Pu Luong or Ninh Binh: Which Should You Visit First on Your Pu Luong Tours?

Quick Comparison: Key Differences at a Glance

Criteria	Ninh Binh	Pu Luong
Travel Time	Just ~2 hours from Hanoi – quick & convenient	Around ~4 hours from Hanoi or Ninh Binh – more remote but scenic
Main Attractions	Trang An boat ride, Hang Mua hike, ancient temples	Rice terraces, water wheels, ethnic Thai villages
Best For	Culture lovers, families, first-time visitors	Nature enthusiasts, hikers, and eco-travelers
Vibe	Easy-going, photogenic, ideal for soft exploration	Calm, authentic, with strong local character
Type of Travel	Light adventure, cultural sightseeing	Remote trekking, village life, slow travel

Experience Focus: What Each Place Offers

What Makes Ninh Binh Special

If you are deciding between Ninh Binh and Pu Luong, and you are searching for something easy to reach, visually appealing, and packed with cultural sights, Ninh Binh is the way to go.

• Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District): A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go by wooden boat and drift through a system of rivers, caves, and karsts. The tour lasts about 2–3 hours and includes halts at sacred sites.
• Tam Coc Wharf (Van Lam Village, Ninh Hai Commune): A Peaceful alternative to Trang An. Long-tail boats ply the ripened golden rice fields during harvest time (last week of May till early June), with stunning karst mountain and countryside riverbank views.
• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (Truong Yen Commune): The authentic 10th-century Vietnamese capital. Visitors can tour temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le amidst picturesque countryside.
• Hang Mua Viewpoint (Khe Ha Village, Ninh Xuan Commune): Climb 486 stone steps to one of Vietnam’s most spectacular panoramic viewpoints. Tam Coc, Ngo Dong River, and a sea of rice paddies are below.
• Tam Coc – Bich Dong Cycling Route: Flat, quiet roads ideal for cycling through villages and rice fields. A popular option for travelers who enjoy a peaceful countryside ride.

Why Pu Luong Appeals to Adventurers

If you’re leaning toward deeper nature, quiet landscapes, and authentic village life, then Pu Luong may be the better starting point when choosing between Pu Luong and Ninh Binh.

• Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Ba Thuoc District, Thanh Hoa Province): A reserve about 4 hours away from Hanoi. Search for terraced rice fields, bamboo groves, and Thai villages scattered around peaceful valleys.
• Kho Muong Village & Cave (Thanh Son Commune): A remote village surrounded by karst cliffs and forest trails. Suitable for soft trekking and cave exploration.
• Hieu Waterfall (Ban Hieu, Co Lung Commune): Small but scenic waterfall in the heart of a Thai village. Perfect for a trekking break and swimming in nature.
• Traditional Thai Villages (Ban Don, Ban Son, Ban Hieu): Meet the villagers, witness hand-weaving, and discover bamboo water wheels still in use for irrigation. The villages give a true insight into rural life.
• Homestays & Eco-lodges: Overnight at such as Pu Luong Riverside Lodge in Ban Hieu, wooden stilt houses overlooking mountains, home-cooked meals, and a peaceful environment.

Travel Routes & Logistics: Which Is Easier?

How to Get to Ninh Binh

• Travel time: Around 2 hours from Hanoi by car or train.
• Easy connections: Conveniently linked from Noi Bai Airport, downtown Hanoi, and even Halong Bay by expressway.
• Best for: First-time travelers, families, weekend trips, or those with limited time to travel.
• Why start here: Simple to get to, ample activities in one day, and simple to fit into multi-destination travel.
• Some travelers begin their Pu Luong Ninh Binh adventure in Ninh Binh because it is easily accessible and easy to plan.

