Ninh Binh

Category: Ninh Binh

Location
Located as far as 100 kilometers south of Hanoi is Ninh Binh province, the south extreme of the Red River delta. Inside the province is the grandiose Tam Diep Mountain, connecting the North and the South. The province stretches from the Northwest mountainous area to the delta, thus being called a half mountain half plain area. In particular, Ninh Binh contains 3 main kinds of topography: limestone mountains with fascinating caves & grottos, the delta raised by Red River Silt, and a coastline with the length of 18 kilometers, enlarging the province area by 100m2 per year.
Ninh Binh – Microcosm of Vietnam
The topography of Ninh Binh is favored by the Mother Nature with karst topography fostered through million years that make the province a Ha Long Bay in land with countless primitive caves, valleys, and submerged mountains which all offer stunning sceneries. Furthermore, one may see a microcosm of Vietnam within Ninh Binh thanks to its wide variety of forests, mountains, river and sea; nature conservation area and national park.
The most famous attraction of Ninh Binh is Trang An eco-tourism center which has just been expanded in recent years and soon become famous for a system of caves, valleys and historical relics.
For environment and animal lovers, Cuc Phuong National Park with the total area up to 22,000 ha, is a must-see site. Cuc Phuong is the first national park of Vietnam preserving a variety of rare animals and plants.
Another destination tourists may be interested in is submerged Van Long nature reserve, which is the largest conservation area of this kind in the North of Vietnam, with Kenh Ga hot spring and Van Trinh cave and Kem Trong cave.
Ninh Binh – Destination for cultural explorers
Ninh Binh was soon developed as the cultural and political center of Vietnam since the reign of Dinh Tien Hoang King in 968. Thanks to this, the number of ancient vestiges here may overwhelm any other provinces in Vietnam.
The first capital of Vietnam feudal centralism regime and the Dai Co Viet's political, economic and cultural centre Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is undoubtedly the most attractive site where tourists may find thousands of vestiges of palaces, temples, pagodas and tombs related to the three dynasties of Dinh, Le and Ly.
Alluring tourists by a complex of both ancient and new pagodas is Bai Dinh Pagoda. The site is the Buddhist Center of Vietnam and also the largest pagoda in the South East Asia has recently been listed as top attraction in Vietnam and the region.
One more remarkable attraction of Ninh Binh is Phat Diem Church - the most beautiful church in Vietnam which was built of stone and wood in all 24 year. Beside alluring tourists by its size, the most interesting part of Phat Diem Church is such a center of a religion originated from Western country, is built in Vietnamese architecture.
How to get there
Ninh Binh has a developed traffic system and tourist may get there by motorbike, car or train. The Reunification Express Train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City stops at Ninh Binh Town while motorbikes or cars may easily approach there through Phap Van – Cau Gie Highway for 90km.