VN · Ninh Binh · 20.25°N 105.83°E

ninh binh

Ha Long Bay on land: rowboats past rice fields and karst cliffs at Trang An.

Best time
Late May to early June, when the rice around Tam Coc turns gold before the harvest. February to April is mild. Summer is hot and wet, winter cool and grey, and Bai Dinh gets very busy around Lunar New Year.
How long
A day trip, or 2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly KL to Hanoi (about 3 hours), then about 2 hours south by road or train.
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VN · Ninh Binhninh binh20.25°N 105.83°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Ha Long Bay on land: rowboats past rice fields and karst cliffs at Trang An.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingNinh BinhVN, Ninh Binh
KLninh binh
≈ 1,955 km from KL, as the crow flies
Tam Cốc - Bích Động, còn được biết đến với những cái tên nổi tiếng như "vịnh Hạ Long trên cạn" hay "Nam thiên đệ nhị động" là một khu du lịch trọng điểm quốc gia Việt Nam.

Photo: Tuan Mai · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A province south of Hanoi known as "Ha Long Bay on land", where limestone karsts rise straight out of rice fields and rivers. Rowboats glide through caves at Trang An and Tam Coc, and the area also has Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital, and the huge Bai Dinh Pagoda. Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Makan

  1. Mountain goatNinh Binh's speciality, grilled, steamed or stir-fried, with lime and herbs.Map ↗
  2. Cơm cháyCrispy rice crust topped with a savoury sauce, usually eaten alongside the goat.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Trang AnA two- to three-hour rowboat trip through caves and past riverside temples.Map ↗
  2. Tam CocBoats along the Ngo Dong River through three caves and rice fields. Some rowers use their feet.Map ↗
  3. Hang MuaClimb about 500 steps to a stone dragon and the classic view over Tam Coc.Map ↗
  4. Hoa LuTemples to the Dinh and Le kings at Vietnam's 10th-century capital.Map ↗
  5. Bai Dinh PagodaA huge Buddhist complex with long corridors of arhat statues and a giant bronze Buddha.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Bring a hat and sunscreen. The boats are open and the trips are long.
  • It's customary to tip your rower at the end of the trip.
  • Cover shoulders and knees at Bai Dinh and the Hoa Lu temples.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.