21 November, 2024 0 Comment 0 Likes 0 Views

Things to do in Ninh Binh

“Located about 90 kilometers away from Hanoi, Ninh Binh stands for the majestic natural wonders as well as the plethora of breathtaking landscapes that are sure to leave you in awe.”

1. The best time to visit Ninh Binh

Situated in the northern part of Vietnam, Ninh Binh is influenced by the tropical monsoon climate zone. The average annual temperature is between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the humidity ranges from 80% to 85%.

Though each season has its own unique characteristics, the best time to visit Ninh Binh is early spring or mid-summer.

Early Spring: From January to March, the climate in Ninh Binh is quite cool and less rain, with trees and bushes growing new leaves and blooming flowers. It’s ideal for visiting famous destinations, landmarks, and relic sites in Ninh Binh. Apart from sightseeing, tourists will have the chance to participate in interesting annual festivals, namely the Bai Dinh Festival, the Trang An Festival, the Thai Vi Temple Festival, and the Hoa Lu Festival.

Mid-Summer: in May and July, the weather features sudden rain in the hot summer. In early May, butterflies in Cuc Phuong National Park grow and develop, creating a fairy tale of the forest. In June, the season of harvesting begins as paddy rice fields turn yellow. In particular, the yellow of ripening paddy rice fields mixed with the green of a wide grass field will make your heart drops a beat.

2. How to reach Ninh Binh?

To reach Ninh Binh from Hanoi, you can take a bus or a limousine bus with tickets ranging from 100.000 to 150.000 VND. The travel time from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is about 2 hours.

For tourists from Ho Chi Minh City, flights to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi are available on airlines such as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air. One-way ticket prices range from 900.000 VND to 1.3 million VND.

Tourists from other provinces can take a train, with tickets available for purchase on the website of Vietnam Railways or at the train station.

The route “Giap Bat-Phap Van- Cau Gie” is suitable for those who want to drive. After that, head towards Phu Ly, and you will come to Ninh Binh.

3. What are the most expected activities in Ninh Binh?

Favored by Mother Nature, Ninh Binh boasts stunning scenery. You can choose between kayaking in Trang An or taking a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc. Ninh Binh is a collection of historic sites, namely Bai Dinh Pagoda, Phat Diem Stone Church, and Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, that tourists can discover. As you explore Thung Nham, you can immerse yourself in a natural wonderland of various bird species, including storks, herons, mallards, forktails, and flamingos, among others. the end of the day, imagine you are in Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve to watch the sunset and admire the stunning beauty of a wetland ecosystem.

4. Ninh Binh Specialities

a) Burnt Rice

Although burnt rice is a simple dish, with skilled makers, it has become one of the most popular dishes in Ninh Binh. Ingredients and toppings are carefully selected and then cooked with the heat of charcoal. Most local restaurants or popular tourist areas in Ninh Binh sell burnt rice to serve the needs of visitors. The rice burned in Ninh Binh is crispy and delicious. There are a lot of different types, such as burnt rice with meat, shrimp, onions, etc.

b) Ninh Binh Goat Meat

Ninh Binh goats grow on rock mountains, so goat meats are much more delicious and chewy than in other regions. Especially Ninh Binh people have our technique of processing goat meats with many special dishes such as rare goat meat mixed with lemon (dê tái chanh), stir-fried goat meat (dê tái lăn), lemongrass and coconut goat, steamed goat meat, grilled goat brisket, goat hotpot, goat gruel, and roasted goat, etc.

c) Sticky Rice with Ant Eggs

This dish attracts visitors with its unique flavor—delicious and extremely nutritious. Especially in Nho Quan, Ninh Binh often has many types of brown ants nesting on the treetops, laying fatty and protein-rich eggs. The locals have cleverly used these ingredients to create this top-rated food. Meanwhile, this is also a precious dish because ant eggs are only seasonal, and the process of finding, taking, and processing the eggs is not simple.

d) Nhech Raw Fish Salad

Nhech fish salad (Goi ca nhech) is a specialty dish from Kim Son in Ninh Binh. The nhech fish, which resembles an eel but is larger and longer, is the main ingredient in this dish. The salad is known for its delightful combination of fresh nhech fish and a flavorful fish sauce dipping sauce, which is mixed with garlic, chili, and ginger. To reduce any unpleasant fishy odor, only the freshest nhech fish is used, and it is processed with herbs. This salad is often enjoyed with rice paper and sticky rice, making for a unique and tasty culinary experience.

5. What to buy in Ninh Binh

a) Burnt rice

Ninh Binh Crispy Rice is a popular culinary specialty that many travelers choose to buy as a gift. It is especially appreciated by friends and family, including children. The dish is known for its delightful crispiness, lack of greasiness, and the savory taste of dried shrimp. You can find it at most tourist attractions in Ninh Binh, usually at a reasonable price of around $2 per package.

b) Nem Chua Yen Mac

Yen Mac spring rolls, also known as Nem Chua Yen Mac, trace their origins to the Hue royal spring rolls of the Nguyen Dynasty. Unlike other types of Nem Chua, Yen Mac uses finely chopped pork butt meat instead of pureed meat. This meat is mixed with "thinh" (toasted rice powder), boiled pork skin, and a blend of heirloom spices. The mixture is then wrapped with guava leaves and banana leaves.

The spring rolls are typically served with various leaves, such as fig leaves, polyscias fruticosa leaves, and apricot leaves. They are often dipped in chili sauce or chili garlic sauce to add a balance of sweet and spicy flavors, making them easy and enjoyable to eat.

c) Gao Fruit

Gao fruit, which has a sour, sweet taste and cool properties, is often used as a substitute for tamarind and sau fruit. Its special flavor not only eliminates the fishy smell of fish but also imparts a unique aroma, making the braised fish exceptionally appealing.

Ca Kho Gao is a distinctive dish from Ninh Binh, known for its strong regional characteristics. To prepare the dish, Gao fruit is cut into small slices and placed at the bottom of the pot. The fish is then laid on top, covered with a layer of thinly sliced Gao fruit. The dish's flavor can vary, being slightly sour or a bit acrid depending on the taste of the Gao fruit at the time. This unique and characteristic flavor has made Ca Kho Gao a favorite among many diners.

d) Lai Thanh wine

Lai Thanh wine is a notable specialty from Ninh Binh, crafted from grained glutinous rice seeds by local artisans. Known for its distinctive aroma that becomes more pronounced with age, this wine has a fragrance that can be detected from a considerable distance. Lai Thanh wine pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, such as frozen cooked bass, fish sauce, steamed seafood, or a bowl of vermicelli, enhancing their flavors and making for a delightful culinary experience.