Nam Dinh is a province located in the delta of the Red River, and it has a rich history of wet rice civilization. Despite facing challenges throughout its history, the region has managed to preserve its cultural heritage, which reflects the national identity of Vietnam. If you plan to visit soon, this Nam Dinh travel guide will be useful to you.
Where is Nam Dinh?
Nam Dinh is situated just 90 kilometers away from Hanoi, which makes it a convenient location for weekend trips. It is a province located in the southern region of the Northern Delta, also known as the Red River Delta, in Vietnam. Nam Dinh shares borders with Thai Binh province to the northeast, Ninh Binh province to the southwest, and Ha Nam province to the northwest. Additionally, it is located along the Gulf of Tonkin to the southeast. Out of the 63 provinces in Vietnam, Nam Dinh is the 52nd largest in terms of area.
When is the best time to visit Nam Dinh?
The climate in Nam Dinh is typical of the Northern weather, with four distinct seasons throughout the year, each offering unique experiences and beauty to explore. If you’re planning a visit, there are certain times when the Nam Dinh festival is especially impressive and worth attending, such as:
- Full moon of the first lunar month: The Opening Ceremony of Tran Temple is held with many solemn ceremonies, attracting tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world to attend.
- On the 8th day of the first lunar month: Attend Vieng market to pray for good luck, where you can also enjoy many interesting folk games like water puppetry, human chess, swinging, and asking for words.
- March of the lunar calendar: The Phu Day festival takes place, which is associated with the legend of the Holy Mother Lieu Hanh. Attend the ceremony, watch the hau dong performance, and sing chau van.
- Summer: Visit pristine, clean, and peaceful beaches for relaxation, and don’t forget to capture countless beautiful scenes that look like paintings for your social media feeds.
How to go to Nam Dinh?
Travelers can easily reach Nam Dinh from Hanoi by both road and rail. Every day, there are 3-4 trains departing from Hanoi that pass through Nam Dinh, with one-way fares starting from 90,000 VND. You can buy train ticket directly on Vietnam Railway’s website.
For those who prefer to travel by road, there are several options such as taking a bus, private car, taxi, or motorbike. The distance is flat and easy to navigate, and it takes approximately 2-2.5 hours to arrive at Nam Dinh. Bus tickets cost around 60,000 VND per person, depending on the bus operator.
Tip: If you’re worried about language barriers or finding the bus station, we suggest booking your bus or private car ticket online for the trip from Hanoi to Nam Dinh. This will help you save time and effort during your trip.
If you choose to ride a motorbike, make sure that you have a valid license and know how to ride in Vietnam. The route can be easily accessed on Google Maps.
It’s important to note that Nam Dinh does not have a civil airport. Therefore, tourists who wish to visit remote areas usually fly to Hanoi and then make their way to Nam Dinh.
How to move around Nam Dinh?
Traveling around Nam Dinh by motorbike is a popular mode of transportation. As Nam Dinh has a well-developed tourism industry, there are several motorbike rental services available. If you don’t have your motorbike with you, here are some of the well-known motorbike rental places in Nam Dinh:
| Unit name | Phone | Address | Manual bike rental price | Scooter rental price |
| Son Nam Hotel | 0228 3645 617 | 26 Le Hong Phong, Le Hong Phong intersection with Tran Te Xuong, Vi Xuyen lake shore | 80,000 VND – 100,000 VND/day | 130,000 VND – 140,000 VND/day |
| Phuong Uyen Hotel | 0914 263 188 | Cau Doi Market, Hai Hung, Hai Hau | 80,000 VND – 100,000 VND/day | 130,000 VND – 140,000 VND/day |
| Ngoc Dieu | 0918 626 899 | 443 Dang Xuan Bang Street, Nam Van | 90,000 VND – 100,000 VND/day | 120,000 VND -150,000 VND/day |
| Vi Hoang | 0350 3849 290 | 153 Nguyen Du | 100,000 VND/day | 150,000 VND/day |
| Binh Tan | 0350 3681 789 | 551 Tran Thai Tong | 90,000 VND – 120,000 VND/day | 140,000 VND – 150,000 VND/day |
If you’re traveling with a group or family, taking a taxi is a good option. Here are some reliable taxi companies you can choose from:
| Taxi Company | Phone Number |
| Mai Linh Taxi | 0228.6.25.25.25 |
| 0228.3.76.76.76 | |
| Duc Phuong Taxi | 0228.3.676.676 |
| Taxi Do Quan | 0228.3.68.68.68 |
| Taxi Hoang Sa | 0228.3.222.888 |
| Taxi Thanh Hung | 0228.3.835.835 |
| Taxi Nam Dinh | 0228.3.86.86.86 |
What to do for the first time in Nam Dinh?
