Ninh Binh Attractions: Temples, Phat Diem & Van Long
Ninh Binh's four attraction guides cover a cave pagoda, a stone cathedral, a Tran-dynasty temple and a wetland reserve with sampan rides. Bich Dong Pagoda stacks three cave temples up a limestone tower. Thai Vi Temple is a 13th-century Tran dynasty shrine with carved stone gates and columns. Phat Diem Cathedral is a walled 19th-century Catholic complex, and Van Long Nature Reserve is a protected freshwater wetland you tour on a rowed bamboo sampan.
Two of the four sit together near Tam Coc. Thai Vi Temple stands in Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, about 2 km from Tam Coc, and Bich Dong Pagoda is a short ride on, about 3 km east of the Tam Coc boat station. You can link both with a Tam Coc boat ride on one bike or scooter loop, and the Trang An boat circuit is within the same day's reach if you start early.
The other two need their own planning. Phat Diem Cathedral is in the far south of the province near the coast, well away from the Tam Coc and Trang An boat circuit, so give it a half-day and arrange your return ride before you are dropped off. Van Long lies about 17 km northeast of Ninh Binh city center, in Gia Van commune, and its sampans leave from the Van Long boat wharf.
Ninh Binh attraction guides
Bich Dong Pagoda, Ninh Binh: Hours, Tickets and the Three Temples
Three cave temples climb a limestone tower near Tam Coc, and entry is free; the small charge at the gate is parking, not a ticket. The stairs get steep and slippery after rain, so visit early.
60-90 minutes · free entry; small parking charge at gate · Best for climbers and temple visitors
Thai Vi Temple, Ninh Binh: Visiting the Tran Dynasty Shrine
A 13th-century Tran dynasty shrine in Van Lam village, about 2 km from the Tam Coc pier. The compact compound draws visitors for its carved stone gates and columns; plan 45 minutes to an hour and cover shoulders and knees.
45-60 minutes · free entry, donations accepted · Best for cyclists touring the Tam Coc valley
Phat Diem Cathedral: Visiting Ninh Binh's Stone Church
A walled 19th-century Catholic complex in Kim Son district, where a pagoda-roofed cathedral, stone bell tower and rectangular pond sit together. It's far from the Tam Coc boat circuit, so arrange your return transport before being dropped off.
1-2 hours · free entry · Best for architecture and church history fans
Van Long Nature Reserve Visitor Guide (2026)
Van Long (Khu bảo tồn Thiên nhiên đất ngập nước Vân Long) is a protected freshwater wetland among limestone karsts in Gia Vân commune, about 17 km northeast of Ninh Binh city, designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2017. Visitors explore it on rowed bamboo sampans from the Van Long boat wharf, a quiet, non-motorised trip of about 1.5 hours past karst peaks, reed beds and caves. It is home to Vietnam's largest population of the critically endangered Delacour's langur. Ticket and boat services run 7:00-17:00 in summer and 7:30-16:30 in winter.
Entry, tickets and time to allow
Three of the four sights charge no admission. At Bich Dong Pagoda the small fee at the gate is for parking, not a ticket. Thai Vi Temple is reported free, with donations accepted, and Phat Diem Cathedral is reported free to enter. Van Long is the paid stop: the reserve's 2026 ecotourism handbook lists a 20,000 VND scenic ticket plus an 80,000 VND sampan seat, 100,000 VND per person in total.
Van Long's ticket office and boats run 7:00 to 17:00 in summer and 7:30 to 16:30 in winter, and early morning or late afternoon gives you the best chance of seeing Delacour's langurs and birds. Thai Vi has no published hours and sources disagree on Bich Dong's, so confirm both locally. Check Phat Diem's hours and Mass times with the parish before you travel.
With one day, pair Thai Vi and Bich Dong with a Tam Coc boat ride, and choose between that circuit and Phat Diem rather than squeezing in both. Cover your shoulders and knees at the pagoda, the temple and the cathedral.
| Sight | What it is | Entry or ticket | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bich Dong Pagoda | Three cave temples up a limestone tower near Tam Coc | Free; small parking charge at the gate | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Thai Vi Temple | 13th-century Tran dynasty shrine in Van Lam village | Reported free; donations accepted | 45 minutes to an hour |
| Phat Diem Cathedral | Walled 19th-century Catholic stone church complex | Reported free | 1 to 2 hours on site; a half-day with transport |
| Van Long Nature Reserve | Ramsar-listed wetland toured by rowed sampan | 20,000 VND ticket plus 80,000 VND sampan | About 1.5 hours on the boat; at least 2 hours at the wharf |