Tam Coc and Ninh Binh are beautiful areas in North Vietnam. In this article, I will share with you my experience of the best areas and where to stay in Ninh Binh for tourists and first-timers.
Ninh Binh, often known as Halong on land, is a popular place located only 2 hours away from Hanoi. If you take a shared van, it only cost 350,000 VND. We took a private car and it cost around 1,100,000 VND /way. You can ask your hotel to organise transport for you.
I really like the atmosphere in Ninh Binh, especially Tam Coc. It has all tourist facilities but is not overcrowded like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Most restaurants, massage shops, cafes, and bars are family-run businesses, so it was very chill, and flexible with their closing time.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh?
There are two main areas to stay in Ninh Binh, which include Tam Coc and Trang An. When I say Tam Coc, I mean the area around the Tam Coc Boat Pier, and when I say Trang An, I mean the area around the Trang An Boat Pier.
Many hotels and even some listings on Google Maps have added “Tam Coc” or “Trang An” to their names to attract visitors, even though they are actually quite far from the main tourist strips.
Ninh Binh, in general, is the countryside area, so no matter where you choose to stay, you will have a countryside, rural atmosphere that is surrounded by stunning limestone karsts, rice fields, rivers, and tropical gardens.
In addition to the main areas of Ninh Binh – Tam Coc and Trang An, I’ll introduce six other lesser-known areas that you can consider staying in, or continue reading to gain a deeper understanding of the geography and history of the region.
The most popular area to stay in Ninh Binh is Tam Coc. This area is centered around Tam Coc Boat Pier and is the tourist heart of Ninh Binh. The main road and small alleys are lined with restaurants, bars, pubs, super markets, bike rentals, spa & beauty services, massage parlors, and tour agencies.
I love staying in Tam Coc due to its lively atmosphere and easy access to all trendy cafes, restaurants, bars, and services. It’s the liveliest place in Ninh Binh, but still offers a peaceful atmosphere compared to other big cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh.
Most businesses in Tam Coc are small family-run places, so they stay late till midnight or early morning as long as they have customers.
To explore Tam Coc and Ninh Binh in general, you can easily rent a motorbike or bicycle for exploration. It’s a bicycle friendly city, so you’ll be able to cycle everywhere. There are also easy rider options where you can sit back and they will take you around.
There wasn’t a Grab bike at the time I visited Tam Coc but a Grab Taxi was widely available. You can always ask your hotel’s staff to organize transport for you with reasonable prices.
Best recommended hotels in Tam Coc:
Trang An, located a few km north Tam Coc, offers a quieter atmosphere and even more peaceful resorts and homestays. This area is around Trang An Boat Pier. It is best suited for those who want a relaxing holiday and don’t mind a bit away from nightlife and wide choices of restaurants and shops.
Many homestays and resorts in Ninh Binh are surrounded by nature, gardens, mountains, and rivers, so mosquitoes and insects are expected. Many places provide net in the rooms, as well as fans and air conditioning. It’s a good idea to bring your own mosquito repellent.
During my trip to Ninh Binh, I stayed at Tam Coc Catalina Hotel. It was a small family-run hotel in a central location. It is located in a small alley, steps away from a range of local restaurants, bars, and shops, so I had a quiet night’s sleep while still close to the action.
My room was clean and well-equipped with all Basic facilities like a fridge, air conditioning, and bathrooms amenities. I stayed in both family rooms and double bed rooms.
8 Best areas to stay in Ninh Binh for tourists
1. Tam Coc, best area for first-timers and nightlife
Tam Coc is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Ninh Binh for tourists, especially for first-timers. Staying in this area will put you in the heart of the action.
Tam Coc is the area around Tam Coc Boat Pier (Bến Thuyền TAM CỐC in Vietnamese or Tam Coc Van Lam Pier in Google Maps). The main area of Tam Coc is the 1km long strip along DT491 Road, with the Tam Coc Boat Pier in the center.
