Things to Do in Ninh Binh with Kids: A Family-Friendly Adventure Guide
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If you’re the kind of parent who craves outdoor adventures and thinks your kids should be muddy, curious, and wide-eyed more often than not—Ninh Binh belongs on your Vietnam itinerary.
We didn’t originally plan to visit. We were sitting on the plane from India to Vietnam and on the screen commercials my husband saw Ninh Binh come across the screen and he said, “Hey, I really want to go here.” He was looking at Ninh Binh. It was close to Hanoi, looked stunning, and we’re a family that lives for nature. That’s all it took.
And let me tell you: Ninh Binh was exactly the kind of nature-forward, peaceful, and kid-accessible place we needed.
Why Ninh Binh Is Worth Visiting with Kids
Ninh Binh isn’t a party town. There’s no chaos, no massive crowds, no traffic madness like you’ll find in bigger cities. Instead, it’s all limestone cliffs, quiet boat rides, rivers that snake through cave tunnels, and rice fields that stretch for days. It’s nature-heavy without being overwhelming.
We found it super easy to get around with kids—even with two little ones in tow. It felt safe, calm, and surprisingly manageable. Unlike Hanoi, the pace is slower here. Fewer honking scooters, more open space.
And if you’re wondering about safety: we never felt unsafe for even a second. It was a breath of fresh air—literally.
How to Get to Ninh Binh (And Why the Journey Matters)
We took the train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh—and it turned out to be a great choice. Originally, we tried booking on 12Go Asia, but we had issues getting confirmed tickets. We used 12Go Asia while in India as we were unable to figure out the ticketing system at the train station. Anyways, my husband ended up walking to the train station in Hanoi and buying them on the spot. Simple, cheap, and so much easier than what we were used to from India’s train stations.
The train ride itself? Easy. We sat in an air-conditioned car, with folding tray tables, clean bathrooms, and even a snack cart (we brought our own snacks just in case). The ride is only about two hours, and our kids stayed entertained with iPads, books, and snacks.
Tip: If you’re already in Vietnam, it’s easier and cheaper to buy your tickets at the train station instead of paying a markup online. But if you’re planning ahead or outside the country, 12Go Asia can still work.
And when you arrive? Grab (Vietnam’s version of Uber) works in Ninh Binh, which was such a relief—we didn’t have to haggle with drivers or use Google translate to figure out pricing. Just a few taps on our phone and we were set.
Where to Stay in Ninh Binh with Kids
We actually did Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi. With two small kids and a fully paid-for Airbnb in Hanoi, it made sense for us.
But if you’re staying overnight, I’d recommend looking into Tam Coc or Trang An areas. That’s where most of the family-friendly homestays and peaceful guesthouses are located. Just check that they offer things like air conditioning and possibly cribs if you need them.
Exploring Trang An by Boat: A Magical Cave Adventure
This was hands-down the highlight of our Ninh Binh day trip.
We picked Route 3 at the Trang An boat dock because I’d read it includes a super long cave, 1,000 meters long—and three temple stops. And honestly? The cave totally delivered. It was peaceful, quiet, and just cool. It’s lit the whole way through, so nothing spooky for the kids, but if you’re tall, be ready to duck a LOT. Some of those rocks hang low, and they are not forgiving.
Our 5-year-old even helped row the boat, which she thought was the best thing ever. If your kids like to stay busy, this part is gold. The boats are manually rowed by local guides, and they’ll usually let you or your kids join in. There are no child-sized life jackets, though—just adult ones—so we used the ones they had and kept both kids seated and close the whole time.
Here’s how it works:
- Where to go: You’ll want to head to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex—about 15 minutes from Ninh Binh town. We just used Grab to get there.
- Tickets: Buy them when you arrive. There’s no need to book ahead. After paying, you’ll walk through a tunnel that goes under the road, then back up and over to the boarding area.
- Cost: Around 250,000 VND (~$10 USD) per adult. Kids under 1.3 meters usually get a discount be sure to check the sign at the counter. It doesn’t matter which route you choose they all cost the exact same and you don’t have to decide there.
