My recent visit to Ninh Binh is in late May. It was very hot and humid, but I still had a great experience in this town. In this post, I will help you to look at the best time to visit Ninh Binh, weather of each month, and top things you can do in Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh is conveniently located only 2 hours drive from Hanoi, making it a popular day trips and overnight trips from the capital city of Vietnam. Ninh Binh is famous for its stunning natural landscape with breaking limestone mountains, rice fields, beautiful caves, and rivers.
Additionally, Ninh Binh also had a rich history. It was the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. You can explore cultural attractions such as the Hoa Lu ancient town, Bai Dinh pagoda, and Bich Dong pagoda.
From Hanoi, you can easily use public buses, limousines, or private transfers to get to Ninh Binh. Some Grab drivers can take you there, but it is best to ask your hotel to organize private cars for a better price.
Similar to other places of northern Vietnam, Ninh has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The dry season is from November to April, with cold to cool weather; The rainy season is from May to October with hot, humid, and rainy weather.
When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh?
Ninh Binh is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit Ninh Binh for pleasant weather is from March to May and September to November. Just be mindful that storms can occur in August and September. Additionally, July and August are the two hottest months of the year.
Ninh Binh in January
January is a good month to visit Ninh Binh. This month has cool and dry weather with occasional drizzles, making it great for exploring. Temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C. This weather is great for climbing, hiking, and cycling.
It can be quite cold in the evening, so be sure to bring a light jacket and long pants with you.
January is usually less crowded, so you can explore attractions at a quieter pace. You can explore natural and cultural attractions such as boat rides on Trang An, Hoa Lu ancient town, Mua Caves, Bich Dong pagoda, and Bai Dinh pagoda.
January is the time locals prepare for Tet holiday (Lunar New Year), so you can admire the colorful dedication on the streets and houses.
Ninh Binh in February
February is one of the great months to visit Ninh Binh, especially for local festivals. This is part of the dry season, so it has cool and dry weather with occasional spring rains (drizzles). The temperature is a bit higher than January, ranging from 15°C to 21°C.
You can take the boat ride on Trang An or Tam Coc. You can climb to the peak of Hang Mua cave for stunning views of the river, the rice fields, and the breathtaking karsts. For a more peaceful atmosphere, you can check out Thung Nham Bird Park, Van Long, or Cuc Phuong National Park.
Additionally, February is the time of the Lunar New Year, you can experience local culture by staying in a homestay. It is also a good time to try traditional food such as Banh Chung.
During and after Tet, Ninh Binh will have many ritual activities and festivals. You can explore temples and cultural attractions such as Bai Dinh pagoda, and Hoa Lu ancient capital.
Ninh Binh in March
March is one of the best months to visit Ninh Binh for a combination of sightseeing and ritual activities. It is warmer than previous months with temperatures from 19°C to 25°C.
This month is the month right after Tet holiday, so there will be a lot of festivals and pagoda ceremonies. You can watch traditional performances and colorful parades.
Ninh Binh in April
April is one of the best times to explore Ninh Binh. It has lots of sunny days with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 29°C. This is good for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
You can take the boat ride, do some climbing to Hang Mua, check out Bai Dinh pagoda. You can rent a bicycle to explore the countryside and the rice fields.
Ninh Binh in May
May is summer time and is one of the best months to go to Ninh Binh. This is the harvest season, so you can admire the beautiful landscape of the golden rice fields in Tam Coc and see the local farmers at work.
This is also the start of the rainy season in Ninh Binh, so you might experience more rain than in previous months. But, I don’t think it will be a big problem; you can easily adjust to it.
Ninh Binh in June
Similar to May, June is a hot and humid summer month in Ninh Binh. It is a great time to see the golden rice fields and some blooming flowers such as water-lily and lotus flowers. You can try local dishes such as goat meals and mountain snails.
It can be very hot during the day, so be sure to apply sun cream often, wear a hat, and drink lots of water. Avoid going out mid day when the sunlight is at its strongest.
Ninh Binh in July
July is one of the hottest months in North Vietnam. It is a part of the summer weather with high temperature, humid, and occasional rainfall. It is still a good month for sightseeing and boat rides but be mindful of the heat, avoid going out at mid-day, and wear a hat.
Ninh Binh in August
August is a hot and humid month. It is also a part of the rainy season, so expect brief intense rain and occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon.
You can enjoy a greener landscape in this wet season, just prepare a raincoat and umbrella with you.
Ninh Binh in September
September is a good month to go to Ninh Binh. Temperatures range from 25°C to 31°C, great for sightseeing. But be mindful that occasional storms can occur, so be sure to update the weather forecast during this month. Pack a light raincoat with you.
Ninh Binh in October
October is one of the best months to visit Ninh Binh. It is part of the autumn and has pleasant weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Similar to September, this month is also a good time to see the rice fields turn yellow.
Ninh Binh in November
November is the beginning of the dry season, and a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, taking a boat ride, and cycling. This is also a low tourist month, you can enjoy attractions without the crowds. Day time is cool but it can be chilly in the evening, so bring warm clothes with you.
Ninh Binh in December
December is a cold month in Ninh Binh, but it is dry and has little rain, making it still a good time for exploration. You can explore the Trang An Unesco heritage site, check out the viewpoints of Hang Mua Cave, enjoy the nightlife in Tam Coc, and eat local food.
See more:
- 10 Best Things to Do & See in Ninh Binh
- How many days in Ninh Binh is enough?
- Where to Stay in Ninh Binh
- One Day in Ninh Binh Itinerary
In my opinion, all month is a good month to visit Ninh Binh, but generally March to May and September to November are the best time for pleasant temperatures. Be mindful of brief storms in August and September, and the heat in June and July.