The area around Bich Dong pagoda and Hang Mua Cave, located 2km from the main area of Tam Coc, also labeled as Tam Coc. So, if you want in the heart of the action, make sure to book a stay around the main road.
Otherwise, you can find some good resorts and hotels on the edge of Tam Coc’s main road for more countryside and tranquility, but still within a short Grab taxi or bicycle ride to the main area.
The 1km long strip of main road of Tam Coc is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, stores, and message shops, travel agencies, and convenience stores.
This area has a good nightlife scene as many establishments stay open until early morning. Most restaurants and bars are family-run, making me feel very homey. They are all very friendly and have good hospitality.
You can find a wide range of hotels, homestays, backpacker hostels along the main road and small alleys. There are some big bars with noisy music late at night along the main road. You can choose a hotel in the alleyways a bit off the main road for a quiet night’s sleep.
Within a 2km radius from the central area of Tam Coc, you can easily take a walk or short bicycle ride to the historic Bich Dong pagoda, Hang Mua Cave, and Thai Vi Temple.
Within a 5km radius from main road Tam Coc, you can explore other major sights such as Trang An Boat Ride, Thung Nham Bird Park, and Hoa Lu Old Town (Pho Co Hoa Lu).
A bit further away, you can visit Bai Dinh temple, Hoa Lu Ancient Town, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Van Long Wetland Reserve. Tam Coc is overall a great base for sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping in Ninh Binh.
The star attraction of Tam Coc is the Tam Coc Boat Ride, which is the second most popular boat ride in Ninh Binh, after Trang An Boat Ride.
This is a 1.5-2 hours boat journey on the Ngo Dong River through rice fields, limestone karsts and three stunning caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba), and the beautiful rice fields. It’s best to visit in May and June when the rice turns yellow.
On the north side of Tam Coc lake, you can visit the lesser known attraction, Co Vien Lau which has old wooden houses with typical Vietnamese architecture from the 17th to 19th centuries with peaceful setting, cliffs, and the charm of the past.
Many of the homes contain original furnishings and family shrines, creating a sense of lived-in authenticity. It’s an enriching detour for those curious about how life continued after the fall of the Hoa Lu ancient city.
Here are my recommendation of the best places to stay in Tam Coc:
Tam Coc Tropical Homestay
I think this is a good value for money homestay located in the central location of Tam Coc, in a small quiet street but an easy walk from many restaurants, bars, massage shops, and cafes.
The homestay is run by friendly local families. They have a lovely pool courtyard and good simple breakfast. They can help organize renting bicycles, scooters, and arrange transportation to other cities.
Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa
This hotel is located in a pretty good location of Tam Coc, near the main road of Tam Coc. They offer clean rooms, a swimming pool, and a garden for relaxing.
You’ll be within walking distance to all stores and tourist facilities while still being in a peaceful location. They have a good buffet breakfast with a wide selection of dishes.
The Banana Tree Hostel
Banana Tree is a nice hostel, and is a good place to stay in Tam Coc for solo travelers, backpackers and budget travelers. They have clean shared dorm rooms and a nice common area. Good base to explore Tam Coc.
MORE HOTELS IN TAM COC2. Trang An, best place for nature lovers and a relaxing vacation
In addition to Tam Coc, Trang An is a good area to stay in Ninh Binh. As the name suggests, this area is located near Trang An Boat Pier.
It doesn’t have as lively nightlife as Tam Coc, making it a great location for a relaxing holiday. It also has a more peaceful countryside rural atmosphere than Tam Coc.
This area is also closer to Hoa Lu Old Town, Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave), Hoa Lu ancient town, Bai Dinh Temple, and Van Long Wetland.
Trang An Boat Ride is the most popular attraction in Ninh Binh. Most visitors come to Ninh Binh doing this boat ride. It’s a UNESCO-recognized landscape with a combined rivers, limestone karsts, and caves into a. It has a more extensive and cave-rich alternative to Tam Coc.
There are three routes in Trang An taking you to different caves, temples, and the longest route is around 3 hours round trip.
