If you happen to be based in Hanoi and been wanting to take a quick breather over the weekend, Ninh Binh would be an ideal place to go. From the capital, it only takes less than two hours to get to this paradise. If you're a fan of amazing natural landscapes and underground rivers, this is the perfect getaway for you.

awesome view at Trang An Valley Bungalow

Places to see

TRANG AN

another mandatory shot when taking the boat tour in Trang An

Ninh Binh is known for its karsts formation amid rivers and plains. This unique beauty garnered much attention as the iconic film Kong: Skull Island was shot here. So you'd know that the itinerary would include the Kong Island shooting locations but the only way to see them is by boat.

COST

This tour costs 200k VND with different choices based on durations and locations. Each boat must carry at least 3 passengers so if you happen to go alone, you'd have to wait for the slots to be filled in or you can pay for the rest of the seats.

DURATION

Since I didn't have much time, I chose the 4-hour tour which highlights boating through the underground rivers and caves and passing by the famous Kong Island. Several temples were also part of the tour by which time local tourists would pray or light some candles.

SITES

At each stopover, refreshments and snacks are sold but there are no restaurants where you could sit down and enjoy a full course meal but you do have ample time to grab some snacks and walk around.

There were some parts of the tour when I just chose to stay in the boat because there wasn't really so much to see and do. Instead, I enjoyed a chat with the boatwoman who spoke Vietnamese all throughout our conversation. I mostly used translator app to respond to her but luckily I picked up some of the words she said. Most locals are really friendly and accommodating.

Here's some relaxing shots of my boat tour in Trang An.

TIPPING

Don't forget to tip your boatman/woman before ending the tour. Tipping is considered polite and a manifestation of gratitude and appreciation.

HANG MUA

This is also a must-see! It's like a vast mountain resort with an overlooking view and an easy hiking trail. I was even wearing my platform sandals going up to the peak.

It only costs 100k VND for the entrance fee. You could also enjoy local food served in the restaurants and cafes within the place.

Hang Mua Peak

There are 2 peaks with a small viewing deck that could get crowded during peak seasons. Summer seasons in Vietnam tend to be really hot and humid and most of the trails are not shaded so be ready with some sun gears.

panoramic view | Hang Mua

Also, before leaving don't forget to drop by the lake with huge water lilies. This place is panoramically amazing.

a conversation with the frogs | Hang Mua

Getting there

The cheapest way to go if you're on a DIY tour is either by bus or by train. Unless there's a national holiday, it would be convenient and cheaper to buy tickets at the bus or train stations but this might be a little challenging if you don't know basic Vietnamese.

In this case, booking tickets online might be a better alternative. As for me, I also find it convenient to book a train ticket on the website because I can pick a seat and pay using my card.

Another popular option is the limousine because it could take you directly to Trang An where the major attraction is located. You can also book for this online.

If you're on a tour package, the transportation is the last thing you'll worry about. That's pretty much covered with your package most of the time. There are many travel agencies in Hanoi that offer great deals for a day trip in Ninh Binh.

Where to stay

Again, booking websites could be your bestfriend in finding a great accommodation. There's a good range of options from boutique to luxury hotels in Ninh Binh but should you want to stay near the main attractions, pick a place somewhere in Trang An or Tam Coc.

I had an awesome stay at Trang An Valley Bungalow. I loved how the cliffs are also your bathroom walls so you're literally sleeping at the foot of enormous rock formations.

loving these cliffs at Trang An Valley Bungalow

Check out some random videos I took during this trip

Ever wondered what to do in Ho Chi Minh City aside from visiting some historical places and night markets? I really thought there was nothing more to do except walk on pavements, shop for souvenirs, and pig out. I didn't expect I'll find paradise in Mui Ne, just four hours away from the city. It's not in Ho Chi Minh but it's worth the travel. When I planned for this trip, I thought I would just be spending my time around the city just like other tourists do. Well, I actually spent less than a day in Mui Ne. I took advantage of the night bus trips to maximize the day time.

This trip wasn't planned as I didn't have bus or accommodation reservations. This trip was some sort of optional since I had other plans I've already set and budgeted but it turned out, my Mui Ne trip was the highlight of my holiday!

Since this was an optional itinerary, there were some issues I have encountered but had been sorted out with some luck and a load of determination.

Trip to Ho Chi Minh City

I'm not based in HCM so I had to take a two-hour ride on a plane from Vinh City (airport) in Nghe An to HCM. My Mui Ne trip was rather half planned because I didn't have prior bookings whatsoever because my whole trip was dependent on the bus schedules. It was a long holiday in Vietnam and the buses are expected to be fully-booked even weeks before the trip. I was able to book the tour, with a friend, by chance. I just had to try my luck in booking for a bus ride to Mui Ne and the odds were in my favor.

Last-minute Booking

I booked a sleeper bus to Mui Ne on the same day of the departure. The hotel staff advised me to look for a tour company before 1PM so my friend and I could still catch the night bus. Booking a bus ticket to Mui Ne was a piece of cake since HCM has an array of tour companies offering different tour and transfers to the neighboring provinces.

Night Bus to Mui Ne

I expected fully-booked buses but ended up with only three other passengers. The bus left HCM at around 9 PM, an hour late. My friend and I waited at the tour agency office for more than an hour before the bus came. I was asleep the whole time so I didn't feel how dragging a 4-hour ride could be. The bus only drops off at the city center so we had to take a taxi to Long Son Beach, which we also booked on the same day. I'm just so grateful there are helpful and friendly people anywhere in Vietnam. We were able to hail a taxi because a Vietnamese helped us. It took more or less 30 minutes to reach Long Son and we didn't have troubles locating this place since it was famous and it was along the road.

Accommodation

Booking a hotel the last minute was a piece of cake since there were a lot of options - good price and excellent location. We booked Long Son Beach Campground for a day. It was a perfect place for backpackers and budget travelers. Although I really loved the vibe of this place, I've also known some people who didn't like its unique features. We've all got our own choices! I happened to like this place. Here's why.

We arrived at the resort at around 2AM. Their 24-hour front desk service was really a bonus point. In Vietnam, most accommodations don't have this feature. In some cases, I had to knock and wait till the owners wake up with my phone calls. In worst cases, they simply refused so I ended up with no choice but to wait outside. I've always hated this part - waking up people at the wee hours of the night.

Anyhow, we were ushered by the attendant to the shared cottage and we were able to get our locker keys right away. The transaction was swift and hassle free. The staff / managers also speak English well so there were no communication barriers whatsoever.

Beds in open cottages. How cool is that!?

The staff was very helpful, too. We didn't have an idea where to book our tour so we kept in touch with them as we were travelling and they responded positively. There were few problems at the start since the tour groups are all filled in on that day but they were able to book us a day tour with two other tourists. That was last minute booking!

Going Home

Getting a sleeper bus reservation wasn't easy during the holidays. My friend and I almost didn't get a ride back to Ho Chi Minh. We already checked out of the resort and decided to take the local bus from the resort to the city center.

We were told there were a lot of tour agencies offering bus rides to HCM but they were fully booked. We walked around and finally succeeded! It was a holiday so we just settled for the normal seater bus, not the sleeper bus.

Generally, the tour went well except for some transportation issues which were all sorted out, maybe not with the best option but with better ones!

Till our next laag!*

*wander, saunter

Places to see

TRANG AN

HANG MUA

Getting there