2 day trip to Ninh Binh in March

Question

Hello everyone,

My wife, 4 yr old daughter and I will be visiting Vietnam for the first time (we are very avid travellers but this is our first trip to Asia). I am finding it a bit tricky to plan the Ninh Binh part of the trip. We will be in Hanoi and planning to head to Ninh Binh on the 6th of March.

- I booked a home stay in Tam Coc after reading that it’s a good base - is it? Or is there a better option?

- what would your recommendations be for this time of year? What areas are worth seeing if we are short on time as such?

- we would like to head directly to a Halong Bay 1N overnight cruise on the morning of Mar 8th - are there any recommended trips that can take us from ninh binh (or tam coc) to the cruise?

- when in Ninh Binh - are there any recommended tours that can take us to the areas we will be visiting? (Ideally pick us up from Hanoi as well - and perhaps make a short stop in the incense villages on the way)

I’ve asked those questions to the reception of the home stay but they’re extremely short on answers and to be honest not very helpful - so I’m happy to pick something else if there are any recommendations. For reference I booked tam coc melody homestay

Thanks for all your help!

Ramy

J4939HJmichaelp · Accepted Answer

"I booked a home stay in Tam Coc after reading that it’s a good base - is it? Or is there a better option?"

Tam Coc village is the tourism epicenter of Ninh Binh province. Often, when folks say they are going to Ninh Binh, they really mean Tam Coc.

It's a very laid back, quiet, tourist friendly destination and is an excellent place just to chill out after visiting big cities like Ha Nai.

The sights and sites in Tam Coc can be reached on foot, bicycle,and taxi. Very easy.

However, if you want to explore more of the province, then you need transportation and you may want a guide.

Your idea of hiring a car and driver from Ha Noi is a good idea. You can make a day of sightseeing out of it. Suggest you open up Google Maps and look for points of interest: potential stops on your journey from Ha Noi.

You might find the travelfish website useful:

https://www.travelfish.org/location/vietnam/hanoi_and_surrounds/ninh_binh/ninh_binh

scottj765 · Answer

Toan, a Ninh Binh local tour guide, can help you with everything you need, including transfers between Hanoi and Ninh Binh, and Ninh Binh and Halong Bay.

This is his website, and yes, we have used him several times -

https://ninhbinhpuluongtours.wordpress.com/

Scott

ctm7944 · Answer

"I booked a home stay in Tam Coc after reading that it’s a good base?"

Yes.

Take a look at the link for Toan, to see the tours he has put together. Or, do research to determine what is of "worth" to YOU. Then, Toan can create a tour for you.

Edited: 19 January 2023, 21:54

ctm7944 · Answer

For Halong Bay https://haiphongtours.com/ Can also arrange pick up in Tam Coc.

63ramym · Answer

Thank you so much! This is very helpful information. I read more about the differences between Tam coc and Trang An boat and given we are going in March it seems like Tam coc boat ride won’t be as special.

Also i noticed that the Mua cave and hike is not going to be easy with my daughter so we are likely skipping it.

The boat would be our highlight basically, if we intend to take the boat from Trang An is Tam coc still the best location to stay at or would you recommend somewhere else?

ctm7944 · Answer

Yes, stay in Tam Coc! Regardless of where you do the boat ride; which will only be a couple hours of your visit. Your guide will take you around; the sites are spread around anyhow.

Aussie_Travel_Writer · Answer

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John P · Answer

Might as well start your own thread, ATW. Cheers, John

63ramym · Answer

Great questions though 😀

63ramym · Answer

Thank you .. I’ve reached out to Toan!

2 day trip to Ninh Binh in March - Ninh Binh Forum

2 day trip to Ninh Binh in March

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