The center of Nam Dinh city is usually the first stop for visitors. From here, you can visit many famous places in the city.
Thinh Long Beach
Thinh Long Beach is situated in Thinh Long town, Hai Hau district and is one of the most famous beaches in Nam Dinh. The picturesque scenery of the clear blue sea, the white sand and the rows of casuarinas is captivating. Additionally, Thinh Long Beach is near other popular tourist spots in Nam Dinh such as Tile bridge – Luong pagoda, Hung Nghia holy temple, and Dong Ha beach.
Catholic Churches
- The Bui Chu bishopric, built in the 18th century in Xuan Ngoc commune, Xuan Truong district, is a unique architectural structure that houses religious documents from the missionary era, and also provides care for orphans, elderly people, and disabled individuals. Trung Linh church, located approximately 1.5km from Bui Chu bishop’s house, was constructed in 1928 and is a popular wedding photography site.
- Despite its age, the Hai Ly church continues to attract visitors due to its antique charm and distinctive architecture. This church also serves as a popular photography destination.
- Phu Nhai Church, located in Xuan Phuong Commune, Xuan Truong District, is one of the oldest parishes in the Vietnamese Catholic Church. The church was constructed in the 18th century and has undergone several renovations, yet still retains its original architectural design.
There are also several other churches worth visiting here such as Saint Kien Lao temple, Thanh Danh parish, and Nam Dinh cathedral.
Lake Vinh Xuyen
Lake Vinh Xuyen is located in Vinh Xuyen ward, Nam Dinh city and is a remnant of the Vi Hoang River, which used to be a symbol of the South citadel. Today, the lake is not only planned to be developed as a green park but also serves as a place to keep the grave of the poet Te Xuong.
Xuan Thuy National Park
Xuan Thuy National Park is a must-visit destination when discovering Nam Dinh. It is located in Giao Thuy district, south of Ba Lat estuary, and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the inter-provincial biosphere reserve in the Red River Delta. Visitors can immerse themselves in the green nature, enjoy the cool air, and listen to the birds chirping.
Tran Temple
Tran Temple is one of the well-known spiritual tourist sites in Nam Dinh. It is a temple complex that includes 14 generations of Tran kings and mandarins with meritorious services. During the opening ceremony of the spring and the temple festival in August, visitors can experience the atmosphere of gratitude for the merits of Buddhist beings.
Co Le Pagoda
Co Le Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple built in 1920 during the Ly Dynasty, located in Co Le town, Truc Ninh district, Nam Dinh city. The pagoda was constructed by Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong and contains many cultural relics of great historical value, such as the 12-storey ancient tower built in the 1820s, Dai Hong Chung, and the Ly era drums.
Phu Day
Phu Day relic site, also known as Princess Lieu’s Mausoleum, is located in Kim Thai commune, Vu Ban district. It is a historic site that worships Princess Lieu Hanh, one of the “four immortals” of Vietnam, and is considered a significant cultural heritage site in the region.
Vi Khe Bonsai Village
Vi Khe Bonsai Village is situated in Dien Xa commune, Nam Truc district, approximately 5 km southeast of Nam Dinh city. This village has a history of over 700 years and is often referred to as the “village of billionaires” by tourists due to its famous bonsai artisans who pass down their craft from generation to generation.
Mr. Van, a skilled artisan in the village, shared that there are trees in his garden that have been passed down for 2-3 generations, and he has spent his entire life cultivating them to perfection. Additionally, there are many other ornamental plants that he has started planting, and it will take his children and grandchildren’s lifetime to complete. For the artisans in the village, each tree is treated with care and affection, as if it were their own child.
Read more: Top 10 Most Beautiful and Famous Nam Dinh Tourist Attractions
What to eat in Nam Dinh?