Here are my recommended hotels in Trang An:
An’s Eco Garden Resort
This accommodation is located in a remote area close to Trang An. It is the best place for a relaxing and calm atmosphere.
It has stunning surroundings with a natural environment setting. You can use their free bikes to explore the countryside.
Lotus Field Homestay
Lotus is a beautiful accommodation located on an isolated area away from the Main Street. The rooms are spacious and clean with good views of the mountains and the fields.
I think it is a good place for those who are looking for peace in nature, and don’t mind a bit further away from the heart of Tam Coc.
Trang An river mountain ecolodge Ninh Binh
This is a beautiful place to stay in Ninh Binh, midway between the two popular Trang An Boat Pier and Tam Coc Boat Pier. It’s also close to the famous Hang Mua. It’s a great spot for rest and unwind.
The accommodation has a peaceful countryside atmosphere, and you can rent a bicycle for free from the hotel to explore surroundings. The has beautiful ground with plants and trees and the lanterns lit up in the evening.
MORE HOTELS IN TRANG ANYou can watch my youtube video about recommended areas in Ninh Binh here:
3. Hoa Lu Old Town/ Ninh Binh City Center
Hoa Lu Old Town, also known as Pho Co Hoa Lu in Vietnamese, is a good area to stay in Ninh Binh City Center. It is not as popular as the Tam Coc and Trang An boat pier, but it has a good range of hotels and homestays to choose from.
The Old Town is located around Ky Lan Lake, around 3km from Ninh Binh train station, 9km north east of the main strip of Tam Coc, and is 6km east of Tràng An Landscape Complex. The Old Town has a more local and quieter atmosphere than the Tam Coc’s main area but less rural than the Trang An area.
Hoa Lu Old Town is a good spot to have a feel of the traditional Vietnamese architecture and culture. The sites in this area re-created the look and feel of daily life from the 10th century during the Đinh and Early Lê dynasties when Hoa Lu was the capital of the country.
The Ninh Binh Walking Street is the major point of interest in the old town. It is located around a scenic lake and is lined with traditional-style buildings with ancient architecture of Vietnam in the 10th century. It has two main areas, which include the local handicraft zone and food zone.
It becomes lively in the evening with street food, night markets, and performances. The food stalls open from 2pm to 11pm, and cultural shows are from 7pm in the evening. You can try local specialties such as mountain goat meal and crispy rice (com chay).
The 27m high Silver Pagoda in the middle of the Ky Lan Lake is another major highlight in the old town. It lights up at night and is a great spot for taking photos. You can take a lantern boat ride along the lake in the evening, as well as activities such as Kayaking and SUP boarding during sunset.
The downside of staying in Hoa Lu Old Town and Ninh Binh city center is that it can be very quiet during the day, so if you want a lively atmosphere both day and night with plenty of choices of cafes and restaurants, it’s better to base yourself at Tam Coc.
Best hotels in the Hoa Lu Old Town area:
Pullman Ninh Binh (luxury)
This is a new hotel located 1km north of Hoa Lu old town. It’s a 5-star chain hotel, so if you’re after a luxury stay in an international standard hotel, it is an excellent choice.
The hotel is a short Grab ride from major points of interest in this area such as the old town with Chua Vang Temple in the middle of the Ca Voi Lake, as well as the Dinh Tien Hoang Square.
The hotel has a nice rooftop area with a rooftop swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Additionally, it has spacious rooms, spa services, and a gym.
Little Trang An Homestay (mid-range)
This is a good family-run countryside homestay located in a peaceful area, between Hoa Lu old town and Trang An boat ride area. They offer cozy and spacious rooms with all necessities such as air conditioning, fan, laundry, onsite restaurant, and scooter rental.
You can rent a scooter, bicycle, and get a taxi easily to explore Ninh Binh, Trang An, and Tam Coc. You can walk for 10-15 minutes to the old town area and the waterfront with the lovely Golden Temple, cafes, restaurants, and lanterns.