- Boats: Each boat fits up to 4 adults, or a mix of adults and kids.
- Time: All three routes are around 3 hours long.
Route 3 Breakdown:
- Cave: The 1,000-meter cave was unreal—our favorite part.
- Temples: You’ll stop at 3 smaller temples along the way (quick visits, nothing too time-consuming).
- Overall vibe: More nature, fewer temple stops. A good balance if your kids aren’t into long historical tours.
⚠️ Pro tip: You’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees to go inside the temples. I brought a scarf to toss over my shoulders—super easy and compact.
What to expect while you’re out there:
Once you’re on the boat, that’s it—you’re gone for three hours. You will have access to bathrooms at the temple stops and snacks here as well. We brought water, a few snacks, and that helped keep the kids happy.
The scenery is next level. You’ll float through lush valleys, beneath massive cliffs, and through dark, beautiful caves with nothing but the sound of paddles on water. And if you’re like us, and you enjoy slowing down and letting the kids really take in their surroundings, this is absolutely the place to do it.
And yeah—no tour needed. We were a little unsure at first because everyone in Hanoi was pushing tours like you had to book one to go, but that’s just not true. We did everything on our own with zero issues.
Choosing a route:
- Route 1: Heavy on temples (like, nine of them). Might be a lot for younger kids.
- Route 2: A mix of caves, temples, and scenery. Probably the most balanced.
- Route 3 (our pick): Longest cave, fewer temples, and a really peaceful ride.
If we went again, I might try Route 2 just to see something different—but honestly, Route 3 was perfect for us. The temples didn’t feel overwhelming, and the cave felt like a total adventure. My daughter still talks about the cave.
Climbing Hang Mua (Mua Cave) with Kids: Yes, It’s Possible
Let me start by saying—this is totally doable with little kids, but it is the most physical thing we did in Ninh Binh. And by physical, I mean lots of steps. Like 500-ish.
Our 5-year-old made the climb all on her own (with lots of encouragement and snack bribes along the way), and our 2-year-old was in a child carrier the whole time. If you’ve got one, definitely bring it. This isn’t a stroller-friendly hike—it’s steep, uneven, and there’s not a flat patch of ground the whole way up.
What to Expect:
- Entry Fee: 100,000 VND per adult (~$4 USD)
- Opening Hours: Generally from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but go early (like really early) if you want a quieter climb and decent weather. The stairs are stone and get HOT later in the day.
- Number of Steps: It’s somewhere between 490–500 steep steps to the top. The exact number depends on where you stop (there are actually two viewpoints).
- Time to Climb: It took us about 30–40 minutes with short breaks and toddler wrangling. You could do it faster without kids… but where’s the fun in that?
There are two main viewpoints once you get to the top:
- The Dragon Viewpoint – the one you’ve seen all over Instagram with the stone dragon snaking along the ridge.
- The Pagoda Viewpoint – fewer crowds and still an amazing view over the Tam Coc valley.
We did both viewpoints at the request of my 5 year old, and the view was stunning—like, jaw-dropping even with a kid on your back. You can see the boats winding through Tam Coc below, with rice paddies stretching out like a patchwork quilt.
That said, it gets crowded fast, especially on weekends or during high season. When we reached the top, I started to walk the dragon ridge with my 5-year-old, but I honestly didn’t feel comfortable. The ridge is narrow and uneven, and there were people passing in both directions. I bailed after a few feet—not worth the stress. So if you’re going with small kids, take a peek, grab your photos, and maybe save the full ridge walk for when they’re older.
Pro tip: Bring water. And snacks. And then more water.
Bonus: It’s Not Just the View
Hang Mua isn’t just stairs and a view. The grounds at the bottom are actually pretty nice to hang out in before or after your climb. There’s:
- A lotus pond with bridges for walking (and photo ops)
- A small cave (the actual “Mua Cave”) you can wander into and hang out here for a bit with the kids.
- A few cafés and snack stalls at the base
- A monkey cave area and another quiet temple-like viewpoint off to the side if your kids have extra energy
You could easily spend an hour or two here just wandering and relaxing. It felt like a bonus stop after the big climb.
