Ningbin Province (Ninh Binh)
Ninh B ProvinceìNH) – Located in the northern part of Vietnam, between the rivers Hongha and Ma, about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. Area – 1 389 km², Population – 906,900 people (2011).
The capital of this small province is the eponymous city of Ningbin, but it does not represent much interest for tourists and is a popular starting point for traveling through the picturesque rural surroundings.
The territory of the province of Ningbin includes also 18 kilometer plot of the coast of the South China Sea, but the beach holiday is not developed there.
The main local attractions are created here by nature itself – this is a picturesque area there-Kok with three caves, the first Vietnam National Park – Cook Fiong, as well as a unique reserve of wetlands – Van Long.
It is also necessary to visit – a huge temple complex Baidin, an unusual Cathedral of Fat Deyan and the ancient city of Hoaly (the former capital of Vietnam).
The ancient city of Hoaly (C&# 7889; &# 273;ô Hoa L&# 432;) – It was the capital of the first centralized feudal state dike (the official name of Vietnam from 968 to 1054) to 1010, then the capital was transferred to Hanoi. Is the birthplace of 3 Vietnamese dynasties – Din, Early Le and Lee.
In the past, Hoaly was located in 300 hectares (3 km²), including external and inner fortresses with defensive walls, gates, palaces, temples and shrines, and was protected by limestone mountains.
Until our time, little remained from the ancient metropolitan city – only 47 monuments were preserved, including several imperial temples and tombs, gates, pagodas, the cave of Thaien-tone and the grotto Chang-An. The earliest monuments refer to the second half of the X century.
Baydin (chùA BáI &# 272;íNH) or Bai-Dyn – the largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam, located in Ninh Binh province, three kilometers from the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. In recent years become a popular place of pilgrimage for Vietnamese Buddhists.
Baidina complex consists of an old pagoda, built in 1136 (it takes 27 hectares), and New pagoda built in the period from 2003 to 2010 on the territory of 80 hectares.
New Pagoda is the owner of several records – this is the biggest pagoda in Vietnam, here is the country’s largest bronze Buddha statue weighing 100 tons, as well as three 50-ton bronze statue of Buddha and a huge bell weighing 36 and 27 tons.
Also in New pagoda more than 500 stone statues arahants (spiritual practitioners) to 2.5 meters in height and weighing up to 4 tons each.
Cathedral Fat-diene (Nhà TH&# 7901; chính tòa Phát Di&# 7879; m) – unusual Catholic temple complex, located 27 km south-east from the city of Ninh Binh.
The complex was built in the period from 1875 to 1898, and is an excellent example of architectural harmony between East and West.
There Kok Beach and Dong (Tam-C&# 7889; c – Bích-&# 272;&# 7897; ng) – a very scenic area and a popular tourist destination in the city of Ninh Binh district.
Local beautiful landscapes reminiscent of the world-famous Halong Bay, but unlike the latter, there is no sea, there is a meandering river Ngo Dong flowing between the green paddy fields and sheer limestone karst cliffs.
Excursion to Tam-Coc usually lasts 3 hours, and includes a boat ride through the beautiful landscapes, including the three major natural caves, as well as visiting the ancient pagodas Dong Beach, built at the foot of the mountain in the 11th century.
Reserve Van Long (Khu b&# 7843; o t&# 7891; n thiên nhi&# 234; n &# 273;&# 7845; t ng&# 7853; p n&# 432;&# 7899; c Vân Long) – large reserve of wetlands, located 15 kilometers north-west of the city of Ninh Binh. It was established in 1998 to preserve the ecosystem of the Red River Delta (Sông H&# 7891; ng). It covers an area of about 3,500 hectares.
More than 100 species of birds live in the reserve and about 40 species of animals, including one of the rarest types of monkeys – Langur Delakura, and also under threat of destruction smoky leopard.
Also here is very beautiful nature. It is the picturesque landscapes of Wang Long that made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ninbin province.
Cook Fiong (V&# 432;&# 7901; n qu&# 7889; c Gia CúC Ph&# 432;&# 417; NG) – is the first Vietnam National Park and the largest in the country. Located in the northern part of the Annam Mountains, made by limestone karst rocks. Area of territory – 220 km².
The park was founded in 1962 in order to preserve the unique flora and fauna of wet rainforest of Northern Vietnam. About 2000 species of plants grows here, 97 species of animals, more than 300 species of birds, 76 species of reptiles, 46 species of amphibious, 11 species of fish, as well as nearly 1800 different insects.
One of the most famous representatives of the animal world Park Cook Fiong – Langur Delakura (endemic view of monkeys of the Martychkov family, under threat of disappearance).
It is also worth noting a very rare representative of the predatory fauna – the OUSTON TRANSFER (animal of the family of verb, with short paws and a long tail, inhabiting trees).
Almost 40 types of volatile mice live in numerous caves of the National Park.
In addition, there are archaeological sights here, for example, the cave of an ancient person, in which people lived about 7,500 years ago, as evidenced by the burial and tools found in it.
Cook Fiong National Park is located 40 kilometers west of Ningbin.
Ningbin Province is located 90 kilometers south of Hanoi, from which it can be reached by taxi or bus.
Taxi to the city of Ningbin will cost about 45-50 USD, and a bus ride in 60,000 dongs.
Buses leave from the South Hanovsky Bus Station (Giap Bat), walk in 15 minutes, travel time – 1.5-2.5 hours depending on traffic. Tickets are purchased at the bus station.
