Contents
A/ Overview, Some Information of Ninh Binh city and Map
B/ Sights and Activities
1/ Trang An Grottoes Complex – Ha Long bay on land
2/ Tam Coc grottoes and Bich Dong cave pagoda complex
3/ Cave of Mua (Hang Mua) & where to stay
4/ Former Hoa Lu capital
5/ Bai Dinh pagoda complex
6/ Kenh Ga hot spring
7/ Phat Diem Stone Cathedral complex & where to stay in Phat Diem town
8/ Galaxy grotto (by VietnamNet)
C/ Where to stay in Ninh Binh city
D/ Food and Drink
E/ Getting there
G/ TuoiTreNews: Pictures of golden season in Tam Coc
Trang An named Vietnam’s first UNESCO-recognized mixed heritage (25th June 2014)
A/ Overview, Some Information of Ninh Binh city and Map
Overview
A former capital in the 10th century.
A Ha Long bay on land with clear blue waterways softly flowing through many breathtaking grottoes of hundreds of limestone mountain ranges.
A peaceful countryside with golden rice fields and water buffalos.
A stone cathedral which is a perfect fusion of Gothic and Vietnamese architecture.
And a Vietnam’s largest pagoda complex which holds many national records...
Ninh Binh province, located some 100km in the South of Hanoi city, is truly an amazing beautiful land where you should spend at least two days to see all the
sights.
Some Information of Ninh Binh city
Located 93km in the South of Hanoi
With a radius of 30km from the center of Ninh Binh city are many famous sightseeing spots including Trang An Grottoes Complex – Ha Long bay on land, Tam Coc grottoes and Bich Dong cave pagoda complex, Former Hoa Lu capital, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral complex & where to stay in Phat Diem town...
Most tourists take a 1-day Hoa Lu - Tam Coc tour offered by a number of tour operators/agencies in Hanoi. The tour usually departs at 8:00AM and back to Hanoi at 6:00PM. Ninh Binh city therefore seldoms see overnight tourists. And of course it has no backpacker's coffee. In fact the city goes to sleep quite early...
There are some ATMs, banks on the main Tran Hung Dao street.
Map of Ninh Binh province: Click to enlarge the image
Plan of sightseeing spots near Ninh Binh city
B/ Sights and Activities
1/ Trang An Grottoes Complex – Ha Long bay on land
After 250million years of geological tectonics, nature has endowed Ninh Binh with a fascinating Ha Long bay on land. It is Trang An grottoes complex.
Covering an area of 1566ha, Trang An includes 150 – 200m high limestone mountain ranges and 31 valleys full of blue water flowing through 48 caves. The best way to discover/enjoy it is to take a rowing boat trip from Trang An grottoes ecotourism site which is about 7km from the center of Ninh Binh city.
The boat accommodate to 5 people which costs 500,000VND (25USD). If you are a solo traveller, buy 1 ticket at a cost of 100,000VND (5USD) and wait for the boat getting full. In weekend, especially holiday, waiting time is not long as there are many solo ones like you.
With 3 – 4 hours, the rowing boat will get through 12 hidden caves. Each cave, with 60 – 315m in length, has its own beauty. Especially some caves like Hang Toi (Dark cave), Hang Ba Giot (three drops cave), Hang Son Duong (Mountain goat cave) have many stalactites and stalagmites in diverse shapes which richly stimulate your imagination. There are some electrical lights in the caves, you don’t really need to bring a torch. But while you are enjoying the fascinating beauty ot it, remember to pay a little bit attention as most of the caves are narrow and their domes are low.
The boat trip also made some visits at three temples named Trinh, Tran and Khong. All the temples worship the Mandarins of Dinh dynasty (968 - 980). At Trinh temple, you will see many school of carp fishes. You need to climb up a small hill/mountain to reach Tran temple which dates back to 700 years ago. The boat driver will ask if you would like to visit Tran temple or not as it really takes the time. The answer is definitely Yes as on the top of the hill/mountain, you will have an excellent overview of one part of Trang An grottoes complex with limestone mountains ranges, deeply blue water looks like a mirror and many rowing boats moving along like the small leaves.
Trang An - Outdoor geological museum (this part was written by Vietnamnet)
According to researchers, Trang An area was formerly the “Hoa Lu ancient bay”. After 250 million years, limestone mountains with characteristics of karst tectonics have been formed here. They are weathered limestone mountains eroded by water.
