'''Ninh Binh''' is the capital city of Ninh Binh Province in North Vietnam, famous for the nearby Karst scenery and the village of Tam Coc

Get in

By taxi

Taxis from Hanoi cost 45USD.

By bus

There are regular buses from Hanoi's southern bus terminal (Giap Bat) that leave every 15 minutes (or whenever full).50,000 Dong. Journey time 2.5 hours.

Open tour buses will drop passengers off upon request (Ninh Binh is not a regular stop).Most open tour buses from Hanoi will arrive at 21.30. Tour buses from Hue arrive at a rather early 04.00.

By train

Ninh Binh is a regular station for the Reunification Express, with trains coming from both North and South.

Get around

By bike

A motorbike is the best way to view Ninh Binh and the surrounding areas. Most hotels will offer bikes for rental, or can arrange for a driver to take you around the sites.

Cycling is a good option for visiting nearby sights. Finding a bicycle for rental is easy.

By foot

The actual town of Ninh Binh is quite small and walkable. Most of the interesting sights are located 10-20km away

See

  • '''Tam Coc''' - Located 9km south of Ninh Binh, Tam Coc is one of Vietnam's most spectacular sights. A boat can be hired that will take you through the waterways. Vast limestone cliffs rise out of the rice paddies. The area is somewhat similar to Halong Bay, but more accessible, and much less toursity.
  • However- there are a few scams around, and the drink sellers can be very persistent. Most will ask if you would like to buy a drink for the rower. This is usually sold back immediatedly for half price.

    The area around Tam Coc is equally beautiful, and is best viewed from the back of a motorbike. There is also a temple atop one of the hills which provides increible views.

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    a lot of Guest Houses just outside the train station ,cheap

  • Xuan Hoa Hotel. 7 P Minh Khai. n the eastbound road from town center, next to a reservoir. 80-970. 2-30 USD. Owner friendly and very helpful in every possible way. Great food, bicycle and motorbike rental, convenient location, though far enough from main road to provide peace and quite.

    Contact

    Get out

    Laos - There is a nightly bus from Hanoi that can stop in Ninh Bin on request. From there it is a grim 20 hour ride to Vientiane.