Ninh Binh, located about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, offers a landscape shaped by limestone karsts, winding rivers, and flooded rice paddies. Often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land,” the area is best explored by rowboat. At Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, boat routes pass through caves, ancient pagodas, and valleys surrounded by towering cliffs. Local rowers often use their feet to paddle, an unusual technique that surprises many first-time visitors. Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized not only for its scenery but also for its archaeological significance, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 30,000 years.

The nearby Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was once the political center of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Though much of the original city was lost to time, two temples remain, dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh. Built in traditional Vietnamese architecture with intricate wood carvings and stone guardian animals, these sites offer a glimpse into the early formation of the Vietnamese state. Many visitors explore the area by bicycle, riding along quiet village roads that connect rice fields, temples, and local markets.

Another standout location in Ninh Binh is the Bich Dong Pagoda, a three-tiered complex built into a mountainside. Reached by stone steps and arched bridges, the pagoda is partly hidden inside a cave and surrounded by lotus-filled ponds. Further afield, the Mua Caves provide one of the most photographed viewpoints in northern Vietnam. After climbing over 400 stone steps to the summit, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the Tam Coc valley, especially vivid during rice harvest season when the fields turn golden.