We met our tour group for the 3-day excursion early in the morning. Usually, I am not one to book tours. But with our tight timeline, doing it this way was the easiest way to squeeze in experiences. We were expecting to get out into the countryside of Ninh Binh with fewer crowds, but each stop was busy. Of course they were, they are tour stops! The busyness took a little away from the experience, but we learned a lot and enjoyed the activities.
Sights of the Ninh Binh Area
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Rising from the foothills of Ninh Binh’s karst-covered countryside, Bai Dinh Pagoda is both awe-inspiring in scale and serene in spirit. A place where ancient traditions and modern devotion meet. As the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia, Bai Dinh is a sweeping pilgrimage site filled with towering statues, sacred caves, peaceful courtyards, and panoramic views.
The site includes both the ancient pagoda, tucked into the mountainside caves where monks once meditated, and the newer complex, a grand showcase of Vietnamese craftsmanship and religious dedication. Along the route, you’ll pass 500 life-sized Arhat statues, each carved with unique features. You’ll see wear marks on legs and bellies as a sign of devotion and luck. You’ll also find massive bronze Buddha statues, lotus ponds, and towering gates. The sheer scale of the complex can feel overwhelming—but it also invites quiet reflection.
Climbing to the top of the 13-story Bao Thap (Stupa) rewards you with sweeping views over the lush valleys and limestone peaks of Ninh Binh—a reminder of the harmony between nature and spirituality that runs through this region. Whether you’re here to explore the artistry, connect with Buddhist history, or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere, Bai Dinh offers a different kind of grandeur—quiet, sacred, and deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture.
River Rafting Trang An Caves and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Nestled in the lush countryside of northern Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province, the Trang An Landscape Complex is shaped by time, water, and quiet wonder. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often called “Halong Bay on land,” and it’s easy to see why: towering limestone karsts rise from still emerald rivers, and an intricate network of caves winds through cliffs and jungle-covered valleys.
The real magic unfolds on the water. A small rowboat, guided by a local, takes you along narrow river passages and beneath low-hanging grottoes with names like Sang (Bright), Toi (Dark), and Nau Ruou (Cooking Wine)—where legend says wine was once brewed inside the cave. You duck your head into echoing caverns and emerge into quiet, hidden lagoons encircled by cliffs. It’s peaceful, otherworldly, and one of the most memorable parts of our Vietnam journey.
But Trang An is more than scenic. Archaeological finds reveal it has been inhabited for over 30,000 years. Some caves once served as shelters for early humans, and traces of that history remain in the form of ancient shrines, pagodas, and stone carvings tucked into the landscape. Just nearby, you’ll find the temples of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries. These well-preserved temples honour emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, and offer a quiet, atmospheric glimpse into Vietnam’s early dynastic history.
Trang An is where natural beauty and cultural heritage meet—a gentle kind of adventure that invites you to slow down and absorb a quieter, deeply rooted side of Vietnam.
Hang Mua
Hang Mua (Mua Cave) offers a very different view of the same landscape—from above. Climbing the 500 staircase to the mountaintop pagoda is no small feat, especially in the sticky heat, but the panoramic view at the top is nothing short of breathtaking. We saw the serpentine river winding through Tam Coc’s valley of flooded rice fields, dotted with rowboats below, all framed by dramatic karst formations stretching into the horizon.
We spent the night in the Ninh Binh area. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best experience with the tour’s booked accommodation. We were meant to have a riverside bungalow, but ended up with a dirty hotel room. The included home-cooked family-style dinner was very tasty and, of course, authentic.
Ha Long Bay
The next morning, it was time to trade lush fields for blue waters surrounded by misty karsts in Ha Long Bay. Ha Long is not in the Ninh Binh province. However, since it was part of our tour and I don’t feel there is enough content for its own post, I am adding it here.
Sadly, the weather was not on our side – overcast, occasional rain, and it was cold. This didn’t take away from the fact that the scenery in Ha Long was truly surreal—like something out of a painting. Maybe this means we have to come back when the weather is better for a different experience.
Normally, as part of the overnight tour, you have a chance to get off the big boat for some excursions. With the weather, options were limited. We did head to a secluded beach, which had unreal soft sand. Despite the chilly weather, we had a quick swim, just to say we did, before going back to the boat. As Canadians, we are well versed in cold water swims! The boat also offered late-night squid fishing and early morning Tai Chi.
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