Every place a first-time visitor needs in Ninh Binh on one map: the boat tours, viewpoints, temples and nature, plus the practical stuff nobody puts on a map, like ATMs, pharmacies, SIM cards, the hospital and the train station. Tap the location button to see what is near you and how far it is; every place has a directions button that opens your navigation app, and a Grab button on your phone.
Places marked recommended are partners we know and trust. Hotels and restaurants carry their public review score so you can judge for yourself; we only list places with very high scores or a personal recommendation from the local team. Hotels are hidden by default; switch on "Stay" if you still need a bed. Use "Routes" for ready-made days, and the star to build your own plan. Questions on the spot? , the local assistant of Ninh Binh Tourist Center, who maintain this map with us.
Emergency: police 113, ambulance 115, fire 114. Little English is spoken; ask your homestay to call, or use the medical interpreter service.
All places on this map
🚣 Boat tours
Trang An boat tour(Open 07:00 to about 16:00 (last boats around 15:30); about 300,000 VND per person) The UNESCO-listed river route through caves, karst valleys and temples. Three routes of 2.5 to 3 hours; route 2 or 3 is quieter than route 1. Go early, before the tour buses. show on map · read more · Visit with a private driver
Tam Coc boat ride(Open 07:00 to 17:00; about 300,000 VND per person (ticket plus boat)) The classic 'Ha Long Bay on land' ride: rowers use their feet to paddle you through three caves and rice fields. Best in the golden harvest weeks of late May and early June. show on map · read more · Combine it in a one-day tour
Van Long wetland boat(Open daylight hours, best late afternoon; boat fee per boat, plus a small entrance ticket) A quiet bamboo-boat glide over a mirror-flat wetland with a good chance of spotting Delacour's langurs on the cliffs. Far fewer visitors than Trang An. show on map · read more · Add it to a custom day tour
Thien Ha (Galaxy) cave(Open daytime; entrance plus boat) A boat-and-walk visit to a long, lit limestone cave south-west of Tam Coc. Cool inside on a hot day and rarely crowded. show on map · Include it in a private day
🌄 Viewpoints
Mua Cave viewpoint (Hang Mua)(Open 06:00 to 18:00 (sunset is the moment); about 150,000 VND) About 500 stone steps up to the dragon ridge with the best panorama in Ninh Binh: Tam Coc river, rice fields and karst in every direction. Bring water; avoid midday heat. show on map · read more · Visit with a private driver
Small karst viewpoint near Tam Coc(free) A smaller, quieter climb between Tam Coc and Mua Cave, marked by our local team as a free alternative when Mua is packed. Ask locally whether the path is open. show on map
🛕 Temples & pagodas
Hoa Lu ancient capital(Open 07:00 to 17:00; about 20,000 VND) Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries. Two temples honour the Dinh and Le kings, set against a ring of mountains that once formed the citadel walls. show on map · read more · See it on the one-day tour
Bai Dinh Pagoda(Open daily, roughly 06:00 to 21:00; entry free; electric cart and stupa about 300,000 VND together) The largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam: a corridor of 500 arhat statues, giant bronze Buddhas and a 13-storey stupa with a view. Allow two to three hours; electric carts save your legs. show on map · read more · Part of the two-day culture tour
Bich Dong Pagoda(Open daytime; free (small parking fee)) Three small pagodas built into the cliff at the end of the Tam Coc valley, reached over a stone bridge and up through a cave. Twenty minutes, free, and lovely. show on map · read more
Thai Vi Temple(Open daytime; free) A quiet 13th-century Tran-dynasty temple in the fields behind Tam Coc. A favourite stop on the cycling loop, with almost no crowds. show on map · read more
Am Tien cave and lake (Tuyet Tinh Coc)(Open daytime; small entrance fee) A hidden emerald lake inside a ring of cliffs near Hoa Lu, with a small cave temple. Steep steps in, then silence. Combine with the ancient capital. show on map · Ask a local driver to add it
Phat Diem Cathedral(Open daytime; mass times vary; free) A 19th-century Catholic cathedral built like a Vietnamese temple, in carved stone and ironwood, about 28 km south-east. Worth the drive for architecture fans. show on map · read more · Reach it with a car and driver
Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda(Open daytime; free) A serene, beautifully restored pagoda about 30 km north in Ha Nam, known for its raked gravel gardens and pine-covered hill. A peaceful half-day trip. show on map · Add it to a private day
🌿 Nature & parks
