What About Vietnam - S4-16 - Ninh Binh - The mystical rival to Halong Bay

Ninh Binh stands out in more ways than one if you set your compass to the north of Vietnam. Located 60 miles south of Hanoi lies this magical, almost mystical province featuring mountainous peaks and a labrynth of waterways inviting you to explore its many viewpoints. Sharp limestone peaks, shoot up from the ground reminiscent of what you might see doing the same thing out of water, in Halong bay. Which explains why they often refer to it as the Ha Long Bay on land. It is by all accounts Halong Bay’s mystical rival.My guest, Jack Taylor joins me on the show. His talents lie in the skilful way he has captured the essence of the region in his videos. Jack, an English teacher by profession has been travelling and living abroad for most of his adult life. Spain for 3 years, China for 4, and now Thailand for 4 years has meant Jack has had a front row seat to some of SE Asia’s treasures. Don’t forget to check out his You Tube channel “I go cool places”. As you will see in Jack’s video of Ninh Binh the outstanding beauty and serenity are breathtaking. Add to that a National park featuring a staggering amount of wildlife, and many pagodas including one of the biggest being the Bai Dinh Pagoda. You can easily get a sense of why some people think it has more to offer than Halong Bay. It is important to note that the Bai Dinh pagoda is considered a masterpiece of both nature and heritage, and it is the pride of Vietnamese people in terms of its quintessential architecture, culture and historical value. And, it’s NOT the major drawcard for the area. Jack does a great job in giving us some handy tips for staying in the region, what are the best times to visit and some of “The Must Do” things. I hope you enjoy the show and will surely investigate this region as a place of surreal beauty, almost lost in time, close to Hanoi. Check out his Video on his stay in Ninh Binh HERE.Follow his work here - Linkedin Youtube Instagram I wanted to wrap up the year of 2022 and go out with a bang, and I couldn’t think of a better way to do it.This is the last show for the year. I close the year on a truly happy note with the achievement of over 72 shows, and the release of my ebook called – Book, Pack & Stay - A travel Guide to Vietnam.  If you are looking for some guidance to help you make smart choices in regard to how you best book; pack for all conditions; and make the most of your stay in Vietnam, then this is the book for you. As a companion short read guide; Its uniqueness is in its interactivity with links to Videos, Podcasts, Blogs, Apps, travel accessories and websites to apply for your Visa and get extra information. It’s all there and makes the ideal gift for Christmas. Available through Amazon HERE.Wishing everyone a happy Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year. See you in 2023. Time Stamps:-8.14     How best to describe Ninh Binh9.45     How long should you stay11.19   Must do things15.16   The cave system18.00   Foods unique to the region19.57   How to spend your time wisely20.10   Stand out experience21.27   Best accommodation experience  Follow on your favourite pod channel, email directly to [email protected] Keep abreast of news on our social pages on FB, IG,LinkedIn and TikTokLet me design your #customised #private tour of Vietnam  - See our Travel ServicesDo you need a #Dental Procedure?  Why not find out what’s possible through our Dental and #Cosmetic Medical partner Worldwide Beauty Hospital. Mention #whataboutvietnam to receive 5% discount at Worldwide Beauty Hospital