Taking leave from the office to travel is always a little difficult because you want to cover as many places as you can in a limited number of days. This time, we planned to visit two neighboring countries – Cambodia and Vietnam. Naturally, it was difficult to cover all the places we wanted to see. Ninh Binh was one of them, and we thought we would visit it maybe next time.
But you know, some of the best trips happen when you least expect them.
Ninh Binh
How We Ended Up in Ninh Binh
There were two places we hadn't planned to visit on this trip — Ninh Binh, a place we knew was beautiful but skipped due to lack of time, and Hue, a city whose historical importance we hadn't realized earlier. Surprisingly, we managed to visit both, though we left with the strong feeling that each deserves more time to explore properly.
Our Ninh Binh trip was purely a matter of luck. During our travels, we kept hearing about this place, which made us feel like we were about to miss something special. Then, unexpectedly, we received a call from our airline saying that our flight had been cancelled and we were offered seats on the next day's flight. After careful consideration, we happily accepted the offer — and ended up fulfilling the chance we thought we would miss.
A Blend of History, Culture, and Natural Beauty
Ninh Binh is a perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. While we were aware of its scenic charm, we had no idea about its historical significance. Ninh Binh was the capital of Vietnam for 42 years — at the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th. In 1010, the capital was moved from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Thang Long (Hanoi), which became the ancient capital of Vietnam.
Entrance of the Ancient Capital - Hua Lu
Altar in the Dinh Tien Hoang Temple
Boat ride in Trang An
Generally, we don't prefer package tours, but considering the limited time, we booked a one-day tour from Hanoi. And believe me, it's worth visiting even through a package — we're really glad we took that chance!
Cycling through the Rural Habitat
As soon as we arrived in the city, the first thing on our itinerary was cycling. Our bus stopped at a serene resort where a bunch of cycles were parked, waiting for us. The guide asked us to pick one that felt right.
Cycling through the rural habitat was a calm and refreshing experience — like spending peaceful time with yourself and nature. It truly felt like meditation on wheels — quiet, soothing, and deeply rejuvenating.
Rural Habitat
Cycling with views
Exploring Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
If you are visiting Hoa Lu as part of a package, a guide will usually accompany you. Otherwise, you can easily hire one (which I highly recommend). There are several monuments and two principal temples in the ancient capital.
Since we had only one day, we visited the main temple — Dinh Tien Hoang Temple. There are a few more temples you may visit, such as Le Dai Hanh Temple, Nhat Tru Pagoda, and Thien Ton Temple. If you are staying for a few more days, you can spend more time here peacefully and explore these monuments at a relaxed pace.
Hua Lu Ancient Capital
Hua Lu Ancient Capital
Hua Lu Ancient Capital
Climbing Mua Caves
If you are traveling like us on a one-day package from Hanoi, you will likely reach Mua Caves around midday, which can make the climb a bit challenging due to heat and crowds. If possible, I recommend visiting in the morning to avoid both.
The campus is stunning, surrounded by extraordinary landscapes and viewpoints. There are two peaks to climb — Dragon Mountain and Tower Mountain — both offering spectacular views. It's about 500 steps to climb, which is neither too hard nor too easy.
Dragon Mountain is the most popular scenic viewpoint, but we avoided it considering limited time and my cervical issues. Instead, we climbed to the right side, toward Tower Mountain. The view from the top was picture-perfect. You may have to line up for a photo with the tower, but it's absolutely worth it for the panoramic view.
Climbing Mua Cave
Mua Cave
Tower Mountain - Mua cave
Trang An Boat Ride
Our travel company gave us two options — Trang An or Tam Coc boat ride. We initially wanted to choose Tam Coc, as it's famous for its scenic paddy fields. However, the company manager suggested Trang An, since there was no paddy cultivation at that time of year — and that turned out to be great advice.
Boating in Trang An is surreal and slightly adventurous. Passing through long limestone caves and calm waterways makes it even more exciting. Trang An has rightly been called “Ha Long Bay on Land.”
Trang An Boat Ride
Trang An Boat Ride
Heading Back to Hanoi
Finally, it was time to head back. We were on the bus, returning to Hanoi, replaying the day's moments through the window reflections. It was truly an unplanned chapter that became one of the most memorable parts of our Vietnam journey.
Sometimes, the best trips really are the ones that aren't planned at all.
