Things to Do in Ninh Binh

Boat ride through Tam Coc ("Three Caves") — a sampan ride along the Ngo Dong River through rice fields and cave tunnels (~$3–5 for the boat)

Climb Mua Cave (Hang Mua) — 500 steps to a dragon-topped viewpoint overlooking the entire valley (~$3 entry)

Cycle through the rice paddies around Tam Coc — arguably the best cycling in Vietnam

Explore Hoa Lu — the 10th-century capital of Vietnam with two ancient temples

Rent a motorbike and ride to Thung Nham Bird Garden

Trang An boat tour — a larger complex with more caves and routes, UNESCO listed (~$6–8)

Try goat meat — the local specialty of Ninh Binh

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda — Southeast Asia's largest pagoda complex (free entry)

Visit Cuc Phuong National Park — Vietnam's oldest national park (primates, caves, ancient trees)

Watch the golden rice harvest (late May–June and September–October) — the paddies turn stunning gold