2 Days in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

After my 4-day motorbike adventure on the Ha Giang Loop, I headed south to Ninh Binh for some much-needed relaxation. The area is known for its limestone mountains and surrounding rice fields.

Day 1 – A Cute Homestay

I took the morning VIP sleeper bus from Hanoi. It wasn’t as luxurious as the one I took to Ha Giang, but it was still pretty nice. I made it to the For You Homestay in the early afternoon. The homestay is located outside of the main area of town, making it a really tranquil setting. The receptionists were also really sweet. Most people recommended exploring the area by motorbike, but I didn’t know how to drive one so I rented a normal bike from my homestay instead.

Biking through Ninh Binh

I spent the rest of the day exploring on my bike which was very peaceful. There were minimal people around, however, and I was afraid I would pop a tire on the rough roads, so I didn’t venture too far. The surrounding scenery was really beautiful, though. I stopped for a late lunch at a nearby café and then rode my bike a bit more, admiring the rock formations along the way. Afterwards, I relaxed at my homestay which had incredible views of the area. I stayed there for dinner and met a very cute puppy who kept following me around. Since I had booked a tour for the next day, I had an early night in.

A beautiful view from my homestay

My adorable puppy friend

Day 2 – The Trang An Grottoes

I was picked up from my homestay early the next morning, where we soon joined up with a larger group. Our first stop was Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Southeast Asia. We then visited Mua Caves which took almost 600 stairs to get to the top (I counted!). Thankfully, the two viewpoints made all the steps worth it. Next we visited the ancient capital Hoa Lu, which I thought was just okay. For lunch we had shared plates of meat, rice, and various sides, and I got to know some other group members who were from Germany and the Netherlands.

View from the top of Mua Caves

The stairs are worth the views

After lunch it was time for the main event, the Trang An Grottoes. We rode through the grottoes in small boats steered by local ladies, and the surrounding limestone cliffs were beautiful. I did get a bit bored of the ride, however, as it was almost two hours long! I also felt bad for the ladies rowing. This was the last stop of the tour, so I was dropped off at my homestay afterwards, where I had dinner and more time with the puppy.

Boating through the Trang An Grottoes

The Grottoes

While I only spent two days in Ninh Binh, I was happy to have had some relaxation while exploring the nearby attractions. My homestay in particular was really great, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of other parts of Vietnam.