The Most Suitable Things To Do for Families with Kids in Ninh Binh
Traveling to Ninh Binh with Kids: The Most Suitable Things to do for Families with kids
Ninh Binh is the perfect destination for the whole family to enjoy peaceful moments together. With just a 2-hour drive and 90 kilometers from Hanoi, Ninh Binh offers a plethora of captivating sites to explore. Families with children will find it to be the ideal vacation spot, as you can spend valuable time discovering the stunning natural beauty made up of many rivers, lush green rice fields, and towering limestone mountains. However, it’s not always simple to travel with kids.
Is Ninh Binh the right choice when traveling with kids?
As one of the top 4 tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh is an ideal option to spend a few days with your kids. If you start your trip in Hanoi, which has all the hustle and bustle of city life, and you are looking for somewhere to get away from it, let’s head to Ninh Binh to experience the rural atmosphere. Here you can breathe fresh air, see rice fields, and take in the breathtaking natural scenery.
Ninh Binh has everything to please your family and is worth spending a few days there. Imagine nothing better than riding through small roads around quiet rural villages or relaxing in a bamboo boat on the river while taking in the stunning scenery of towering limestone mountains.
How to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi when traveling with kids?
Depending on your preferences and budget, there are a variety of options available, including trains, private shuttles, tour buses, and local buses.
By tour bus
Tour buses are an affordable, convenient, secure, and comfortable way to travel with kids. You don’t have to worry about your luggage because you can ask them to pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation. There are a number of bus options available that you can select from, including shuttle buses and limousine buses. If you travel with little luggage, it is recommended to take a 9-seat Limousine. There are no child seats on the bus but the seats are comfortable and safe. The 17-seat Limousine with pick-up and drop-off service is a suitable choice for families with a lot of luggage.
By coach bus
Families with kids may find this to be an unsuitable option as it requires them to take a taxi to the Giap Bat bus station and look for the coach (the coach leaves at the exact time, but it may stop on the side of the road to pick up additional passengers). The bus station in Ninh Binh is the final stop. From there, a taxi ride to your lodging will cost an additional 8 to 10 USD. This is not a highly recommended option because you will wind up wasting money and time.
By train
The procedure is similar to traveling by coach but the experience is quite different. It only takes 2 hours by train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. The cost of each ticket is approximately 150,000 VND.
By private car
Taking a private car from Hanoi to Ninh Binh is a great option if your budget allows it. Thelimousine bus ride costs about $12 USD per person, while the one-way transfer by private car is quite reasonably priced at just over $100 USD.
Top Best things to do for Families with kids
Ninh Binh is one of the attractive tourist destinations that families should visit once. This location combines river tourism, cave exploration, temples, and relaxation. In particular, there is a famous Trang An Scenic Complex which has been recognized as part of the world cultural heritages by UNESCO. Let’s check out the should-not-miss locations below for families traveling to Ninh Binh with kids.
Cycling around Tam Coc
Nothing makes you happier than taking your family and kids for a leisurely bicycle ride along scenic roads while you take in the tranquility of the Vietnamese countryside, complete with rice fields, limestone mountains, and historic pagodas. This activity will bring you a feeling of relaxation and peace.
In the event that your child is still too young to ride alone, child seats are also available for bicycles; however, arrangements must be made in advance. It is advisable to make the trip early in the morning or late in the afternoon, particularly during the sweltering summer months.
Taking a bamboo boat ride in Tam Coc
When visiting Tam Coc, you will have the chance to take a leisurely and comfortable 1.5-hour boat ride on the Ngo Dong River. The boat ride departs from Tam Coc pier, making it convenient for tourists staying in the Tam Coc area, the most popular overnight destination in Ninh Binh. The boat trip will allow you to visit 3 caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba and go past amazing limestone cliffs, rice fields and local houses.
