Vietnam ::Ninh Binh::.

The bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh leaves from Ben Xe Giap Bat and cost 50,000ð. The two and a half hour journey dropped Sauce and Mustard off in the middle of Ninh Binh. Straight off the bus, scouts from the New Mini Queen Hotel offered them a free scooter ride to their hotel. Sauce and Mustard declined the offer, preferring to walk.

As they walked away, the scouts dropped their price from US$8 to US$6. By the time Sauce and Mustard had made their way to the hotel, they were offered a nice clean room with hot water and Wi-Fi for US$6 and a scooter for 80,000ð. They spent the next two days exploring the Ninh Binh area on the scooter.



Tam Coc, just 8km out of town, consisted of a river meandering through lush green rice paddies amongst the karst limestone peaks, similar to Ha Long Bay. Sauce and Mustard spent a couple of hours on a boat tour along the river where the oarsman row with their feet.  On their way back to shore they were meet by a small storm that sent everyone ruining for shelter.

Safely debarking their rickety dingy, Sauce and Mustard took shelter in the nearby embroidery shops and did some shopping.With some new artwork and plastic ponchos to keep them dry, they made their way west and discovered the poor cousins of Tam Coc. The local villagers offered them boat tours to a different part of the river for a third of the price and showed them the way to a couple of pagodas.

The pagodas had free entry, but parking cost 20,000ð. The pagoda was a Buddha cave that lead to a thrilling mountain climb with spectacular views of the surrounding area.

On the way to Mua Cave, Mustards camera stopped working. When they stopped to fix it, a family of neighbourhood kids swamped them, pulling on their bags and ask to take photos with them. Mua cave has a whole lot of steps that takes you up to a dragon adorned peak. You can also see the Tam Coc river from the top.

The next stop at the Trang An market was a waste of time. After paying 20,000ð for parking and seeing stuff all, they left for Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam.

As they approached Hoa Lu, Sauce and Mustard were offered free parking with the purchase of two bowls of Pho De (Goat Noodle Soup). There wasn't much to Hoa Lu, the only thing that was left of the ancaient citadel was the temple. Although Sauce and Mustard had a fun walk (climb) up to the summit.

Directionally challenged trying to find the stilt village of Kenh Ga, and with the sun steadily declining, Sauce and Mustard gave up and made their way back to Ninh Binh, in order to catch the sleeper bus to Huè.