Edit: This guesthouse has now closed down. This review remains as an archive. Search for other hotels in Ninh Binh.
Guesthouse Name: Ninh Binh Homestay
Address: 1 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ninh Bình, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam.
I stayed at Ninh Binh Homestay in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. I walked in off the street and got a double room with a private bathroom for 150,000 VND ($6.47 USDD).
The Ninh Binh Homestay is opposite the old train station (the new Ninh Binh Station has moved about 1.3 km south). The street that the homestay is on looks like it used to be an active traveller street. There are some old backpacker restaurants and traveller cafes here that would have served the visitors to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Most visitors now stay in Tam Coc, which is closer to what people come to Ninh Binh for.
I had booked to stay at another guesthouse on the street, but when I arrived I found that it has has since closed. Ninh Binh Homestay was the nearest alternative. Walking in without a reservation stirred memories of the backpacking days of old when you would just turn up to a backpacker street and look for a room. Usually these places would be listed in Lonely Planet, and if a room wasn’t available in the place listed in Lonely Planet there would be other places nearby.
I asked to see a room and made sure there was wifi, then I took the room.
My room was spacious, and the double bed tucked into the corner added to the large feel of the room. The bed was comfortable as well. There was a power outlet next to the bed and near the table. I had no problem with the wifi during my stay.
While the furnishings looked a bit dated, every was kept in good maintenance. The room had air conditioning and there was also a portable fan. My room had a balcony which looked out over the old train station. The railway line is still active so you will hear trains go by. Apart from that it’s a quiet tree-lined street.
The bathroom was also kept in good condition and had a great hot water system. The shower was inside a bathroom, which I personally don’t like using.
There is no breakfast service here so I went out and had a banh mi at a street stall nearby.
The location of the guesthouse was good for my needs. I wasn’t familiar with the city so I didn’t know where to stay beforehand. After exploring Ninh Binh there doesn’t appear to be an area that is most advantageous for a visitor. It’s not a city that has much going on for tourists, so if you are one of the few who wants to see the city then this area is useful.
My next destination was by train, and the new train station is about 15 minutes walk away (or just order a Grab taxi). The main bus station is also close, being 5 minutes walk away.
Overall the Ninh Binh Homestay was a good option for cheap backpacker-style accommodation. Book the Ninh Binh Homestay online, or search for more hotels in Ninh Binh.
Here is my Ninh Binh trip report.
