Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam With Kids

Slow travel, culture & jaw-dropping scenery – Smiths On Tour

Before coming to Vietnam, we honestly hadn’t even heard of Ninh Binh — and now? We’d class it as some of the best scenery we’ve seen anywhere in the world. No exaggeration. Think Jurassic Park vibes: towering limestone mountains, rivers weaving through rice paddies, caves, temples, wildlife, and real local life all wrapped into one peaceful place.

If you’re an outdoorsy, adventurous family who loves green space, fresh air, stunning views, and being surrounded by nature, then Ninh Binh is absolutely the one.

Ninh Binh is around 2 hours from Hanoi, making it an easy stop for families travelling Vietnam. We took a Grab taxi door-to-door for around £40, which was cheap, easy, and stress-free with luggage. There are also buses and trains if you’re travelling more budget-style, and it’s perfectly positioned on the route heading further south.

We stayed for two weeks, and honestly, that felt ideal. Staying less than a week would mean rushing through highlights and missing what really makes Ninh Binh special — the pace of life and the culture.

🌟 Why Ninh Binh Is Perfect for Families & Worldschooling

If you’re travelling with kids or teens and want more than just ticking off tourist attractions, Ninh Binh is incredible for worldschooling. History, geography, nature, farming, food, and community life are happening all around you — without trying.

It’s:

• Calm and spacious compared to big cities

• Budget-friendly for families

• Easy to explore by scooter or bike

• Full of hands-on cultural learning

🛕 Bai Dinh Pagodas at Sunset – A Must-Do Cultural Experience

The Bai Dinh Pagodas were one of the most memorable experiences we had in Ninh Binh — and visiting at sunset made it next level.

As the day visitors started to leave, the crowds thinned, the temperature dropped, and the entire complex slowly lit up with warm, golden lights. The atmosphere completely shifted. It felt calm, sacred, and deeply peaceful — the kind of place that naturally makes you slow down.

Bai Dinh is the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam, and wandering through the vast grounds as the sun sets behind the mountains is spectacular. You can explore temples, admire enormous Buddha statues, and head up to viewpointswhere you’re rewarded with sweeping views across Ninh Binh — a must for families.

💰 Prices & Practical Info

• Entry: Free

• Electric buggy transport (optional, great with kids): approx. 30,000–50,000 VND per person

• Best time to visit: Late afternoon into sunset

• Time needed: 2–3 hours

🚣 Tam Coc River Boat Cruise – Don’t Let the Reviews Put You Off

We nearly skipped the Tam Coc river boat cruise after reading reviews online mentioning shouting and tip pressure — but that was not our experience at all.

We chose Tam Coc over Trang An because:

• It’s less touristy

• It’s slightly cheaper

• It’s shorter (1.5 hours vs 3 hours) — much better with kids

💰 Price

• Around 250,000 VND per person (prices may vary slightly)

The cruise takes you through three small caves, under dramatic limestone formations. One of the coolest parts is watching the rowers use both their hands and feet — a real cultural skill passed down through generations.

Seeing the mountains from the river looking up gave us a completely different perspective, and it was honestly breathtaking. Fun fact: King Kong was filmed here, and you even pass part of the film set along the route.

💡 Tips

• Go early morning or later afternoon

• Bring water and a hat

• Tipping is customary at the end

• 100,000 VND+ is recommended — we gave 200,000 VND, and our rower was incredibly grateful

🐉 Mua Cave Hike – It’s About the View, Not the Cave

Let’s be honest — Mua Cave isn’t really about the cave. I originally thought we’d be exploring something impressive underground, but it’s actually a tiny cave under a rock formation and not worth going just for that.

But the hike and views? Absolutely worth it.

There are a lot of steps, but it only took around 45 minutes to reach the top at a steady pace. Smaller children could do it too with plenty of rest breaks (Tilly opted out — she’s famously lazy 😄).

At the top, the views are unreal — mountains stretching out in every direction, very Jurassic Park vibes.

There’s also a dragon statue you can climb along, but:

• It’s not for the faint-hearted

• There’s a sheer drop either side

• It can get crowded at peak times

You don’t have to walk the ridge to enjoy the views — there are plenty of safe spots for breathtaking photos.

💰 Prices

• Entry: approx. 100,000 VND

• Parking: 10,000 VND

🌿 Ninh Binh National Park – We Missed It, But You Shouldn’t

We didn’t actually manage to visit Ninh Binh National Park this time, but after speaking with locals and other travelling families, it’s clear it’s an incredible place for kids and nature-loving families.

The park is known for its rich biodiversity, peaceful trails, caves, wetlands, and wildlife. Families often spot birds, butterflies, monkeys, and rare plants unique to the region. It’s ideal for kids who love exploring and learning outdoors.

What It Offers

• Easy nature walks and hiking trails

• Caves and wetlands

• Cycling routes through forested areas

• Quiet boat rides away from crowds

• Wildlife spotting and conservation learning

💰 Prices & Timing

• Entry: approx. 100,000 VND per adult (kids often discounted or free)

• Time needed: Half a day minimum, or a full day to explore slowly

🏡 Where to Stay in Ninh Binh – Go Local

We highly recommend avoiding staying in Tam Coc itself. It’s loud, busy, overpriced, and missing authentic culture. Venture just a little further out — it makes a huge difference.

🌾 Pham Gia Homestay Ecogarden – The Absolute Highlight

This was hands down the best part of our Ninh Binh stay.

• £11 per room per night

• Breakfast included

• Great WiFi

• Drinking water provided

• Hot showers

• Free tea and coffee

• Swimming pool to relax by

On top of that, the hosts are a beautiful local family who truly welcome you in. We shared meals, sat around fires, helped in the rice paddies, and learned so much about real Vietnamese life.

We extended our stay to two weeks because it felt like home. It’s an incredible experience for worldschooling families, offering cultural learning you simply won’t get in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. If you want to book this amazing homestay click here!

⏳ How Long Should You Stay in Ninh Binh?

• Minimum: 5–7 days

• Ideal: 10–14 days

Slowing down here allows you to avoid the rush, soak up the culture, and actually enjoy the place rather than racing through it.

🌏 Final Thoughts from Smiths On Tour

Ninh Binh completely surprised us. We took a punt — and it paid off.

If you’re an adventurous, outdoorsy family looking for green space, stunning views, real culture, and meaningful travel experiences, Ninh Binh should be high on your list.

We’re so glad we stopped here — and we’d go back in a heartbeat.

🌍 Want This Lifestyle Too?

If reading this has you thinking “we’d love to live like this” or “maybe one day…” — let me tell you, we once thought the exact same thing.

Travelling full-time as a family can feel like a huge leap, especially when logistics, planning, money, and fear all start creeping in. That’s why we created our How To Start Full-Time Family Travel course — it’s a must if you’re serious about taking the leap. It covers the practical stuff no one talks about: planning, logistics, mindset shifts, reassurance, and how to actually make this lifestyle work in the real world before you go.

And if you love following our journey and want to be part of the bigger picture, we also have a £1 Club Membership. It’s our way of keeping Smiths On Tour on the road, giving back to local communities as we travel, and building a genuine community of like-minded people. Members are also entered into a monthly prize draw — because we want this to feel like a shared journey where everyone wins.

All of that for £1 a month — pretty amazing, right?

See you at the next destination in Vietnam 🇻🇳✨