If choice is necessary: Ninh Binh or Ba Be ?
Jul 30th, 2015, 11:59 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If choice is necessary: Ninh Binh or Ba Be ?
For Fodors Folk who have been to both (Crellston; others?) ...IF you had a choice and could do only one, would it be to Ba Be Lake or to Ninh Binh area? It's perhaps difficult to answer, but even if they are equally wonderful places, I'd like to know that too.
I will be on an overnight junk to Bai Tu Long Bay during this upcoming trip. Since I've seen Ninh Binh referred to as "Halong on the ground" that might factor in to the decision too.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance!!
I will be on an overnight junk to Bai Tu Long Bay during this upcoming trip. Since I've seen Ninh Binh referred to as "Halong on the ground" that might factor in to the decision too.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance!!
Jul 31st, 2015, 06:01 AM
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are right, it is difficult question to answer and, in short, I would find it impossible to choose.
Ba Be is a beautiful series of deep green lakes which you travel along by boats to some cave. All very unspoilt with no other western visitors ( at least there weren't 7 years ago). It is a natural progression to go from Ha Giang to Ba Be to Bai Tu Long and indeed we may well do exactly that in October. Although at the moment I am leaning towards just Ha Giang and its surroundings and returning to Hanoi and thence to Bai Tu Long.
Ninh Binh is beautiful and the scenery does have the edge ( although it is totally different). Lots of limestone karats, quiet, shallow waterways, loads of king fishers, Eagles etc. It is indeed often referred to as the Halong Bay on land due to its limestone karst scenery. Some parts are heaving with boats, blaring music etc. but those can easily be avoided by a decent guide. We did two long boat rides and barely saw another boat. Ninh Binh city is a bit of a dump but you are not there for that. It is easily visited from Hanoi, although the drive is a bit of a pain and you could probably combine with Halong.
All things considered, on balance, I think I would probably go with Bai Tu Long.
Ba Be is a beautiful series of deep green lakes which you travel along by boats to some cave. All very unspoilt with no other western visitors ( at least there weren't 7 years ago). It is a natural progression to go from Ha Giang to Ba Be to Bai Tu Long and indeed we may well do exactly that in October. Although at the moment I am leaning towards just Ha Giang and its surroundings and returning to Hanoi and thence to Bai Tu Long.
Ninh Binh is beautiful and the scenery does have the edge ( although it is totally different). Lots of limestone karats, quiet, shallow waterways, loads of king fishers, Eagles etc. It is indeed often referred to as the Halong Bay on land due to its limestone karst scenery. Some parts are heaving with boats, blaring music etc. but those can easily be avoided by a decent guide. We did two long boat rides and barely saw another boat. Ninh Binh city is a bit of a dump but you are not there for that. It is easily visited from Hanoi, although the drive is a bit of a pain and you could probably combine with Halong.
All things considered, on balance, I think I would probably go with Bai Tu Long.
Jul 31st, 2015, 06:59 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very interesting reading Crellston's response. I would have to agree here. Vietnam has to be one of South East Asia's most stunning destinations and it is difficult to choose one of these over the other.
A few highlights of each for my personal experience:
Ba Be: Beautiful natural scenery and is a nice relief from Hanoi. It has almost a tranquil feeling, very peaceful. The lake itself has an unreal emerald green colour and found the swimming to be nice. IF you have time, a hike through the hills is a great way to end your time here. Overall, it is very well preserved an an excellent choice for almost all types of travellers.
Ninh Binh: A little bit more touristy I would say, although this doesn't take away from its natural beauty. The lean waterways are cool and the surrounding hills and valleys add to its charm. The tours are nice granted you have an experienced guide who knows the hidden gems of the area.
I would go with Ba Be over Ninh Binh if I could only choose one. Hope this helps!
A few highlights of each for my personal experience:
Ba Be: Beautiful natural scenery and is a nice relief from Hanoi. It has almost a tranquil feeling, very peaceful. The lake itself has an unreal emerald green colour and found the swimming to be nice. IF you have time, a hike through the hills is a great way to end your time here. Overall, it is very well preserved an an excellent choice for almost all types of travellers.
Ninh Binh: A little bit more touristy I would say, although this doesn't take away from its natural beauty. The lean waterways are cool and the surrounding hills and valleys add to its charm. The tours are nice granted you have an experienced guide who knows the hidden gems of the area.
I would go with Ba Be over Ninh Binh if I could only choose one. Hope this helps!
Jul 31st, 2015, 12:36 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crellston and SC Travel--thank you sooo much for your thoughts. This really helps. Am definitely going to Bai Tu Long Bay, so given both your feedbacks, I'm thinking Ba Be over Ninh Bin IF I can only do one (either BB or NB). Ninh Binh would be a day trip from Hanoi, so once there, that will factor in to deciding as well, depending on how much I love Hanoi and would prefer an extra day there vs a day trip away from the city.
It's more and more difficult to "drill down" on those sorts of decisions. I used to figure-- what the heck, I can do this on another trip. Now find t less and less easy to honestly tell myself say, "If I love it, I'll be back!" There are so many wonderful places to yet see, and fewer yrs (and less $) in which to get there!
It's more and more difficult to "drill down" on those sorts of decisions. I used to figure-- what the heck, I can do this on another trip. Now find t less and less easy to honestly tell myself say, "If I love it, I'll be back!" There are so many wonderful places to yet see, and fewer yrs (and less $) in which to get there!
Aug 10th, 2015, 07:03 PM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
two sightseeing are nice places to see. if you go to Ba Be National park, you should spend one night here bcs it is very far from hanoi.
if you visit Ninh Binh (Trang An- Hoa Lu - Tamcoc) you need only one day to visit. it is very nice!!!
Cheer
if you visit Ninh Binh (Trang An- Hoa Lu - Tamcoc) you need only one day to visit. it is very nice!!!
Cheer
Aug 15th, 2015, 01:22 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your feedback, Mandy and Haruhiro. I am seeing places other than these two destinations in North VN.
LOL Crell, you bad boy!
I decided on both Ba Be and Ninh Binh . That is the easiest way to make a choice--chose both!!
5 weeks and counting....
LOL Crell, you bad boy!
I decided on both Ba Be and Ninh Binh . That is the easiest way to make a choice--chose both!!
5 weeks and counting....
