Ninh Binh Travel Experience | News | Tips

Ninh Binh is a playground for adventurers, and an oasis for nature lovers. Vietnam’s first capital was established here, and today the area is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of mossy pagodas, striking limestone karsts, and surreal landscapes. This travel blog shows you how to get to Ninh Binh, and best tips for a backpacking travel to Ninh Binh by yourself.

Best Places to Stay in Ninh Binh: Homestays, Hotels & Resorts

Many visitors choose to explore Ninh Binh on a day trip from Hanoi, as the journey takes only 2-3 hours by car. However, with the beautiful natural beauty of mountains, rivers, and ancient temples - what is Ninh Binh famous for, many tourists don’t want to leave too soon then they choose to stay overnight to fully enjoy 2 to 3 days of exploring Ninh BinhIf you are looking for a place to stay for the night, Incredible Asia Journeys can help you find the best places to stay in Ninh Binh.[incredible_toc]1. Where is the Best Area to Stay in Ninh Binh?When traveling to Ninh Binh, many tourists are confused about whether to stay in Tam Coc or Trang An. Where to stay in Ninh Binh Vietnam? Both areas have beautiful landscapes but offer different experiences, suitable for each individual's preferences. So, where to stay in Ninh Binh area?1.1. Where to stay in Tam Coc areaTam Coc is the busiest destination in Ninh Binh, especially attracting international tourists. If you like the vibrant atmosphere and want to enjoy many amenities, this is the ideal choice. This area has many restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops for you to find tourist services.Besides, Tam Coc is also very convenient for exploring famous attractions such as Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thung Nham or rowing on Ngo Dong River to admire the beautiful rice fields.Emeralda Resort Tam Coc1.2. Where to stay in Trang An areaIf you love peace and pristine nature, Trang An will be great to choose from. Compared to Tam Coc, this area is less crowded, giving a more peaceful and closer feeling to nature. Staying here also allows you to learn about local culture and enjoy a fresher atmosphere.Trang An is famous for its cave system, winding green rivers, and majestic limestone mountains, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This is also home to many famous attractions such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Dia Linh Cave, Tuyet Tinh Cave, and an extremely attractive boat tour.Trang An Eco Holiday Retreat Room2. Best Homestays in Ninh Binh2.1. Trang An Eco Holiday RetreatLocation: Truong Yen, Hoa Lu district, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: From 26 - 100 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bicycle rental, shuttle service, Trang An – Tam Coc guided tour, bar, billiards table, spacious garden for relaxation.Trang An Eco Holiday RetreatTrang An Eco Holiday Retreat is located along the Sao Khe River, a local friendly stay for those who want to enjoy a peaceful space in the middle of Trang An nature. This homestay has a rustic style, close to nature, with wooden bungalows, and thatched roofs in harmony with the surrounding scenery. There is an outdoor swimming pool with a beautiful view, helping visitors relax after a day of exploration. In addition, the homestay also provides bicycle rental services so you can freely travel through the village roads and enjoy the fresh air.2.2. Tam Coc Horizon BungalowLocation: Thai Vi Temple, Van Lam, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: From 71 - 78 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, shuttle service, bicycle rental, sightseeing tours, relaxing garden.Tam Coc Horizon BungalowTam Coc Horizon Bungalow is a natural accommodation where to stay in Ninh Binh backpacker, with wooden bungalows designed in a traditional style but still fully equipped with modern amenities. Each room has a private balcony with a view of the rice fields or limestone mountains, bringing a relaxing feeling of peaceful countryside. In particular, the homestay owner is extremely friendly and ready to assist visitors in planning an itinerary to explore Hang Mua, Bich Dong, Thung Nham, or the most beautiful cycling routes around Tam Coc village.2.3. An's Eco Mountain HomestayLocation: Dai Ang Village, Ninh Hoa Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh ProvinceRanges of Prices: From 20 - 50 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Restaurant, bar, bike rental, tours, spacious garden, outdoor relaxation area.An's Eco Mountain HomestayAn's Eco Mountain Homestay is a place in Ninh Binh where to stay to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a truly green space. The homestay is built in an environmentally friendly style, surrounded by many trees and the rooms are designed in a minimalist style but still fully equipped. Guests can start the morning with a local breakfast, then cycle through the peaceful village roads or join tours to explore Trang An, Hang Mua, Hoa Lu ancient capital. The staff is friendly and ready to support you to have the most complete trip!2.4. Hang Mua EcoLodgeLocation: Khe Ha, Hoa Lu District, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 30 - 80 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Restaurant, swimming pool, bicycle rental service, Hang Mua trekking tour, garden, outdoor relaxation area.Hang Mua EcoLodgeHang Mua EcoLodge is a staycation for those who want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Ninh Binh mountains. The homestay is built in a style close to nature, with bamboo and wooden bungalows in the middle of a green garden. The most special thing when staying here is that it only takes a few minutes to walk to conquer the top of Hang Mua, which has a beautiful view of Tam Coc. In the morning, you can cycle along the quiet village roads, then relax by the pool and enjoy specialties at the homestay restaurant. 