activity we chose, it would have been an equally good time because I knew the view from up the caves would be amazing as well. So while the rest of the group went up to the Mua Caves, my friends and I pushed through with biking around and seeing the rice paddies and fields on land. Sharing with you our biking time:
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It was great biking in peaceful roads, my whole being felt a lot calmer than in Hanoi! It was ideal to go biking around since it was sunny and bright so we got to admire the rice paddies up close.
After our biking activity and once everyone from the group got down from the hike, we then went to Hoa Lu which used to be Vietnam's capital. Walking around the area made me feel like I was a part of an ancient drama. They provide long skirts to wear before entering the temple especially for those wearing shorts. It was free though and it matched my outfit :")
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| I love their gardens, so green and lush |
We then had a buffet lunch then the tour guide informed the group that we can go biking around after. My friend and I took the opportunity to do so, but just within the area. It was interesting to bike around since we went around some residential areas. While we were biking we could hear some bells ringing and some singing in a foreign language we were unfamiliar with... it felt very much like we were in a Studio Ghibli film and getting lost in a world we knew nothing about... but really, I think it's just some countryside charm. As a huge Ghibli fan, I reveled in the idea and the moment.
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| They have a very elaborate mural outside the buffet restaurant |
Tam Coc was our next destination after, wherein we went on a peaceful 2 hour boat ride. I realize it took 1 hour to get to the end, then another hour back to our jump off point. Through the boat ride we passed through 3 caves underneath the limestone rocks, waterlilies, and we were simply surrounded by limestone mountains. I think this was my favorite part after all the biking and walking.. it was so serene, enough to make you fall asleep. The lady pedaling our boat used her feet and we admired her strength; it truly required lower body endurance to be able to row all the way!
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| We saw people biking along this bridge, so fun! |
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| We inquired if the waters were deep, and happy to share that it isn't :-) it'll probably reach until a person's waist |
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| Girls' Trip <333 |
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| It was much much cooler in here |
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| I ate Banh Mi after the boat ride <3 |
We sang songs and we had a heart to heart in the middle of the supposed quiet ride.. which made it all the more memorable. I truly hope the lady pedaling our boat was graced by our entertainment haha!!
After the boat ride, we had a stopover at the Hoa Lu ancient town which had huge pagodas, and there was one situated in the middle of the lake. It honestly reminds me a lot of Hoi An ancient town since there were also a lot of lanterns.. this is actually also a place that I really hope to go to as well, soon. :")
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| Lanterns! |
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| I really like the cloud detail here |
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| We were here in time for the sunset, and it looks even more lovely at this time |
We then headed back to Hoi An. On the way back, I was able to chat a bit with my seatmate, who travelled around Vietnam extensively. She shared that she liked Ninh Binh very much and I also very much agreed. I'm glad our time in Ninh Binh allowed us to be near nature and remind us of the beauty of living at a slower and intentional pace. I wasn't able to take a photo, but I did get to see the sun set behind the limestone mountains from afar. It's imprinted in my mind and I can only share it with you in words. If I had the opportunity, I would totally spend at least 3 days here so I could experience the place in its entirety.
We came back to our bnb tired but inspired by everything we saw and experienced. I would highly recommend going to and even staying in Ninh Binh! You may consider booking a day trip tour with Klook as well through here. My dear friend Vu also recommended Ninh Binh Excursion which organizes group tours as well. :")
I'm ending this blog entry with an album by MIZ entitled Ninh Binh Brother's Homestay. I used one of their songs for my Instagram reel as it definitely captured my feelings and my time in Ninh Binh.. Hope you have a listen, and thank you for reading, dear reader <3
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