18.11 Ninh Binh - Viewpoint & Concert

After a restful day the day before, we are eager to check the next site in our list!
Today, our quest for the best view in the area led us to the majestic Hang Mua viewpoint. I took the wheel for this journey, which spanned about 40 minutes. However, our adventure hit a minor hiccup upon arrival – we realized we were out of cash and had to embark on another 15-minute detour to the nearest ATM.

Hang Mua, nestled between Trang An and Tam Coc, is conveniently accessible via various modes of transportation. The highlight of Hang Mua is undoubtedly its viewpoints. Two adjacent petite mountains stand with rocky steps and take a roughly 15 to 20-minute climb to ascend. The path, while uneven and lacking handrails, leads to breathtaking panoramic vistas. From the summit, one can gaze down upon the winding river and the rowing boats of Trang An on one side, while the other offers captivating views of a neighboring mountain, along with lush rice fields and the bamboo bridge that graces the landscape.

After our descent, we returned the motorbike and set off in search of a place to dine. Soon, we stumbled upon an intriguing sign that read "burger" tucked away in a random side street. Our curiosity led us to a little eatery within a hostel. The burgers were delicious and we played UNO from a pile of board games on the tables. As we settled the bill, the friendly waitress informed us about an evening concert in the area's second-largest city. Intrigued, we took note of the details in case we could attend later.

The rest of the day was supposed to be dedicated to work, but as our curiosity got the better of us. Niki drove and the route was stunning along the river, illuminated by the moon and the stars.

Upon reaching the city, we noticed a growing stream of people heading in the same direction. Streets became blocked, and clusters of bikes congregated in a seemingly random area. As we parked our motorbike, a friendly local approached us, handing us a number. We understood that was his parking area and he was going to watch over our vehicle while we were away. Our curiosity led us to an open-air concert hall with traditional Vietnamese music. The massive stage captivated the audience, comprised only of local residents. We were clearly standing out as the only non Vietnamese and people are looking at us.
Stands offering local street food, sugary delights, and playful children contributed to the musical event. This spontaneous decision to attend the concert granted us a unique and immersive local experience, seldom explored by tourists. It provided us with a deeper glimpse into the lives of the people of Ninh Binh and Vietnam, and we couldn't have been happier with our serendipitous evening.Baca lagi