Ninh Binh Walking Street

Located in the centre of the city, Ninh Binh Walking Street, also known as Hoa Lu Old Town, is the highlight of Ninh Binh’s nightlife. The street is open from 7 am to 10 pm daily, offers countless stores selling local handicrafts, restaurants serving signature Ninh Binh’s specialities, and plenty of traditional performances.

Laid on the premises of Ky Lan Mountain—Silver Pagoda, Ninh Binh Walking Street is well-known for its symbol—the towered-type Silver Pagoda (or Kỳ Lân Sơn Tự), a height of up to 27 meters, situated in the middle of Ky Lan Lake. It possesses a unique red granite structure with three-tiered roofs and a sacred artificial lotus pedestal on the top. Inside the pagoda are carved various Buddha statues, all made by the skilful artist from Ninh Van—the infamous stone craft village of Ninh Binh.

Two main walking lanes of the street run around Ky Lan Lake. Shops and houses are designed in the ancient architecture of Vietnam in the 10th century, divided into 2 areas: 

• The traditional handicraft zone shows a variety of products, such as pottery and stone art originating from famous handicraft villages in Ninh Binh, like Ninh Van Stone Carving Village or Ancient Bo Bat Pottery Village.
• The food zone is an ideal spot to taste delicious Ninh Binh and nearby areas’ specialties like Kim Son Moc vermicelli soup, mountain goat meat served raw with lime, or Ninh Binh crispy rice.

Aside from being the hub for nightlife, Ninh Binh Walking Street is frequently chosen as the main stage to organise major tourism events in the province, such as the Ninh Binh Festival, the New Year’s Countdown, etc. 

Things to Do

Sailing Boat on Ky Lan Lake

Sailing on a boat along Ky Lan Lake is a must when visiting Ninh Binh Walking Street. During a 1.5-hour ride, a local will slowly ride you on a sampan boat, exploring all the hidden areas of the complex. Along the way, you will have a chance to sip a cup of warm tea or release wish lanterns while admiring the ancient scenery. The boat will also occasionally stop at shops and attractions for you to visit. 

At weekends, the boats will anchor in the middle of the lake, turning themselves into a floating grandstand to enjoy Kỳ Lân Thi Ca folk art performances, water puppetry shows, or Cheo singing at the floating stage. 

The price for a boat ride on Ky Lan Lake will be: 

• VIP BOAT: 900,000 VND/group of 9 persons (free for children under 1 meter in height).
• STANDARD BOAT: 400,000 VND/group of 4 persons (free for children under 1 meter in height).

In case of adding more tourists, you have to pay extra fees:

• VIP BOAT: 150,000 VND/adult, 100,000 VND/child (1-1.3m).
• STANDARD BOAT: 100,000 VND/adult, 80,000 VND/child (1-1.3m).

Weekend’s Vietnam Traditional Performances

Ninh Binh Walking Street is at its liveliest during weekend nights, when the area is filled with many traditional performances. look at the fixed schedules below: 

Besides, Ninh Binh Walking Street hosts various events throughout the year, with approximately 1 per month. 

Try Ninh Binh Specialities

Wandering around Ninh Binh walking street is like being lost in the heaven of street food. A bunch of Ninh Binh’s specialties are sold here, like the infamous mountain goat meat, Nho Quan jar wine, fermented pork roll, eel vermicelli, and so on. Especially, do not miss the opportunity to try traditional cakes such as glutinous rice cake, Chung cake, ramie leaves rice cake, or molasses-sweetened glutinous rice cake.

Tips: Remember to exchange Vietnamese currency and bring it to Ninh Binh Walking Street because most food stalls do not accept USD here!