3. TOP 3-star Ninh Binh hotels3.1. The Goat Boutique HotelLocation: Dai Ang Village, Ninh Hoa Commune, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 60 - 100 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, bar, spa & massage, car rental service, tour organization, relaxing garden.The Goat Boutique HotelNamed after an animal mascot of limestone mountains and forests in Ninh Binh, the mountain goat, Goat Boutique Hotel is a 3-star hotel that still maintains its closeness to nature for a unique resort experience in Ninh Binh. The rooms are spacious with a touch of local style, with private balconies overlooking the majestic mountains. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with a beautiful view, where you can relax after a long day of exploring. In addition, the hotel also has spa and massage services to help guests restore energy, along with a restaurant serving specialties such as Ninh Binh mountain goat - a dish not to be missed when coming here!3.2. Golden Season HotelLocation: Nguyen Huu An, Ninh Tien, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 30 - 40 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gym, airport shuttle, motorbike rental, tours, 24/7 reception.Golden Season Hotel SuiteLocated right in the center of Ninh Binh City, this hotel is very convenient for traveling to tourist attractions such as Trang An, Tam Coc, Hang Mua, Hoa Lu ancient capital. Golden Season Hotel is great for tourists who want to stay right in the city center but still have a comfortable space to rest. The hotel is designed in a modern, comfortable style, with spacious rooms, soft beds, and large windows to enjoy the city view.The hotel has a restaurant serving Ninh Binh specialties, along with a motorbike rental service to help you easily explore this land in your own way. With reasonable prices and a convenient location, this is one of the hotels worth considering when staying in Ninh Binh.Golden Season Hotel3.3. Victoria Hotel Ninh BinhLocation: 50 Dinh Tat Mien, Tan Thanh, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 40 - 60 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gym, car rental, tours, 24/7 reception, free parking.Victoria Hotel Ninh BinhIn the center of Ninh Binh City, Victoria Hotel Ninh Binh is a modern, comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price. The hotel has spacious rooms, luxurious design, large windows to welcome natural light and views of the city. The restaurant at the hotel serves traditional Vietnamese dishes and international cuisine and the bar. With professional service, convenient location and full facilities, Victoria Hotel Ninh Binh is a suitable stopover for both tourists and businessmen.4. Best 4-star Hotels in Ninh Binh4.1. The Reed HotelLocation: Dinh Dien Street, Dong Thanh Ward, Hoa Lu City, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 60 - 150 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Fine dining restaurant, bar, conference room, spa & massage, swimming pool, gym, airport shuttle service, free parking.The Reed HotelThe Reed Hotel is one of the most luxurious 4-star hotels in Ninh Binh, suitable for both tourists and businessmen. The hotel has a modern design, and spacious rooms with views of the city or the poetic Day River. Especially, the restaurant here serves both Vietnamese and international cuisine, with dishes made from the freshest ingredients. If you want to relax, you can enjoy spa & massage services, swim in the pool, or work out in the modern gym. With professional service and high-class facilities, The Reed Hotel is a classy stay experience when coming to Ninh Binh in 2 days.4.2. Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh BinhLocation: Tam Coc Bich Dong Center, Ninh Thang Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 50 - 120 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Spa & massage, swimming pool, restaurant, bar, car rental, tours, gym.Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh BinhLalita Boutique Hotel & Spa is a high-class, boutique-style hotel with a luxurious space but still maintains closeness to nature. The rooms here are delicately and elegantly designed, with private balconies to admire the poetic mountain scenery of Ninh Binh. The most outstanding feature of the hotel is the professional spa & massage service, providing an absolute relaxing experience after a long day of exploration. In addition, the hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant serving Vietnamese cuisine, and a cozy bar.4.3. Hidden Charm ResortLocation: No 9, Tam Coc - Bich Dong Tourist Center, Hoa Lu, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 80 - 200 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, spa & massage, restaurant, bar, gym, children's play area, car rental service, sightseeing toursHidden Charm ResortNinh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort