Ninh Binh, Vietnam

A steady rain soaked the city as I caught the earliest train out of Hanoi Station and made the bumpy three hour journey south to Ninh Binh.

While researching day trips from Hanoi, I stumbled on this “Ha Long Bay on Land” and was inspired to see the countryside and explore the waterways and rice paddies. Thankfully I arrived just before the first tour busses started pouring in, grabbed a quick breakfast pho at the Mua Caves Lodge and headed straight for the mountain. 500 steps later I was soaked to the bone from the rain and the valley view was obscured by fog. Such a shame! The karst formations are a stunning sight and I hope I can return here someday in better weather. Also just missed the rice harvest- a few weeks earlier and the muddy paddies would be full of golden-green rice. With the rain turning to a heavy downpour I decided to skip the other outdoor sights in Ninh Binh and headed back to Hanoi. Next time!

Harvested rice paddies are big mud puddles this time of year

Insert chicken crossing the road joke

500 Steps!

Can you spot the little goats in the lower right?

Views from the mountain top