Khách sạn Phố cổ Hotel Ninh Bình (mid-range)
This is a small, modern hotel located just a block away from Hoa Lu Old Town and Ninh Binh Walking street. It has spacious rooms with big comfortable beds and private bedrooms. You can easily walk to the walking street area where you can take the boat lantern rides and enjoy the lively music performances.
4. The Hang Mua Cave area
Hang Mua, or Mua Cave, is a popular attraction in Ninh Binh, located between Tam Coc Boat Pier and Trang An Boat Pier. It is around 10 minutes drive north of Tam Coc Boat Pier and 12 minute taxi drive south of Trang An Boat Pier.
This area has quieter nightlife, but still has some nice bars and restaurants. It is much quieter in the evening than the main street in Tam Coc. You can easily get to the downtown area within a few minutes for nightlife though.
Staying near Mua Cave means you can easily take the hike up to Hang Mua Viewpoint for sunset and sunrise without travelling too much. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times of the day to climb the viewpoint to avoid the strongest sun and crowds.
The best months to visit Hang Mua is during the harvest season around May and June when the rice field turns yellow.
Hang Mua viewpoint is located on Ngoa Long Mountain, offering stunning views of the Tam Coc valley, which is famous for its lush rice fields, winding Ngo Dong River, and limestone karsts.
According to legend, when King Tran Thai Tong returned to the Hoa Lue area to build the nearby Thai Vi Temple, he often came here to watch beautiful maidens perform music and dance. Therefore, he named the place Múa Cave (which means “Dancing Cave”).
You’ll climb roughly 500 steep, uneven steps up the mountainside to the view point and dragon sculpture. When you’re about two-thirds of the way up, you’ll come to a junction.
You can turn left to the highest point with the dragon statue. This is the most popular viewpoint and most people reach this one. The right path will take you to the lower tower viewpoint with a small pagoda,less crowded but still has stunning views.
It’ll take around 30 minutes to go up depending on your fitness level. In addition to the viewpoint, the area also has many photoshooting opportunities such as lily lake, lotus pond, and mountain goats roaming on the limestone cliffs.
The area around Hang Mua has a good range of eco-friendly resorts and countryside style homestays in the area around Hang Mua.
Best Hotels in Ninh Binh near Hang Mua Cave:
Scenic Mountain Ecolodge Ninh Binh
This 4-star family run ecolodge is a great spot to stay at the base of Hang Mua Cave. It has beautiful ground, surrounded by tropical gardens and the views of the limestone karsts. They have spacious rooms, spa/massage services, outdoor pools, and decent breakfast.
Like many accommodations in Ninh Binh, this hotel offers free bikes for guests to use. They also have an on-site restaurant and bar that serves good food and drinks.
Hang Múa Village Homestay
This is a great homestay located within walking distance to Hang Mua Cave, and a short ride away from Trang An and Tam Coc. The homestay offers clean well equipped rooms, a nice outdoor pool, and a lovely breakfast. The staff can help arrange transport to Hanoi at a reasonable price.
Hang Mua Ecolodge
This 4-star accommodation is located near Hang Mua Cave, offering a wide range of rooms for different preferences. You can Deluxe Villa with four bed rooms if you are traveling with a group or as a big family.
Some rooms have a balcony with views of the viewpoint and the lotus pond. They also offer massage and spa services, which is great for recharge after a day sightseeing and exploring.
5. The Bich Dong Pagoda area
The Bich Dong area has a relatively good location between Tam Coc Boat Pier and Thung Nham Bird Park. It is around an 8 minutes taxi ride from Tam Coc – the tourist center of Ninh Binh. You can enjoy staying in the quiet historic area while still easy distance to the action.
This area is slightly outside Tam Coc, so you need to get a taxi, rent a scooter, or use the resort’s free bicycle to get to the nightlife area of Ninh Binh.
Bich Dong pagoda has history dating back to the early 15th century; it was rebuilt and expanded in the 18th century by two Buddhist monks. In 1774, Lord Trinh Sam visited this pagoda and renamed it Bic Dong, which means Emerald Cave Pagoda.
