Hue is a city in central Vietnam, close to Da Nang and Hoi An. It’s known for its historical and cultural attractions related to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of Vietnam. You can visit the historic citadel, royal tombs, and ancient temples.
Ninh Binh is a city located in North Vietnam, close to Hanoi. It’s known as Halong Bay on land, with a beautiful natural landscape with limestone cliffs, peaceful rivers, and rice fields. It is also home to interesting ancient temples, and historical attractions.
In this article, I will compare Hue and Ninh Binh, to help you to decide which city is better for your visit. I will outline the similarities and differences based on their location, cultural attractions, natural attractions, nightlife, shopping, and food.
I am Vietnamese and have traveled to many places around the country, including Hue and Ninh Binh. I hope to give you some useful information from my personal experience.
Is it better to stay in Hue or Ninh Binh?
Both Ninh Binh and Hue offer a laid-back atmosphere with many historical and cultural sites. The highlight of Hue is the historical sites related to the last royal family of Vietnam. The highlight of Ninh Binh is its stunning natural attractions with striking limestone mountains.
From my observation, Ninh Binh is a more famous destination than Hue. Many of its attractions such as the Trang An and Tam Coc boat rides are often included in Vietnam’s travel brochures.
I would recommend visiting Ninh Binh if you want a quieter, nature-focused stay, with some cultural attractions to explore. You can enjoy the views of the striking limestone karts, explore the caves, rivers, national parks, and rice fields.
Additionally, you can visit Bai Dinh Pagoda and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, which was the capital city of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Ninh Binh also has lots of outdoor activities such as boat rides, hiking, cycling, and biking.
If you want to stay in a more bustling, city-centered area with a mix of historical attractions and modern amenities, Hue is probably the better option.
You can stay in Ninh Binh for a few nights to explore everything the city has to offer, or visit the city as a day trip from Hanoi to see the most famous attractions of Ninh Binh such as the scenic boat ride at Trang An.
In my opinion, Hue is a better choice if you’re interested in the royal history of Vietnam where you can visit the Imperial City, tombs of Kings, and ancient pagodas like Thien Mu pagoda.
Hue is much quieter than other touristy areas in Central Vietnam like Da Nang and Hoi An. So, if you want to take a break from these tourist cities, Hue is well worth a visit.
You can stay in Hue for a few nights to explore its historical attractions, traditional villages, or take a hike at Bach Ma National Park. You can also consider visiting Hue as a day trip from Da Nang and Hoi An if you have a short time in Central Vietnam.
My recommend hotels in Ninh Binh:
- Mid-range: Tam Coc Tropical Homestay
- Mid-range: Tam Coc Holiday Hotel
- Budget: The Banana Tree Hostel
Best hotels in Hue:
- Luxury: Melia Vinpearl
- Mid-range: White Lotus Hue Hotel
- Budget: Hue Four Seasons Hotel
Location and How to Get There
Ninh Binh is located in North Vietnam, around 100km south of Hanoi, the capital city. Hue is located in central Vietnam, around 115 km north west of Da Nang and Hoi An.
Hue is 560km south of Ninh Binh. The quickest way to travel from Ninh Binh to Hue is to get a taxi back to Hanoi then take the direct flight to Hue. Other popular options are taking the sleeper train or night bus, which both take around 10-12 hours.
You can reach Ninh Binh by road, including trains, private taxis, or shared minivans. The closest airport to Ninh Binh is Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi. The airport is around a 2 hour drive to Tam Coc, which is the main area of Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh Railway Station, or Ga Ninh Binh, is located just 10 minutes taxi drive to Tam Coc. It has train connections with Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Hue is easily accessible by air, train, and buses. It has an international airport called Phú Bài International Airport, located 30 minutes drive from the city center. The airport has frequent flights from other major cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Additionally, Hue also has its own train station, located right in the city center, making it convenient for train travelers. It has trains to all other parts of Vietnam.
Hue vs Ninh Binh Accommodations
Both cities have a wide range of accommodations to choose from. Hue is a bigger and more developed city, so it has more choices of high-rise accommodations and luxury hotels. You can also easily find budget backpacker hostels and guest houses.
Ninh Binh has a more rural atmosphere with many beautiful eco-resorts and boutique hotels with beautiful natural surroundings, and great views of mountains, rice fields, or rivers.
Accommodations in Ninh Binh are mostly mid-range and budget-friendly guesthouses and homestays.
The accommodations in Hue are in the city center, around major roads such as Hung Vuong, Dong Da, Le Loi, or Nguyen Cong Tru street.
The majority of accommodations in Ninh Binh are located around Tam Coc, which is the main tourist area of Ninh Binh where you can find many bars, restaurants, and shops. There are also many resorts scattering around the city, offering an even more remote atmosphere.
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Hue or Ninh Binh for Nightlife
Both cities have lively nightlife, especially if you stay in their central location. Hue has a wider range of bars and pubs than in Ninh Binh.
