Here is an ultimate Nam Dinh travel guide version 2021 by Hynam Travel with up-to-date information on things to do, what to eat, where to stay and so on
Nam Dinh is a less visited town by tourists, only 90 kilometers (60 miles) away from Hanoi. But a good choice for those who like to travel off the beaten track, love local living and rich culture, eat traditional dishes of Vietnam and immerse yourself into rustic beauty of the rural landscape.
If your expectation is what’s is mentioned above. Let’s plan a trip to Nam Dinh. . All information provided in this article is down to earth because I was born and grew up in this city. From the bottom of heart, I would like to introduce you this beautiful city but less-visited comparing other places in Vietnam due to lack of promotion
Table of Contents
Nam Dinh is located in the south of Red River Delta, 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. Knowns as a hidden treasure destination in Northern Vietnam, less visited by foreign travelers. Nam Dinh has a lot to offer from historic Tran temple, Co Le Buddist temples to a paradise for nature lovers of Xuan Thuy national park. It is also famous for its specialties with yummy dishes, especially, homeland to well-known rice noodle soup dish. Nam Dinh is worth a visit if you aren’t a big fan of touristy spots.
It has a tropical climate. You can see it all year round. But if you want to avoid from the heat. Don’t travel Nam Dinh during summertime from May to early August.
If you do like a festival, January in Lunar calendar is the best time to see those festivals
From Hanoi, there are 3 ways to get there by train, by bus or car, by motorbike. In my opinion, traveling by car or bus is the best way because it is really convenient
Please get to Hanoi railway station at Le Duan street for catching a train to Nam Dinh with the following schedule
Hire a private car from Hanoi, cost roughly around $80 for a day trip to Nam Dinh. If you are going to Xuan Thuy national park within a day, the cost for car rental is $115 per car
There are several companies offers transfer services by Limousine Dcar 9 seaters to Nam Dinh city
If you are staying in Hanoi Old Quarter, Quang Trung street, 500 meters from Hanoi Cathedral is the best location to pick up the minivan. They do drop off within Nam Dinh city area.
Schedule
5.00am- 5.30am-6.00am-7.00am-8.00am-9.00am-10.00am-11.00am-12.00pm-13.00pm-14.00pm-15.00pm-16.00pm-17.00pm-18.00pm-19.00pm-20.00pm-21.00pm. This schedule is applied for both city Hanoi and Nam Dinh.
Ticket rate : 105.000VND per person
Duration : 1 hours and 30 minutes
Hotline : 091 305 34 45
If you are staying in Hanoi Old Quarter, please take a taxi which costs around 60.000VND (2.6 USD) to Vietnam Circus Federation which is next to their office
Schedule
Every half an hour from 5.00am to 21.00pm
Ticket rate : 105.000VND per person. For Nam Dinh to Noi Bai airport is 150.000VND per person
Duration : 1.5 hours excludes transportation within the city for dropping off.
They have limousine bus 18 seats, Dcar limousine 9 seaters. This company isn’t a good choice for those who are staying in Hanoi Old Quarter area. If you are staying in Cau Giay Dist, it is really convenient. There are several pick-up location such as 171 Trung Kinh Street, lane 75 Tran Thai Tong street, no 8 Ton That Thuyet street which is next to My Dinh bus station
Schedule
Every 1 hour from 5.30am to 20.30pm
Ticket rate : 100.000VND per person
Duration : 1.5 hours excludes pick up within Hanoi or Nam Dinh area.
Hotline: 02283 656565
Note
If you would like to get to other places, not in the city center, Giap Bat Southern bus station (Check on google map) is the best choice. They are many local buses going to every district of Nam Dinh area.
Following the national highway 1A to Phu Ly city and turn left into national way 21A. There is a sign for turning. Keep going 30 more kilometers, you’ll reach Nam Dinh city
From Nam Dinh to Giao Thuy area: Going pass Do Quan bridge keep going straight to Lac Quan bridge, take a left turn at the second T-Junction, you will get to Ngo Dong town in Giao Thuy, take a right turn at an intersection with a traffic light to get to Giao Thien where the national park located.
From Nam Dinh to Hai Hau area: Going pass Do Quan bridge, turn right at the first turn in Vu Huu Loi street, going straight to the local ferry to ride cross the river to get to Thinh Long town. The beach is right behind the town
There are local bus within the city
Bus no 1 : Tan De to Quat Lam beach (you might get off at
Bus no 2 : My Loc to Thinh Long beach
Nam Dinh taxi : 0228.3.86.86.86
Mai Linh taxi : 0228 3252 525
Hoang Sa taxi : 0228.6.285.285
Hoan Kiem taxi :0228.6.28.28.28
Among these companies above, Mai Linh seems to be a reliable one.
