Ninhbinh

Area: 1,383.7 sq. km.
Population:
554,700 habitants (2004)
Capital: Ninh Binh Town.
Administrative divisions:
- Town: Tam Diep.
- Districts: Nho Quan, Gia Vien, Hoa Lu, Yen Mo, Yen Khanh, Kim Son.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Muong, Thai, Tay.

Geography
Situated on the Red River Delta, Ninhbinh separates the North and the Central Vietnam by Tam Diep Mountain Range. It is surrounded by Hoabinh, Hanam provinces on the north, Namdinh Province on the east and Thanhhoa on the west and the south.
Ninhbinh’s topography is divided clearly into 3 parts: the mountainous area in the west and northwest; the delta and coastal area in the east and south. Ninh Binh has Day, Van Sang rivers, and Non Nuoc, Canh Dieu mountains. Annual average temperature is 23.4ºC.

Tourism

In Ninhbinh, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District now) was chosen as the first capital of Vietnam feudal centralism regime and the Dai Co Viet's political, economic and cultural centre with the name of Kings Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Dai Hanh and Ly Thai To in 10th century. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (Hanoi now), opening a new era for Vietnamese people.
Ninh Binh owns beautiful Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Dich Long, Hoa Son, Tien caves, Van Trinh Grotto and other special landscapes following:
Cuc Phuong National Park is home of varies of strange flora and fauna. Especially it is enjoyable to touch the thousand-year-old cho xanh (parashrea stellata) and sau (Dracontomelum Duperranum or Dancorra Edulis) trees, 50-70m high. The park is also suitable to watch birds, butterflies and orchid flowers.
Phat Diem Cathedral is a solemn and interesting architectural complex, reflecting the skilful and excellent stone carving art of the Vietnamese workers.
Ninhbinh’s people have created such famous and traditional products as Kim Son's fine arts, Hoa Lu's high-class embroidery, hanger products and rocky sculpture products for export, Gia Vien's rattan and bamboo knitting products, etc.

Transprotation
Located 90km far from Hanoi, Ninhbinh has convenient waterway and road networks of transportation. The Reunification Express Train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City stops at Ninhbinh Town. National Highway No.10 connects to Namdinh, Thanhhoa provinces and National Highway No.12B links to Hoabinh Province.

 

Source: Vietnam Administration of Tourism