4 / 5 - One review
How to get there
30km by bus from Ninh Binh
When to go
From November to April (note: it's never very hot)
Minimum stay
One day
Phát Diệm (Vietnam)
©
the claus
Practical information on Phát Diệm
Reviews of Phát Diệm
Phat Diem is a little village 30km from Ninh Binh that's famous for its unique religious architecture.
My suggestion:
Plan to spend more than a day in the region, so you can visit the Phat Diem Cathedral. The surrounding countryside is well worth the detour. Especially Tam Coc! Don't be afraid to negotiate the bus or motor-taxi fare, as drivers often try to overcharge foreigners.
My review
Birthplace of Vietnamese Catholicism, Phat Diem greets the visitor with a colonial air. The town suprised me, with its blend of Buddhist and Catholic architecture. All in all, this was one of the most beautiful regions I visited in Northern Vietnam!
Phat Diem's surroundings will charm you. Surrounded by countryside, you'll be plunged into rural Vietnam, a million miles away from the frenzy of its big towns.
You'll only need a few hours to tour the town... But add a couple of days more, so you can explore its surrounds. I spent two days in the region and slept at Ninh Binh, which is a practical base for local activities and has a good selection of places to stay.
©
the claus
189 travelers' photos