There are a few stores offers motorbike rental services
Address: 443 Dang Xuan Bang, Nam Dinh city
Mobile : 091 862 68 99
Address: 153 Nguyen Du
Hotline: 0228.3849.290
Address : 551 Tran Thai Tong, Nam Dinh city
Hotline : 0228 3681 789
There isn’t much choice for accommodation in Nam Dinh area. There are several hotels below, kind of the best choice for a place to stay in Nam Dinh city area.
Nam Cuong hotel is considered as a business hotel and also the top luxury hotel in Nam Dinh city
Located in Dong A street, the new part of Nam Dinh city, it is a brand new 4 stars hotel. There are 166 rooms, well equipped. From the hotel, walking distance to Rong wholesale market located in Tran Hung Dao street, Tuoc Mac lake. There is an onsite restaurant served Western, Asian, Vietnamese food and also a bar.
This is perfect those who like a comfortable stay in Nam Dinh area.
Room rate : $89 per room per night
Great location near Vy Xuyen (Central lake in Nam Dinh). There are 60 rooms with 3 stars standard. Walking distance to the central lake, Feb 3th park, a statue of the famous military general Tran Hung Dao who lead Vietnamese defeat Mongolians in 13th century
Room rate : $25 for a standard room
The very first 3 stars hotel in Nam Dinh area with 100 rooms. If you only need a place for staying overnight with breakfast and simple facilities, actually, some of its facilities are a bit old because of being used for a long time. This hotel is a good choice. Location is great, walking distance to the lake, the general statue, a local wet market and a well-known local eatery of Kem Xoi (Sticky rice with ice cream)
Room rate : $25 for a standard room
A top resort in Nam Dinh area with Western-style villa with lots of green trees. There is a bar, restaurant and a swimming pool inside the resort. Located in a good location, walking distance to Thinh Long beach.
Rate :$35 per room per night
Address : Zone 1, Thinh Long Beach, Hai Thinh, Hai Hau, Nam Dinh
Hotline : 0988571756
Located in the heart of Nam Dinh city, on Le Hong Phong street. There are 65 rooms with 3 star standard with daily buffet breakfast. There is also an onsite restaurant.
A very interesting place with an array of things to do in Nam Dinh area from learning rich histories of churches, cathedrals, pagodas and temples to exploring the beautiful nature of the national park.
Located on the seaside of Xuong Dien area in Giao Thuy Dist. Its architectural styles is a great combination between oriental style in term of its roof shapes like a Buddhist temple one and Western style of Gotic.
Ramsar area Xuan Thuy national park
A must-see spots in Nam Dinh, 150 kilometers south East of Hanoi with 12.000 hectares. If you are a nature lover or an adventure traveler, this is the right choice. Cruising among mangroves forest like what you have seen in discovery channel will be a memorable experience. The national park is home to thousand species of bird from China coming over for staying away from the cold weather from November to April, there are 9 s of them listed in the Red book, is perfect for those who like bird watching near Hanoi as well as witness local lives as it goes every day.
Read more : Xuan Thuy national park tour
Main way path Tran Temple
Located in the outskirt of the city, where locals pay reverence to the rulers of the Tran dynasty. The temple was built in 1695, is dedicated to 14 kings and their family in the Tran Dynasty
Stupa at Co Le Buddhist temple
One of the most famous attractions in Nam Dinh region. Built during the Ly Dynasty since the 11th century. This is a Buddist temple but we feel like a great hall of a Catholic church
Vi Khe bonsai village in Nam Dinh
5 kilometers away from Nam Dinh city. The village is 700 years old, located on the bank of the river. There are tons of bonsai trees in various shapes. It is amazing to check it out, you can find a bonsai tree look like the famous temple of literature in Hanoi.
If Hanoi has 36 streets, there are 40 streets in Nam Dinh starts with the name “Hang” means shop such as iron, tin, bowl, tray and so on. It used to be a trading area where the street named after the product. There are several houses left. There is a street called Ben Ngu where lots of Chinese used to live
Bui Chu Diocese Nam Dinh
Known as the cathedral of Vietnamese Catholic. Built by a Spanish priest in 1884 under French colonial period, 78 meters long, 22 meters wide, 15 meters high. There is two bell house 35 meters high. People love it because of its beautiful architecture. The church is considered as a symbol of local fishermen to witness their fishing life on the water.
Phu Nhai cathedral Xuan Truong
First built in 18 century. There are 5 times, the church was built. The most recent time is in 1993. This is one of the biggest Roman Catholic church in the Indochina region. This is a must-visit place in your Nam Dinh trip
Thich Long beach Nam Dinh
Two most famous beaches in the region. Its water isn’t crystal clear like other beaches in Central Vietnam because the Red River flows into the ocean so the color of the water is like soil color.
If you are a seafood foodie, there is lots of fresh and affordable one on these two beaches.