How to Get to Pu Luong

• Travel time: Approximately 4 hours from Hanoi, or 3.5 hours from Ninh Binh by private vehicle.
• Limited public transport: No direct buses or trains travel to Pu Luong.
• Best for: Nature enthusiasts, photographers, trekkers, and those looking for tranquility and slow travel.
• The journey itself is scenic: Rural scenery, mountain roads, and ethnic villages pass by,  part of the adventure, not transportation.
• Besides, Pu Luong spoils you with loveliness and peace from the crowds.

Activity Level: Soft Travel or Real Trek?

Ninh Binh: Light Adventure, Cultural Discovery

Ninh Binh is perfect for visitors who want to keep themselves active but not tiresomely so. You’ll get to:

• Boat rides on serene cave rivers like Trang An and Tam Coc
• Short walks and stair climbs, i.e., 486 steps to Hang Mua Viewpoint
• Cycling paths along peaceful villages and rice paddies
• Well-developed facilities, restaurants, and areas to break between outings

It is ideal for photo tours, families, retirees, or travelers who are not looking for a high level of activity. If you are starting your Pu Luong Ninh Binh tour, Ninh Binh is an easy introduction to the landscape and culture of Vietnam.

Pu Luong: Real Trekking, Rustic Terrain

Pu Luong, instead, is a bit more towards real adventure. Here is what to expect:

• Trekking along rugged trails across rice terraces and bamboo forests
• Alternate trails to waterfalls like Kho Muong and Hieu
• Basic village lodging with fewer tourist facilities but authentic local life
• A slower pace, but greater physical activity

If trekking, back-of-tap travel, and filming faraway valleys is what you like, Pu Luong doesn’t disappoint. It’s best for active travelers or nature lovers who are looking for more nature experiences. Read more in our guide: Pu Luong nature reserve: what to do.

If You Visit Ninh Binh First

• Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Pu Luong
• Duration: 3 Days 2 Nights
• Ideal for: First-time travelers, families, photo tourists, culture lovers

Day 1: From Hanoi to Ninh Binh – Temples, Caves & Scenic Views

Morning

• Depart Hanoi at 8:00 AM (private car or van).
• After 2 hours, visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Vietnam’s ancient royal capital.
  • Walk around the stone temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le.
  • Learn about 10th-century Vietnamese dynasties.

Afternoon

• Explore Trang An Landscape Complex (UNESCO site).
  • Take a 2.5-hour boat tour through karst caves and serene waterways.
  • Pass through limestone valleys, hidden shrines, and emerald rice paddies.
• Next stop: Hang Mua Viewpoint.
  • Climb 486 steps to the summit of Ngoa Long Mountain.
  • Have a bird’s-eye view of Tam Coc – stunning at sunset.

Evening

• Check in at a riverside homestay or boutique hotel in Tam Coc.
• Eat at a local restaurant serving Ninh Binh specialties (goat meat, burnt rice).
• Free time: relax by the river or walk along for a short night stroll.

Day 2: Ninh Binh Morning Ride – Transfer to Pu Luong

Morning

• Breakfast among rice paddies.
• Take a bike and cycle through the Tam Coc – Bich Dong area:
  • Cycle on peaceful countryside roads flanked by water buffalo and lotus ponds.
  • Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a cave-temple complex carved out of the cliff face.
• Head back to your homestay for a quick wash and check-out.

Afternoon

• Depart for Pu Luong Nature Reserve (approximately 3.5–4 hours private transfer).
  • The trek offers beautiful mountain scenery and a glimpse of local villages.
• Arrive between 4:30 PM at Ban Don or Ban Hieu village.

Evening

• Spends in a stilt-house homestay or eco-lodge overlooking the rice fields.
• Have a home-cooked dinner prepared with local ingredients.
• Free time: have tea, see the sunset, listen to valley sounds.

Day 3: Pu Luong Exploration – Trekking & Return

Morning

• After breakfast, take one of two gentle trekking routes:
  • Hieu Waterfall: Hike 1.5–2 km along a forest trail, swim in behind the falls.
  • Kho Muong Village: Hike through bamboo forests, visit bat caves, and meet Thai ethnic villagers.
• Enjoy authentic encounters and scenic photo opportunities.