The nightlife in Ninh Binh is centered around the 1km main road in Tam Coc (the area around Tam Coc – Bich Dong pier). Here you find a range of restaurants, bars, convenience stores, and massage shops.
The nightlife in Hue is centered around a large area in the city center and along the Huong River. You will find many bars and pubs along the Walking Street around Vo Thi Sau, Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street.
There are many beer bars and restaurants with chairs and tables in the side streets where you can enjoy the drink and a meal and people watching.
Hue or Ninh Binh for Shopping
Both places have a good range of tourist shops where you can buy typical Vietnamese souvenirs. Most shops in Ninh Binh are located on the main road of Tam Coc or inside famous tourist attractions such as Trang An or Bai Dinh Temple.
Ninh Binh does not have big shopping malls, but in Hue, you can find Vincon Plaza Mall, Aeon Mall, and a huge market called Dong Ba market.
Dong Ba market is located north bank of Huong River within a short walking distance from Trang Tien Bridge and the Citadel. It’s a bustling place where you can experience local daily life, buy souvenirs, and try local street food.
Hue vs Ninh Binh Food
Both Hue and Ninh Binh are known for their unique local dishes. Major dishes in Hue are Bun Bo Hue, Banh Beo, and Com Hen. Famous dishes in Ninh Binh are Com Chay and dishes from mountain goats.
Hue was once the capital of Vietnam and it is also famous for its imperial cuisine. There are several fine dining restaurants in the city where you can try a full course royal meal. You can also take a cooking class to learn more about the city’s special dishes.
Historical Influences
Both Ninh Binh and Hue were former capital cities of Vietnam. They both have rich history and cultural heritage. They went through the Chinese domination period, feudal period, French colonial, and Vietnam-American War.
Early History
Ancient Vietnamese people lived in Ninh Binh dating back since. It belonged to Văn Lang–Âu Lạc, and was later under Chinese rule.
The highlight of Ninh dates back to the 10th century, when the Dinh dynasty made Hoa Lu (now Ninh Binh) the capital of Dai Co Viet (now Vietnam).
Hoa Lu was the hometown of Emperor Đinh Tiên Hoàng, who suppressed the rebellion of the twelve warlords, unifying the country. The Dinh’s emperor was assimilated in 979, General Le Hoan became the Emperor Le Dai Hanh, and used Hoa Lu as the capital until 1009.
In 1010, Ly Cong Uan became the King and moved the capital from Thang Long (now Hanoi). He changed the country’s name from Dai Co Viet to Dai Viet. Hoa Lu became the ancient capital of Vietnam.
Under the Lý-Trần dynasties (1009-1400), Hoa Lu was known as Trường Yên Prefecture. Some ancient sites dating back to this period include the 15th century Bich Dong pagoda, the old Bai Dinh Pagoda.
Hue was part of Cham Kingdom, which is the ancient Kingdom that occupied most of Vietnam from 2nd to 15th century. It later became part of Dai Viet, when Cham King Che Man married Princess Huyen Tran under Tran Dynasty.
The Cham King gave northern Cham Kingdom’s lands (including Hue) to Dai Viet as a wedding gift. The Trần kings renamed the area of present-day Huế Province as the Thuận Hóa region.
Later Le and Nguyen Dynasties (from 15th to 19th century)
Ninh Binh had different names during the Later Le, Tay Son, and Nguyen Dynasties. It has had its name today since 1822 under the reign of Minh Mang King of the Nguyen dynasty.
The Nguyễn lords moved to South Dai Viet – Thuan Hoa in 1558 to escape the influence of Trịnh Lords in the North Dai Viet. This started the long civil war between two powerful families in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Nguyễn lords chose Phu Xuan (now Hue) as the base and built the citadel there. In 1771, the power of Nguyễn lords weakend, and Tây Sơn captured Phu Xuan, unifying the country. Phú Xuân became the capital of the Tây Sơn dynasty.
In 1802, Nguyen Anh became King after he defeated the Tay Son dynasty. He took the name Gia Long and established the Nguyen dynasty. The Hue Citadel was built between 1804 and 1832, featuring Chinese influence similar to Beijing’s Forbidden City.
Hue was the capital from 1802 to 1945, when King Bao Dai abdicated. The capital was moved back to Hanoi.
The French colonial period (1880s–1954)
Under the French colonial period, The Nguyen Dynasty was still in power, but the real one belonged to the French administrator.
The French railway stations in major cities which include Hue and Ninh Binh, to connect North and South Vietnam. Ninh Binh Train Station and Hue Train Station still work till today.
The French also built infrastructure such as roads, buildings, hotels, and churches to serve colonial exploitation.
In Hue, they built the French Quarter on the south side of Huong River, and the Trang Tien Bridge to connect the French Quarter with the Imperial Palace on the north side of the river.
The major French colonial building in Ninh Binh is the Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, which was built in 1892, with the blend of Vietnamese temple style and French Gothic elements.