is a luxury resort, combining modern European style with traditional Vietnamese features. The spacious rooms, luxurious design, large windows or private balconies, offer stunning views of rice fields, limestone mountains and peaceful rivers. You can use a spacious outdoor swimming pool, a spa with relaxing treatments, and a restaurant serving Ninh Binh specialties and international cuisine. Moreover, Hidden Charm also has a children's play area, suitable for families with young children.5. Best 5-star Ninh Binh Best Hotels5.1. Tam Coc Garden ResortLocation: Hai Nham Hamlet, Ninh Hai Commune, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 150 - 300 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, eco garden, spa & massage, bicycle rental service, sightseeing toursTam Coc Garden ResortLocated in the Tam Coc – Bich Dong area, about 5km from Tam Coc wharf, amidst rice fields and majestic limestone mountains, Tam Coc Garden Resort is a luxury boutique resort, located amidst rice fields and majestic limestone mountains. The resort is designed in the style of a typical Northern village, with thatched-roof houses, luxurious wooden furniture, and a lush green garden. Here, you can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool with a beautiful view, enjoy local cuisine at the restaurant, or relax with spa & massage treatments. The resort is where to stay at Ninh Binh providing bicycle rental services for visitors to explore the natural beauty of Ninh Binh.5.2. Ninh Binh Legend HotelLocation: 177 Le Thai To, Xuan Thanh Urban Area, Hoa Lu, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 70 - 150 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, spa & massage, restaurant, bar, gym, tennis court, car rental service, sightseeing toursNinh Binh Legend HotelNinh Binh Legend Hotel is a luxurious 5-star hotel with a neoclassical European style, creating a sense of elegance and class. The hotel has a system of spacious, fully equipped rooms, with private balconies overlooking the city or surrounding mountains.In addition to an outdoor swimming pool and high-class spa, Ninh Binh Legend Hotel also has a restaurant serving a variety of Asian - European cuisine, a luxurious bar, and a meeting room and event area suitable for business guests.5.3. Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh ResortLocation: Dong Tam Village, Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh BinhRanges of Prices: 120 - 350 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Infinity pool, spa & massage, luxury restaurant, bar, gym, children's play area, shuttle service, sightseeing toursWyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh ResortUnlike other resorts near the center of Ninh Binh, Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Vinh is located about 20km from the Trang An tourist area and near Cuc Phuong National Park. Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh Resort is an international 5-star resort with unique lake villas amidst peaceful nature. The villas and bungalows are designed in a modern style mixed with traditional Vietnamese features, with high-class interiors, open spaces and beautiful views of the lake or mountains. Wyndham Grand Vedana Ninh Binh consists of 8 lake-view bungalows, 136 unique resort apartments with distinct architecture along 20 villas providing high-class accommodation services, meeting the diverse needs of many different groups of tourists. Each villa and bungalow is designed in its style and has a private sundeck as well as a balcony overlooking the garden or central lake.The resort has a large infinity pool, a high-class spa with intensive relaxation treatments, and a restaurant serving exquisite Asian and European cuisine. In addition, Wyndham Grand Vedana also offers outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, meditation and yoga.5.4. Emeralda Tam CocLocation: Van Lam Village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh ProvinceRanges of Prices: 100 - 250 USD/nightTypical Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, spa & massage, restaurant, bar, fitness center, eco garden, shuttle service.Emeralda Tam CocLocated in Tam Coc – Bich Dong, near Tam Coc boat station, it is convenient for traveling to Tam Coc, Trang An, Hang Mua, Bai Dinh Pagoda and Hoa Lu ancient capital. Emeralda Tam Coc is a luxurious 5-star resort, imbued with traditional Northern architecture with red-tiled roofs, exquisite wooden furniture and space close to nature. The rooms are designed in a cozy style with private balconies or terraces with views of the garden or majestic limestone mountains. The resort has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, a high-class spa with relaxing treatments, and a restaurant serving Vietnamese and international cuisine.So, you can decide how long to stay in Ninh Binh with many options to choose from, you must be wondering which is the most suitable place? Instead of wasting time searching and comparing each hotel, homestay or resort, contact Incredible Asia Journeys to help you quickly consult, suitable one for your budget, interests and schedule your Ninh Binh tour. From cozy homestays, Ninh Binh hotels to high-end resorts, we have all the information so you don't have to waste time searching. Don’t need to ask where should I stay in Ninh Binh. Just tell us your needs, we will take care of the rest!