The traces in the “core area” show the researchers’ evaluations are completely reasonable. Although the sea receded a very long time ago, there are still sink holes and karst islands with imprints of the sea at the foot of the limestone mountains. That may be the reason why experts consider Trang An an “outdoor geological museum”.
Location: Trang An tourist site is about 10km from the center of Ninh Binh city
Tips: The rowing boats are not shaded, remember to bring water, hat or umbrella, sunscreen.
The panorama view of one part of Trang An grottoes complex
Onboard rowing boat
Limestone mountain ranges
Pink water lilies
A green mirror: green mountains, green forest and green water
Great limestone mountain with hidden cave
The cave's dome is vey low. Dark and light, appear and disappear, a perfect fusion brings you an amazing feeling
The world of wet stalactites and stalagmites
Tran temple with school of carp fishes
Khong temple
Tran temple: climb up to the top of the hill/mountain and enjoy the best view of Trang An
Video: how clear the water of Trang An is! How green the aquatic plants of Trang An are!
Video credit: Vietnamguidebook
Video: A boat trip
2/ Tam Coc grottoes and Bich Dong cave pagoda complex
Tam Coc grottoes complex – Ha Long bay on rice fields
Smaller and shorter than Trang An grottoes complex, a rowing boat trip on Ngo
Dong river in Tam Coc grottoes complex just takes about 2 hours. (Trang An takes about 3 - 4 hours)
“Tam Coc” means three caves named Hang Ca (Fisrt cave with 127m long, 20m wide), Hang Hai (Second cave with 60m long and 18m wide), Hang Ba (Third cave with 45m long and 18m wide). I prefer 12 caves of Trang An complex with a lot of fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. Especially, the inside of most of Trang An caves are more meandering and narrower than Tam Coc ones, giving a more surprising and intesresting feeling when the rowing boats zigzag move through.
So why We should come to Tam Coc? Its because of Ngo Dong river and the rice fields. In May, the ripen rice fields along the Ngo Dong river looks like the golden carpets, and the rowing boats like the small leaves floating on the clear meandering waterways surrounding by green mountains and blue sky . Therefore, Tam Coc is often called as Ha long bay on rice fields (the beauty of landscape, not about the size as Ha Long bay is much much more larger with thousands of limestone moutains)
Tam Coc is about 7km from the center of Ninh Binh city
Tips: The rowing boats are not shaded, remember to bring water, hat or umbrella, sunscreen.
The downside of Tam Coc
For many years, Tam Coc is the main destination of Ninh Binh province and while its still recommended by many guidebooks as well as most of Hanoi tour operators/agencies just only sell Tam Coc – Bich Dong 1-day tour (Not Trang An which rarely sees foreign tourists), Tam Coc is really crowded. And that’s not
the worst!
When enjoying a rowing boat trip in Tam Coc, tourists are often disturbed by many boats selling snacks and drinks. Beside that, some rowers try/force tourists to buy their tablecloths, T-shirts... And finally, they ask tourists to give tip at the end of boat trip.
I have been in Tam Coc two times and the last time with a sad experience/image of Vietnam tourism as the rower took the wallet of a tourist who didnt give tip!
“Tam Coc” means three caves named Hang Ca (Fisrt cave with 127m long, 20m wide), Hang Hai (Second cave with 60m long and 18m wide), Hang Ba (Third cave with 45m long and 18m wide). I prefer 12 caves of Trang An complex with a lot of fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. Especially, the inside of most of Trang An caves are more meandering and narrower than Tam Coc ones, giving a more surprising and intesresting feeling when the rowing boats zigzag move through.
So why We should come to Tam Coc? Its because of Ngo Dong river and the rice fields. In May, the ripen rice fields along the Ngo Dong river looks like the golden carpets, and the rowing boats like the small leaves floating on the clear meandering waterways surrounding by green mountains and blue sky . Therefore, Tam Coc is often called as Ha long bay on rice fields (the beauty of landscape, not about the size as Ha Long bay is much much more larger with thousands of limestone moutains)
Tam Coc is about 7km from the center of Ninh Binh city
Tips: The rowing boats are not shaded, remember to bring water, hat or umbrella, sunscreen.
The downside of Tam Coc
For many years, Tam Coc is the main destination of Ninh Binh province and while its still recommended by many guidebooks as well as most of Hanoi tour operators/agencies just only sell Tam Coc – Bich Dong 1-day tour (Not Trang An which rarely sees foreign tourists), Tam Coc is really crowded. And that’s not
the worst!
