Ninh Binh, the ancient capital known as “Ha Long Bay on land”, is an ideal destination for those who love majestic nature, historical relics, and peaceful space. With Trang An – a world cultural and natural heritage, Bai Dinh Pagoda – the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia, and Mua Cave with spectacular mountain views, Ninh Binh attracts more than 7 million visitors each year, according to the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism (2024). In 2025, tours from Hanoi are expected to increase by 15% thanks to the modern Hanoi – Ninh Binh expressway and events such as the “Trang An Festival” (March-April).
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Why choose Ninh Binh 3 days 2 nights tour ?
Ninh Binh, only 100km from Hanoi , is famous for its mountain and river landscapes, and historical sites such as the ancient capital of Hoa Lu - the first capital of Vietnam.
A 3-day, 2-night tour from Hanoi allows you to fully experience the highlights, participate in rowing, cycling, and explore the ancient capital's culture. The average cost is from 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, suitable for individuals, families, or businesses organizing team building.
Prepare before joining Ninh Binh 3 days 2 nights tour
To make your trip go smoothly, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
Transportation: From Hanoi, tourist car (300,000-500,000 VND/round trip) or motorbike (100,000 VND/day) via Hanoi - Ninh Binh highway (1.5-2 hours). In Ninh Binh, rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/day) in Tam Coc or electric car (10,000 VND/trip) in Trang An.
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels such as The Reed Hotel (800,000-1,500,000 VND/night) or Tam Coc Garden homestay (400,000-700,000 VND/night).
Estimated cost: 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, including food (100,000-200,000 VND/meal), accommodation (400,000-1,500,000 VND/night), entrance tickets (Trang An: 250,000 VND, Bai Dinh: 50,000 VND), and transportation.
Luggage: Sports shoes, light jacket, hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+), digestive medicine, ID card. Bring cash because ATMs in Ninh Binh are limited.
Tip: Book your tour 1-2 months in advance to get a 10-20% discount. Go on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid the crowds. Bring your own water bottle and a cloth bag to buy specialties such as burnt rice and shrimp paste.
Detailed itinerary for Ninh Binh tour 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Hanoi – Trang An – Bai Dinh – Hoa Lu Ancient Town
6:00: Car and tour guide pick up at Hanoi Opera House or meeting point (Ba Dinh: 6:15, Cau Giay: 6:30). Depart via Hanoi - Ninh Binh highway (100km, 1.5 hours). Stop at Phu Ly station for breakfast (VND 30,000-50,000/portion).
8:30: Arrive at Trang An, take a boat to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site (250,000 VND/ticket, 2-3 hours). Row through caves such as Dia Linh Cave, Dark Cave, and Tran Temple. Take photos amidst the majestic rivers and mountains.
11:30: Lunch at Co Vien Lau restaurant (150,000 VND/meal) with specialties of mountain goat, burnt rice, and braised fish in clay pot. Check in at The Reed Hotel (800,000 VND/night) or Tam Coc Garden homestay (400,000 VND/night).
14:00: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda (50,000 VND/electric car ticket, 20 minutes), the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Explore the bell tower, the Shakyamuni Buddha statue, and the corridor of 500 Arhat statues. If walking, prepare comfortable shoes because the area is large.
17:00: Explore Hoa Lu ancient town (free), walk through small alleys with ancient architecture, learn about the history of the Dinh Dynasty. Enjoy sidewalk lemon tea (15,000 VND/cup).
19:00: Dinner at Duc De restaurant (200,000 VND/meal) with raw goat with lemon, goat hotpot. Free to explore Ninh Binh walking street (19:00-22:00), buy burnt rice (50,000 VND/box) as a gift. Overnight at hotel.
Tip: Book Trang An boat tickets via Klook to avoid queues. Wear a hat when visiting Bai Dinh because it's sunny. Book a table at Duc De via hotline (0947 123 456).
Day 2: Tam Coc – Mua Cave – Thai Vi Temple
7:00: Breakfast at the hotel (50,000 VND, pate sandwich or beef noodle soup). Rent a bicycle (50,000 VND/day) to Tam Coc (7km, 20 minutes).
8:30: Rowing boat in Tam Coc (150,000 VND/ticket, 1.5-2 hours), watching "Ha Long Bay on land" with rice fields, Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba. Take photos at the boat dock or rice fields (ripe rice season: May-June).
11:00: Lunch at Chan Que restaurant (150,000 VND/meal) with hill chicken, crispy rice with pork floss. Rest at a cafe overlooking the rice fields (30,000-50,000 VND/cup).
13:30: Visit Mua Cave (100,000 VND/ticket), climb 486 stone steps to see the whole view of Tam Coc from the top of Ngoa Long mountain. Check-in at the "Miniature Great Wall" and the dragon-shaped stone tower.
16:00: Visit Thai Vi Temple (free), where the Tran Kings are worshiped, learn about the history of the Tran Dynasty. Take photos in the cool green garden.
