Ninh Bình, Vietnam

Ninh Bình is the capital city of Ninh Bình Province in northern Vietnam, home to roughly 160,000 residents in the Red River Delta. The surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Tràng An Landscape Complex is known for karst limestone peaks rising above emerald rice paddies and river valleys. Nearby Hoa Lư served as the royal capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries. At Tam Cốc and Tràng An, local rowers guide wooden sampans through water caves using their feet. Travelers climb 500 stone steps up Hang Múa peak for panoramic countryside views, explore Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, and cycle past limestone towers.