Thung Nham bird park(Open 07:00 to 18:00; entrance ticket; boat extra) A valley of caves, orchards and a wetland where thousands of storks and herons return to roost at dusk. Come between 16:30 and 18:00 for the bird show. show on map · read more · Include it in a custom day
Cuc Phuong National Park(Open 07:00 to 17:00; about 150,000 VND (park plus centres)) Vietnam's oldest national park, 45 km west: ancient rainforest, a thousand-year-old tree, the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Turtle Conservation Center. show on map · read more · Book the Cuc Phuong day tour
Kenh Ga hot spring(Open daytime; pool entrance) A riverside hot-spring area north-west of the city. The old floating village is gone; go for a mineral soak and the river scenery, ideally paired with Van Long. show on map · Pair it with Van Long by car
🍜 Eat & drink
Ninh Binh Pizza (delivery)recommended(Open evenings) Wood-fired style pizza delivered to your hotel or homestay in Tam Coc, Trang An and Ninh Binh city. Order online, pay on delivery. read more
Banh Mi Gion (crispy banh mi)4.6 on Google (Sep 2026)(Open until about 21:00; 10,000 to 35,000 VND) A couple's tiny kitchen down alley 43 of Luong Van Tuy street in the city centre: crispy banh mi and sizzling platters at prices that barely register. Look for the sign at the alley mouth. One of the best cheap eats in the province. show on map
Hoang Cuisine4.8 on Tripadvisor, 497 reviews (Sep 2026)(Open lunch and dinner) Open-air Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Tam Coc with a long vegetarian menu, mountain goat and Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice. show on map
Family Restaurant (roast duck)4.7 on Tripadvisor, 1,216 reviews (Sep 2026)(Open lunch and dinner) Three generations of one family and the best roast duck in Tam Coc, spit-roasted in front of you. Also goat, snails and the usual favourites. show on map
Aroma Indian Restaurant4.5 on Tripadvisor, 499 reviews (Sep 2026)(Open lunch and dinner) Reliable Indian food on the Tam Coc main street, halal, with plenty of vegetarian options. Handy when you need a break from rice. show on map
Father Cooking(Open lunch and dinner) Small family place near the Tam Coc wharf known for goat meat and cheap, generous Vietnamese plates. Over 700 reviews, most of them happy. show on map
Tam Coc night market(Open 16:00 to 21:00) Small evening market in the village centre with grilled skewers, local produce and cheap beer. Good for a relaxed first night. show on map
Tam Gia Tranglocal team's pick(Open lunch and dinner) Local favourite in the city for Vietnamese dishes, including the Ninh Binh speciality of mountain goat (de nui). Go with a group and share. show on map
Loving Hut (Chay Hoa Lu) veganlocal team's pick(Open lunch and dinner) Fully vegan Vietnamese restaurant in the city centre. Cheap set lunches and good pho chay. show on map
Tokyo Sushi Ninh Binhlocal team's pick(Open lunch and dinner) Japanese in the city centre for when you want something different: sushi, ramen and set menus. show on map
Coffee Phonglocal team's pick(Open morning to evening) Proper Vietnamese coffee plus a mixed Vietnamese and Italian menu in the city. Good for a slow breakfast. show on map
💆 Relax
Massage Ninh Binhrecommended(Open 07:00 to 23:30) Traditional Vietnamese massage, herbal foot baths and body treatments, by trained therapists. The place to fix your legs after Mua Cave. show on map · read more · Book through the local team
Reiki Ninh Binhrecommended(Open by appointment) Reiki and energy healing by trained blind therapists, about 5 km from Tam Coc. They arrange pick-up when you book. read more · Book a reiki session
Spa day: jacuzzi, sauna and massagerecommended(Open by appointment) A half-day spa package near Tam Coc and Trang An with jacuzzi, sauna and a full massage, arranged with hotel pick-up. See the spa package
🍳 Experiences
Minh Quan cooking class (Tam Coc)recommended(Open 11:00 to 17:00, daily; from 350,000 VND per person) Cook a full Vietnamese meal in a garden by the water near Tam Coc, then eat it at the table you cooked on. About one hour, any day between 11:00 and 17:00; spring rolls, bun cha, pho or fish, vegetarian possible. show on map · read more · Book this class
Quyen's home cooking class (countryside)recommended(Open Sundays, 11:00 or 17:00; from 350,000 VND per person) Cook in a family kitchen in the countryside about 10 km north of Tam Coc, with whatever was fresh at the market that morning, then sit down and eat together. Two hours, Sundays at 11:00 or 17:00. show on map · read more · Book this class
🛏 Stay
Chau Son Garden Resortrecommended Calm garden resort north of the city with a pool, bungalows and easy access to Trang An and Bai Dinh. A quiet base for families. show on map · read more
Camellia Hotelrecommended Central Ninh Binh city hotel, walking distance from restaurants and the bus station, with tour advice at the desk. show on map · read more
