Halong Bay or Ninh Binh: Which one is better?

➤  It's difficult to compare Halong with Ninh Binh which is better?

It is unclear when the comparison between Halong Bay and Ninh Binh begun. Recently, however, there have been more and more visitors asking which destination they should pick between the two.

Halong is already very well-known internationally thanks to its status as a World Heritage Site while Ninh Binh is much more underrated despite its fascinating beauty.

Ninh Binh is also called as “Halong Bay on land”. The phrase has become popular among every Vietnamese and is repeated by every tour guide in Ninh Binh.

It seems obvious that Halong Bay and Ninh Binh are being compared under certain standards. As Halong Bay became more and more touristic, many passengers came to Ninh Binh as a way to beat the crowds while they can still enjoy the majestic beauty of this land.

These are the two most visited day trip from Hanoi, but if you are also wondering whether to take a cruising trip or visit the paddy fields, we will help you to solve the question: Should you visit Halong Bay or Ninh Binh?

Check out more the best day trips from Hanoi at: http://vietnamtypicaltours.com/location/vietnam-day-tours/http://vietnamtypicaltours.com/location/vietnam-day-tours/

Photo by Morgane_Vander_Linden

Overview of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh

1. Halong Bay

Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Halong Bay is a really famous destination in Northern Vietnam which attracts millions of tourists in one year.

There are various reasons why Halong is the top travel destination in Vietnam:

- Magnificent beauty: Halong has a huge natural cave system with 1600 limestone islands and islets of various sizes and shapes rising from its vast emerald water. Each cave comes with its own story of the origin and has its own charm. The scenery is especially stunning if you view it from the seaplane. The place is worth visiting all year around.

- High geographical value and deep history: Halong is not only highly evaluated for its aesthetic importance but also for geographical and geomorphologic values. The bay is a beautiful and unique artwork with a long-lasting history of geological formation. It is also home to ancient Vietnamese people whose traits can still be found in traditional floating villages.

- Great beaches: Halong has many beautiful beaches with calm water and white sand, making it the most worthy place for swimming in Vietnam. It is safe and refreshing to relax in the blue sea with a stunning natural backdrop.

- Many exciting activities to do: It is recommended to spend at least a night on a Halong cruise to experience the leisure of cruising and witness Halong’s beauty during the golden hours. Practicing Taichi on board in the early morning may also turn out to be memorable experiences.

Besides standard activities like discovering grottoes, swimming, visit floating villages, tourists can also engage in various water-based activities like kayaking and scuba diving. Cycling through the island, hiking, mountain climbing, and night squid fishing are also recommended activities.

Photo by Quangpraha

2. Ninh Binh

Like Halong Bay & Sapa, Ninh Binh is one of the destinations that travelers around the world are interested in traveling to Vietnam.

But, different from Halong Bay, Ninh Binh province is only 90 km far from Hanoi and tourists can go there by train or bus.

Coming to Ninh Binh, you can visit the ancient temples, hidden caves, and vast rice fields, especially it's known as the "Halong Bay on the land", where these is a system of limestone mountains and caves. In addition, Ninh Binh charms visitors by beautiful scenery, a look into authentic rural Vietnam which is very peaceful and laid-back.

The tourism in Ninh Binh is growing day by day, while Halong Bay seems struggling to deal with consistently high tourist levels every year.

For more details about Ninh Binh travel guide from Hanoi. Read this article: http://www.viettravelmagazine.com/2019/06/best-way-to-get-to-ninh-binh.html

Points to consider in choosing between Halong - Ninh Binh

Photo by falco

1. Number of tourists

Clearly, Ha Long has been an international tourist destination so it attracts a huge number of tourists each year.

There are concerns about overcrowded tourists in Halong but that also depends on the time you choose to visit this place. You still can plan ahead and enjoy the quiet and most beautiful Halong Bay.

On the other hand, Ninh Binh’s potential remain untapped and its status has only been rising in recent years.

If you want to stay away from massive crowds and still enjoy the beautiful landscapes. The place is a great alternative for Halong Bay.

2. Scenery

It is very hard to compare the scenery between the two places because each has its own charm.

If you prefer the sea over tiny canals in Ninh Binh, Halong is no doubt your choice. It also features bigger and more beautiful caves than in Ninh Binh.

Conversely, rural culture is what you are aiming for, Ninh Binh is definitely your choice. Ninh Binh is all about farming. In Ninh Binh, you will witness vast rice fields and feel the rural life in Vietnam, Ninh Binh is the perfect location for you, especially if you go there in September.

Ninh Binh's history, architecture and witness local people simple daily life will be your memorable experiences.

Photo by thanhhoa tran

3. Activities and cost

Halong is clearly the chosen destination for water-based activities, giving its geographical conditions.

The service quality varies depending on whether you choose a within-budget boat or luxury cruise. During peak months, prices can increase considerably so it is not bad to taken advantages of discounts during low seasons.

There seems more to do in Ninh Binh as you have access to both land, roads, mountains, and rivers.

The local food is also amazing. Overall, the price there is more affordable.

As you can see, both Halong and Ninh Binh are worthy travel destinations but each has its own distinctive charms. It is difficult to say which place is better because it totally depends on personal preference.

From Halong it is very easy to Ninh Binh, our customers always prefer to choose Halong Ninh Binh packages tour for both these destinations rather than having to choose either. You can consult: http://vietnamtypicaltours.com/tour/4-days-package-of-halong-bay-and-ninh-binh/

In summary, the question Halong Bay or Ninh Binh - which one is better is hard to solve. Given the UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction and spectacular landscapes, this is a place you can’t miss when visiting Vietnam. It’s hard to say Halong Bay or Ninh Binh is better since these two are both worth visiting. If you have enough time, why not come to both of them? 

Wish you have a happy trip in Vietnam!