If you visit Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, it is an excellent idea to set aside one or two days to explore the territories surrounding the country’s second-largest city after Ho Chi Minh. Ninh Binh province (whose capital shares the same name) is located south of Hanoi, in the heart of the Red River Delta. Although the most well-known gem of Northern Vietnam is the border town of Sapa (Lao Cai), Ninh Binh offers spectacular landscapes and photographic opportunities that blend rivers, vegetation, rice fields, history, culture, and picturesque views of the most agricultural and traditional Vietnam. Easily accessible by train from Hanoi, Ninh Binh preserves scenes of Vietnam that are well worth discovering. In this article, we propose a day trip from Hanoi to explore this rural district in the heart of the Red River Delta.
Hanoi, a Brief Introduction
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and for nine centuries (from approximately the year 1000 to 1800) the most important political center of the country. Although for some years Hanoi was eclipsed in importance by Hué, the imperial capital, after the reunification of South Vietnam and North Vietnam following the end of the Vietnam War in 1976, Hanoi became the capital of reunified Vietnam. The legacy left by the various dynasties that have ruled the city in the form of architecture and culture has made Hanoi known as the Paris of the East.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Train or Bus
From Hanoi, trains can be found heading in almost any direction across the country. We recommend waking up early to catch the train around 7:30 AM at Hanoi’s main station, Hanoi Railway Station. Although it is an old and somewhat outdated station in terms of infrastructure, at Hanoi Railway Station you can buy tickets for trains departing from other Hanoi stations, and the station staff speak English, which will greatly facilitate communication. We recommend buying tickets the day before to secure a seat (during peak hours, trains are often crowded) and avoid last-minute queues and rushes. Ninh Binh is approximately 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, which translates to about a two-hour journey. Another travel option to reach Ninh Binh is by bus.
Hoa Lu: Vietnam’s First Capital
In the surroundings of Ninh Binh, our first visit will be to the citadel of Hoa Lu, which was the capital of feudal Vietnam in the 10th century during the reign of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Although little remains of what Hoa Lu was during its heyday, you can visit several palaces and temples that have either been preserved or, in other cases, reconstructed and restored due to their historical significance. Hoa Lu is one of the most frequented places by mass tourism visiting this area of Vietnam, although if you visit Vietnam during the low season, when tourist numbers are much lower, Hoa Lu will allow you to experience authentic Vietnamese culture and history in all its splendor. Near the citadel and temples of Hoa Lu there is a hill you can climb that will reward you with beautiful views of the ancient imperial capital and the Red River valley in which it is nestled.
From Hoa Lu to Tam Coc by Bicycle
Once the visit to the Hoa Lu temples and citadel is complete, it is an excellent idea to rent a bicycle to cover the 12 kilometers separating Hoa Lu from Tam Coc through rural paths, agricultural areas, and hundreds of rice fields. As we are in the Red River Delta, the area is completely flat, with no inclines. The bicycle ride is sure to whet your appetite: take advantage of your arrival in Tam Coc to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Tam Coc: Halong Bay on Land
After lunch, it’s time to set off again to visit one of Vietnam’s gems with a boat trip through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. A sampan excursion (a traditional boat typical of China and Southeast Asia) along the Ngo Dong River will treat you to unforgettable scenery. The journey along the Ngo Dong passes through green and yellow rice paddies surrounded by enormous solid limestone mountains that rival in beauty and strongly resemble the well-known Ha Long Bay, although in the case of Tam Coc, the height of the karst formations is much lower, and it is located inland rather than on the coast. Due to its similarity to Ha Long Bay, the Tam Coc area is known as “Ha Long on land.”
The Three Grottoes of Tam Coc
The literal translation of Tam Coc means “the three caves,” named for the three grottoes hidden within the enormous rock formations that the Ngo Dong River traverses by sampan. The caves are no more than two or three meters high; however, the shallow draft and low height of the sampan allow it to enter and explore the cavities with the boat. The names of the caves are Hang Cuoi Cave, Hang Ca Cave, and Hang Giua Cave. In the surroundings, we can observe wildlife such as birds and monkeys.
Return to Hanoi
Once back in Tam Coc, it’s time to return to Ninh Binh and from there to Hanoi by train or bus, depending on your preferred mode of transport.