Two adults and one or two children are permitted in each boat. Since children over the age of 12 are regarded as adults, your family might have to board two boats. May and early June is the best time to see the golden rice fields during the harvest season. The scenery at this time is extremely impressive.
Bear sanctuary
Your kids certainly will enjoy this place. It is situated a few kilometers away from Cuc Phuong National Park, on the route to the park and founded by FOUR PAWS, a worldwide animal welfare organization. The reserve serves as a new home for many rare animals, especially bears rescued from bile farming and illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam. You should contact them in advance to arrange a 45-minute to 1-hour guided tour of the reserve. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs at the store to support the center.
Thung Nham Bird Park
Thung Nham Bird Park is a lesser-known attraction but a perfect location for families traveling to Ninh Binh with kids. It has everything kids could possibly want to do, including hiking, biking, exploring limestone caves, boat rides, and plenty of photo opportunities. Located 5 kilometers from Tam Coc, Thung Nham Bird Park is accessible by car, motorcycle and bicycle. Remember to arrive after 5 p.m. to witness the birds returning after a tiring day of travel.
Ninh Binh Walking Street – Hoa Lu Ancient Town
When you bring your kids here, you should definitely check out Ninh Binh Walking Street, one of the entertainment complexes with a lot of fun nighttime activities. In addition to the sparkling and fanciful decorations, there are also many unique friendly-kid activities such as: free music events on a big stage and kid-friendly play areas with a variety of games. You can also purchase tickets for a bamboo boat ride on the lake with your family to take in the glistening and stunning sight of the rows of lanterns surrounding the lake, which resemble the ancient town of Hoi An. With the quiet, airy space, your family will have great moments of chatting and relaxing together. In particular, you will be able to shop at the stalls here in comfort and savor delicious street food.
Kenh Ga Hot Spring
This place is a famous mineral hot spring that holds the record for being one of the top 5 hot springs that attract the most tourists in Vietnam. Take your kids to Kenh Ga Hot Spring after a long day of sightseeing to unwind in the clear, mineral-rich spring water, which can reach a temperature of 53 degrees Celsius. This will provide your family with incredibly relaxing and healthful moments.
Traditional craft villages
In addition to discovering nature, the unhurried pace of life in Ninh Binh’s traditional craft villages offers an entirely different viewpoint. Craft villages specializing in carpentry, pottery, and mat weaving are like vibrant dots on a picture of Ninh Binh’s lush greenery. Your family shouldn’t miss visiting craft villages, getting to know skilled craftspeople, trying on handicrafts, and browsing the ancient capital’s unique merchandise selection.
Co Vien Lau
You should visit this place if you want your kids to gain a deeper understanding of the dwelling architecture and way of life of the ancient people of Northern Vietnam. There are more than 20 ancient houses from various locations in Ninh Binh and other provinces gathered in the ancient Vietnamese village of Co Vien Lau. All of the homes are bold in traditional Vietnamese architecture from the 18th and 20th centuries. Co Vien Lau was meticulously restored to resemble an ancient village with its communal house, people’s house, reception hall, village gate, roads, and alleys.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh when traveling with kids
Depending on your preferences and budget range, you can choose from a variety of options, including hotels, resorts, bungalows, and homestays. However, we suggest booking lodging that has a garden, a pool, or is close to nature and has bicycles. Families with kids might consider the following accommodations:
- An Eco Garden
- Horizon Bungalow
- Tam Coc friendly family homestay
- Ham Rong homestay
- Latila hotel
- Le Clos du Fil Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Tam Coc Condeluz Boutique hotel
- Emeralda Resort near Van Long nature reserve
- Tam Coc Garden resort
- Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel
Tips
- Look for a place with a swimming pool if you’re traveling in the summer
- Check if the room price includes bicycle rental or not
- Request a mosquito net if staying in a bungalow
- Check if the accommodation serves lunch and dinner
- If you’re going to Halong Bay the next day, ask your accommodation to prepare to-go breakfast or check if they can serve breakfast early.