When enjoying a rowing boat trip in Tam Coc, tourists are often disturbed by many boats selling snacks and drinks. Beside that, some rowers try/force tourists to buy their tablecloths, T-shirts... And finally, they ask tourists to give tip at the end of boat trip.
I have been in Tam Coc two times and the last time with a sad experience/image of Vietnam tourism as the rower took the wallet of a tourist who didnt give tip!
Photo credit: Ninh Binh province portal
Bich Dong cave pagoda complex
Came to this pagoda complex about 6 years ago which left little impression on me and didnt visit it again in the research of November 2012. Below is some information from www.tuoitre.vn and other sources (translated by myself)
The Bich Dong cave pagoda complex was established on Ngu Nhac mountain slope since the year of 1705. by two monks Tri Kien and Tri The. It comprises three pagodas called Ha Pagoda (Lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (Middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (Upper pagoda).
The Lower pagoda is located at the foot of Ngu Nhac mountain. From here, climb some 80 steps to reach Middle pagoda. Then another climb of 21 steps take you to Dong Toi (Dark cave). Continue another climb of 40 steps, you will be in the Upper pagoda which worship the Goddess of Mercy. Outside of the Upper pagoda, its a picturesque view of rice fields and moutains.
Location: Bich Dong is about 2km from Tam Coc
In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer Nguyen Du) visited Bich Dong cave. After viewing the whole scenery of the mountains, waterways, fields, and sky covered in green mist, he gave the cave a very beautiful and romantic name, Bich Dong ( “Green Pearl Grotto”).
3/ Cave of Mua (Hang Mua)
Eventhough the name is cave of Mua, the main reason to be here is to climb up to the top of some 200m high Mua mountain. Best time to visit is in May which is the rice harvest season. According to local farmers, at that time, from the top of Mua mountain, the fascinating surrounding scenery will catch your eyes: the blue Ngo Dong river is winding throung Tam Coc, both sides are ripen rice fields which look like golden carpets, and plenty of rowing boats are moving along.
Entrance fee: 10,000VND (0.5USD)
Hotel: There is one nice hotel here. The rooms are large with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi. Room rate is 200,000VND (10USD). Please see the below pictures
Address: Khe ha village, Ninh Xuan ward, Hoa Lu
Tel: 0303 618 754 - 0976 245 535
Pics: vietnamguidebook
Photo credit: Ninh Binh province portal
Hotel's pictures
Photo credit: vietnamguidebooks
4/ Former Hoa Lu capital
Hoa Lu was the capital of Dinh, Pre-Le and first year of Ly dynasties
Location: It is about 13km from Ninh Binh city.
Location: It is about 13km from Ninh Binh city.
Entrance fee for two temples: VND
Dinh dynasty (968 – 980)
Starting from the present-day Hoa Lu of Ninh Binh province, Dinh Bo Linh defeated all 12 warlords and unified the country in the year of 967. The next year he proclaimed himself king Dinh Tien Hoang, established his capital at Hoa Lu and named the country Dai Co Viet.
Starting from the present-day Hoa Lu of Ninh Binh province, Dinh Bo Linh defeated all 12 warlords and unified the country in the year of 967. The next year he proclaimed himself king Dinh Tien Hoang, established his capital at Hoa Lu and named the country Dai Co Viet.
In 979, king Dinh Tien Hoang was murdered. His son, Dinh Toan, a six-year-old child was brought to the throne.
Pre-Le dynasty (980 – 1009)
In 980 the Song dynasty took power in China and sent an expeditionary corps to reconquer Dai Co Viet.
In the South, the Champa kingdom also launched an attacked to the country.
Dealing with these dangers, Duong Van Nga, the mother of king Dinh Toan, as well as the Court appointed Le Hoan to be the Chief Commander who latter on defeated both armies.
Le Hoan came to the throne, proclaimed himself king Le Dai Hanh. And Duong Van Nga became his queen.
Le Dai Hanh ruled the country for 25 years (980 – 1005). The last two kings Le Trung Tong and Le Long Dinh ruled the country for the next 4 years (1005 – 1009).
In 1010, kinh Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to present-day Hanoi and named it Thang Long.
