Ninh Binh is a relatively short distance from Hanoi – approx 85km – and is fast becoming one of the top places to visit in northern Vietnam. There are plenty of things to see and do in Ninh Binh on the tours of Vietnam that could easily last a week, especially if you want to fully appreciate the epic surrounding landscape.

Here are six of the top things to do in Ninh Binh:

Hang Mua Cave
A further popular place of interest in Ninh Binh is the Hang Mua Cave. There is plenty to explore with many watery paths to follow. They are great to relax with a drink in the shade while taking in the views of the rice fields and river. Beyond the caves, there is the option to climb to the top of the Lying Dragon mountain to get panoramic views of the local surroundings with the river and mountains on one side and Ninh Binh town on the other. Make sure to pack a lot of water for the climb.

Tam Coc Boat tour
Boat tours that travel past the karst hills and rice fields are a must-do experience on a trip to Ninh Binh. The journey is slow and relaxed with many of the ladies using their feet to row the small boats. A typical boat tour takes in the region of two hours and passes the stunning scenery as well as many cave systems. The preferred time to visit Tam Coc is early in the morning to avoid must of the tourist foot traffic that arrives from Hanoi.

Cruise Trang An
Beyond the stunning beauty of Tam Coc, there is also the Trang An grottoes which makes a wonderful place to explore on the Vietnam travel. The Trang An boat trip is slightly longer with more caves to pass through and even shore based excursions to see a few of the river temples. A typical boat tour is likely to take in the region of 3 hours to complete.

Bich Dong Pagoda
The stunning and ancient Bich Dong pagoda dates to the 15th century and is one of the most photogenic attractions after the very popular Tam Coc. The ancient temple features a variety of pagodas and shrines that pass over different levels. Also, there are caves to explore which are reached by climbing up the hillside.

Thai Vi Temple
The Thai Vi temple is one more of the ancient temples that tourists on the package holidays to Vietnam can explore. It is located relatively close to Tam Coc and Bich Dong. The temple is a very impressive structure that has a backdrop of iconic mountains to create a wonderful place for a peaceful walk.

Cycle tour of the rice fields
A great way to fully appreciate the countryside of Ninh Binh is to hire a bicycle for a tour of the area. The bicycle is easily hired from most hotels and guest houses. It is relatively easy to explore the most popular attractions like Tam Coc and there are plenty of paths that let you pass the rice fields and other scenery.