Ninh Binh, a land blessed with beautiful landscapes and unique cultural heritages, is always an attractive destination for all tourists. To have a complete trip, you need to understand the weather, the seasons and the unique festivals here. Each time in Ninh Binh has its own beauty, from the climate to interesting cultural activities.
Overview of Weather and Climate in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is located in a tropical monsoon climate zone with four distinct seasons, each season has its own unique beauty. Spring lasts from January to March, when trees sprout, the weather is cool and the air is fresh. The natural landscape in spring seems to be covered with a new coat, green and full of life. This is also the season of traditional festivals, creating a bustling and vibrant atmosphere throughout the ancient capital.
When summer comes, from April to June, Ninh Binh is brilliant in the golden color of ripe rice fields. Although the temperature is somewhat high, ranging from 28°C to 35°C, this is the ideal time to admire the peaceful countryside scenery and participate in outdoor activities. The cool green spaces in the rivers and caves in Trang An or Tam Coc are attractive destinations, helping visitors forget the heat of summer.
Autumn (July – September) and winter (October – December) bring a more peaceful and pleasant feeling. In autumn, the cool weather, clear blue sky and blooming lotus flowers create a poetic scene. In winter, the temperature drops to about 15°C to 20°C, bringing a cool and quiet atmosphere. This is the ideal time for those who want to enjoy the tranquility and explore the quiet beauty of the ancient capital. It is the interesting changes through each season that make Ninh Binh an attractive destination all year round.
The ideal time to visit Ninh Binh
To have a memorable trip, choosing the right time plays a very important role. Depending on the purpose of your trip, you can consider the time that suits your interests:
Traveling to Ninh Binh in Spring
Spring in Ninh Binh, from January to March, is the ideal time to immerse yourself in nature and the festival atmosphere. The spring weather is cool with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C. The gentle spring rain makes the trees lush, bringing a vibrant beauty to this land.
In particular, this is the time of major festivals such as Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival. Thousands of tourists come here to burn incense, pray and participate in traditional cultural activities. A trip in spring is not only a journey to explore the beautiful scenery but also an opportunity to learn more about local beliefs and customs.
Traveling to Ninh Binh in Summer
From April to June, Ninh Binh is brilliant in the yellow color of ripe rice fields in Tam Coc. Although the summer weather can be hot, ranging from 28°C to 35°C, this is the time to admire some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northern Delta.
In addition, summer is also suitable for exploring the cave system in Trang An. The cool water and small boats carrying tourists through the limestone mountains will cool the hot summer sun. This is also the time when you can enjoy the peaceful space and the wild beauty of nature.
Traveling to Ninh Binh in Autumn
Autumn, from July to September, brings a pleasant feeling with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C. This is the ideal time to explore spiritual places such as Bai Dinh Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple or Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, when the weather is not too hot and the gentle sunlight enhances the ancient beauty of the architectural works.
In particular, autumn is also the season of blooming lotus flowers. Rivers and lakes are decorated with prominent purple and white flowers, creating a scene that is both poetic and peaceful. This is definitely the right time for those who love taking photos and enjoying the quiet.
Traveling to Ninh Binh in Winter
Winter in Ninh Binh lasts from October to December, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C. The cool, dry weather creates a pleasant feeling, very suitable for walking trips or visiting places like Hang Mua, where you can admire the panoramic view of the plains from above. In addition, winter is also the time to enjoy Ninh Binh specialties such as mountain goat and burnt rice. The fresh and peaceful air of winter here will bring you a different feeling, away from the noise and hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Traditional Festivals of Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is not only charming with its beautiful natural landscape but also leaves a deep impression on visitors with its traditional festivals imbued with cultural identity. Each festival here is a story, a historical mark, and an opportunity for people to connect with each other in a sacred and vibrant festival space.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Ninh Binh, taking place from January to March of the lunar calendar. This is not only an opportunity for locals and tourists to make a pilgrimage to pray for luck, health and fortune, but also an opportunity to explore the unique Buddhist culture of Vietnam. Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for its majestic architecture, being the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia with giant bronze Buddha statues and the longest Arhat corridor in Asia.
The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival begins with a solemn opening ceremony, with rituals such as incense offering, sacrifices and praying for peace. In addition to Buddhist rituals, the festival also has many attractive cultural activities such as traditional art performances, exhibitions and folk games. This is a great opportunity for you to admire the architectural beauty and feel the jubilant and spiritual festival atmosphere.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival is held from the 8th to the 10th of the third lunar month, and is one of the most important festivals of the ancient capital. The festival commemorates the contributions of King Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, heroes who have made great contributions to building and defending the country. This is also an opportunity for Ninh Binh people to proudly review the heroic historical traditions of their homeland.