Halong Bay or Ninh Binh

It was never quite pinpointed exactly who was the first person to describe Ninh Binh as ‘Halong Bay on Land’. The phrase has become popular for the sole reason that it is repeated by pretty much every guide before every tour of Ninh Binh in the hopes of inspiring images of the famous, original Halong Bay. It’s certainly not a bad comparison to make, and as the popularity of Halong Bay grows higher, more and more tourists are looking to Ninh Binh as a way to beat the crowds while still enjoying that world-renowned limestone karst backdrop.[incredible_toc]Would you choose Ninh Binh or Halong Bay? These are two of the most popular day trips from Hanoi, but as Ninh Binh’s infrastructure grows while Halong Bay struggles to cope with consistently high tourist levels every year, there seems to be a new momentum shift, and the question of Halong Bay or Ninh Binh is crossing more minds than it did in the past.Overview of Halong Bay1. Limestone IslandsThe entire reason that the words ‘Halong Bay on Land’ feature in so many TripAdvisor reviews from contented tourists is that Ninh Binh’s scenery matches Halong Bay stride for stride. You could transplant any of Halong Bay’s gorgeous limestone mountains in Ninh Binh and it wouldn’t look out of place at all. A visit to either Halong Bay or Ninh Binh is one with the guarantee of amazement at the near-identical rock pillars jutting out of the water. Of course, it’s the water itself that makes all the difference, as the huge expanse of the Gulf of Tonkin where Halong Bay lies dwarfs the tiny canals found around Ninh Binh.Certainly, there is more on offer in Halong Bay, but views are pretty much the same throughout any day or overnight trip. There are a few exceptional limestone mountains in Halong Bay, including Titop Island, Hon Co and Fighting Cock Island, featuring proudly on the 200,000 VND note. Aside from looking at them, you can disembark your cruise and feel the rock and sand beneath your feet, providing a ‘castaway’ feeling that you can’t really get in Ninh Binh.Fighting Cock Islet - Halong BayWhat you can get in Ninh Binh, however, is a more enclosed feeling, as the thinner water paths are flanked by high-rising cliffs stretching proudly upwards. This makes the atmosphere a little more magical in our opinion, but there are very few opportunities to get up really close and personal with the mountains. In fact, there’s only one: Lying Dragon Mountain, a 450-step climb to a statue of a winding dragon and a view of the valley below, where the river skirts its way around the foothills of forested mountains. If you still wondering about taking one place to visit, why don't you take both at our Hoa Lu Tam Coc & Halong Bay tour?View from Lying Dragon Mountain>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• Halong Bay probably takes this one through sheer quantity, but it’s a very close call.2. TransportationA big part of discovering Halong Bay or Ninh Binh is the method of transport used to get around. Obviously, in Halong Bay, there’s really only one, given that it’s on the sea. In Ninh Binh, there are a few, because of its access to land and roads as well as rivers.Cruises around Halong Bay span the gamut from cheap, no-thrills day boats to 5-star luxury cruises, and the same waterways are shared between everyone. Activities don’t vary too much between cheap and expensive cruises, but the quality of life on board certainly does. The cheaper day boats usually comprise of one large sitting room with benches and an undecorated sundeck on top, while a 3-day cruise on a luxury boat will give you a feeling of royalty with top-class amenities, service and food; though it will potentially be about 10 times more expensive. When you want to get up close and personal with the bay, you can explore via kayak, a sampan boat rowed by a local, swimming or even a seaplane on the most exclusive of cruises.Cruise in Halong Bay with Incredible CruiseThe 90% of Halong Bay that you will see by cruise is not the same in Ninh Binh, where you have the options of cycling, trekking, climbing, motorcycling and taking a variety of different boats on its waterways. The most popular activity is certainly the local service that operates the sampan boats made of bamboo and paddled by middle-aged ladies (and a token couple of men) with their feet. At Tam Coc in Ninh Binh, these boats will carry you down the