Hoa Lu citadel and Dinh – Le temples
Kinh Dinh Tien Hoang chose Hoa Lu to be his capital and built the citadel because: 1/ He was born and grew up in Hoa Lu 2/ The surrounding limestone mountains worked effectively as a natural wall protecting the citadel 3/ The North of citadel is bordered by the Hoang Long River serving as convenient waterways.
What survived today is only two Dinh – Le temples dating back from 17th century as the citadel which once covered an area of some 300ha, was mostly destroyed.
Dinh temple is dedicated to king Dinh Tien Hoang and his sons. Some 500m away from Dinh temple is Le temple which worships king Le Dai Hanh (in the middle), his queen Duong Van Nga and their sons at both sides
They are the small but beautiful temples with many nice wood carving works.
One of the best ways to have a great view of Hoa Lu citadel and Dinh – Le temples is to climb up to Ma Yen mountain which is opposite the ticket office. Atop the mountain is the stone tomb of king Dinh Tien Hoang which was built since 1840.
(Note: Dinh – Le temples once was only a temple which was dedicated to kings Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Dai Hanh and their queen Duong Van Nga. Latter on, another temple (present Le temple) was built and the statues of Le Dai Hanh and Duong van Nga were moved out of Dinh – Le temple)
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
5/ Bai Dinh pagoda complex
The Bai Dinh pagoda complex comprises new and old pagoda
complexes.
* The New
The new Bai Dinh pagoda complex is located at the foot of Bai Dinh mountain in Gia Vien
district which is about 15km from the center of Ninh Binh city.
Covering an area of 80ha, new Bai Dinh, the largest pagoda
complex in Vietnam,
holds many national/international records:
1/ 5 lagrest bronze
Buddha statues in South East Asia with 50 –
100 ton/each statue (The 100-tonne bronze
statute of Sakyamuni, the 90-ton bronze statue of Goddess of Mercy…)
2/ Vietnam’s two largest bells with 27 – 36 tons
3/ Vietnam’s two longest pagoda
lobbies with 500 Arhat statutes. Each unique Arhat statue is 2-2.5m high and
weighs 2-2.5 tonnes with different characteristics.
The downside: More and more visitors come to new Bai Dinh
pagoda complex while the management is quite loose. Its hard to feel
quiet/peaceful in this complex as there are so many local people selling drinks
and snacks walking/seating around. And the worst is a lot of people who earn
living by taking photos for tour groups are everywhere. I myself and two Korean
tourists even met a drunk boy in this complex.
Note: Many parts of this complex are still under construction
Note: Many parts of this complex are still under construction
* The Old
The Old is located on 200-m high Bai Dinh mountain which needs you to climb a little. Atop the mountain gives nice surrounding view.
Pictures of New Bai Dinh pagoda complex
500 Arhat statutes
100-ton bronze statute of Sakyamuni
Pics: vietnamguidebook
6/ Kenh Ga hot spring resort (Khu du lich nuoc khoang nong Kenh Ga)
Certainly the only reason to be here is to enjoy the pool of hot spring (39oC), especially in winter, but don’t expect to have a great service. The resort is poorly invested and the rooms are very basic, old and smelly as they rarely see overnight guests. The surroudings are not attractive, just with some green trees that grow up like those in nature!
Getting here: The resort is on a island of Gia Thinh commune, Gia Vien district of Ninh Binh province. Firstly go to the boat station which is about 25km from Ninh Binh city’s center. Then take a 20-minute motorised boat trip along Hoang Long river to the resort (100,000VND/boat/round trip)
Tel: 030 2213 656 - 0303 831 006 - 0903 407 430 (Director of resort: Le Dai Tam)
Bathing fee: 80,000VND (4USD).
Room rate: 400,000VND (20USD)
Pic: Vietnamguidebook
7/ Phat Diem stone cathedral complex & where to stay in Phat Diem town
Located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, about 28km from center of Ninh Binh city, the Phat Diem Stone Cathedral Complex covers an area of 22ha and was built in 24 years (1875 – 1899) on a north-south orientation by Father Peter Tran Luc (1825 – 1899).
It’s a perfect fusion of Vietnamese, Oriental and Gothic architecture in a peaceful surroundings with many a hundred year old longans trees. For me, it’s the most fascinating cathedral complex in Vietnam.