Afternoon

• Return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
• Depart at 1:30–2:00 PM for Hanoi (4-hour drive) or proceed straight to Halong Bay.

If You Visit Pu Luong First

• Route: Hanoi –  Pu Luong –  Ninh Binh
• Duration: 3 Days 2 Nights
• Ideal for: Active travelers, photographers, slow travelers, and nature lovers

Day 1: Hanoi –  Pu Luong – Off to the Mountains

Morning

• Depart Hanoi around 7:30–8:00 AM
• Travel time: around 4 hours in a private car
• Enjoy a scenic drive through mountains, tea hills, and serene villages

Afternoon

• Arrive in Ban Hieu or Ban Don, the central area of Pu Luong Nature Reserve
• Check into your stilt-house homestay or boutique eco-lodge
• Walk short distances to view bamboo water wheels, paddy fields, and riverside farms
• Learn about Thai locals’ natural irrigation techniques

Evening

• Dinner with local produce consumed at the lodge or with a Thai family
• Shed the heat in cool mountain breezes, far from city noise
• Optional: campfire stories or herbal foot bath

Day 2: Full Pu Luong Trek – Then Transfer to Ninh Binh

Morning

• Begin a guided hike through rice terraces, forest trails, and ethnic Thai villages
• Tour Kho Muong village and its gorgeous limestone cave, or hike to Uoi and Lan Villages
• Get to know local families and observe traditional weaving and farming
• You can refer to more experience tips at  Pu Luong nature reserve what to do

Afternoon

• Enjoy a simple lunch prepared by locals (optional)
• Around 2:30–3:00 PM, drive to Ninh Binh (around 3.5 hours)
• Reach Ninh Binh city or Tam Coc and check into your place of stay

Evening

• Light dinner in town, taste crispy rice, goat meat, or veggie specialties
• Rest after a full day of trekking and traveling

Day 3: Ninh Binh – Caves, Culture, and Calm

Morning

• Post-breakfast, take a sampan boat ride through Trang An, winding through caves and river valleys
• Optional: break at the location of Kong Skull Island filming or visit ancient pagodas on the way

Afternoon

• Come back for lunch in Tam Coc
• Travel to Hanoi (2 hours) or continue your onward journey to Halong Bay

Conclusion

Either Pu Luong or Ninh Binh, you’re in for an experience you’ll never forget. One that sets before you peaceful treks and ethnic charm, the other sweeping scenery and cultural depth. Caught in the middle of the two? Let us tailor the ideal Pu Luong Ninh Binh tour for your travel tempo. Caught between which to do first? Our Impress Travel experts are here to tailor it for you.

FAQ 

Should I go to Ninh Binh or Halong Bay?

Both are stunning, but they’re distinct atmospheres. If you like dramatic karst landscape with cultural implications, Ninh Binh is where you go. For sea scenery, high-end boat cruises, and island hopping, see Halong Bay. Do it all? Many visitors come to Ninh Binh first, then boat to Halong Bay.

Is Pu Luong worth visiting?

Indeed. Pu Luong is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking peace from touristic throngs. Trek through rice terraces, visit ethnic Thai hamlets, and stay in home-stay stilt-houses. A hidden gem in most  Pu Luong Ninh Binh tours.

Which Ninh Binh tour is better?

The greatest Ninh Binh trip is yours to decide. For scenery and caves, go for Trang An or Tam Coc boat tours. For views from up high, hike Hang Mua. Culture buffs should go to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Or look for a mix of all with a  Pu Luong Ninh Binh tour for the whole experience.

When should I go to Ninh Binh?

The best time would be late March to early May, or September to November, with dry weather and rice fields golden or green. Avoid heavy rains from July to August if you want clear views and a smooth boat journey.