How is the Lunar New Year in Ninh Binh? Tips and recommendations.

Overview of Lunar New Year in Vietnam 

The Lunar New Year, commonly known as Tet, holds immense cultural and social significance in Vietnam. Celebrated according to the lunar calendar, Tet marks the beginning of the spring season and is the most important traditional festival in the country.

When is Tet holiday in Vietnam? 

Tet is celebrated in Vietnam based on the lunar calendar. The exact date of Tet varies each year. Generally, Tet falls between late January and mid-February. Tet 2024 falls on Friday, February 10th, 2024 in the Gregorian calendar. However, the festivities don't just last one day. The official Tet holiday in Vietnam typically stretches over 7 days, from February 8th to February 14th, 2024. This timeframe encompasses the 29th of the Lunar December to the 5th of the Lunar January.

During the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese seek spiritual places to pray for good fortune, health, and prosperity in the coming year. Therefore, they often visit temples or pagodas. Some famous spiritual sites in the North attract many domestic tourists during Tet holiday: Huong Pagoda, Yen Tu Moutain, Hung King Temple and Ninh Binh. Do you know why Ninh Binh is so popular during the Tet holiday? 

Ninh Binh in January: Weather, Top Activities, and Essential Tips

How is Ninh Binh during Tet? 

Festive atmosphere in Ninh Binh during Lunar New Year

Similar to other parts of Vietnam, Tet in Ninh Binh is a time for family reunions. People often travel long distances to be with their families, and there is a strong emphasis on spending quality time together. They decorate their houses with colourful flowers, especially peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and kumquat trees, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.

Explore traditional culture

Ninh Binh is home of old temples and pagodas, and all of them are decorated with traditional items during Tet. For example, Trang An boat dock and ticketing area are adorned with vibrant lanterns, kumquat trees, and fresh flowers. Similar to Trang An, other famous sites in Ninh Binh such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Mua Cave, Tam Coc-Bich Dong and Bai Dinh. 

Pagoda are in a festive atmosphere. Travel to Ninh Binh during this time, you can experience unique culture, traditional customs, or even lion dance performances and traditional music and dance. 

Increased crowds

This is a high peak time in Ninh Binh because of the significant increase in the number of domestic tourists. Therefore, be prepared for larger crowds than usual, especially on the first few days of Tet. You can face the crowd in Trang An boat dock or in Bai Dinh Pagoda. If you plan to stay more than a day in Ninh Binh, remember to book your accommodation in advance. 

How to discover Ninh Binh during the Lunar New Year? 

It’s true to say that a trip to Ninh Binh during Tet holiday is worth trying. Apart from some crowded days in the first week of Tet, other days witness not too many people, so you can enjoy Ninh Binh without the effect of others. 

You shouldn’t miss these best activities for Lunar New Year in Ninh Binh:

• Visit Hoa Lu temples or Bai Dinh Pagoda to see the culture of Vietnam 
• Boat trip in Trang An and Tam Coc where you admire the harmony between nature and culture by a waterway. 
• Visit Mua Cave where decorated with beautiful lanterns and provides a panoramic view of the whole countryside
• Ride a bike around a peaceful village 
• Go to Hoa Lu Ancient Town for walking or boat riding at night 

Suggested itinerary for a Ninh Binh Tour During the Tet holiday.

With the above activities, you just need 1-2 days to experience all. Arranging your trip smart can help you save your time and budget as well as ultimate your experience. In addition, the price for accommodation and transportation during Tet is usually higher than on normal days. Book a tour through a travel agent to help you save a stable price. If you have no idea about your upcoming trip to Ninh Binh during the Lunar New Year time, see what we offer below: 

1 day to enjoy Tet holiday in Ninh Binh: 

Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi

• Visit the age-old Ding temple in the Hoa Lu old capital
• Visit Mua Cave and climb up 500 steps on Lying Dragon Mountain to enjoy stunning panoramic view
• Enjoy a set-menu lunch with Vietnamese foods at the local homestay
• Enjoy the boat trip on River at Tam Coc
• Cycle through the rice areas and villages
• Visit the antique Bich Dong Pagoda

Hoa lu - Tuyet Tinh Coc- Trang An

• Visit the old Dinh King temple in the Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel
• Enjoy the panoramic Green lake view and discover Am Tien Cave
• Have the Vietnamese buffet lunch at a regional restaurant
• Enjoy the boat trip in Trang An 

Bai Dinh - Trang An boat trip

• Immerse yourself in the limestone karst formations of Dinh Mountain
• Explore the largest pagoda temple complex in Vietnam and Southeast Asia
• Ride up to the grottoes of Trang An by traditional sampan boat
• Discovery of majestic water caves on the Sampan boat

2 days in Ninh Binh during Tet holiday: 

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Ninh Binh Overnight Tour: Hoa Lu - Mua Cave - Tam Coc - Bai Dinh- Trang An

• Visit the Hoa Lu ancient capital
• Visit Mua Cave which has Lying Dragon Mountain to enjoy the viewpoint of Tam Coc area
• Take a sampan boat ride among the rice fields and limestone cliffs. 
• Cycle to explore the beauty of the rural sites
• Swim and enjoy the sunset party a local bungalow 
• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda- the second biggest pagoda in Vietnam
• Have a boat trip to discover the majestic water caves in Trang An

Ninh Binh 2 days 1 night: Hoa Lu - Mua Cave - Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Thung Nham National Park

• Visit the Dinh King temple in the Hoa Lu ancient capital
• Visit Mua Cave by hiking 500 steps up on Lying Dragon Mountain to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view
• Visit Tam Coc by sampan boat ride among the rice paddies and mountains
• Cycle to discover the beauty of the countryside
• Swim and enjoy the sunset party with local tea and fresh fruits
• Visit ancient Bich Dong Pagoda, which was built in 1428
• Visit Thung Nham National Birth Park, a valley with thousands of birds.

See other options in Ninh Binh Tours

Overall, Ninh Binh is more charming and unique at Tet. While some might worry about the crowd or the closing of shops/restaurants during Tet, others feel interested in this unique feature of Ninh Binh. The Tet celebration in Ninh Binh is worth trying. It‘s your great chance to see local customs and rituals during Tet in Ninh Binh. 

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