Chronology: Year of building
Year of 1875: Tang Xac cave was built to test the strength of the foundation (now is Bethlehem cave)
Year of 1883: Mother Maria’s Sacred Heart church was built totally by stone (Stone church)
Year of 1889: Jesus’ Sacred Heart's chapel
Year of 1891: Mother Duc Me Man Coi church (the Cathedral)
Year of 1895: Saint Roch's chapel
Year of 1896: Saint Peter and Saint Joseph's chapels and garden
Year of 1898: Bethlehem cave
Year of 1899: The bell tower (in Vietnamese called Phuong Dinh)
Year of 1899: Father Peter Tran Luc’s tomb
Year of 1925: The lake
Building’s material
In 24 years of building the complex, Father Peter Tran Luc spent 10 years to collect the materials. Stone, the main material, was brought from Thien Duong (Ninh Binh province) and Nui Nhoi (Thanh Hoa province). Wood was brought from Ben Thuy (Nghe An province) and Hoi Xuan (Thanh Hoa province). Wood and stone were carried to the nearest place to build the complex by hundreds of big boats.
The lake
“Water at the front, cave/mountain at the back”. The building of the complex followed the Oriental “feng shui”.
The 1-ha lake in rectangular shape was built in 1925. In the middle is a small square island on which stands the statue of Christ the King. Surroundings are four ancient longan trees with more than 100 years old.
The bell tower
The masterpiece of the architectural ensemble of Phat Diem. The dimensions are 21m wide, 17m depth, 25m high on three floors. Looking like a pagoda/temple gate, its architecture is unique in Vietnam and rarely seen in world.
The first floor of the bell tower is divided into three parts which place three great stones used for resting. The largest stone is in the middle with 4.2m length, 3.2m wide, 0.3m thick.
The second floor has one drum.
The 2-ton bronze bell cast in 1890 with 1.9m high, 1.1m in diameter is on the third floor. Its said that the bell’s echo can be heard in a radius of 10km. Four directions of the bell carved 4 worlds with the meaning of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
The father Peter Tran Luc’s tomb is right behind the bell tower. Father Tran Luc designed the cathedral complex without any training in architecture or painting.
The Grand Cathedral (74m length, 24m wide, 16m high). The interior has 52 iron
wood columns with 2.26 – 2.65 m in diameter, standing straight making a solemn air. The outside of the building are decorated with lotus, and bamboos designs giving the feeling of a Vietnamese pagoda more than a Catholic church.
General plan
The lake
The bell tower
Father Peter Tran Luc's tomb
The Grand Cathedral
Stone bas-relief of the Grand Cathedral
Interior of the Grand Cathedral
Jesus's Sacred Heart chapel
Saint Jospeh's chapel
Nam Thanh theater
The a hundred year old longan tree
Bas-relief of the Gand Cathedral
Decoration with bamboo, lotus
Taking wedding photos
The bell
Pics: vietnamguidebook
And On the West face of the bell carved the Latin words
Photo credit: Vietnamguidebook
If you would like to overnight in Phat Diem town, this is a small hotel near the Cathedral
Thu Huong hotel
Address: 53 Phat Diem Tay street, Kim Son (just some steps to the cathedral)
Tel: 0303 862 336 - 0918 343 145
Room rate: 150,000VND up (7USD)
Overview: Basic rooms with Tivi, fan, clean bathroomRoom rate: 150,000VND up (7USD)
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
8/ Galaxy grotto (Động Thiên Hà)
VietNamNet Bridge – Thien Ha grotto in Ninh Binh Province was named
Galaxy by its first explorers. They found a sea of stalactite needles
filling the heart of the underground wonderland. The sight is truly
heavenly, like something out of space.
Photo credit: VNS/VNN
Photo credit:Ninh Binh tourism
It
takes a pleasant half an hour rowing along the Ben Dang river
through horizons of paddy fields and wild grass to reach the site of the
grotto on a steep hillside in the Tuong mountain range. The mountains
form a natural wall that protected the ancient capital of Hoa Lu for
centuries.
After a short walk through
the forest from the river, I found myself at an opening leading down
into the grotto. According to our guide from Star Travel, Tran Ngoc Tien,
the 12,000sq.m grotto is nearly a kilometre long, much of it with running
water and the rest dry as a bone.
It's possible to hop on a boat
at the grotto entrance and thread one's way into the water-filled part of
the cavern. However, most visitors stay to explore Heaven Gate, the
opening to the grotto.
I leaned my head back and looked upwards to contemplate the heavenly
sight. Sunlight poured through the entrance of the grotto, casting shadows
on the walls. I struggled without success to keep my feet dry.