What to Know About Tam Coc (Even If You Don’t Do the Boat Ride)
So full honesty—we didn’t do the Tam Coc boat ride, but I did a ton of research beforehand while planning our trip to Ninh Binh. We had to choose between Trang An and Tam Coc, and ultimately, Trang An won out for us (longer caves, less crowded, more immersive). But if you’re curious about Tam Coc or are short on time, here’s everything you need to know.
What Makes Tam Coc Different from Trang An?
Tam Coc is often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land,” and when you get there, you’ll see why. Think dramatic limestone cliffs, rivers that cut through golden rice fields, and little boats that drift past water buffalo. It’s a very open-air, scenic experience, with big sweeping views and more exposure to the sun compared to the cave-heavy Trang An route.
The Boat Ride Experience:
- Departure Point: All boats leave from Van Lam Pier, which is located right in the town of Tam Coc.
- Boat Capacity: Two passengers per boat (max). If you have kids, they can usually squeeze in with you, but if you’re traveling as a family of four, you may be split into two boats.
- Cost: Around 150,000 VND per person (~$6 USD), plus an additional small tip for the rower is expected. Parking (if you’re driving) and entrance fees may also apply.
- Duration: About 1.5 to 2 hours—shorter than Trang An, which makes it more manageable for toddlers or younger kids with shorter attention spans.
- What You See: The boat passes through three small caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba) and winds through rice paddies with towering karst cliffs on either side.
- Paddling Style: Fun fact—many rowers here paddle with their feet, which is super impressive and often a hit with kids.
Best Time to Visit:
- The absolute best time to do Tam Coc is during late May to early June, when the rice fields are golden and ready for harvest. It’s stunning.
- In other seasons, the ride is still beautiful, but the landscape will vary—think more green and lush in the spring, browner during dry periods.
Getting Around Ninh Binh with Kids
We didn’t bring a stroller (and wouldn’t recommend it for Ninh Binh). Instead, we relied on our child carrier and used Grab for all our rides. The roads are quieter than Hanoi, and biking is popular here, but we skipped that part due to the age of our kids.
If you need a quiet moment, the cave areas around Trang An are peaceful and a great place to relax.
Where to Eat in Ninh Binh with Kids
We didn’t eat out in Ninh Binh since we returned to Hanoi the same day. But based on research and other travel blogs, here are a few family-friendly options you might want to check out:
- Chookies Beer Garden – Casual, lots of Western options, known for being kid-friendly.
- Minh Khoi Restaurant – Local Vietnamese food with big portions and decent prices.
- Brick Coffee Shop – Good for breakfast or a mid-morning break, with smoothies and snacks.
Always check reviews and bring snacks just in case. We found it helpful to carry instant noodles or crackers for our picky eater!
What to Do on a Chill Day in Ninh Binh
If you’re not into full-day adventures, you can still enjoy Ninh Binh without going hard on the sightseeing.
- Trang An grounds are perfect for letting kids roam—wide open, nature-filled, and relaxing.
- The monkey cave area near Hang Mua has space to explore without a schedule.
- Bring your own entertainment: iPads, sketchbooks, sticker books, etc. There aren’t indoor play areas here.
This is not a big entertainment zone—Ninh Binh is where you go to slow down and breathe in the outdoors.
Final Tips for Visiting Ninh Binh with Kids
Here’s what I wish someone told me:
- You do not need a tour. You can do Ninh Binh completely on your own with Grab and a bit of prep.
- Trains are reliable and chill. Buy tickets in person to save money.
- Shoulders and knees covered for temples—don’t forget!
- No child car seats unless you arrange in advance. Cars don’t drive fast, but make your own call on safety.
- You only need a day to see the highlights, especially with young kids.
- And most importantly: yes, this is totally doable with children.
Would I go back? Maybe not on this same trip—Vietnam is HUGE and full of gems—but I’d 100% recommend it to another family, especially if you’re craving calm, beauty, and nature without the crowds.