Farming tools in countryside museum Nam Dinh
Located in Giao Thuy Dist, 30 kilometers from the city. The museum has preserved the quintessence of rural Northern Vietnam from farming tools to typical rice farmers house. If you have ever come to Nam Dinh, it is worth a visit for a great museum about the rural life of a Vietnamese rice farmer.
Ruined church in Nam Dinh
This is a well-known spot for Vietnamese youngsters and photographers. Built in 1943 under the design of a French. In 1996, the sea water started to invade into the mainland for over 1 kilometer. Some of the structures on the water has been fallen because of the weave. Nowadays, the church has been wasted but it plays a very important role in the spiritual word of the local Catholic followers.
Thinh long salt field
Located in Giao Thuy Dist, Bach Long is a tranquil setting commune without rice paddy field like other rural villages in Northern Vietnam. You can witness sunrise when local starts a new a day working on the salt field. In Bach Long area, white is the color of life. Bach Long is a great escape from bustle and hustle of Hanoi Old Quarter to enjoy peaceful life and experience hands-on activities of processing salt with locals.
Nam Dinh is home to lots of well-known dishes in Vietnam and also eating in Nam is really affordable. In my opinion, Nam Dinh city is a true food paradise in Northern Vietnam and I only mention local eateries on this post
Pho Nam Dinh beef noodle soup
The most well-known, a signature dish of Nam Dinh people. You feel the featured taste of broth: sweet flavor from cow bones stewed in a long time, fragrance smell from the green onion. Everything makes a perfect flavor of Nam Dinh’s Pho.
Where to try : There is a small Pho restaurant in the T-Junk between Truong Chinh and Do Chau street. Mr Tang’s Pho in 23 Hang Tien street or Mr Dan’s Pho in 142 extended street of Bac Ninh
Originated from China, there used to be lots of Chinese living in the old quarter of Nam Dinh city. When it was brought to Vietnam, locals change some ingredients in order to reduce its tasty to lighter flavor. Made of wheat, pork, egg, rice powder, lard. This is one of Nam Dinh’s specialities. Come try it!
Where to eat : Tran Hung Dao street near a kinder garden
Sticky rice in Nam Dinh
A very common dessert for local. Made of glutinous rice cooked with split peas mixed with ice cream and dried young coconut make its taste the best.
Where to try: 132 Nguyen Du street.
Please note that it is closed during lunchtime from 12.00pm to 13.30pm
Unlike Hanoi style, there is no meatball, no grilled skin of pork, they use lean pork marinates with spices. The meat is put into a bamboo stick and grill on charcoal, then use a hand fan in order to make it isn’t overcooked.
Where to try : Truong Chinh Street, Hang Dong street
A well-known dish among local for a long period of time. Feel fragrance smell of its steamed rice roll, the crunch of dried onion, Traditional flavor of the village Kenh’s Banh Cuon
Known as one of the local specialties. Its brand is famous for over 50 years. Refer to its origin, in 1969, during the Vietnam War period, those countries in Soviet Union had supported Vietnam a lot from weapons, machines to food, sugar…
Poland is also a part of the Soviet Union. But they have no weapons, machines, the food so they had given Vietnam a workshop making bread with its capacity over 1.500 tons per year.
After the war, the workshop kept producing tons of bread every day for locals and others in nearby provinces.
A loaf of Balan (Poland) bread is thick, fragrant and plump. You can make a good baguette with some pate, pork, pickled vegetables, fresh green herbs or just eat a plain bread
Where to try : Hang Thao Street
If you want to eat them all, take it easy to go on a street food tour of Nam Dinh is the best way to enjoy local food like a local.
There are lots of ATM among famous Vietnamese banks such as Agribank, Vietcombank, ACB, Techcombank….. Please see the link below to look for one near your place
Please note that most of banks accept 2.000.000VND ($90) per transaction for cash withdraw
There are a few karaoke stores and bars within the city
Please click on the link below for details
Nam Dinh travel guide 2021
Independent travel guide Nam Dinh
How to get to Nam Dinh?
How to get around Nam Dinh
What is things to do and see in Nam Dinh?
Travelling tips and advices for Nam Dinh
Where to eat in Nam Dinh?
What to eat or specialties of Nam Dinh?
Good accommodation in Nam Dinh
What is the good hotel or homestay in Nam Dinh?
Nightlife in Nam Dinh
Is it worth visiting Nam Dinh
Shopping guide in Nam Dinh
Off the beaten track travelling in Northern Vietnam
Hynam Travel hope this Nam Dinh Travel guide will help you some ways in planning a trip to Nam Dinh. If you would like a hassle-free holiday, Hynam Travel do offer tours to Nam Dinh within 1 day, 2 days, 3 days. Please contact us for the best travel advice
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