Ninh Binh is an attractive destination in Northern Vietnam, famous for its majestic natural landscapes, valuable historical relics and unique culinary culture. Not only possessing natural beauty, Ninh Binh also carries within it interesting historical stories, closely linked to the development of the country. Below is a detailed guide so you can enjoy your trip to Ninh Binh to the fullest.
Overview of Ninh Binh land
Ninh Binh is located at the southern gateway of the Red River Delta, about 90km south of Hanoi. With this strategic location, Ninh Binh is the intersection of mountains, plains and coasts, creating a diverse and unique terrain. Surrounded by mountains, vast rice fields and a dense river system, this place is an ideal paradise for those who love nature and exploration.
Ninh Binh not only has beautiful scenery but is also a land with a long history. Once the capital of Dai Co Viet under the Dinh and Tien Le dynasties, this place preserves important cultural and historical imprints. The ancient temples, pagodas and palaces in Ninh Binh not only tell the story of heroic kings but also bring a sense of sacredness and tranquility.
Ninh Binh’s climate is tropical monsoon, divided into four seasons of flowers, but the most ideal time to come here is in spring (from January to March) and autumn (from September to November). During these months, the cool, pleasant moments are very favorable for visiting outdoor tourist attractions or experiencing mountain climbing and boating activities.
What makes Ninh Binh attractive is the perfect combination of natural beauty and historical culture. Visitors coming here are not only fascinated by the rhinoceros horn limestone mountains, the rivers but also by the hospitality of the local people, the legendary stories and the dishes with strong flavors.
Famous tourist attractions in Ninh Binh
Below are some typical tourist attractions, imbued with the natural beauty as well as the historical and cultural imprints of Ninh Binh. Each location has its own charm, from majestic natural scenery to long-standing stories and cultural values. Let’s explore each destination to better understand the appeal of this ancient capital:
Tam Coc – Bich Dong: Ha Long Bay on Land
Tam Coc – Bich Dong, known as “Ha Long Bay on land”, is one of the must-see destinations in Ninh Binh. It stands out with its fascinating cave system, the clear Ngo Dong River and endless rice fields.
When coming to Tam Coc, visitors will experience the feeling of sitting on a boat drifting on the river, watching the limestone mountains standing on both sides of the bank. The special highlight is the three natural caves with beautiful stalactites, creating a scene that is both poetic and majestic.
Bich Dong, located right next to Tam Coc, is an ancient pagoda built halfway up the mountain. Visitors will feel the peace when stepping on the stone steps leading to the pagoda, with the surrounding natural scenery as if separated from the hustle and bustle of life outside.
Trang An: World Natural Wonder
Trang An tourist area, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is a place where nature and culture perfectly blend. The underground cave system, poetic rivers and sacred temples create a special attraction for this place.
Rowing in Trang An is an activity loved by many tourists, because each tour route leads to different caves, each with its own beauty. In particular, the diverse ecosystem here is a big plus for those who are passionate about exploring nature.
Not only beautiful scenery, Trang An is also associated with many historical and cultural stories, such as the story of the kings of the Dinh and Ly dynasties, recreated through ancient architectural works and traditional festivals.
Hoa Lu: The ancient capital of a thousand years of history
The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is an indispensable destination for those who want to learn about the history of Ninh Binh. This was the first capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and Tien Le dynasties, where many valuable historical values are preserved.
The Hoa Lu relic site includes temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, built on the foundations of the ancient palace. The ancient architectural features combined with the surrounding natural landscape create a space that is both majestic and peaceful. Visitors can also participate in traditional festivals to learn more about local culture, such as the Truong Yen festival, one of the biggest festivals in Ninh Binh.
Van Long Lagoon: A Leading Nature Reserve
Van Long Lagoon, the largest wetland reserve in the North, is an ideal destination for those who love wild nature. This is the habitat of many rare species of flora and fauna, especially the Delacour’s langur, an endangered primate.
When coming to Van Long Lagoon, you will sit on a bamboo boat weaving through the reeds, watching the blue sky reflected on the calm water like a giant mirror. This is also an ideal place to take photos or enjoy the peaceful, relaxing space.
Not only beautiful in nature, Van Long Lagoon is also attractive with beautiful limestone caves such as Ca Cave and Bong Cave. Each cave has a unique structure, making the journey of discovery more interesting than ever.
Must-try dishes when visiting Ninh Binh
Coming to Ninh Binh is not only to enjoy the beautiful scenery but also to discover a rich and unique cuisine, imbued with the characteristics of the ancient capital. From crispy burnt rice, rich mountain goat meat to rustic dishes but containing unforgettable emotions and flavors, Ninh Binh cuisine is what makes a special impression in the hearts of every visitor. Let’s take a look at some of the typical dishes below to understand more about the unique features of Ninh Binh cuisine:
Ninh Binh Crispy Rice: This is a traditional specialty of this land, attracting tourists by the crispy, fragrant golden crispy rice layer, and especially the rich goat meat or kidney sauce. To get the right crispy rice, the locals use fragrant jasmine rice, cook it, press it into pieces and fry it over low heat, creating a characteristic crispy texture. When combined with the sauce, the crispy rice becomes rich, both crispy and sweet, bringing an unforgettable experience to diners.
Mountain goat meat: Mentioning Ninh Binh without enjoying mountain goat meat is a big mistake. Goats in Ninh Binh are raised naturally on limestone mountains, eating medicinal herbs, so the meat is firm, sweet and fragrant and has a characteristic natural flavor. Goat meat can be processed into many delicious dishes such as raw goat with lemon, goat hotpot, grilled goat and especially stir-fried goat. Thinly sliced goat meat, mixed with lemon, chili, garlic and herbs, brings a slightly sour, spicy flavor, very stimulating the taste buds. This is a dish that goes well with wine or hot rice, making the meal more interesting and flavorful.
Eel salad: A rustic yet sophisticated dish of Ninh Binh people, especially in Kim Son, near the sea. After being cleaned, the eel is thinly sliced and mixed with special spices such as galangal, garlic, chili, and herbs, creating a unique flavor, both sweet and cool from the fish and fragrant from the spices. Eel salad is often eaten with rice paper, raw vegetables and a special spicy and sour dipping sauce, creating a perfect blend of the sweetness of the fish, the rich flavor of the spices and the slight astringency of the vegetables.
Eel vermicelli: A popular dish in Ninh Binh, famous for its sweet broth, soft vermicelli and fragrant, crispy eel pieces. After being cleaned, the eel is fried until golden brown and served with vermicelli and broth simmered from eel bones, creating a rich flavor. The special feature of Ninh Binh eel vermicelli is the way it is prepared, helping to retain the crispness and aroma of the eel, combined with a rich broth, in harmony with the flavors of fried onions, coriander, and a little spicy pepper.
Ninh Binh Mountain Snails: One of the strange dishes that attracts the attention of many tourists when coming here. Mountain snails live on limestone ranges, eat herbs and plants in the forest, so the meat is chewy, crispy and delicious, with a distinct natural flavor. Mountain snails can be processed into many dishes such as boiled, stir-fried with garlic, grilled or steamed with lemon leaves, each way brings its own unique flavor. Boiled snails with lemon leaves is the most popular dish, with the natural sweetness of snail meat mixed with the aroma of lemon leaves, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience to diners.
With the above information, we hope you will have a memorable journey when exploring Ninh Binh, from majestic nature, historical relics to unique cuisine. Surely, this trip will leave you with many unforgettable memories.