Pho Nam Dinh
Pho Nam Dinh is renowned throughout Vietnam for its distinctive and rich flavor, cooked according to a traditional recipe. The soft, long, and thin noodles blend with the sweet, aromatic broth, infused with the fragrance of onions, which captivates many diners. If you have tried Pho Hanoi, you will notice that Pho Nam Dinh is quite different.
Xiu Pho
Xiu Pho is also a must-try dish. Xiu is the shortened name for char siu in Chinese cuisine, which is pork that is surrounded by a thin layer of fat, marinated with basil, five spices, cinnamon, apricot wine, and cashew oil, then fried. If you don’t pay attention to the red color of the outer layer of the meat, many people might think it is just a regular bowl of Pho Nam Dinh.
Xiu Pao
Xiu Pao is a type of cake originating from China, which was later adapted to suit the Vietnamese palate. The outside of the cake is quite similar to the pia cake, but the inside is savory. It should be eaten while still hot to fully enjoy its flavor.
Nem Nam ( a type of fermented pork)
Nem Nam is one of the dishes that give Nam Dinh cuisine its name. Nem Nam is best enjoyed with fig leaves, clove leaves, and dipped in Sa Chau fish sauce. Adding a little garlic and chili will make the dish even more enticing.
Do Quan Bridge Banh Mi
When talking about Nam Dinh cuisine, it would be a miss to not mention this extremely famous banh mi (Vietnamese bread) shop. Located right at the foot of Do Quan bridge, every day customers come to the restaurant and queue up to buy. Although it is a street food, the quality is extremely high. The crispy hot bread is filled with pickled cucumber, especially greasy pate, and char siu meat. Eating this banh mi with a glass of soy milk will definitely satisfy any cravings.
Xiu Sticky Rice
Xiu sticky rice is a rustic dish with bold flavors and brings back memories of people in Nam Dinh. The sticky rice is made from glutinous rice, which is new to eat but has a sweet aroma. The char siu meat is marinated and simmered, then soaked in meat and broth over sticky rice, with some fried onions and pickles to enjoy. Anyone who tries it once will hardly forget this taste.
Read more: Best 12 Nam Dinh Local Foods to Satisfy Your Cravings
Hotels in Nam Dinh
Nam Dinh’s tourism industry is growing rapidly, and as a result, the selection of hotels and motels here is becoming increasingly diverse and of better quality, all while remaining affordable. Here is a list of some quality hotels that are worth considering:
Click on hotel to see best deals from booking platforms:
All of the aforementioned hotels have modern facilities, offer beautiful views from their rooms, and are conveniently located near the city center and several popular tourist attractions in Nam Dinh, making them great options for visitors looking for comfortable and convenient accommodations.
How long should you stay in Nam Dinh?
For a Nam Dinh travel experience, a weekend trip of 2 days and 1 night would be suitable. However, if you have more time or are visiting during festival season, we recommend staying for around 3-4 days to explore the region to the fullest. This will allow you to see more attractions, participate in local activities, and of course, indulge in the vast array of delicious local cuisine.
For a 2-day, 1-night Nam Dinh tour, the cost will typically range from 1,600,000 VND per person. This includes expenses for food, transportation, and sightseeing.
ATM and Money Exchange in Nam Dinh
ATMs are readily available in Nam Dinh, mainly concentrated on the main streets of Nam Dinh city, so withdrawing cash is not a problem. However, many popular tourist sites are located in villages where card payments may not be accepted, so it is advisable to carry enough cash with you.
If you need to exchange foreign currency to VND, it is recommended to exchange some VND at authorized places in Hanoi before your trip to Nam Dinh.
Local Emergency Contact for Tourists in Nam Dinh
- Emergency Rescue: Dial 112
- Police: 113
- Fire Department: 114
- Ambulance and Medical support: 115
- Remember to save your hotel/homestays phone number in case of emergency
Other notes to ensure a wonderful trip beside of this Nam Dinh travel guide
- Book train tickets and hotel rooms early to avoid missing the trip
- Prepare elegant clothes for visiting temples and spiritual sites, and bathing suits for the beach
- Choose between self-sufficiency or going on a tour, depending on your experience and preferences
- Bring a camera to capture great moments during your trip
- Stay connected during your trip to Vietnam by picking up a SIM card for travelers