The pagoda has three level pagodas arranged vertically up the mountain, which include Hạ Pagoda (Lower Pagoda), Trung Pagoda (Middle Pagoda), Thượng Pagoda (Upper Pagoda). The Upper Pagoda has panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.
The temple has traditional Vietnamese temple architecture with lotus ponds and limestone mountains encircling the area. In addition to three main pagodas, the complex is also Dark Cave and Xuyen Thuy Cave. The stone bridge and the Tam Quan Gate are a popular spot for taking photos.
You can visit Bich Dong Pagoda by road or take the boat ride from Tam Coc Boat Pier. The entrance to the pagoda is free, but you’re welcome to give a donation.
Bich Dong pagoda is a popular tourist spot, so if you want to avoid crowds, visit early in the morning. You can visit the nearby less crowded Chùa Linh Cốc if you want to avoid tourists.
Best Hotels near Bich Dong Temple:
Lalita Tam Coc Resort & Spa
This is a 4-star mid-range beautiful resort located 10 minutes walk from Bich Dong pagoda, 10 minutes drive from the main tourist strip of Tam Coc and Tam Coc Boat Pier. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful limestone landscapes and nature.
They have a good outdoor pool, so you can take a dip on a hot day. The pool has sun loungers, a pool bar and views of the limestone cliffs. They can help organize a taxi for your transfer from and to Hanoi.
Tam Coc Rocky Bungalow
This 3-star accommodation is surrounded by nature, and has a lovely swimming pool. It is near Bich Dong temple, the beautiful countryside side of Tam Coc. Overall, it’s a nice and tranquil place to stay in Ninh Binh for relaxing.
The hotel is well-maintained with comfortable bungalows and beds. The hotel has scooter rental services, bike rentals, and can help range tours and transport.
Tam Coc Lakeside Homestay
This is a cozy family-run homestay in a quiet area, a bit outside the busy Tam Coc center, so you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere both day and night.
They have some good facilities such as a pool, billiard table, as well as chairs and tables in the common area. You can choose the room with a mountain view for the best experience.
6. The Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone
This area has some mid-range and luxury resorts as well as some budget-friendly farmstays. It has a more tranquil atmosphere, and is around 10 minutes drive from the noisy and chaotic Tam Coc.
It’s a good spot to be in the middle of nature. You can rent a bicycle, scooter, or take tours for further exploration.
Thung Nham is an eco-tourism area covering 300 hectares of forests, wetlands, lakes, caves, gardens, and limestone mountains. The natural bird garden is the highlight of the area, where you can see thousands of birds.
You can take the Boat rides through wetlands to bird gardens and caves such as Hang But/Buddha Cave, Vai Gioi Cave/ Bat Cave, or Tien Ca/ Mermaid Cave. The area has a four-season Flower Garden, one-thousand year old Bayan tree, and scenic photo spots.
This area is mainly resorts and nature, you are likely to dine at the onsite restaurants and bars at your resorts, but you can always travel for 10 minutes on the taxi to get to the more central area of Ninh Binh at Tam Coc’s main road.
Best Hotels in the Thung Nham Bird Park area:
Tam Coc Retreat Ninh Binh
This 4-star beautiful retreat is located in the countryside area of Ninh Binh, around 5km west of the lively Tam Coc Boat Pier. The complex has comfortable bungalows, immaculate ground surrounded by lush gardens, limestone mountains and rice fields.
Tam Coc Garden Resort
This 5-star eco resort offers a serene retreat in Ninh Binh. It’s a great place to stay for families and couples looking for a tranquil time in the middle of nature. They have excellent facilities such as comfortable rooms, and pools surrounded by stunning scenery, sunbeds and umbrellas.
Tan Dinh Farmstay
This is a peaceful place to stay in a family-run homestay away from the noise of Tam Coc. It’s close to the bird park and the owner will help to organize tours, transport, bike rentals for you.
7. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Am Tien Cave Area
The Hoa Lua Ancient Capital is a quiet area located 10km north west of Hoa Lu Old Town (Pho Co Hoa Lu), 4km north of Trang An Boat Pier, and 14km north of Tam Coc.
The area has some nice resorts to relax and unwind in secluded settings. It is in a little remote location, and quite far from the main tourist area of Ninh Binh, but you can use a local taxi, Grab, or rent a scooter to explore.
Hoa Lu was founded by Emperor Dinh Bo Linh and became the first capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010 under the Đinh Dynasty (968–980) and the early Lê Dynasty (980–1009). In 1010, King Lý Thái Tổ moved the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi).
The ancient capital is surrounded by the limestone mountains and the Hoang Long River. Today, you can visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, and several King temples such as the 17 century Dinh King Temple, Le King Temple, and Nhat Tru Pagoda.
Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave) is a beautiful natural attraction near Hoa Lu ancient citadel. The area is home to a stunning green lake enclosed by towering karst cliffs, Am Tiên Cave, and Am Tien pagoda. According to legend, this place was where royalty of the Đinh Dynasty came for spiritual practice.
Best Hotels near Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Am Tien Cave:
The Goat Boutique Resort
This is a large resort located near Tuyet Tinh Coc (Am Tien Cave), offering beautiful bungalows in the greenery ground. They have a nice big pool with views of limestone karsts in the backdrop. If you enjoy tranquility in the middle of nature, this resort is a good choice.
Trang An Lamia Bungalow
This is a beautiful hotel with a tropical garden and lovely outdoor pool. If you like the remote atmosphere, peaceful location, this is a good choice. The road to the hotel is quite rough and bumpy, so maybe avoid riding at night by yourself and use the taxi instead.
Trang an green river homestay
This is family-run accommodation located near the peaceful river away from the hustle and bustle of Tam Coc. They have clean rooms and a lovely breakfast.
8. The Bai Dinh Temple area
Bai Dinh temple is a popular spiritual place in Ninh Binh and there are several hotels and resorts in this area. It’s quite far from major tourist sites such as Trang An, Tam Coc, and Hoa Lu Old Town. It’s 25 km north west of Trang An Boat Pier and further away from the main strip of Tam Coc.
However, it has a countryside, peaceful atmosphere close to Bai Binh temple, Cuc Phuong National Park, and Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve.
Bai Dinh temple was built near the ancient capital of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. It’s a massive complex that is home to an over 1000 year old ancient pagoda and a new huge temple complex built from 2003. The temple was built against limestone mountains with panoramic countryside views.
Highlight of Bai Dinh temple are the Three-Period Hall (house three enormous bronze Buddha statues), the Gigantic Seated Buddha, Great Bell Tower (Contains a giant bronze bell weighing about 36 tons), and the Arhat Corridor with 500 stone statues of Arhats each with a different facial expression.
The Bai Dinh area is closer to Cuc Phuong National Park than Tam Coc and Trang An area. You can easily take a day trip to the first National park of Vietnam to hike through old-growth rainforest, exploring g caves and wildlife spotting, visiting botanical gardens, museums, and conservation centers.
The lesser-known Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is also 25 minutes drive north of Bai Dinh. You can take a leisure boat ride in this area, bird watching, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the limestone cliffs in the middle of nature without tourist crowds.
This area is home to some local attractions such as Van Trinh Cave, which has beautiful stalactites, and peaceful atmosphere compared to more crowded cave attractions in the province.
Best Hotels near Bai Dinh Temple, Ninh Binh:
See more:
- 2 to 3 Days in Ninh Binh Itinerary
- 10 Best Things to Do & See in Ninh Binh
- Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh
- Where to stay in Vietnam
Overall, Tam Coc and Trang An are the best areas to stay in Ninh Binh for tourists. In my opinion, Tam Coc is the best place for first time visitors and for those who want a vibrant nightlife scene. If you want a peaceful atmosphere and are surrounded by nature, Trang An is a good base.