Vietnam-American War
After the 1954 Geneva Agreement, the French colonial rule ended in Vietnam. The country was temporarily divided into two regions, North Vietnam and South Vietnam, using the Bến Hải River at the 17th parallel in Quảng Trị as the boundary. Hue was under the administration of South Vietnam.
The major event in Hue during the war was the Battle of Hue in 1968, which caused a lot of damage to the historic buildings of the city.
Today
Today, both Hue and Ninh Binh are great tourist destinations in Vietnam. Ninh Binh is a convenience store located in Hanoi, the capital city. Hue is conveniently located close to Da Nang and Hoi An, the tourist center of Central Vietnam.
Both cities have both historical, cultural, and natural attractions. The main tourism sites in Hue are the sites related to the Nguyen Dynasty such as royal Palaces, royal tombs, royal food, and ancient temples.
The main highlight of Ninh Binh is the natural landscape with striking limestone karst, peaceful river, rice terraces, and caves. It has some interesting temples to explore dating back to the 10th century.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Both cities were former capitals of Vietnam and have numerous historical and cultural attractions from their time as capitals.
Hue is better known for their historical attractions. Ninh Binh is known for its natural attractions rather than cultural attractions, but there are still interesting temples and historic sites to visit.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Ninh Binh is home to Hoa Lu ancient won, which was the capital city of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties from 968 to 1009.
In Hue, you can visit Hue Imperial City, royal tombs, and Thien Mu pagoda. Hue Imperial City is the highlight of the city, located right on the north bank of Huong River, a short walk from Trang Tien Bridge and the downtown.
The Imperial City is the massive citadel, covering a complex of 520 hectares. It served as the administration and home of the royal family for more than 140 years. The citadel is surrounded by a thick defensive wall and a deep moat.
Inside the complex, you can explore different halls, the Imperial Palace, temples, and gates. I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours at the citadel to learn the history and admire its architecture. You can consider hiring a tour guide to have deeper knowledge of the citadel.
In addition to the citadel, you can visit the Royal Tombs of Emperor Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, and Minh Mang. These tombs are located in the countryside of Hue. They are often in beautiful land with stunning views of the surroundings.
The Thien Mu Pagoda is also a must see attraction on the bank of Huong River. You can take a boat ride from the city center to the temple or just a Grab Bike. This is a stunning seven-story pagoda built in the 17th century and has peaceful grounds.
In Ninh Binh, you can visit Hoa Lu ancient town which is home to temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties. Additionally, there are numerous temples to explore such as the Bai Dinh Pagoda and Bich Dong pagoda.
Natural Attractions & Outdoor activities
Both cities are surrounded by peaceful rivers and mountains, but Ninh Binh is more known for its natural attractions. It’s a beautiful countryside area in North Vietnam with striking limestone mountains, long rivers, natural reserves, national parks, rice paddies, and bird parks.
Major natural sites of Ninh Binh are Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Mua Caves, Van Long Nature Reserve, and Cuc Phuong National Park.
Trang An is perhaps the most famous attraction in Ninh Binh. You can take a boat ride along the river, explore beautiful caves, ancient temples, and enjoy stunning views of the limestone mountains.
Tam Coc Bich Dong also offers beautiful boat rides with a bit of different scenery of the rice paddies. It’s even more stunning in the harvest season when the rice field turned into the yellow.
Mua Caves are great hiking destinations via steep steps but once you reach the top you can enjoy the sweeping views of the river, mountains, and the whole Tam Coc region. If you like trekking, you can visit Cuc Phuong National Park with great trails and rich biodiversity.
Hue has a beautiful Huong River running through the heart of the city. It divided the city into two parts, the downtown at the southern bank and the historic citadel at the northern bank. You can take a boat ride or kayak along the river.
Additionally, you can take a day trip to Bach Ma National Park, located around 1 hour drive from Hue. It’s a great hiking destination and you can swim at the Five Lakes Waterfalls.
Cost of Living: Is Hue cheaper than Ninh Binh?
Both Ninh Binh and Hue have lower cost of living compared to bigger cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hue in central Vietnam is slightly cheaper than Ninh Binh in North Vietnam.
Getting Around
Both Hue and Ninh Binh have relatively flat roads, so if you can drive, you can consider renting a scooter to explore each city at your own pace. Ninh Binh is a bicycle-friendly city where you can rent a bicycle to explore major sights and the peaceful countryside.
Within Tam Coc, the main area of Ninh Binh, you can get around on foot. Similarly, you can walk around in the city center of Hue, the citadel, and Trang Tien Bridge.
Local taxis and Grab are available in the center area of Tam Coc and Hue, so you can get this riding share services to get around too.
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I hope you have found some helpful recommendations after reading my article. In conclusion, I recommend visiting Ninh Binh if you want a day trip from Hanoi and experience the countryside in North Vietnam with its beautiful natural landscape with limestone cliffs, rivers, and rice fields.
Hue is a better option if you are interested in the historic citadel, royal tombs, and ancient pagodas. It’s an ideal place to visit if you want to explore central Vietnam and you can combine a trip to Hue with Da Nang and Hoi An.