Ninh Binh

Pronounced Ning Bing.
Quick breakfast at 7 then straight on tender to walk up nearby Titov mountain - great views and a refreshing coconut on way down.
Checked out of our stunning room and had a buffet brunch, pizza for me. We weren't hungry but figured may as well eat and skip lunch.
Left the boat at 10:30 and had an hour wait before transfer so wandered up and down the wharf.
Arranged transfer limousine bus (fancy seats) via 12go for about £10 each which picked us up and drove us to Ninh Binh, with the obligatory stop at some shop selling marble statues amongst other things - bit big for our suitcases!
Once in Ninh Binh we were dumped with a few others from the larger bus by the side of a road and put straight onto a minibus which took us all the way to our hotel - wasn't expecting door to door service.
Hang Lan Bungalows (£38 per night) is our next stop, a little oasis in a waterfront bungalow. Water is a little on the pongy side.
Anna was flagging so we fed her a coffee then walked in search of some dinner. Stopped at second place we found called D&D riverside, cute little place run by a family. Little girl of about 8 gave us menus and cutlery etc and was wiping down tables. Dad took the orders and mum cooked while the little boy just threw things. Had 2 bowls of pho, crispy tofu, 8 spring rolls, beer and large bottle of water for about £4. Very tasty! Wandered home in the dark lit up by our phones.Read more