One Glorious Day in Scenic Ninh Binh with Family

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The Vietnamese province of Ninh Binh is a beautiful and scenic shift from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, yet only a few hours’ drive away and absolutely worth a day-trip, if time permits.

In Ninh Binh (pronounced neeng-beeng) your family will be wowed by the looming limestone karsts, greenery everywhere, and interesting cave formations.

Here is how my family spent a day-trip tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, and how you can, too!

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DESTINATION: Ninh Binh, Vietnam

AGE OF OUR KID: 5 years

LENGTH OF STAY: 12 hours (including travel time)

TIME OF YEAR: July

Why Visit Ninh Binh with Kids

Ninh Binh, Vietnam’s former capital, is a wonderful family-friendly destination to:

witness the natural beauty and historical significance of the area
get out in nature

When to Visit

Ninh Binh’s temperatures peak in June and July, reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit. That might not sound so bad, considering some of the towns in California where I am from reach those temps, too, but when you account for the humidity in Vietnam then it can feel much hotter. Believe us, we can attest.

During our visit, the humidity was at about 60%, which made it feel well beyond the 100-degree high. It was very uncomfortable to do anything active, or to be outside, in general. Be prepared for the heat if you plan to visit in the summertime!

If you’re looking for cooler temps, December through March seem to be the most temperate months on average.

BASE COST
Tour Cost	~₫840K VND/$35 USD
Meals	~$20 USD

Add-Ons
Shopping and souvenirs	~$20 USD

Getting There

Ninh Binh is about a 90-minute drive from Hanoi. We booked a roundtrip bus tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, which included a tour guide and admission to a few sites. Check out some tour options here!

Traveling as a big group, it made the most sense for us to tack on to a bigger bus full of other tourists, but we could’ve also hired our own tour guides and transport at a higher rate. Though I don’t think I’d be willing to do it myself, I’m sure there are other tourists traveling with young children who didn’t book a tour—just curious who!

Before You Go

Book a tour with a provider
Bookmark sites in Google Maps or Wanderlog and download offline maps
Buy an e-sim to save on cellphone roaming costs

What to Pack

Standard diaper bag essentials
Fan, sunscreen, and wide-brimmed hats
Umbrella stroller, if needed
Ergobaby or soft baby carrier, if needed
Long sleeves and long pants if you wish to enter temples
E-sim

Top Family-Friendly Activities in Ninh Binh

Climb up Hang Mua

Great for a panoramic view point up hundreds of steps
₫100K VND/$4 USD entry fee + parking if booked separately from tour
~1-2+ hours

Climb the 500-or so steps up Hang Mua. My five-year-old and I tried our best, but as we were doing the hike mid-day on one of the hottest days of July, we called it quits about halfway up while sweating bullets from the heat and humidity. The views of the surrounding countryside were spectacular, even from where we turned back.

Most of our family opted to stay down below and enjoy the grounds of the Hang Mua Ecolodge. Grab a snack, hide under the shade, or take photos in the lotus flower fields, which bloom in this area in June and July.

Next time I’d love the opportunity to stay at the lodge. The grounds—especially the pools—look lovely!

Float on in Tràng An

Great for enjoying a few hours on a boat through winding rivers and caves
₫250K VND//$10 USD/person if booked separately from tour
3-5 hours

Sit back and relax as you ride in a rowboat for two-plus hours (don’t worry, there’s a driver!) through the karsts and caves of Tràng An. Tràng An translates to “long peace” and absolutely lives up to its name. The surrounding complex is a UNESCO world heritage site for its dramatic natural landscapes and evidence of early human settlements and historical significance. It was also featured in the film, Kong: Skull Island.

You and your littles will enjoy seeing ducklings, fish, dragonflies, different varieties of seaweed and plant life, and the insides of underground caves. While nature-centered and peaceful, it’s not a completely relaxing trip; most likely you’ll be holding up and constantly adjusting the angle the umbrella you were provided to shield yourselves from the sun. Or if you’re an eager beaver like my kid, you’ll spend some time pulling out one of the paddles and rowing to your heart’s content.

Be sure to reapply sunscreen every hour or so, and bring a fan, lots of snacks, water, and a battery pack. It was H-O-T when we visited and I ran out of all of these items Even my phone died because it was overheating and already running on low battery, so be prepared! I also remember enjoying the coolness of an underground cave, but then emerging from it completely soaked with sweat from the humidity.

When you arrive back at the boat depot, buy some fish food and prepare to be wowed by the aggressiveness of the fish nearby the water’s edge! With a cold drink in hand, this was a lovely way to end our boat trip.

If You Have Time

Hoa Lu

Great for learning about the local history
₫20K VND/$1 USD entry fee + parking if booked separately from tour
~1-2+ hours

Hoa Lư was the first capital city of Vietnam before it was moved to Hanoi. The grounds, which date back to the 10th century, offer several temples and water features that make for lovely viewing. If it weren’t so hot on the day of our visit, we would’ve certainly enjoyed more of the grounds. There is hardly any shade from the sun, so stop for a while at the various shady spots under one of the few trees.

Travel Mishaps

Did I mention how hot it was in Ninh Binh on the day of our visit?

Sorry for sounding like a broken record, but I hope you’re much more prepared than we were for the heat!

Wishlist for our Next Visit

I hope we can make it up to the top of Hang Mua on a day with milder temps!

Overall, Ninh Binh is a serene and gorgeous place to visit with your family. We loved learning about the history of the area and being in awe of its natural beauty. If ever we visit Hanoi again, we will be sure to make our second attempt up Hang Mua!

Angelica

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Angelica (she/her) is of Cebuano(Pilipinx)-descent and was born and raised in Huchiun Ohlone territory (the East Bay Area--pay your Shuumi Land Tax!), where she also now resides with her partner and their toddler. She loves to spend her time sipping on boba and dirty chai lattes (sometimes together), and eating pescetarian goodies at BIPOC-owned cafes and restaurants.