Ngo Dong River, while at Van Long Nature Reserve, they fan out into the wide basin of wetlands. Taking a cycle around the village of Tam Coc also finds regular appeal with tourists and visitors can rent bikes easily for a very good price. Motorcycling and trekking are usually reserved for Cuc Phuong National Park and its long path that cuts through the jungle, while multi-day treks to villages of the Muong minority tribe can be made at the northwest corner of the park.Boating in Tam Coc>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• With a wider range of activities for getting around, Ninh Binh wins here.Check out our best tours to Ninh Binh from Hanoi:Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day TripTrang An - Bai Dinh Full Day TourTam Coc Bich Dong Full Day TourCuc Phuong National Park Day Trip3. CavesNeither Halong Bay nor Ninh Binh has Vietnam’s best cave systems; you’ll have to go to Phong Nha for that, but there are some pretty amazing offerings in both locations. Halong Bay’s caves are a big part of the reason that UNESCO has inducted the region twice into the World Heritage list, once in 1994 and again in 2000. Its most famous by far is Sung Sot Cave, translating to the ‘the Surprising Cave’ allegedly after a French explorer was surprised by its presence and the hundreds of differently shaped rock formations found throughout. This cave features on a lot of tour itineraries alongside the less frequent appearances of Me Cung, Trinh Nu, Trong, and Thien Cung, but quite possibly its most incredible is Luon Cave, a very short corridor of water that, when kayaked through, reveals an enclosed emerald lake shimmering on the other side.Sung Sot CaveBy comparison, Ninh Binh is relatively lacking in the cave department. You will be rowed through a few in Tam Coc, Trang An, and the Van Long wetlands, though they are really just short gaps in the mountains. The caves still create a wonderful atmosphere, but nothing like the grandeur of Halong Bay, where stalactites and stalagmites dwarf people and are illuminated in colorful lights for a more dramatic effect. The best example of a Ninh Binh cave is definitely the Cave of the Prehistoric Man in Cuc Phuong National Park, excavated in 1966 to reveal an array of human graves as well as sharp weapons and tools dating back over 7,500 years.>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• Halong Bay. It is famous for its amazing caves and will continue to best Ninh Binh until more are potentially discovered.Contact us to get premium deals on Halong Bay CruisesCatherine cruiseElite of the SeasCapella CruiseV'Spirit Cruise4. FarmingTwo of the most beautiful sights you’ll see in Vietnam are locals going about their farming in both Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. They use vastly different methods and harvest vastly different products, but the process of planting (or breeding) to harvest affords the most amazing views.One wouldn’t assume Halong Bay would be able to engage in much farming, but the villagers here are very adept at the cultivation of fish, which is the origin of human habitation in the bay. Fishing villages such as Cua Van and Ba Hang, as well as Vung Vieng in Bai Tu Long Bay, remain stalwarts of a way of life that’s becoming more and more redundant and being kept alive for the tourism trade. These colorful floating houses sit atop huge buoyant drums and bob up and down with the water, just meters from a backdrop of gorgeous limestone. It’s clear to see how the allure of tourist money has replaced the meager living families can make with traditional fish farming, but you can see examples of this past practice through enlightening farming demonstrations.Cua Van Fishing VillageAbout 220km southwest of Halong Bay, Ninh Binh is a completely different level of agriculture. Rice paddies took over the perfect flat valleys in the past and Ninh Binh is now known as one of the best spots in the country to see golden rice paddies stretching far into the distance. Tam Coc and Trang An especially are favorites for their views, aided heavily by the presence of undulating mountain scenery rolling further beyond the rice fields here. A visit between the start of May and the end of June will allow for views of the typically crisp, golden fields that tourists come from afar to see. Tam Coc Panorama>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• Ninh Binh. Though