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.

Finding the best hotels in Ninh Binh

Hotels in Ninh Binh

Tours to Ninh Binh province is only 100 km from Hanoi capital, in recent years Ninh Binh has become one of the most popular destinations in north Vietnam. There are hundreds of hotels and resorts and most of them are located in Ninh Binh town and near attractive tourist areas such as Tam Coc, Trang An complex or Cuc Phuong national park, providing travelers many choices from budget guest house or to family eco lodge to deluxe resorts, whether you want to stay in a western style 5 star hotel or a cottage in the middle of the rice field and close to nature you can find a suitable choice. In order to give you some information about accommodation for your stay in Ninh Binh we would like to give a list of 5 best hotels in Ninh Binh for your consideration.

1 - Luxury Emeralda resort 5 star

The most expensive resort in Ninh Binh day trips however Emeralda resort is a cut above all other 5 star hotels, the best choice for visitors who want to have a bit of luxury. The resort staff is professional and well trained, very friendly and helpful to guests, always smile when they meet you, this is quite different if you compare to other hotels in Hanoi where staff usually have a distant attitude to passengers. One thing that made me happy when our family stayed here was that they allowed us to check out late at 3pm without paying extra, very few high end hotels offer this free to their guests. The rooms are designed in a simple way but has a style, bathrooms very clean well cared, perhaps the only thing I don't like about this hotel is the pool, it's a bit too small and water smells of deodorant. Breakfast at the hotel is plentiful with many dishes however not very special and kitchen staff often come and put more food in so that the food is always available. If you don't want to have lunch and dinner out you can eat at the resort's restaurant, price is reasonable however drinks are really expensive. After all you get what you pay for.

2 - Ninh Binh Legend hotel, best choice for family and business people

Located conveniently in Ninh Binh city, Ninh Binh Legend Hotel is a great base from which to explore this vibrant city and surrounding area. Although Legend hotel is not close to tourist places such as Tam Coc or Trang An area where most tourists come however from here, guests can have easy access to the beauty of city life. The ambiance Legend hotel is reflected in the room with modern facilities and convenience. The family rooms are very large and comfortable with big bathroom and bath tube, tennis courts, pool for kids, spa, garden hotel is the ideal place to relax and unwind after a busy day. Dinner and lunch at the hotel is not very good as there are little choices however there are some very good restaurants nearby. If you come for a relaxing family holiday or a business trip, Ninh Binh Legend Hotel is the very good choice for your stay.

3 - Tam Coc garden, best hide away resort for nature lovers

Tam coc garden eco resort is located in Thung Nham hamlet, Hoa Lu district, just 4km from Ninh Binh city on the right of highway 1A. Tam Coc garden was built on an area of 5000 m2, an oasis in the middle of rice fields with surrounding mountains.

Visitors who love nature or want to have some privacy away from noisy tourist places will find this a perfect hide away, you can come here to experience, find a peaceful rural life in the shadow of northern Vietnam countryside, on the edge of a small rice and vegetable fields, lush garden with jackfruit, longan, mango, dull, jasmine, orchid and many other flowers. Although designed to help you get closer to nature but still ensure conditions of the best facilities for you to "go home" but still fully enjoy your stay with good support of food, peaceful sleep, the quiet atmosphere. You can also discover the neighborhood by taking a cycling trip through the paddy fields, they resort provide bicycle to their guests for free. Lunch and dinner at the resort is ok however we recommend that you eat outside for more choices and cheaper price.

4 - Anna Tham hotel View - Best choice for budget travelers

Anna Tham hotel is 4km south of Ninh Binh town, the hotel is located at the Tam Coc tourist area, very convenient to travel around. There is not much special about this hotel comparing to other budget hotels in the area however you will always have feeling like at home when you stay here, there are total 20 rooms, not very large and basic however clean. What made you travelers most happy is the hosts (Ms Tham and her father) as they all live at the hotel and they look after the hotels and guests like their own family, they literally help you with anything, the location of Anna Tham hotel is wonderful, very quiet and peaceful facing the lake and mountain, just 1 km from Tam Coc boat wharf, you can use the bicycles at the hotel free of charge, hotel staff are few but very polite and friendly. Eating at the hotel is not a good choice as the food is little however you can go to the restaurants just 3 minutes walk, breakfast is good, especially the banana pancakes however drink is more expensive than the restaurants outside. In general this is a very good choice for the value of money. 

5 - Kim Lien guesthouse: backpackers' paradise

Kim Lien guesthouse is just 10 minutes walk from Ninh Binh town and train station, this is important if you go to Ninh Binh by train and continue the southward by train to Hue or Danang, Kim Lien guesthouse is in a quiet place surrounded by beautiful rice fields. This is really a perfect choice if you want to keep your cost down from 15 usd for a night. The guest house has a big lobby, cozy and warm with staff always smiling and speak very good English, breakfast is very good with wonderful fruit cocktails, only 1 usd. Rooms are clean with fan and simple equipment though the mattress is a bit hard, the hotels staff are very friendly and willing to assist guests with any service from booking train tickets, rent motorbikes, arrange short trips around Ninh Binh, transfer to and from train station. Mrs Lien, the owner of the guesthouse who used to be a local guide and her son is very caring and attentive to their guests and always give you good advice during your time in Ninh Binh. We recommend this guesthouse as you are always welcome and definitely have a comfortable stay.