Non Nuoc Mountain & Pagoda – The Soulful Peak Right in the Ninh Binh City Center
- Address: Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Thanh Binh Ward, Ninh Binh City
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Center: Less than 1 km
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Located near the Ninh Binh city center, Non Nuoc Mountain, also called Duc Thuy Son, is a hidden charm in the bustling city. This is an ideal place to satisfy your yearning for a jaw-dropping experience without going far from town!
To get to the top, you’ll only need to scale 72 precipitous steps, no easy climb, but very much worth it. At the summit is Non Nuoc Pagoda, a Ly Dynasty remnant, which is a temple of tranquility and spiritual radiance. At this spot, you have a panoramic view of Ninh Binh City, the meandering Day and Van Rivers, and the exuberant green forest that flows uninterrupted toward distant limestone peaks.
This is the best view for watching the sunrise or a spectacular sunset that you can reach on foot directly from the Ninh Binh city center, ideal for a short stay. Travelers who want to have an informed local trip!!
Local Tip: You can also meditate or find serenity among monks and locals in the early or late hours of the day. It’s a unique opportunity to get close to the soul of Ninh Binh town itself.
Discover Non Nuoc Mountain & Pagoda (Sours: vinwonders)
Ninh Binh Museum – Time Travel Just Steps from the Ninh Binh City Center
- Address: 25 Le Dai Hanh Street, Van Gia Ward, Ninh Binh City
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Center: Just a short walk from the central square
- Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
- Entrance Fee: Free or a small fee for some exhibits
We take a closer look at one of the crown jewels of our Ninh Binh city, all you need to know about this place is in the Ninh Binh City Museum. Right in the middle of the City of Ninh Binh is a place where centuries of Vietnamese history come to life and provides an understanding of the long tradition of the Vietnamese community, the Ninh Binh Museum! This cultural treasure, enjoyed by history enthusiasts and intrepid explorers, is a deep dive into the soul of Ninh Binh town and the surrounding areas.
Venture indoors for galleries dedicated to the former capital of Hoa Lu, legendary Dong Son bronze drums, and curios from the rich cultures of the Muong and Hoa people. It’s more than a museum, it’s a portal through which to understand how this land of limestone crags and rice paddies became the cradle of Vietnamese civilization.
Why visit? Because the Bai Dinh Pagoda, Mua Caves or Tam Coc, you already know a bit about these already interesting sites, your adventure is an even richer experience. Once you get to know about Hoa Lu’s foundation as an imperial kingdom and the practiced way of life in the area, you’ll see the surrounding landscape complex with a whole new perspective.
Don’t miss: The traditional clothing, corporals, and scale models of the ancient temples. Heavy portrayals of the region’s past!
Ninh Binh Museum (Sours: danviet)
Mua Cave (Hang Mua) – The Most Breathtaking View Near Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Khe Dau Ha Hamlet, Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Center: ~5 km
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you’re feeling up for a bit of a climb, with a whole lot of view payoff, Mua Cave (Hang Mua) is your must-visit viewpoint near Ninh Binh city centre. Just a short motorbike or taxi ride away. Limestone peak offers a bird’s-eye view of Tam Coc, the winding river, and the lush sea of rice paddies that all transport you back in time straight into a Vietnamese postcard.
To ascend, you conquer 500 stone steps, which zigzag up the mountain and are often likened to a “mini Great Wall of China.” At the top, a dragon statue dramatically winds around the ridge, and some of the best photo ops in Ninh Binh province are.
Fun fact: Mua Cave is the most Instagrammed location in Ninh Binh, and with good reason. Sunrise and sunset there are magical.
Mua Cave (Sours: thecoastalcampaign)
Tam Coc – Ngo Dong River Boat Ride Experience in Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Dam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Centre: ~5 km
- Opening Hours for Boat Rides: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
You can’t miss visiting Ninh Binh city centre without a calm and peaceful boat ride in Tam Coc, also affectionately called the “Halong Bay on Land”. From the dock in Dam Khe Village, you’ll float along the tranquil Ngo Dong River, cruising through three limestone caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.
The best time to visit? Late May to early June, with golden rice paddies lining the banks in stark contrast with the emerald water and karst cliffs.
Tam Coc is situated next to Mua Caves as well, so it is simple to combine these two great sights into one adventurous morning if you are based in Ninh Binh town.
Must-do: Camera, sunhat, a smile (the locals who row the boats with their feet are as enchanting as the views!)
