Lying 100 km south of Hanoi in the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh is the capital city of Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province.

With its easy transportation links to destinations both north and south, this laidback town makes an ideal base for exploring the remarkably scenic surrounding countryside.

The highlight of the area is undoubtedly the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring lush green paddy fields, some quintessentially Vietnamese limestone scenery, and a number of impressive caves.

Other popular nearby sights include the nation’s biggest pagoda and the extraordinary views from the top of Hang Mua Peak.