Ninh Binh: The “Halong Bay on Land” Experience
Ninh Binh is famously regarded as “Halong Bay on land,” where nature, history, and culture mix in an extraordinary travel experience. Located in Northern Vietnam, a few hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh enchants visitors due to its gorgeous limestone karsts, twisting rivers, ancient temples, and charming pastoral settings. A truly indulgent way to explore this magical region is onboard the SJourney train, combining luxury and nature.
Leaving from Hanoi, this trip will not only take you closer to breathtaking views of Ninh Binh’s natural beauty but will also become a luxurious and creatively enriching traveling experience. Let’s explore some of the reasons Ninh Binh is genuinely referred to as “Halong Bay on land.”
1. Ninh Binh – A Natural Masterpiece
Ninh Binh is well-known for its breathtaking landscape: limestone mountains towering over emerald green rice fields like impenetrable walls, along with peaceful rivers. Of the many destinations in Ninh Binh, which include the tranquil Vet and Van Long Nature Reserves, the most well known are Trang An, Tam Coc, and Van Long Nature Reserve when it comes to the beauty of mother nature at her calmest and most conquering.
The area’s singular karst topography is similar to the one in Halong Bay, and instead of being enwrapped by the sea, these rocky, limestone peaks are enveloped with already verdant trees and flowing rivers. This wonderful combination of rock and water and greenery has made it a poet’s dream place-the “Halong Bay on Land.”
Traveling by SJourney to Ninh Binh enhances this experience. It slowly meanders in and out through largely pictorial countryside from Hanoi, providing glimpses of rural Vietnam. With respect to the inside charm, an opposing elegance is created with the quiet ruggedness outside, making the journey itself a part of the experience.
2. The Luxury of Traveling with SJourney
While Ninh Binhs natural beauty speaks for itself, the journey to Ninh Binh can also be magnificent in its own right when done in style. Offering a luxury train journey inspired by Indochine elegance, SJourney marks those golden times of rail travel.
2.1. Onboard Comfort and Elegance
The train has a total of 13 cars, 10 of these are sleeping cars, and the other 2 bistro cars. Inside, the sleeping cars provide spacious rooms measuring approximately 10 square meters and are furnished with twin or double soft beds, a mini-bar, and a private bathroom with high-end amenities. These big windows will make you appreciate the views of the changing scenery while traveling south from Hanoi.
The bistro car provides meals made of ingredients collected locally-their menus specialized according to client’s preference and health needs. And the onboard culinary shows held by well-known chefs will create a great atmosphere for dining.
2.2. Personalized Services
Upon boarding at Hanoi, guests are greeted with a warm welcome in the VIP Lounge, where check-in is smooth and relaxing. The attentive staff on SJourney ensure that your journey is not just a commute but an indulgent experience.
3. Exploring the “Halong Bay on Land”
Upon entering Ninh Binh after a serene journey on SJourney, the open-air experience of pristine nature-characteristics is open to embrace you instead. Normally, the trip begins at Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with confounding waterways and stunning limestone summits. Sit back, relax, and gently cruise in a traditional sampan through cave openings and placid waterways of a landscape awashed in greenery and hills on either side.
3.1. Tam Coc – Bich Dong: The Picturesque Valley
Next is Tam Coc, where you take a small rowing boat to visit the caves in nature’s glory. While halfway down the Ngo Dong, you are caressed by the lightest of breezes amongst the stronghold of green rice paddies, where majestic karsts cast shadow on you. The boat-round-the-caves kind of tour is redefining peace; an almost meditative experience to itself where one is made aware of the beauty of water, rock, and sky living in unison.
3.2. Van Long Nature Reserve: A Wetland Haven
Another option is to get the tranquility one craves at Van Long Nature Reserve. It is the largest wetland reserve in northern Vietnam and accommodates an enormous variety of wildlife, with Delacour’s langur being the rarest species. As you paddle through the calm water, you may catch sight of birds flapping out of sight or a monkey dancing from the branches; all these bring a sense of wilderness charm to your visit.
4. Cultural Insights: Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu
Ninh Binh is where landscapes end. Indeed, this region has a great history; Hoa Lu was the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties. Here, one can cross the ancient temples where the kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh once worshiped along the limestone mountain ranges.
Walking through the temple grounds, one can feel the deep aroma of the past, imagining the grandeur of ancient palaces and the precious cultural heritage that the land searched for. The architecture is indeed a symbol of the craftsmanship of the bygone age with its intricate carvings and stone pathways.
5. Culinary Delights in Ninh Binh
One cannot fully enjoy a visit to Ninh Binh without trying its local specialties. The crispy rice, on the other hand, is a must; it is served with a good dipping sauce. Another popular local dish is goat meat, which could be grilled, steamed, or stir-fried.
SJourney adds to its culinary flavor with dishes from Ninh Binh on board. After visits, you may return to the train to enjoy a sumptuous meal that reflects the true essence of this region’s flavors, prepared with utmost care and tastefully presented.
6. Why Choose SJourney to Ninh Binh?
SJourney is your escape from ordinary train journeys and gives you a luxury voyage into relaxation instead. The train is set with an atmosphere of Indochine as soon as you board at the capital city, Hanoi, preparing you for a one-of-its kind trip. You may relax in your private cabin bask in the great tastes of gourmet meals and just enjoy the great ambient scenery minus the hecticness and noise. By the time you get to Ninh Binh, the old-world charm of this destination makes you feel not just rejuvenated but also in the right frame of mind for welcoming all the rich wonders this region offers in terms of nature and culture. From gentle boat rides into Tam Coc to historical echoes left behind in the town of Hoa Lu, everything in Ninh Binh feels that much deeper once you’ve soaked up the elegance of SJourney.
7. Conclusion
Ninh Binh truly lives up to its nickname as the “Halong Bay on Land.” Its blend of natural splendor and historical depth creates an experience unlike any other. Traveling there on the SJourney train adds a touch of luxury and sophistication, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination.
Whether it’s the serene boat rides, the majestic limestone peaks, or the ancient relics of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh promises a memorable escape into Vietnam’s captivating heritage. And with SJourney, you can begin and end your adventure in comfort, style, and unparalleled elegance.