Tam Coc (Sours: vivuhalong)
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – UNESCO’s Double Crown Jewel in Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Ninh Hai and Truong Yen Communes, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Distance from Ninh Binh Centre: ~7 km west
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both cultural and natural significance, Trang An is the shining star of Ninh Binh province. This vast landscape complex is a maze of emerald-green rivers, majestic limestone mountains, sacred temples like Trinh Temple and Tran Temple, and mystical caves you’ll explore by boat.
Choose from three main boat ride routes, each lasting 2–3 hours and offering a different journey through hidden waterways, spiritual sanctuaries, and jaw-dropping cave systems.
Insider tip: Route 2 is a favorite for its diverse mix of temples and tunnels. Ask your guide when you arrive!
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (Sours: vietnamdiscovery)
Bai Dinh Pagoda – Southeast Asia’s Grandest Spiritual Complex in Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Center: ~7 km
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Only 20 minutes away from the Ninh Binh city center, Bai Dinh Pagoda is where you can find more than a temple; an awe-inspiring spiritual voyage awaits! The largest Buddhist center in Southeast Asia, this impressive complex spans an area of over 500 hectares, including the 13-floor Bao Thap, the statue of Laughing Maitreya, and a monumental gallery lined with 500 Arhat statues.
Particularly during the Bai Dinh Festival at Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), the pagoda comes alive with pilgrims, prayer, and festive performances. Even when there’s no festival, it’s a peaceful place for reflection and walking, and marveling at Vietnamese architecture in a natural setting.
Tip: Use the electric buggy service up from the gate for a welcome ride off your feet after the uphill climb of the long driveway, and walk back slowly through the spiritual wonders.
Bai Dinh Pagoda (Sours: toursdulichninhbinh)
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Step into Vietnam’s Regal Past in Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
- Distance from Ninh Binh City Centre: ~6 km
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
For the history buffs, only a short distance from Ninh Binh town, you will find the sacred temples of Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam in the 10th century under the Dinh and early Le dynasties. Sitting in the valley of limestone karsts that used to protect the region, the site is home to ancient temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh.
A visit to Hoa Lu provides a rare opportunity for travelers to view the architecture, society, and resilience of Vietnam’s early reigning monarchs. It is an ideal place for travellers who would like to discover, experience cultural senses of Ninh Binh in a quiet and atmospheric space while still enjoying the comfort and convenience the hotel brings you’re just a few minute walking to the Ninh Binh middle town, busy town you could experience using or taxi with a coupple of minute get. You can visit all the famous places in the city.
Highlight: The temples are always full of the smells of sandalwood and offerings, which makes for a great photo along the way.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (Sours: hanoiexploretravel)
Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc) – A Hidden Gem in Hoa Lu’s Valley near Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District
- Distance from Ninh Binh Centre: ~6 km
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Known as the “Paradise Valley in real life,” this is where enchanting beauty and divine stillness collide. Tucked away within the complex of Hoa Lu, this magical location is hemmed in by cliffs and features an emerald green lake so beautiful it’s straight out of a fairytale.
Scale the rocky steps to Am Tien Pagoda, where the Queen Mother Duong Van Nga spent time in meditation. Characterized by reflection pools, Buddhist relics, and mountain-backed quiet, the entire place exudes peace.
Tip for photographers: Arrive early in the day, when mist hovers over the lake and the water is most reflective.
Am Tien Cave (Tuyet Tinh Coc) (Sours: vinwonders)
Ninh Binh Walking Street – Where the Night Comes Alive in Ninh Binh City Center
- Location: Dao Duy Tu Street, Right in the Ninh Binh City Center
- Open Daily: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
It’s another life up in the busy centre of Ninh Binh city centre, your nights are not over yet. For those who want to sense the dynamic features of the Ninh Binh town after dawn, the Ninh Binh Walking Street is the most ideal choice. The entire street becomes a culinary nirvana of tastes, rhythms and amusements!
You’ll find pungent street food stalls selling goat meat, rice cakes, fresh sugarcane juice in tall glasses, and live folk music, street performers, and traditional games for all ages. It’s a place to kick back for locals, rubbing shoulders with travelers, and where the night soul of Vietnam wakes up.
Discover more ninh binh activities at night, and be enthralled by the vibrancy and charisma of the Ninh Binh walking street!
Ninh Binh Walking Street (Sours: exploreninhbinh)
Conclusion
While Ninh Binh city center is quite compact, it’s the liveliest place in the area, making it an ideal jumping-off point to explore beautiful sites such as Tam Coc, Mua Caves, and the former imperial capital of Hoa Lu. If you can come out of Ninh Binh for a day, or you’d like to do some real Ninh Binh activities, don’t miss the fun Ninh Binh walking street right in town. It all starts steps away at the Ninh Binh city centre!