Ninh Bình

Ninh Bình is the capital city of Ninh Bình Province in northern Vietnam, serving as the gateway to some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular landscapes. While the city is a growing administrative center, its primary appeal lies in its immediate surroundings, often referred to as 'Halong Bay on Land.' The region encompasses the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lư, which served as Vietnam's political heart in the 10th and 11th centuries during the Đinh and Early Lê dynasties. The area is characterized by towering limestone karst formations emerging from emerald rice paddies and winding rivers. Tourists frequently explore the landscape by traditional sampan boats in scenic spots like Tam Cốc and Van Long. Ninh Bình is also home to the Bái Đính Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Vietnam, blending profound historical significance with panoramic natural beauty.

Nearby cities

Sam Son

A historic coastal resort town in Thanh Hoa province, famous for its long sandy beaches and colonial heritage.

Cua Lo

A picturesque coastal town in Nghe An province, known for its clear waters and wide sandy beaches.

Tam Điệp

A city in Ninh Bình province, known for its cement industry and its strategic location between North and Central Vietnam.

Phủ Lý

A city on the banks of the Đáy River, heavily destroyed during the Vietnam War and later rebuilt.

Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam with over a thousand years of history and French colonial heritage.

Bắc Giang

A city to the northeast of Hanoi, known for its lychees and strategic location.

Thái Bình

The capital of the province of the same name, located in the fertile Red River Delta.

Hải Dương

A city in the Red River Delta, known for its traditional green bean cakes.

Vĩnh Yên

The capital of Vĩnh Phúc province and a significant economic hub near Hanoi.

Thien Cam

A serene coastal commune in central Vietnam, famous for its horseshoe-shaped beach and clear waters.

History & landmarks

Tràng An Landscape Complex

A spectacular area of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertica…

Nam Dinh

Nam Dinh is a historical province in the Red River Delta, known for its magnificent temples and as the birthplace of the famous Phở noodl…

Nature

West Lake

The largest freshwater lake in Hanoi, a popular recreational spot with many temples, restaurants, and cafes along its shores.

Red River

A major river flowing from China into Vietnam, passing through Hanoi before emptying into the Gulf of Tonkin.

More places

Hoa Lư Ancient Capital

The capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, now a site of ancient temples and pagodas.

Bái Đính Pagoda

A vast complex of Buddhist temples on Bái Đính Mountain in Ninh Bình Province, holding many Vietnamese records.

Bear Sanctuary Ninh Bình

A sanctuary by Four Paws that rescues bears affected by the bear bile industry and illegal wildlife trade.

Cúc Phương National Park

Vietnam's oldest national park, located in Ninh Bình Province.

Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center

A leading center for the rescue and conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Vietnam, located within Cúc Phương National Park.

Perfume Pagoda

A vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains.

Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long

The political centre of Vietnam for 13 consecutive centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Thủ Lệ Park (Hanoi Zoo)

A large park and zoo in central Hanoi, featuring a large lake, playgrounds, and a variety of animals.