Districts: Hoang Long, Gia Vien, Hoa Lu, Tam Diep, Kim Son

Economic potentialities: Limestone, Marine resources

Ninh Binh is located south of the Northern Delta, between the Red and Ma Rivers. It is bordered by Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa provinces. The population is made up of 23 ethnic communities, among which the Kinh account for more than 98%. The rest of the population consists of the Muong, Tay, Nung, Tai, Hoa, and Dao ethnic groups.

The sub- delta climate, with an annual average temperature of 23°C, is divided into two seasons: the dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October.

The old city of Ninh Binh is one of many famous historic sites in Vietnam. Other sites in this area include Hoa Lu Citadel, Nhat Tu Pagoda, and Can Linh Pagoda.

* Phat Diem Cathedral:

Located 130 km south of Hanoi and 28-km southeast of Ninh Binh, Phat Diem Cathedral was built between 1875 and 1899 and consists of a network of ponds, lakes, churches, and artificial caves.

Phuong Dinh Church, part of the Phat Diem complex, is a giant building entirely made of stone. Numerous stone sculptures are on the inside and outside walls. A large bell cast in the 1890s weighing nearly 2 tons is found in the bell tower.

Phat Diem Cathedral was built in 1891 with four roofs and six sets of iron wooden pillars. On both sides of the church are four smaller churches of different styles. On the extreme north corner are three stone caves. The most beautiful of these caves is Lo Duc cave. Phat Diem Cathedral is the center of Catholicism in north Vietnam and also a tourist site attracting foreign and domestic visitors.

The cathedral of Phat Diem seems to have changed very little since Graham Greene described its ..gigantic pillars formed out of single trees and the scarlet lacquer work of the altar, more Buddhist than Christian" in his 1955 classic The Quiet American. Indeed, with its multi-tiered, curling roofs and its 48 lime-wood columns - (the largest of which weigh seven tons), Phat Diem is a far cry from a European cathedral. Stone relief angels overlook carved dragons and the cathedral's two tons bell is accompanied by a giant brass gong.

In the area surrounding this massive stone and wood cathedral, the rice paddies are peppered with stone churches. But, unlike these structures, built by Europeans and resembling typical churches of the era, Phat Diem Cathedral was designed by a Vietnamese priest, known as Father Sau between 1875 and 1899, Father Sau rallied the local population to build the cathedral, five side chapels, three artificial grottoes, an artificial lake and a bell tower. He died the same year as the complex was finished.

Local Catholics view the cathedral's survival as almost miraculous; a bombing in 1972 flattened two of the side chapels and caused the cathedral to lean by some 20 degrees. Despite the on going war, restoration started immediately and today, the only obvious trace of the bombing is the destruction of some intricate stone carvings.

The best day to visit Phat Diem is on a Sunday, when the district's roads are full of people, walking or cycling towards the cathedral or one of the dozens of neighboring churches. And on Christmas eve, an unforgettable midnight mass, attended by thousands and accompanied by a brass band, is held in the cathedral grounds.

Phat Diem Cathedral is 121 km south of Hanoi and 29km south-east of Ninh Binh town. From Hanoi, it can be reached in under three hours by car.

Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam almost 10 centuries ago during the Dinh and Tien Le dynasties. It is situated in Truong Yen commune, Ninh Binh province, approximately 100 km south of Hanoi. Hoa Lu is surrounded by numerous magnificent mountains and consists of three areas: Thanh Ngoai, Thanh Noi, and Thanh Nam.

Thanh Ngoai, covers an area of approximately 140 ha in Yen Thanh village. King Dinh Tien Hoang erected a flag in Thanh Ngoai Palace. Ma Yen mountain is in front of the palace.

Thanh Noi is located in Chi Phong village. This village, formerly known as Thu Nhi commune, was where the children and servants of the royal lived.

Thanh Nam is surrounded by high mountains that act like barriers at the south of the ancient city, protecting the capital and enabling people to leave Hoa Lu by waterway.

To the east of the old capital are the Cot Co Mountains where the flag of Dai Co Viet, the former name of Vietnam, was erected; Ghenh Thap Mountain, where King Dinh used to review the army; Tien Cave, where the national treasures were kept; and Thien Ton Cave, where prisoners and criminals were punished.

* Bich Dong - Tam Coc:

Bich Dong Pagoda is located 11 km from Ninh Binh in Ninh Binh province and can be reached by either boat or car.

Bich Dong Pagoda, built on Ngu Nhac Mountain, is divided into three levels: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda). On the mountain peak stands the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at the horizon in hope of viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu.

From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honor of the beautiful pagoda and landscape. He was the one who said that Bich Dong Pagoda was the second nicest pagoda in Vietnam, after the Huong Pagoda, also called Perfume Pagoda, in Ha Tay province.

One cannot visit Bich Dong Pagoda without visiting Tam Coc Cave, located approximately 2 km from the pagoda.