beautiful, the token offerings of Halong Bay’s fishing villages pale in comparison to the splendor of Ninh Binh’s rice fields.5. Relaxing vs Exploring CultureOf course, you can relax and explore in either Halong Bay or Ninh Binh, but overall there is a pretty clear divide between the two of them when it comes to available activities.Halong Bay’s beaches are another of the region’s huge attractions, and while certainly not the most remote in the world, the white sand coupled with the feeling of being on another, much more beautiful planet equates to one hell of a relaxing time. Some of the more luxury cruises commit entire days to hanging out at the beach, with just the serving of lunch and the availability of swimming and kayaking to tempt you away from the sands. Well, this is actually more of a feature of both of Halong Bay’s neighboring bays, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay; Halong Bay features a small number of accessible beaches, which can get pretty touristy. For the best time in the Gulf of Tonkin, head to Ban Chan and Ngoc Vung beaches in Bai Tu Long Bay, or Ba Trai Dao Beach in Lan Ha Bay.Kayaking in Halong BayThe more adventurous readers might prefer to head to Ninh Binh, and in particular Hoa Lu, for an interesting look at Vietnamese culture throughout its history. Hoa Lu was once the capital of Vietnam for 44 years, spanning the reign of two separate kings who had set up shop here and is now a fascinating area with temples, statues, and monuments behind a gorgeous palatial gate and moat. Bich Dong Pagoda sits near a lily pond in Tam Coc, rising high as you climb up steps and through temples and caverns to the amazing view provided from the top. However, Bai Dinh is the jewel in the crown of Ninh Binh’s religious buildings; its Buddhist complex spans 700 hectares, all of which stems from one tall pagoda built over one thousand years ago. If you get the understandable feeling of ‘temple fatigue’ in Ninh Binh, you can visit Phat Diem Cathedral, sure to be one of the most unique mixes of Asian and Western architecture that you will ever see.>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• This one is down to personal preference, so we’re going to call this round a draw.6. TourismEvery tourist hears the same stories of overcrowding on Halong Bay’s waters and islands, and that sometimes makes the decision of whether to head to Halong Bay or Ninh Binh an easy one. Rumors aren’t always true, however.Though Halong Bay indeed gets substantially more tourists than Ninh Binh does (what a doubly-recognized UNESCO World Heritage site wouldn’t?), it is certainly not the picture of converging crowds that people like to paint. In its 1,553km2 frame, believe it or not, Halong Bay, can still be postcard-perfect, free of tourists, and utterly serene. Areas like Ho Dong Tien (Fairy Lake Cave) and Luon Cave can bestow the ultimate feeling of calm through the isolation they provide. There are many, many more examples of tranquil spots across the neighboring bays, which are quieter still during the Gulf of Tonkin’s off-season over winter and summer.Van Long Nature ReserveNinh Binh, on the other hand, is a province on the rise. There are big plans by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to make Ninh Binh the next destination recognized internationally, as Halong Bay is now. There’s a long way to go, but the entire province boasts nature and variety in abundance, so there’s no reason to assume it won’t happen. This means that right now is probably the best time to see Ninh Binh to avoid eventual crowds. Crowding can be a small problem for the more popular activities such as the boat trips in Tam Coc or Trang An and some of the cycling paths when the rice paddies are golden. There are always alternatives though, and Van Long Nature Reserve, as well as Cuc Phuong National Park, provide two great ones with plenty of space for the future.>> Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?• For sheer levels of tourists on an average peak season day, you’ll probably get more space in Ninh Binh.So Ninh Binh just tips the balance at the end there, but of course, all of these aspects of both destinations are meant to suggest and guide, not instruct. Fantastic times can be found in both Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, and you can enjoy both on day trips from Hanoi with Incredible Asia Journeys.