Tam Coc Sunshine Homestay9.8 on Booking.com, 1,270 reviews (Sep 2026) Family homestay at the quiet end of Tam Coc with mountain views from every terrace, free bikes and one of the highest guest scores in the province. show on map
Tam Coc Garden Resort9.8 on Expedia (Sep 2026) Boutique resort hidden in the fields west of Tam Coc: stone bungalows, a pool between the karst, and total silence at night. show on map
Muong Village Ninh Binh9.8 on Expedia (Sep 2026) Wooden stilt houses in the Muong style on the road between Tam Coc and Trang An, with balconies over the rice fields and a nature-first feel. show on map
Trang An Ecolodge9.5 on Booking.com (Sep 2026) Upscale bungalows by the river in Trang An village, ten minutes from the boat wharf. Pool, gardens and a good restaurant. show on map
Tam Coc Golden Fields9.5 on Booking.com (Sep 2026) Modern rooms and a pool looking straight over the paddies at the north edge of Tam Coc, a short cycle from the wharf. show on map
An Phu Homestaylocal team's pick Friendly family homestay between the city and Trang An, popular with cyclists. show on map
Hoang Giang Homestaylocal team's pick Simple, welcoming homestay with rice-field views on the road towards Tam Coc. show on map
ℹ️ Practical
Ninh Binh railway station Trains to and from Hanoi take about 2 hours 15 minutes; several a day. Taxis and Grab wait outside. Tam Coc is a 15-minute drive. show on map · Arrange a pick-up at the station
Ninh Binh bus station Buses and limousine vans to Hanoi, Hai Phong, Cat Ba and points south. Check the last departure; evenings are thin. show on map · Private transfer instead?
Ninh Binh General Hospital(Open 24 hours emergency) The main public hospital, with a 24-hour emergency department. Little English is spoken; bring your passport and insurance details. show on map · Need a medical interpreter?
Pharmacy (FPT Long Chau, city)(Open about 07:00 to 22:00) Chain pharmacy in the city centre with a wide stock and usually someone who speaks some English. show on map
Pharmacy (Tam Coc village)(Open daytime) Small pharmacy in the village for painkillers, sunscreen, rehydration salts and insect repellent. show on map
GO! / Big C supermarket(Open 08:00 to 22:00) Large supermarket on the east side of the city: snacks, water, SIM cards, basic clothing and a food court. show on map
WinMart supermarket(Open 07:00 to 22:00) Mid-size supermarket in the city centre, handy for water, fruit and toiletries. show on map
Ninh Binh city police For a police report after theft or an accident (your insurer will ask for one). Bring a Vietnamese speaker if you can. show on map
Petrol station (city)(Open early to late) Petrol for rented motorbikes. Pay cash; ask for 'day binh' to fill the tank. show on map
Dentist (Khoa Dat clinic)(Open daytime) Dental clinic in the city centre used by expats for emergencies and cleanings. show on map
Ninh Binh city centre The provincial town: banks, supermarkets, restaurants and the bus and train stations. Most visitors stay in Tam Coc or Trang An instead and come here for errands. show on map
Emergency numbers(Open 24 hours) Police 113. Ambulance 115. Fire 114. Most operators speak little English: ask your homestay to call, or use the medical interpreter service below. Tourist assistance from Ninh Binh Tourist Center: info@ninhbinhtouristcenter.com. read more · Medical interpreter service
Viettel store (SIM cards)(Open about 08:00 to 20:00) Official Viettel shop in the city for a tourist SIM or eSIM with data. Bring your passport; staff help with setup. show on map
Motorbike rental (Tam Coc)(Open daytime) Scooter rental in the village centre, usually 120,000 to 200,000 VND a day with helmet. Most homestays also rent bicycles for a few dollars. show on map
Motorbike rental (Trang An road)(Open daytime) Scooter rental on the road between the city and Trang An. Check brakes and lights before you ride off; roads to Bai Dinh are busy. show on map
Laundry (Tam Coc)(Open daytime) Wash-and-fold laundry in the village, priced per kilo, same-day if you drop it off in the morning. show on map
Laundry (city)(Open daytime) Laundry service near the train station, priced per kilo. show on map
ATM SHB (Tam Coc, 24/7)(Open 24 hours) 24-hour ATM at the Tam Coc end of the village. Withdrawal fee around 55,000 VND; limit about 3 million per transaction. show on map
ATM BIDV (Tam Coc) BIDV cash machine near the boat wharf in Tam Coc. show on map
ATM Vietcombank (city) Vietcombank machine near the hospital; usually accepts foreign cards without fuss. show on map
ATM VietinBank (city centre) VietinBank machine in the centre, close to the station road. show on map
ATM Agribank (city) Agribank machine east of the centre. show on map
ATM BIDV (city, north) BIDV machine in the northern part of the centre, near Camellia Hotel. show on map
ATM MB Bank (city) MB Bank machine in the centre. show on map