This is an ideal destination for tourists who love nature and want to enjoy beautiful moments with majestic landscapes. For an interesting journey, join Origin Vietnam to learn about Van Long lagoon!
1. Where is Van Long Nature Reserve?
Van Long Nature Reserve is located in Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province. It is about 18 km northwest of Ninh Binh City, about 86 km south of Hanoi city center and 112 km from Noi Bai International Airport.
2. How is Van Long Nature Reserve Unique?
Van Long Lagoon is known as a large wetland nature reserve, with many migratory birds stopping here to feed and avoid the cold. The lagoon has an area of over 3,500 hectares, was put into operation in 1998 and quickly became a key tourist destination in Vietnam.
Van Long Lagoon holds two records from the Vietnam Book of Records Center in 2010. Visitors coming here will admire the wild beauty, vast flooded space and diverse natural ecosystem. Thanks to that, this place was chosen by the Hollywood film crew as the main filming location for the blockbuster Kong – Skull Island.
3. When is the best time to travel to Van Long lagoon?
Van Long Lagoon, Ninh Binh Province in Northern Vietnam, is located in a humid subtropical climate zone with four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. According to travel experience, visitors can visit Van Long Lagoon at any time of the year, each season brings its own beauty.
However, if visitors want to admire the lotus blooming season, they should come to Van Long lagoon in the summer, from April to June every year. At this time, the lagoon has the bright pink color of lotus flowers, fragrant scent and clear blue space.
In addition, visitors can visit Van Long lagoon in the dry season, from November to April of the following year. This is the season when birds from the North fly back to nest. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of countless bird species.
4. How to get to Van Long Lagoon?
4.1. Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh city
4.1.1. Travel by bus
Buses are the means of transportation to Ninh Binh chosen by many tourists from the North and North Central Vietnam. There are many bus companies from Hanoi to Ninh Binh every day with different schedules.
If departing from Hanoi, visitors can buy tickets at major bus stations: My Dinh bus station, Giap Bat bus station, Nuoc Ngam bus station to Ninh Binh bus station. Travel time between the two provinces is about more than 1 hour. Some reputable bus companies that visitors can refer to: Hai Thang, Anh Vu, Thuy Duong, Hoang Thin, Anh Dong…
4.1.2. Traveling by train
Ninh Binh is a province with the North-South railway running through it, so visitors can easily buy tickets and get here by train. The travel time is quite long due to having to go through many stations, but it can help visitors save money and experience a new feeling when taking the train.
For visitors departing from Hanoi, tickets can be purchased at Hanoi station with many trains at different times of the day. Trains from Hanoi passing through Ninh Binh: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19.
4.1.3. Travel by motorbike or personal car
Traveling by motorbike or private car is suitable for tourists who love to explore, this will definitely be the perfect choice. This form of transportation will help tourists be proactive about time, freely enjoy the beautiful scenery during the Ninh Binh travel journey.
For tourists traveling by motorbike, departing from Hanoi city center, go straight along Highway 1A to the South. It takes about 2 hours to reach the tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. Tourists traveling by motorbike should wear helmets and bring all necessary documents when participating in traffic.
For tourists traveling by private car, departing from Hanoi city center, follow Giai Phong street, pass Giap Bat bus station, turn and go straight on CT01 Hanoi – Ninh Binh highway. Travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh.
4.1.4. Travel by plane
Ninh Binh is a province without an airport, so tourists from far away who want to travel here by air must buy tickets to Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi.
Tourists buy tickets from their place of residence to Noi Bai airport by buying tickets online or at the ticket counter. Then, tourists choose means of transportation such as buses, motorbikes, cars to get to Ninh Binh. Then you can follow the best route recommend from google map here.
4.2. Travel from Ninh Binh city to Van Long lagoon
From Ninh Binh city to Van Long lagoon is only 18km so traveling is relatively easy.
Tourists from far away, traveling to Ninh Binh by bus or train can use the self-drive motorbike rental service to move freely or rent a taxi. Some reputable motorbike rental shops for tourists to refer to: Duc Anh, Duc Thang, Viet Dung… Then, tourists can go from Ninh Binh city to Van Long lagoon by the following ways:
- From Ninh Binh city, follow National Highway 1A to the North for about 10.5km, then turn left onto DT477. Then, go straight for 3.5km, then turn right and go another 2km to reach Van Long lagoon.
