Ninh Binh – Top ideal attractions

Ninh Binh is located at the southern point of northern Vietnam and Red River Delta. It’s the capital of the country in the 10th century. This is a key military place of Vietnam in the times of Dinh, Early Le, Ly, Tran and Tay Son. Having special location, Ninh Binh has rich tourism resources. Coming to Ninh Binh, visitors can enjoy historical relic sightseeing tours, discovery tours and cultural and spiritual tours. These tourism types affirm the role of Ninh Binh in Vietnam’s tourism map and make the place get known. With such diversity, Ninh Binhh is considered a miniature of Vietnam. 

Trang An is a comprehensive tourist sites of Ninh Binh. Trang An tourist sites include Hoa Lu ancient capital, Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist site and Trang An ecotourism site. In this place, many heritage sites have been ranked as particular important national relics like Trang An eco-tourism sites, Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist site, Bai Dinh pagoda and Hoa Lu ancient capital. These sites link together by Hoa Lu forest on limestone mountain and about 12,000 hectare river systems. Trang An beauty spot of Vietnam is applied to become World Heritages with the outstanding value of the natural landscape, culture and history. It is expected to become the first World Heritage Complex in Vietnam with cultural and natural criteria. Trang An is also invested to become a resort of international stature.  

This charming area in the northern delta is also home to many unique tourist sites. Trang An cave complex is like a bagua. Mountains, lake and caves form a network. Each lake is a specific charming picture of clouds, green mountains and water. Marvelously, Trang An’s lakes are interconnected by underwater caves which transfer the water flow from canyon to canyon. Mountains surround lakes and emerge in the middle of island forests. Sailing through Trang An, people feel peaceful in mind.

In Trang An scenic landscape complex, Tam Coc – Bich Dong is an interesting stopover. Tam Coc - Bich Dong is also known as “Halong Bay on Land” or “the runner-up Beautiful Cave of Vietnam”. It’s a major tourist site. The whole area includes the system of limestone caves and historical sites related to the Tran dynasty in Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu. Sitting in the boat, pure Ngo Dong River flow is under superb mountains. The boat glides on the water surface. Visitors can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful atmosphere.

Guests will also have exciting experience while sailing through cave system. Given geological change, bow-shaped limestone mountains were formed. Geologists confirm that Tam Coc used to be an ancient sea. The rift caused by geological movement eventually formed the flow through limestone caves. Trang An - Tam Coc is considered a special geological museum. Thai Vi is an irresistible stopover for visitors to Tam Coc. This is a sacred temple worshipping Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong, Tran Anh Tong, General Tran Hung Dao, General Tran Quang Khai and Queen Thuan Thien. Thai Vi Temple is associated with the history of the Tran dynasty and is a scared place for the people to commemorate merits of Tran Kings. Many cultural values are being shown in the design of this temple.

Van Long is located in 7 communes of Gia Vien, Ninh Binh, covering over 3,000 hectares. This is the largest wetlands Nature Reserve in Red River Delta. This is the home of delacour with appropriately 100 individuals. This place has the biggest natural picture, i.e.: Meo Cao Mountain. Flora system includes 722 species. Fauna system includes 39 species. Bird Park has 100 species. Becoming a tourist site in 1998, Van Long is the key national tourist site. In 1999, it became a nature reserve in the list of protected wetland areas and the list of special-use forests in Vietnam. The Dutch government, the GEF and the EPRC finance the conservation of rare animas of Van Long. Besides, Van Long is one of the attractive spots. It was called waveless bay. The pond is like a giant mirror. Van Long tours are environmentally friendly with the use of simple, rustic boats. 

Located 100 kilometers from Hanoi and 30 kilometers from Ninh Binh to the south, Phat Diem Cathedral is in Kim Son, Ninh Binh province. Phat Diem Cathedral is considered on of the most beautiful Churches in Vietnam and is seen as the catholic capital of Vietnam. Phat Diem cathedral complex was erected in 1865 and completed in 1899. Despite being a catholic church, it was built like a traditional pagoda in Vietnam. Phat Diem Cathedral includes ponds, monuments, Cathedral, Chapels, etc. Phat Diem Cathedral complex is the interference of Western and Oriental architecture. This is also the symbol of the encounter between catholic and traditional beliefs of Vietnamese people.

Ninh Binh is also known for Buddhist works with a lot of records of Vietnam and Asia, i.e:  Bai Dinh Pagoda. The new bai Ding pagoda covers 80 hectares, located on the other mountain side of the old pagoda and in the west of Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is a major work including Tam The Palace, Guanyin palace, Tower Palace, Bell Tower, supportive infrastructure, monastic institutions and welcoming areas built in many different stages. Bai Dinh Pagoda had 8 records by February 28, 2012. The largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia weights 100 tons in Phap Chu Palace. The largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, i.e.: 100-ton Maitreya Buddha statue. The Vietnam’s largest bronze bell weighs 36 tonnes in the Bell Tower.

The Vietnam’s largest pagoda covers 539 hectares. The old pagoda covers 27 hectares and the new one, 80 hectares. The pagoda with the longest Arhat corridor in Asia has a length of 3 kilometers. The pagoda with the largest number of Arhat statues in Vietnam has 500 green stone statues of about 2m high. The pagoda has a jade well which is the largest in Vietnam. The pagoda has the largest number of Bodi trees in Vietnam with 100 trees derived from a Bodhi tree in India. Bai Dinh Pagoda welcomes millions of tourists every year. From May 07 to 11, 2014, in Bai Dinh Pagda, Vesak festival, the biggest Buddhist event in the world, will take place.

Five star hotels in Ninh Binh complete the tourist sites. There are interesting stopovers for travelers to this place. Emeralda Ninh Binh is the largest five star Resort in the North located next to Van Long Nature Reserve. Emeralda is designed in a village-style of Red River Delta, including 172 guest rooms, 3 restaurants and 2 pools. In addition to unique decorative style, the resort is luxurious equipped. The resort will give the best services to tourists. Villas are designed with the style of old Red River Delta. Walls are made of clay. Roofs are made with shoe-shaped tiles. The houses here have wooden frame. Tourists can enjoy traditional food of Vietnam as well as popular food in the world.

Cuc Phuong Resort & Spa is designed according to international 4-star standards, covering 100 hectares. The combination of natural materials and a unique architectural style, the resort gives visitors private, fully equipped and comfortable space. Located only 3 kilometers from Cuc Phuong National Forest, this is the ideal place for those loving peaceful life with a large hotel and 34 bungalows. In elegant bungalows, the good smell of bamboo and sedge make visitors immersed in the space of peaceful village. Cuc Phuong Resort & Spa has ancient million-of-year-old rocks and petrified wood. From these resorts, visitors have tours to discover Ninh Binh.

Source: VTC10 - NETVIET