"This
is the jaw-dropping hidden utopia that some locals chanced upon when
hunting for snakes some time around 2006," said Tien, the guide, as we
climbed winding stone stairs that lead to an upper floor.
"Archaeologists
have found the remains of various species of molluscs, such as mountain
snails and oysters," said Tien. "This shows that the grotto was a living
place for the first Vietnamese people".
Under the guidance of
Tien, myself and three other tourists sat on a boat rowed by a villager.
As he skillfully steered the wooden boat through the "wet" portion of
the grotto, he constantly reminded us to watch our heads. The sharp
stalactites can be dangerous in a grotto with ceilings at most 1m from the
water.
Stalactites from the ceiling and walls come in a great
variety of shapes and colours. Every one is unique. "Soda-straw"
stalactites are not as common as "dew-drops", finger and petal-shaped
tubular growths.
Stalactites lend themselves to strange and fancy names. I was
particularly impressed with those that reminded me of firm young
breasts.
We stopped constantly to take photos of the breathtaking
scenery, forgetting about the time. We returned to reality only at the
sound of the boatman's voice as he rowed through the heart of the
mountain.
"When boating through the wet part of the grotto, it's
hard to take one's eyes off the ceiling. There are so many forms and
shapes jutting out from all sides," said Thanh Lam, a tourist from HCM
City.
"I lost count of how many times I've visited this cave.
Whenever I stay in Ha Noi I go to Ninh Binh to explore the vast cave
system here," he said.
"I enjoy sitting on the boat, catching
droplets from the stalactites above and letting the cool water caress my
face and hands," another said.
"What I find striking here is that the system of stalactites are still ‘alive' and continue to grow."
As
we neared the end of the grotto, the murmurs and flash-lights from other
boats behind us suddenly woke hundreds of bats hanging on its wall - a
fitting end to a magical tour. After half a day of exploring, we headed
back to the boat jetty for a well-deserved rest and a bite to eat.
There
aren't a lot of options, but Star Travel's restaurant offers a diverse
treat of local dishes, such as steamed mountain snails, chicken wrapped
in lotus leaves, fried crabs, young bamboo shoots and stir-fried
mountain goat.
The Trang An scenic landscape complex in Ninh Binh,
recognised this June as Viet Nam's newest UNESCO World's Heritage Site,
includes Hoa Lu, Tam Coc karsts and the Thien Ha grotto. The grotto, opened
in 2010, still draws many adventurers.
VNS/VNN
(Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/travel/112327/exploring-celestial-thien-ha.html)
C/ Where to stay in Ninh Binh city
There are many hotels, guesthouses near Ninh Binh city bus station and Lim bridge on Nguyen Hue street and its alley (Ly Thuong kiet and Ngo Gia Tu).
Opposite Nguyen Hue street, across the Lim bridge is National highway 1, Nam Thanh ward with many hotels, including Duc An - one of the best hotels of Ninh Binh city.
The main street of city, Tran Hung Dao and its alley, has some basic hotels...
With 200,000VND up (10USD), your room is large, clean with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi, wifi...
Pay 500,000VND up (25USD), you see yourself in a 3-star hotel
Those who look for a 5-star resort, come to Emeralda Ninh Binh
The research was done in the beginning of November 2012
Nguyen Hue street and its alley
1/ (My stay) AIQ hotel
Address: Ly Thuong Kiet street, Nam Binh ward (about 300m from bus station and Lim bridge. 50m from Nguyen Hue street)
Tel: 0303 898 968 - 0948 690 353
Fax: 0303 888 626
Email: aiqhotelnb@gmail.com
Web: www.aiqhotel.com
Fax: 0303 888 626
Email: aiqhotelnb@gmail.com
Web: www.aiqhotel.com
Room rate: 200,000VND up (10USD)
Overview: This large hotel has big rooms with air-condition, Tivi, fridge, nice bathroom with hot showerBonus: 50m from AIQ hotel is Quang Trung market which offer delicious Bun Cha noodle with fried pork for only 20,000VND (1USD)
Pictures:
Pics: vietnamguidebook
2/ Phuong Anh hotel
Address: 39 Nguyen Hue street, Nam Binh ward (about 300m from AIQ hotel)
Tel: 0303 888 272 - 01686 512 683
Fax: 0303 891 500
Fax: 0303 891 500
Room rate: 250,000VND up (12USD)
Overview: Nice and clean rooms with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi, lift...
