Posted on Feb 18, 2026
Guest User
This is a heartwarming story of a lost and found.
This trip itinerary covered three places:
Hanoi --> Ninh Binh (2.5-hour drive)
Ninh Binh --> Ha Long (3-hour drive)
Ha Long --> Hanoi Airport (2-hour drive)
For two nights in Ninh Binh, I stayed at a place called ”Mai Luxury Hotel.”
Judging by the name, it sounds grand,
but in reality, it was more like
a family-run, small-scale single-building guesthouse.
However, the room was of 4-star hotel quality,
so it was acceptable.
After checking out,
I had been on the way to Ha Long for about two hours when
I realized I had left my Insta 360 camera in the hotel lobby.
Knowing there was no way to go back and get it,
I had to wait until I arrived in Ha Long before calling Mai Luxury Hotel.
After confirming with them that I had indeed left it at the hotel,
we started looking for a solution.
Initially, they followed me on IG
(their hotel IG only had 4 followers).
We chatted via DM, and then they added me on WhatsApp to discuss.
Originally, they wanted to find a driver that very evening
to bring it to my hotel in Ha Long Bay.
But because it was a holiday, they couldn't find a driver.
Later, they found out I would be leaving Vietnam the next day,
so they started looking for any drivers heading to the airport the following day.
Not long after,
they actually found a driver.
They even sent me the driver's and vehicle's details.
They also said they had already wrapped it up securely.
At this point,
I was inclined to believe they genuinely intended to return it.
However, if the driver turned out to be dishonest, it could still go missing.
On the final day,
I arrived at the airport around 1 PM and received a message from the driver.
After that, I didn't hear from him again.
I grew increasingly anxious inside,
thinking maybe he was still driving?
Or perhaps he had already kept the camera for himself.
Around 4 PM, I finally received a call from the driver.
He even captured a photo of my anxious expression while waiting for him.
As previously arranged with the hotel,
I was to pay him 500,000 VND (about 150 HKD).
At that moment, the driver actually handed me back 200,000 VND.
Before I could react, he had already gotten back in his car and left.
When I looked at the returned item, I could hardly believe it!
The hotel had used a ”Happy New Year” bag
to hold a ”Happy New Year” box.
Upon opening the box, the camera was wrapped in cloth.
The level of care and thoughtfulness was truly perfect.
The feeling of joy from recovering something lost is truly
indescribable.
Of course, I wouldn't dare say that everyone in Vietnam is good,
but at least on this trip,
whether it was the hotpot restaurant owner, the tour guide on the boat, or the hotel staff,
they all made me feel
the warmth and kindness of the local people.
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Price per night fromAED 123
Posted on Jul 26, 2026|Suite Double With Balcony
Ivan Ethan LohIf you're looking for a place to slow down and truly experience the serenity of Ninh Binh, Bliss Tam Coc Resort is exactly that.
The resort is relatively new and beautifully nestled amongst the limestone mountains. Waking up to the sight of the peaks surrounding my balcony, even from the bathroom, was something special. The peaceful morning mist and the gentle sound of rain during an afternoon shower felt like stepping into one of those therapeutic spa soundtracks, except this was real.
Some may find the resort a little removed from the main street, but that's precisely its greatest strength. The absolute tranquillity is worth every extra minute of the journey. There are no honking scooters, no crowds, just nature and stillness.
My room was enormous, thoughtfully designed, and had everything I needed. One detail immediately caught my attention: there wasn't a television. To my pleasant surprise, the entire resort has deliberately chosen not to install TVs. When I checked out, the manager shared that this was a conscious decision to encourage guests to disconnect from the constant noise of everyday life and truly unwind. As someone who rarely turns on hotel TVs anyway, I absolutely loved this philosophy.
The service deserves special mention. Every staff member I met was genuinely warm, attentive, and eager to help. While not everyone spoke fluent English, it never became a barrier. In fact, it added to the authentic charm of the place. The team was resourceful and thoughtful. On one occasion, I had accidentally left my ”Do Not Disturb” sign on while I was out exploring. Instead of simply leaving the room untouched, they reached out to me via WhatsApp to check whether I would still like housekeeping. It's such a simple idea, but it reflects how much they care about guest comfort.