- Tourists depart from Ninh Binh city, follow the dike road along the Day River for about 11.5km, then turn right onto National Highway 1A. Continue straight for 1.2km, then turn left onto DT477. Then, go straight for 3.5km, then turn right and go another 2km to Van Long lagoon.
5. Interesting experiences in Van Long lagoon
Join Origin Vietnam to check out the interesting experiences that visitors should not miss in Van Long lagoon below!
5.1. Visit Van Long lagoon by boat
With a vast and calm water surface like a mirror, Van Long lagoon is known as a bay without waves. When sitting on small boats floating on the water, visitors will feel the peace of the wild space. The lagoon’s water is clear blue, allowing visitors to clearly see the beauty of moss and algae.
During the boat ride around the lagoon, visitors can immerse themselves in the fresh, airy natural space with wild, majestic mountains on both sides. This will definitely be an experience not to be missed when coming to this famous wetland reserve.
5.2. Visit spiritual tourist attractions near Van Long lagoon
Not only possessing the inherent beauty bestowed by nature, Van Long lagoon is also a spiritual destination with many sacred temples and pagodas. The temples and pagodas have a long history, with ancient architecture from ancient Vietnamese dynasties.
The ancient temples that tourists should visit are: Thanh Mau Temple, Thanh Son Pagoda and Dich Long Pagoda. When tourists come here, they not only pray for peace and health but also learn about the historical stories associated with the temples and pagodas.
5.3. Admire the beauty of the cave near Van Long lagoon
Van Long Lagoon has up to 1,000 beautiful caves for visitors to explore. The caves stand out with stalactites of various shapes, sparkling under the sunlight. Famous caves that visitors can visit include: Fish Cave, Ball Cave, Turtle Cave and Lemon Cave.
In particular, Hang Ca is a cave with a raised and submerged part creating a beautiful scene. Visitors will take a boat to visit the cave and can watch many colorful fish swimming around inside the cave.
5.4. Watching the sunset at Van Long lagoon
One of the impressive landscapes that visitors cannot miss is watching the clear blue lagoon under the sunset. Along with the sunset scene is the time when thousands of white storks fly back to roost for the night, creating a peaceful, pure scene.
This experience will allow visitors to enjoy the moment the sun sets over the lagoon, watch flocks of storks return to their nests, and listen to the sound of lapwings mixed with the gentle splash of oars. All together create a beautiful work of natural art, an extremely memorable experience.
6. Enjoy specialties at Van Long Lagoon
Van Long Lagoon is not only famous for its beautiful landscape but also for its rich traditional cuisine. Let’s find out about the specialties here!
6.1. Grilled banana fish
Grilled banana fish is a specialty of Ninh Binh. When the banana fish is brought home, it is cleaned and marinated with salt. Then, a mixture of galangal, lemongrass, turmeric powder, fermented rice, and minced garlic is rubbed onto the fish. The fish is wrapped in foil and grilled over charcoal for about 30-40 minutes.
After being grilled, the banana fish will be sprinkled with a layer of fragrant fried onions and scallion oil. When eating, visitors can eat it with raw vegetables and sweet and sour sauce. This dish has a delicious taste and the sweetness of the fish meat.
6.2. Yen Mac sour sausage
Nem chua Yen Mac is a specialty dish that is elaborately prepared by the locals, giving it a distinct and distinctive flavor compared to other types of nem chua. The pork used to make nem must be lean butt meat, sliced into soft, thin pieces, mixed with pork skin and rolled in rice bran.
Nem is served with fig leaves, herbs, perilla leaves, guava leaves and dipped in fish sauce with lemon, garlic and chili. Combining these leaves will create a more delicious and unique flavor for nem chua.
6.3. Eel salad
The eel salad is considered one of the best local specialties. After being cleaned, the fish is marinated with spices such as ginger, lemongrass, and dried onions. The fish salad is served with raw vegetables such as star fruit, figs, chili, herbs, and sweet and sour sauce.