The festival consists of two parts: the ceremony and the festival. The ceremony includes solemn rituals such as palanquin procession, incense offering and sacrifices at the temples of the two kings. The rituals are elaborately organized, imbued with traditional culture and the spirit of gratitude to ancestors. The festival is bustling with folk games such as wrestling, Cheo singing and traditional martial arts performances. This is an opportunity for visitors to both learn about history and immerse themselves in the vibrant folk cultural atmosphere.
Thai Vi Temple Festival
Thai Vi Temple Festival is held in the middle of the third lunar month in Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district. This is an occasion to commemorate the merits of the Tran kings, who made great contributions in fighting foreign invaders and protecting the country. Thai Vi Temple is located in a charming natural setting, between limestone mountains and green rice fields, creating a solemn and poetic festival space.
The most special feature of Thai Vi Temple Festival is the palanquin procession on the river. The boats are splendidly decorated, carrying the palanquin through the clear blue water, creating a beautiful and unique scene. In addition, the festival also has activities such as Chau Van singing, water puppetry and traditional art performances, bringing visitors unforgettable experiences.
Ninh Binh culinary specialties by season
Ninh Binh cuisine is not only attractive because of its richness and uniqueness but also has its own characteristics according to each season. Based on the climate and natural resources, each season in Ninh Binh brings different dishes, from light dishes in spring, rich dishes in summer, to hot dishes in winter.
Spring – Enjoy the fresh taste: Spring in Ninh Binh is not only the season of festivals but also the ideal time to enjoy light, refreshing dishes, suitable for the cool weather mixed with the dampness of spring rain. In the bustling atmosphere of the beginning of the year, you can find dishes that are both delicious and good for your health.
- Goat with lemon: A popular specialty dish in spring, when the cool weather and high humidity make the goat meat softer. Goat with lemon has a slightly sour taste, combined with fig leaves, green bananas and tamarind sauce, bringing a refreshing feeling, helping you recharge your energy for the first trips of the year.
- Ant egg sticky rice: This is a unique dish that only appears in spring, when ant eggs are harvested from limestone mountains. Ant eggs are processed with sticky rice, creating a dish that is both fatty, delicious and nutritious.
Summer – Enjoying dishes with rich flavors: Summer in Ninh Binh is often hot, so dishes in this season often focus on cooling down and bringing a fresh feeling. The golden rice fields and cool rivers also contribute to enriching the region’s specialty ingredients.
- Crispy rice with goat sauce: Summer is the ideal time to enjoy crispy rice with goat sauce. The combination of the crispiness of the crispy rice and the rich, fatty taste of the goat sauce creates a perfect dish, suitable for lunch after a journey of discovery.
- Kim Son wine: On hot summer afternoons, a cool glass of Kim Son wine is a great choice to relax. This wine is hand-distilled from sticky rice and traditional yeast, bringing a rich and rich flavor.
Autumn – Rich and warm colors: Autumn in Ninh Binh brings a gentle and romantic feeling, very suitable for enjoying traditional nutritious dishes, suitable for the cold weather. This season is also the harvest season of many fresh ingredients from the countryside and mountains.
- Eel salad: A dish with a strong taste of the ocean, often prepared by people in Kim Son in the fall. The eel is cleaned, thinly sliced, mixed with fragrant roasted rice powder, served with a special dipping sauce and herbs such as Polyscias fruticosa leaves, fig leaves, and green bananas.
- Steamed mountain snails with lemongrass: Autumn is the time when mountain snails appear a lot in limestone caves. The snails are steamed with lemongrass and lemon leaves, retaining their natural sweetness and crispness, creating a delicious dish, very suitable for sipping in the cool weather.
Winter – Enjoy hot dishes: Winter in Ninh Binh brings a chilly atmosphere, enhancing the flavor of hot, rich dishes. This is also the season to enjoy typical dishes that are “heartwarming” in the ancient capital.
- Goat hotpot: In the cold of winter, goat hotpot is the perfect choice to gather with family or friends. A steaming pot of goat hotpot with sweet broth, soft and fragrant goat meat, served with green vegetables and fresh noodles will help you dispel the winter cold.
- Sour soup with perch: Perch is caught from the winter rice fields, cooked in sour soup with tomatoes, elephant ear and herbs, creating a hot dish with a rich taste of home.
So you have grasped the right time to travel to Ninh Binh, right? So what are you waiting for without booking a Ninh Binh tour today at Meditours to fully experience this beautiful ancient capital. With the information we provide, we hope you will have the most complete trip.
