Ninh Binh is a town which lies to the southeast of Hanoi and acts as a base for visitors to explore the surrounding area.
Slightly confusingly, the state is also known as Ninh Binh, with Ninh Binh town also acting as the capital city, so often when people refer to this part of Vietnam they are talking about the whole Ninh Binh district which comprises several towns, villages and key attractions. There are not many set ‘sights’ in the town on Ninh Binh itself, but this is a great place to visit if you want to get out and about and spend time in some of the prettiest and most unspoiled parts of Vietnam. Ninh Binh town is usually used as a jumping-off point to Tam Coc, Van Long and Hoa Lu and although it is not as well known as other places at home, it is a great place for anyone interested in nature thanks to the rugged limestone landscape.
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1. Visit Tam Coc
Located outside the town of Ninh Binh, Tam Coc is one of the best natural destinations in Vietnam although it is firmly stepping out of the tourist path.
Tam Coc is known for the karst landscape similar to Ha Long Bay which is better known, although here you will find some stunning limestone hills dotted among emerald green rice fields.
Halong Bay has larger cliffs, although it is also more crowded, so Tam Coc is the place to come if you want to get off the beaten track and you being able to explore the area by boat takes about two hours.
2. Eat at the Snail Restaurants
If you crave for local food, head to the alley next to D Luong Van Tuy, where you'll find countless snail restaurants. These eateries are known for serving "oc luoc xa" which is the Vietnamese for snails which are then cooked with a mix of aromatic lemongrass and hot chilies.
If this doesn’t appeal then you will also find a number of bars here where you can grab a drink, although the snails are a delicacy in these parts and are well worth trying.
3. Visit Phat Diem Cathedral
Some 34 kilometers away from the center of Ninh Binh is Phat Diem Cathedral which sits in the middle of some scenic canals and rice paddies. This would have been the central place of worship for the commune of Phat Diem which was also called the ‘Vatican of Vietnam’ during the colonial period.
The cathedral dates from 1898 and was built using a mix of Vietnamese and Western styles which include two gothic chapels and some massive ironwood columns. The scale of the cathedral and its location are extremely impressive and this is one of the top sights not to miss in Ninh Binh district.
4. Explore Van Long Nature Reserve
If you want to continue exploring outside Ninh Binh then you can go to Van Long, a wetland reserve that is a place for bird lovers. As this is a protected area of land, it is teeming with local flora and fauna, so if you are a nature and want to check out the Vietnamese wildlife then don’t miss it off the itinerary.
The wetlands are home to some Vietnamese species such as monkeys, reptiles and birds.
5. Have lunch at Cho Bop Market
If you want to find some cheap local food in Ninh Binh town and fancy dinner at snail restaurants, go to Bop Market, the central market in town. Here you will find a number of carts and small cafes serving Vietnamese dishes such as toothsome noodle soups and other fried goodies.
They also sell delicious fresh fruit and vegetables if you want to try the local produce but try to go in the morning as this is when you will find the biggest selection.
6. Shop at Van Lan
Van Lan is a small village close to Tam Coc which is famous for its handicrafts. The real draw here, however, is the intricate embroidery that is famous in the region and you will find a number of artisans here tending to their craft.
Just some of the items that you can pick up here include napkins, pillowcases, tablecloths, and even t-shirts, and you should note that haggling is considered normal. With that in mind make sure to bargain to get the best price for your souvenirs.
7. Bich Dong Pagoda
Recently Tam Coc you will find one of the most interesting temples in the area dating back to the 15th century. The Bich Dong Pagoda is located on the side of a mountain and is made up of three levels called the Ha, Trung and Thuong Pagodas.
The temples are also built so that they back on to caves which you can also explore as part of a visit here. As you would expect from pagodas built into a cliff, the path to the top is steep but the views are well worth it.
8. Spend the day at Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu is yet another spot that makes a great trip from Ninh Binh although some visitors skip it in favor of neighboring Tam Coc and Van Long.
However, many people do not know that Hoa Lu will be the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century and there is a large castle here filled with beautiful temples that you can explore in your free time. For that reason, it is well worth a trip here if you are in the region.
9. Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the main national parks in Vietnam and was established in 1962. This is part of a huge swathe of protected land in Ninh Binh and was set up in order to take care of the wildlife in the region which has been in decline for many years as a result of poaching.
The park spans 222 km2 and is made up of rainforests, where there is a lot of wildlife. On your visit here, you will find about 307 species of birds as well as 133 species of mammals and 122 species of reptiles.
You will also find over 2,000 different kinds of plants here making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
10. Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center
Inside Cuc Phuong National Park you will find the Endangered Primate Rescue Center which is overseen by the Frankfurt Zoological Society. At the rescue center, you will find 150 monkeys as well as 12 types of langurs and 3 species of apes.
The animals here were rescued to save them from illegal traders and the focus of the facility is to educate visitors on how to protect wild animals in Vietnam.
More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Hanoi
from : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-ninh-binh-704736.html
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