When eating, the fish has a sweet taste, mixed with the sour taste of vinegar, the spicy taste of ginger and the rich taste of roasted sticky rice combined with the slightly astringent taste of vegetables, making the dish unique and leaving an impression on visitors.
6.4. Mountain goat meat
Goats in Ninh Binh are raised naturally on the mountain slopes, so the meat is very firm, moderately soft, not too tough and has a characteristic aroma. What creates the special flavor of Ninh Binh mountain goat dishes are the traditional spices of the people here.
There are many dishes made from goat meat for visitors to enjoy such as: raw goat with lemon, stir-fried goat, grilled goat, grilled goat, burnt rice with goat sauce, goat cooked with plum wine, steamed goat, stewed goat, goat hot pot… Visitors can eat with raw vegetables, ginger soy sauce to enhance the flavor and sweetness of mountain goat meat.
6.5. Crispy rice
When coming to Ninh Binh, tourists will see burnt rice sold at every tourist spot in the province. Ninh Binh burnt rice is elaborately prepared by mixing two types of dry rice and sticky rice together. Then, the rice is fried until it expands evenly, becomes crispy, golden and spongy, adding a little salty pork floss and special spices.
In particular, burnt rice brings a delicious, crispy, fatty flavor and the salty taste of shrimp paste. If you have the opportunity to travel to Ninh Binh, you should enjoy this burnt rice specialty or buy it as a gift for family and friends.
7. Accommodation when traveling to Van Long lagoon
7.1. Hotels and motels near Van Long lagoon
For the convenience of long-term trips to Van Long lagoon. We have compiled the most prestigious and quality hotels and motels for visitors to refer to:
- Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort. Address: Van Long Nature Reserve, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien District, Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh Province
- Ninh Binh Eco Garden Hotel. Address: Hamlet 4, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Van Long Hotel. Address: Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Hoang Hai Hotel. Address: Hamlet 4, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Van Long Garden. Address: Vo, Ngo Hill, Gia Hoa, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Viet Nghia Hotel. Address: Km 1 Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ngo Dong Hotel. Address: DT477, Gia Phu, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Thanh Cong Hotel. Address: Gia Van, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ha Phuong Guest House. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Cao Son Guesthouse. Address: Road 340, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Bai Dinh Hotel. Address: Van Long lagoon campus, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Huong Tra Hotel. Address: Gian Khau Intersection, Gia Tran, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ho Nui Dinh Hotel. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
7.2. Beautiful Homestays near Van Long Lagoon
For tourists who love nature and plants, choosing a homestay is the most suitable choice. Origin Vietnam has compiled a list of Homestays with beautiful views, quality and amenities for tourists to refer to:
- Memorina Ninh Binh Farmstay. Address: Hamlet 1, Gia Sinh, Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh Province
- Ninh Binh Mountain View Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Friendly Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5, Van Long Lagoon, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Tam Family Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5 Dam Van Long, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Bamboo Farmstay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Garden Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- ACE Homestay. Address: Gia Xuan, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Bai Dinh Eco Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Nature Homestay. Address: Gia Van, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Canh Tiep Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
8. Some notes when traveling to Van Long lagoon
To have a complete, economical and wonderful tour Vietnam – Gia Vien, Ninh Binh, visitors should note some useful travel experiences below:
- Visitors should prepare hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and other personal belongings to protect themselves.
- Check the weather forecast before coming here to avoid going on rainy and stormy days, which can affect your trip.
- When boating around the lagoon, visitors should wear life jackets and protective gear to ensure safety.
- Visitors should prepare flashlights if they want to explore the caves.
- You should book hotels, motels, and homestays at least 2 weeks before your trip to have more options and avoid running out of rooms.
- Bring full identification documents for convenience when checking in for flights, checking into hotels, and renting cars.
- While traveling, you should pay attention to protecting public property and not littering.
With beautiful scenery, close to nature and interesting activities and experiences that Van Long lagoon brings. This place has become a famous place that tourists should not miss on their journey to Ninh Binh.
Don’t forget to check out Ninh Binh tours from Hanoi offer by Origin Travel. Or give us a call at 84829098686 – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced consultants. We hope to soon accompany you and help you have a journey to explore Van Long lagoon in the most complete way.