19:00: Dinner at Hoang Giang restaurant (200,000 VND/meal) with river fish hotpot and grilled goat. Join the night cycling tour around Tam Coc (100,000 VND/person, book through Ninh Binh Tours). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Thung Nham Bird Garden – Return to Hanoi
7:00: Breakfast at the hotel (50,000 VND, bun cha or pho). Depart for Hoa Lu ancient capital (10km, 20 minutes).
8:30: Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu (50,000 VND/ticket), explore the temples of King Dinh and King Le, learn about the history of the Dinh - Le dynasties. Take photos at the ancient citadel gate and relic site.
10:30: Visit Thung Nham bird garden (100,000 VND/ticket, including boat). Row a boat to see thousands of bird species such as storks, herons, and egrets. If you have time, explore Thien Ha cave (150,000 VND/ticket).
12:30: Lunch at Thung Nham restaurant (150,000 VND/meal) with braised fish and grilled chicken. Buy specialty rice paper (50,000 VND/box) and shrimp paste (100,000 VND/jar) at the local market.
14:00: Get on the bus back to Hanoi (1.5 hours). Stop at Phu Ly to buy banh cuon cha (30,000 VND/portion) as a gift.
16:30: Arrive in Hanoi, tour guide says goodbye to the group at the Opera House. End of tour.
Tip: Book Thung Nham tickets through Klook to get 10% off. Check your luggage before leaving the hotel. Contact Ninh Binh Tours (0988 456 789) if you need urgent assistance.
Compare package tours and self-guided tours
Choosing a package tour or a self-guided tour depends on your needs and experience. Below is a comparison table:
| Form | Cost (VND/person) | Preparation time | Advantage | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package tour | 2.5-4.5 million | 1-2 weeks | Tour guide support, save time, including car, hotel, entrance tickets | Fixed schedule, little flexibility |
| Self-sufficient | 2-3.5 million | 1-2 months | Flexible, free to choose destination, more economical | Time consuming planning, weather risks |
Tips to save money when traveling to Ninh Binh
To optimize your budget, apply the following tips:
Choose a homestay: Stay at a homestay like Tam Coc Garden (400,000 VND/night) instead of a 4-star hotel (1,500,000 VND/night) to save 50%.
Local food: Choose a restaurant like Chan Que (150,000 VND/meal) instead of a tourist restaurant (200,000 VND/meal). Try the sidewalk crispy rice (30,000 VND/portion) to save money.
Travel on a budget: Rent a bicycle (VND50,000/day) in Tam Coc instead of an electric car (VND1,200,000/bike). Walk around Hoa Lu ancient town to save money.
Join a group tour: Trang An – Tam Coc Tour (500,000 VND/person) including boat, lunch, cheaper than renting a boat yourself (1,500,000 VND/trip).
Note: Travel in low season (September-March) to save 20%. Bring cash as ATMs are limited. Avoid eating in tourist areas to avoid high prices.
Frequently asked questions about Ninh Binh 3 days 2 nights tour
1. What is the ideal time to travel to Ninh Binh?
January-March to see peach blossoms, May-June to see ripe rice in Tam Coc, September-November the weather is cool. Avoid June-August due to heavy rain. Book a tour on Tuesday-Thursday to avoid crowds.
2. How much does a 3-day, 2-night trip to Ninh Binh cost?
Package tour from 2.5-4.5 million VND/person, self-sufficient tour 2-3.5 million VND, depending on service and number of attractions.
3. Is the tour suitable for families with young children?
Yes, children under 5 years old are free (sleeping with parents), 5-9 years old get 50-75% discount. Places like Trang An, Tam Coc are safe, have small boats suitable for children.
4. What to do if the weather is bad?
Contact your tour guide to adjust your itinerary (e.g. visit Bai Dinh, Hoa Lu ancient capital instead of Trang An boat). Monitor AccuWeather and follow the instructions of the authorities.
5. Are there any outstanding activities besides sightseeing?
Rowing boat in Tam Coc, climbing Hang Mua, cycling around rice fields, and enjoying specialties such as burnt rice and mountain goat. Night tour of the old town (100,000 VND/person) is also very interesting.
Conclusion: Discover Ninh Binh with a memorable 3-day, 2-night tour
Ninh Binh 3 days 2 nights tour from Hanoi is a great journey to explore Trang An, Bai Dinh, Hang Mua, Tam Coc, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. With detailed schedules, specific costs, and 2025 saving tips, you can easily enjoy the ancient capital without worrying about exceeding your budget. Book a tour through PYS Travel, Ninh Binh Tours, or explore on your own today to experience an emotional journey!
Source: https://baodanang.vn/lich-trinh-du-lich-ninh-binh-3-ngay-2-dem-tu-ha-noi-chiem-bai-ngoi-chua-lon-nhat-dong-nam-a-3298094.html
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