Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a limestone region south of Hanoi known for rowed boat trips, a stepped climb to a river view, and the old capital of Hoa Lu.
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Ninh Binh is a province south of Hanoi where limestone karst towers rise from rice paddies and slow rivers. Most visitors come for the rowed boat trips at Trang An and Tam Coc, where boatmen often row with their feet and you sit low in the boat as the cliffs pass. The Hang Mua viewpoint sits at the top of a flight of stone steps and looks over the valley and the winding river. Hoa Lu, an early capital of Vietnam, is also in the province.
The area suits travelers who want scenery, short walks and an unhurried pace. It can be done as a day trip from Hanoi, but one night gives you the boats and the climb without rushing, and two nights leave room for the sites around the valleys. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for the boats and the hike. Summer is hot and humid.
Ninh Binh in five
- Choose Trang An or Tam Coc for the boatTam Coc is shorter, with tickets from Van Lam pier and about two hours round trip. Trang An has three longer routes of roughly 2 to 4 hours through caves and temples, so take it if you have more than one day.Tam Coc travel guide
- Climb Hang Mua at the cool ends of the dayAbout 500 steps lead to a 360-degree view of the Tam Coc valley. Go early or late for softer light and fewer people, and wait out any mist before you climb.
- Sleep one night to avoid the Hanoi rushNinh Binh is about 100 km from Hanoi by bus, train or private car. The tourism board's one-day itinerary works, but a night keeps the boat for the quiet hours.Hanoi travel guide
- Stop at Hoa Lu on the way southThe tourism board's one-day route includes Hoa Lu, the 10th and 11th century capital with temples to the Dinh and Le kings. A private car or tour can fit it between Hanoi and the boats.
- Continue south to Phong Nha by trainPhong Nha is reached by train to Dong Hoi, with Ninh Binh named as the neighboring stop to the north. Pair the two for a karst-and-caves route.Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Need to know
- Airport
- None in Ninh Binh; fly into Hanoi (HAN)
- Getting there
- About 100 km south of Hanoi by bus, train or private car
- Getting around
- Bicycle, motorbike tour or taxi
- Best base
- Tam Coc for scenery; Ninh Binh city for rail and buses
- Time needed
- 1 night minimum; 2 for Trang An, Hang Mua and a wetland
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Cool, mistyJanuaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- FebruaryCloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Cool, drizzleFebruaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Mild, hazyMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, hazy
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Warm, greenAprilRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Golden riceMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Golden rice
- JuneRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low28°Hot, stormsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 218 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- JulyRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low27°Hot, stormsJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 340 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- AugustRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low27°StormsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 448 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Storms
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Warm, greenSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 388 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Harvest goldOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 221 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest gold
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Dry, mildNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Ninh Binh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ninh Binh
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 96%
Ninh Binh
03:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°24°96%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Wed31°24°75%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Thu31°24°97%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri30°24°90%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sat31°23°82%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sun29°22°98%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 01:31 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Apr–MayGiong FestivalHanoi, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Hoa Lu ancient capitalabout 20 minutes by car from Trang AnThe 10th and 11th century capital, with temples to the Dinh and Le kings.
- Cuc Phuong National Parkabout 1 hour from Ninh Binh cityOne of Vietnam's oldest national parks, with primate and reptile rescue centers.Read the guide
- Van Long wetlandsa half-day boat tripA quiet reserve for birds and Delacour's langur.
Before you go to Ninh Binh
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Rules for Ninh Binh, checked
- The Trang An Landscape Complex covers 6,226 ha within three protected areas and sits on UNESCO's World Heritage List as a mixed cultural and natural site.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Ninh Binh
The village base, Bich Dong and the three-cave boat
Read the guideNinh Binh ProvinceHoa Lu, Van Long, Bai Dinh and more
Read the guideCuc Phuong National ParkOld forest an hour from the city
Read the guideHanoi travel guideThe usual starting point
Read the guideHa Long BayThe classic northern pairing
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamWeather by region and month
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideNinh Binh FAQ
Can you visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi?
Yes, the tourism board lays out a single-day route covering Hoa Lu, a Trang An boat ride, Bich Dong and Hang Mua. It is a long day, though, with roughly two hours of road each way, so one night gives you a calmer boat.
Is Tam Coc or Trang An better?
Tam Coc is quicker and cheaper, with a shorter boat route past three caves. Trang An is larger and more dramatic, with several routes through caves and temples. With one day, pick Tam Coc plus Hang Mua; with two, add Trang An.
How long does a Ninh Binh boat ride take?
The Tam Coc ride is about two hours round trip. Trang An routes run roughly 2 to 4 hours depending on the option. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and wear the life jacket.
Is winter a good time for Ninh Binh?
It works if you accept softer views. The tourism board describes winter as cooler and often hazy, so Hang Mua and the paddies look muted, while spring is green. Pack a warm layer for early boat rides.
Is Ninh Binh worth visiting?
Yes. Trang An is a UNESCO mixed World Heritage site, and the combination of boats, stairs to viewpoints and quiet roads suits slow travel. Skip it if you only have an hour or two to spare outside Hanoi.