TOURS vs DIY NINH BINH?

Ninh Binh’s top attraction is nearby Tam Coc and Hoa Lu, which get flooded with easy-to-arrange (and enjoy) day trips from Hanoi. The problem is they all reach the places around the same time (from 10.30am to 2pm).

Guesthouses in Ninh Binh are accustomed to arrange full-day (or longer) motorbike/car tours to see these places, along with Kenh Ga floating village, area pagodas and even Cuc Phuong National Park (or even Mai Chau on multi-day trips with homestays in minority villages). A motorbike tour for the day is $12 per person.

If you’re going to be around more than a day, getting to Phat Diem or Tam Coc (best as it opens) is easy enough to do on your own. I did that for both, then spent a greatly rewarding day on the back of a guide’s bike on a looping ride to sights not in guidebooks and Cuc Phuong National Park. A well spent $12.