Pics: vietnamguidebook
3/ Sai Gon hotel
Address: 253 Nguyen Hue street, Nam Binh ward
Tel: 0303 888 288 - 0934 699 444
Fax: 0303 888 468
Email: ninhbinhhotel@gmail.com
Web: www.hotelninhbinh.vn
Fax: 0303 888 468
Email: ninhbinhhotel@gmail.com
Web: www.hotelninhbinh.vn
Room rate: 200,000VND up (10USD)
Overview: 17 basic and clean rooms with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi, fridge, lift, wifiMinus: the kitchen on ground floor is a little bit smelly
Pics: vietnamguidebook
4/ Viet Nhat hotel
Address: Ngo Gia Tu street, Nam Binh ward (700m from Nguyen Hue street)
Tel: 0302 210 525 - 0303 872 414 - 0983 948 005 - 0913 305 149
Fax: 0303 893 979
Email: vietnhathotel.nb@gmail.com
Web: www.vietnhathotel.com
Fax: 0303 893 979
Email: vietnhathotel.nb@gmail.com
Web: www.vietnhathotel.com
Room rate: 300,000VND up (15USD)
Overview: This 2-star large hotel has nice rooms with air-condition, hot shower, tivi, fridge. Friendly
Pictures:
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
National highway 1 area (Opposite Nguyen Hue street, across Lim bridge)
1/ Trung Thanh hotel
Address: 30/6 street, Nam Thanh ward
Tel: 0303 899 979 - 0904 002 270
Room rate: 200,000VND up (10USD)
Overview: This hotel has basic large and clean rooms with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi 
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
2/ Tien Dat - Bini hotel
Address: 2 Hai Thuong Lan Ong street
Tel: 0303 876 262 - 0912 455 879
Email: binihotel@gmail.com
Web: www.tiendathotel.com
Email: binihotel@gmail.com
Web: www.tiendathotel.com
Room rate: 200,000VND up (10USD)
Overview: Basic room with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
3/ Xuan Hoa hotel
Address: 31D Minh Khai street, Nam Thanh ward
Tel: 0303 880 970 - 0904 010 758
Fax: 0303 899 685
Email: xuanhoahotel@hotmail.com
Web: www.xuanhoahotel.com
Fax: 0303 899 685
Email: xuanhoahotel@hotmail.com
Web: www.xuanhoahotel.com
Room rate: 6 - 30USD
Overview: This hotel has two buildings with many Western guests. The old one with room rate starts at 6USD when the new one starts at 15USD. Rooms are just basic with air-condition, hot shower, Tivi, free Internet access. The owner speak English. Motorbike for rent at 7USD/day.
Photo credit: Vietnamguidebook
4/ (My pick) Duc An hotel
Address: 50 Phuc Chinh 2 street, Nam Thanh ward.
Tel: 0303 889 889 - 0902 226 880
Fax: 0303 632 288
Email: hotelducan@gmail.com
Web: www.ducanhotel.com.vn
Fax: 0303 632 288
Email: hotelducan@gmail.com
Web: www.ducanhotel.com.vn
Room rate: 500,000VND up (25USD)
Overview: One of the best 3-star hotel of the city. Rooms are large and beautiful with air-condition, hot shower, LCD Tivi, fridge, lift...
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
Tran Hung Dao street
Kinh Do hotel
Address: 99 Phan Dinh Phung street (about 100m from Tran Hung Dao street)
Tel: 0303 899 152 - 0303 885 823 - 0913 309 729
Fax: 0303 873 005
Email: kinhdonb@yahoo.com
Fax: 0303 873 005
Email: kinhdonb@yahoo.com
Room rate: 250,000VND up (12USD)
Overview: Basic rooms with air-condition, old bathroom with hot shower, cable Tivi, motorbike for rent
Ninh Binh legend hotel
(I havent done researched at this resort. Please check it by yourself and give me comments)
Address: Tien Dong zone, Ninh Khanh ward, Ninh Binh city
Tel: 0303 899 880 - 0303 899 870
Fax: 0303 888 365
Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com
Web: www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com
Fax: 0303 888 365
Email: info@ninhbinhlegendhotel.com
Web: www.ninhbinhlegendhotel.com
D/ Food and Drink
The limestone mountain ranges of Ninh Binh are perfect places for developing mountain goats. Therefore, Ninh Binh city is very famous for delicious mountain goat dishes.
