Problems visitors usually have in Ninh Binh trip

Ninh Binh tour is one of the most attractive place in north Vietnam and is referred to as Halong bay on land. Located 120 km south of Hanoi, travelers usually visit Ninh Binh in a day trip that covers some famous area like Hoa Lu ancient citadel, Tam Coc caves, Trang An complex and Bai Dinh pagoda...In this post I would like to share some experience so that you guys can avoid possible annoyances in your trip to Ninh Binh.

- Boat trip in Tam Coc: The most common complaint we had from customers is about the boat rowers. They try to make money from tourists by pushing visitors to buy souvenirs, take photos and ask for a tip and always express disappointment if you don't have some money for them. One of my client Claudia Magdalena from Spain told us that the rower of her boat opened a box under the seat which is full of embroideries, pillow sheets, T-shirts, saying that the made by herself with a lot of hard work and wanted to sell at high price, other young ladies followed them all the way on other boats, they took photos and then tried to sell the pictures. At the end of the boat trip she was surrounded by a groups of people selling water and soft drinks, they urged her to buy drinks for the rower...What should you do in this situation? just say no firmly and politely and don't show any interest. About the tip, please have some money handy for the rowers, about 50.000 vnd (2 usd) per person is fine. 

Rescue centre in Cuc Phuong forest

- Visit Cuc Phuoc national park: The Monkey Rescue Centre is located in Cuc Phuong forest with it's aim to rescue, provide care to the precious types of monkey in Vietnam and release them back to nature, the Monkey rescue Centre has nearly 160 individuals of monkey such as white head langur...Visitors have to pay entrance to get in plus an extra guiding service. What made visitors annoyed the must is the bad environment, empty cans and plastic bottles can be found everywhere. The trek in the forest takes about 2 hours, remember to wear good shoes as it rains very often in the area, and go to toilet before the trek if you don't want to take a long way back to the centre as there is no toilet around, perhaps the visitors see the forest as a big natural toilet and there is no need to build one.

- Hoa Lu temples of Kings: The temples are dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, said to be built in 10th century however what visitors see is a small temple built in 17th century as the original temple was destroyed in the war, there is nothing special about these temples as they are almost similar to the many temples in Hanoi, unless you are escorted by an English speaking guide you cannot read any sign nor description about the place. Hoa Lu should be only a coffee stop rather than a tourist destination as described by tour companies, ah yes, like any other place in Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu is full of photographer hawkers who trouble your visit.

- Bai Dinh pagoda: One of the biggest pagodas in south east Asia, Bai Dinh was a newly built pagoda, it is like a tourist attraction rather than a Buddhism place as people feel the lack of a spirit of religion. The pagoda is free to enter however you need to pay 1 USD to park the bike plus 2.5 USD transfer by bus from the entrance to the main part of the pagoda. There are many big statues however they are not beautiful. If you want to see a big pagoda building then Bai Dinh is the place and that's it.

Visit Ninh Binh, activities you cannot miss

Kenh Ga in Ninh Binh

Famous as a highlight in the north of Vietnam, Ninh Binh is my favourite destination beside Halong bay and Sapa. Nicknamed as Halong bay on land I think Ninh Binh itself is even more attractive than Halong bay as in Halong you just sit on boat and view the scenery without touching it, here in Ninh Binh you feel closer to nature and mix with daily life of local people. There are many things to do and see in Ninh Binh however I would like to list my top 5 things you must do when you visit Ninh Binh

1 - Rowing boat in Tam Coc (entrance fee 4 usd, boat 10 usd for 2 people)

You cannot miss Tam Coc when you are in Ninh Binh, actually in recent years most travelers visit Trang An rather than Tam Coc however I myself prefer Tam Coc for some reasons: Tam Coc is more natural, I came here for the first time in early 1990s with my classmates when I was in secondery school, over a long time Tam Co still preserve it's wild and natural beauty, Tam Coc is particularly beautiful in rice season when the whole rice field is a deep yellow carpet, looking down from the top of mountain it looks like a picture of river and mountain of the old paintings, and when you are paddling along the Ngo Dong river, get through the tunnels and caves you have a feeling like a part of the setting, as close as mixing with the nature. Trang An is in fact an artificial tourism complex developed by humans, it is beautiful indeed however I always feel like in a film studio as everything looks "fake". And today when most visitors move to Trang An making this place very touristy Tam Coc has gradually restored it's quiet beauty.

2 - Visit Bai Dinh pagoda

This is a completely new pagoda, it was built only a few years ago as the biggest pagoda in south east Asia. Although it has received criticism from historians and cultural experts the pagoda is undeniably more and more popular for tourists and Vietnamese buddists, especially at the begining of lunar year when thousands of Buddists across the country pay a pilgrimage to the pagoda. In fact the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda is a small old pagoda that was built nearby hundreds of years ago, the new Bai Dinh pagoda is part of the Trang An eco tourism complex built by Ninh Binh province as a tourist destination. Bai Dinh pagoda holds some records such as biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam, 10m high and over 100 tonnes in weight.

3 - Phat Diem stone cathedral

This is my favourite place, I have always been attracted by magnificent religious building and Phat Diem church is a place like this. In normal days not too many people come here except visitors. Phat Diem church is different from other churches in Hanoi that are located in the burstling area and are surrounded by many high rise buildings, restaurants and shops. The cathedral of Phat Diem is a combination of western and eastern style, catholism and buddism, it looks like the ancient castles in built in Euro in the middle ages and the old pagodas in Vietnam several hundred years ago. Built on an open land over 20 hectars in area the church has an unique and original architecture, a masterpiece of previous generations.

4 - Cuc Phuong national park (entrance fee 2 usd/person

I usually go to Cuc Phuong national park in dry season, from December to April when the forest rains have been over, don't come here in wet season from June to August or you will be attacked by mosquitoes and leeches, they grab your limbs and suck blood and you are not aware of them ;) Eating and sleeping in Cuc Phuong is pretty easy as there are some mini hotels and a state run guesthouse in the national park however I myself prefer to stay the night in the outside area because in the national park it is boring and you have nothing to do but watching TV or go to bed early.

5 - Kenh Ga or Chicken Canal (entrance fee 5 usd/person)

Kenh Ga is less known compare to other sites such as Bai Dinh or Trang An, most local visitors come to Kenh Ga just to have a bath at the hot spring which is very good for your health, please note that the pool is very hot and if you travel with children better not to let them in the pool or they may get burnt. Although Kenh Ga is pretty boring when the tourists have left however if you are a lover of photography you can bring along your camera and embark on a trip around the tranquil Van Long lake for wonderful shots of sunset.