Thinking of traveling to northern Vietnam? So don’t miss Ninh Binh! If you’re planning a visit or just want to check out your accommodation options, here are my recommended places to make the most of your trip!
Picture this: sitting quietly on a boat, floating on a river with yellow rice fields and limestone karsts rising out of the water on both sides in Tam Coc – Bich Dong and Trang An. This scene is peaceful – there is no of noise, apart from the sound of the birds and that of the boatman. Why not get a little exercise by conquering 486 rock stairs to reach the top of Mua Cave for a perfect view of Ninh Binh province or wander around Bai Dinh Pagoda and Phat Diem Church for some learn more about the architecture and religions of the Vietnamese people?
As there are too many things to do during a day trip to Ninh Binh, it would be better to stay here for a night or two to have more time to visit this remarkable province.
So, what is the accommodation situation like in Ninh Binh? Are there many large hotels and resorts? My answer is yes! As Ninh Binh is a popular travel site, it is easy to find accommodation that fits your budget. From hostels to beautiful homestays and luxury resorts, you have a great choice, follow the guide:
For backpackers on a budget: share the night in a cute hostel
1. Go Ninh Binh Hostel – Youth Hostel
Have you ever imagined staying in a train station? At Go Ninh Binh Hostel, the owner renovated an old train station and transformed it into a colorful hostel. If privacy is your top priority, you can book a double room for two people. Otherwise, you’ll share a bed in a dorm with seven to nine other travelers. Each room has air conditioning and colorful lockers. Each bed in the dormitory is equipped with a curtain, power outlets and a reading lamp.
The shared bathroom is quite clean and bright. The hostel service provides you with bathroom kits, such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gels, but no hand towels.
In the lobby you will find a restaurant offering simple dishes. You can have breakfast or a bottle of beer. Traveling is about seeing new things and making new friends. Go Ninh Binh Hostel creates a large social space with table football, billiards, darts and chess for you to entertain and communicate with fellow travelers from around the world. So forget your smartphone for a while and enjoy the moment.
If you wish to travel by motorbike, contact the receptionist to rent an automatic motorbike. Rental is around 4.8-6 USD (125,000-150,000 VND) per day.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: 01 Hoang Hoa Tham, Thanh Binh district, Ninh Binh
Phone:0229 387 1186
Website: Go Ninh Binh Hostel
Price range: – A bed in the dormitory: about 5 USD – A double bedroom: about 15 USD
2. Tam Coc River View Homestay
This homestay is located on the river bank, where you can spend an afternoon watching the sun set over the mountain. Tam Coc River View Homestay has four types of rooms: private rooms (including double rooms, bungalows and a large family room) and shared rooms (including four-bed rooms and a bunk room).
Each private room at Tam Coc River View Homestay includes comfortable beds, air conditioning, TV and a private bathroom. Even all the wooden bunk beds in the shared room have a soft mattress, where you can rest your back after a day of activities, a reading lamp and a curtain. There are two shared bathrooms in the dormitory, so you don’t have to wait long to take a shower.
Previous guests agree that the breakfast at Tam Coc River View Homestay is quite plentiful and delicious. You won’t just get a piece of stale bread or a bowl of mediocre noodles, but a good breakfast, consisting of banh mi, cheese, bananas, a cup of coffee and fruit! You can enjoy the feast on bamboo chairs and tables in the charming garden, while watching other people boating along the Ngo Dong River. You can rent a bike from the hostel owners for just 30,000 VND per day and ride to the nearby Bich Dong Pagoda.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
Phone: 098 973 6597
Facebook: Tam Coc River View Homestay
Price range:
– A bed in shared room: 6 – 7 USD– A private room: from 26 to 30 USD
3. Chezbeo Bungalows
If you want to stay closer to mother nature, Chezbeo Homestay is what you are looking for. Boasting a beautiful location in a valley surrounded by limestone karsts and small ponds, this homestay will offer you a unique experience of staying in the countryside in Vietnam.
The bungalows are built with bamboo and a roof made of dried leaves. The many windows capture sunlight and let the wind blow into your room (there is no air conditioning). Another thing you can’t find in your room is a television. It’s a good opportunity to really feel the life around you without being overwhelmed by technology. It’s time to leave your modern life behind and open the gift of nature.
Imagine relaxing in a hammock watching the starry sky at night or getting up early to the sound of forest roosters, maybe you see yourself in a beautiful yoga pose while watching the sunrise. Do you like mediation? If you do, this relaxing stay is a great place to close your eyes, breathe in the fresh air, and stay focused on your mind and body. The good news is that you still have a wifi router in your bungalow.
There is an economy room option for around 400,000 VND per person in a shared room. So if your privacy is not a big issue and you don’t mind sharing a room, you can try it.
To maximize your stay, this homestay offers free bicycles for those of you who want to visit nearby attractions. And there are free bamboo rafts for you to take a trip along the river.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Kha Luong Village, Ninh Thang District, Ninh Binh City Phone: 098 461 15 43
Facebook: Chezbeo Valley Bungalows
Price range: – A bed in a shared bungalow: $15 – Private bungalow: at from 30 – 45 USD
4. Tam Coc Westlake Homestay
Tam Coc Westlake Homestay meets the three most important things on my checklist when looking for a dream home: beautiful decor, a clean room, and a reasonable price. This charming homestay was built on the west side of Tam Coc, which brings you just a five-minute walk from Tam Coc boat station.
The bungalows with garden view are spacious and bright. There are two room options: a double room and a triple room. Following the rustic theme, the interior of this hotel is eco-friendly, using bamboo and industrial wood to make furniture. If you can’t sleep without turning on the air conditioner (like me), you don’t have to worry, because you will not only have an air conditioner, but also a fan, for those very hot days in distant tropical places. Did I mention there is a kettle and coffee in your room? You can make yourself a cup of coffee when you wake up to start the day off right.
In the large garden you can relax, write your travel diary or play with the hotel’s friendly dog. There is even a dining section where you can relax and have a delicious breakfast. The great thing is that they will cook your breakfast to order to keep your meal hot and fresh. You can choose tea/coffee or juice to go with your dish and have seasonal fruit for dessert.
You can rent a motorbike from the homestay owners for around USD 4.8 (VND 120,000) per day. Bai Dinh Pagoda is just 20 minutes away, while Phat Diem Church will take you only 30 minutes by bike. These two places are worth a visit when you travel to Ninh Binh.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
Phone: 0983 653 386
Facebook: Tam Coc WestlakePrice range: 20 – 35 USD
5. Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort – Luxury
If you want to take a few days out of your trip to relax in a beautiful resort, why don’t you spend your trip at Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort?
Fully equipped with air conditioning, television and high-speed internet, you won’t have to leave your room. The sumptuous bathroom with garden view, bath, shower and amenities will impress you, especially after a long day of sightseeing.
What makes me love this resort is their remarkable outdoor swimming pool, which faces the majestic mountains. It’s certainly a sweet escape from the summer heat of Ninh Binh. The resort has two restaurants that offer very good Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Do you want to drink a cocktail? Find your cocktail at the pool bar and a glass of good wine at the wine bar. Want a massage? You can contact the receptionist to book a retreat at La Cochinchina Spa, located within the resort.
MORE INFORMATION
Address: Van Long Reserve, Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province Phone: 0167 869 9330
Website: Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort
Price range: from 125 – 300 US