Another food you should taste is Ninh Binh fried rice.
Duc De mountain goat restaurant
Address: 29 Doan Ket street (about 4km from Nguyen Hue street and Lim bridge)
Tel: 0303 874 858
Open: almost 363/365 days (Close on 1st and 2nd day of New Year)
Overview: One of the most popular mountain goat restaurants of the city. Its usually crowdedat night. Big restaurant with friendly staffs. Offer many mountain goat dishes with very reasonable price.
"De tai": rare mountain goat meat (100,000VND or 5USD/dish)
My mountain goat gruel, yummy (just only 10,000VND or 0.5USD)
Ninh Binh fried rice in Duc De restaurant
Photo credit: Vietnamguidebook
"Bun cha" - fried pork noodle soup, is sold at Quang Trung market from morning to late afternoon. Its 20,000VND/bowl (1USD)
Quang Trung market is about 50m from AIQ hotel near Nguyen Hue street
"Mien ngan" - duck noodle soup with fried bamboo sprout. Local eatery: Nam Duong. Address: 152 Le Hong Phong street
Miss Hue ancient citadel? Enjoy its sweet at " Che Cung Dinh Hue". Some steps from "Mien ngan"
Photo credit: vietnamguidebook
E/ Getting there
* Hanoi - Ninh Binh city and Phat Diem town, Kim Son
There are many daily buses leaving My Dinh bustation of Hanoi for Ninh Binh city and Phat Diem town, Kim Son of Ninh Binh province. Among them, Minh Dung bus operator is the most popular one.
Most of the buses will pick more passengers on the way. A 29-seater bus, sometimes will be full with 35 - 40 passengers!
Distance: Hanoi - Ninh Binh city: about 100km
Ninh Binh city - Phat Diem town, Kim Son: 28km
Travel time: Hanoi - Ninh Binh city: about 2hours
Ninh Binh city - Phat Diem town, Kim Son: about 45 minutes
Bus fare: 60,000VND (Hanoi - Ninh Binh city)
15,000VND (Ninh Binh city - Phat Diem town, Kim Son)
Minh Dung bus operator
Depart from My Dinh bus station of Hanoi for Ninh Binh city and Phat Diem town: 7:30AM, 8:30AM, 1:20PM, 2:15PM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM
Depart from Phat Diem town for Hanoi, pass by Ninh Binh city after about 45 minutes: 4:30AM, 7:00AM, 7:25AM, 8:30AM, 12:30 noon, 3:30PM
(Please see the below picture showing contact number of Minh Dung buses
Departure time and contact number of Minh Dung buses
Minh Dung 29-seater bus
Pics: vietnamguidebook
* Ninh Binh city - Phat Diem town, Kim Son
There are many local bus depart from Ninh Binh bus station for Phat Diem town. Bus fare: 20,000VND without air-condition. Travel time: 45 minutes to 01 hour
G/ TuoiTreNews: Pictures of golden season in Tam Coc
Trang An named Vietnam’s first UNESCO-recognized mixed heritage (25th June 2014)
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province in
northern Vietnam has just been inscribed in the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s World
Heritage List, being the country’s first site to be acknowledged as a
mixed natural and cultural property.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the World
Heritage Committee announced the listing during its yesterday’s session
in Doha, Qatar.
Nestling on the southern shore of the Red River Delta, Trang An is a
resplendent complex of limestone karst peaks which are permeated with
valleys, including submerged ones, and surrounded by steep, almost
vertical cliffs.
Archaeological traces of human activity dating back almost 30,000 years have been found within the complex.
The Trang An complex boasts several locally-recognized sites like the
Trang An ecotourism site, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Bai Dinh pagoda - the
largest of its kind in the country - and Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s former
capital in the 10th and 11th centuries.
The area is also home to temples, pagodas, paddy fields, villages, and other sacred sites.
It has around 500 species of flora, 73 species of birds and 41 species
of other animals, and is renowned for its diverse ecosystem, unique
natural beauty and geological characteristics.
In May 2012, Trang An was recognized as a national heritage site, and
four months later, the culture ministry submitted a dossier on the
complex to the UNESCO for its recognition as a World Heritage Site.
(http://tuoitrenews.vn/lifestyle/20557/trang-an-named-vietnams-first-unescorecognized-mixed-heritage)
Thank you so much for very usefull info!!!!
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