Bliss Tam Coc Resort isn't about luxury through extravagance. It's about thoughtful design, genuine hospitality, and creating a peaceful space where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself. I left feeling refreshed, rested, and already thinking about my next visit. Highly recommended.
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Price per night fromAED 636
Posted on May 15, 2026|Triple Room
Guest UserI had a wonderful stay here! Everything is brand new and works perfectly. A huge plus was being able to cast movies from my phone to the TV, as well as logging into Netflix directly.
My night bus arrived very early, and the staff told me it was no problem to check in ahead of time. I arrived around 8:00–9:00 in the morning and was able to get into my room immediately. While this might depend on how busy they are, it shows how incredibly accommodating they are.
Location-wise, it's just a 13-minute walk from the bus station, and there is plenty to see nearby, I did a lot of walking in the area. They also rent out electric bikes at great prices. Highly recommended! ( A small note, for hot water and the airco you have to switch on the black switches. I payment for me was only possible in cash.)
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Price per night fromAED 79
Posted on Jul 5, 2026
Guest User
**A Hidden Paradise in Ninh Bình**
I honestly didn't expect to find something this peaceful. Tucked between towering limestone mountains and a quiet river, this resort feels like a true 世外桃源 — a world away from everything.
The pool is one of the most beautiful I've seen: spotless, calm, and perfectly framed by palm trees and thatched-roof bungalows. Every morning I'd sit by the water with the mountains rising just behind the rooftops, and it genuinely felt like the outside world had disappeared.
What made the stay truly special, though, was the service. The staff were warm, attentive, and constantly going out of their way to make guests comfortable — from a relaxing complimentary foot soak by the river to little touches like fresh tea and local snacks served in traditional bowls on the bamboo table. Nothing felt rushed or transactional; every interaction felt genuine and kind.
The surrounding scenery is stunning — bamboo groves, a floating pavilion over the water, and mountains wrapped in mist most mornings. Sitting there with tea and watching the light change over the hills was one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.
Rooms are simple but comfortable, blending naturally into the landscape with earthy tones and thatched roofs that suit the setting perfectly. It's the kind of place where you slow down without even trying.
If you're looking for a peaceful escape with genuine hospitality, clean facilities, and gorgeous natural surroundings, I can't recommend this place enough. It's a rare find — truly a paradise hidden among the mountains and water.
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Price per night fromAED 345
Posted on Mar 4, 2026
Guest User
we stayed here for 2 nights, the room was very spacious with 2 queen beds. a nice little area outside to sit and chill aswell. The owner was a very very lovely and helpful man and his lovely family. he offers motorbike rentals and help with onward travels. the location is very good aswell, just a 30 second walk off of the main street with restaurants clothe shops etc. for the price you cannot complain and would recommend for those who are on a budget.
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Price per night fromAED 55
Posted on Nov 9, 2025
Siria Cappello
We stayed one night at this lovely homestay in Hoa Lu, near Ninh Binh, and it was perfect. The owners are so kind and caring — they don’t speak much English, but they make you feel welcome with their hearts. It was the best experience we’ve had in Vietnam.
The room was very clean and comfortable, with a nice bathroom and a view of the garden and pool. The food was amazing — we had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even coffee in the afternoon, and everything was delicious.
We also rented a motorbike from the homestay, which was very easy. I really recommend this place if you want peace, good food, and lovely people.
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Price per night fromAED 50
Posted on Aug 3, 2026|Superior Twin Room with Garden View
Justin and MelNinh Binh Harmony Retreat, from our experience, can only equate to an oasis of calm, beauty and tranquillity. The grounds are lush and abundant with surprises at every turn.
The staff are exceptional, but that is understating their level of service and commitment. They are like Family and become friends in short time.
Chi, the manager, goes far above and beyond any level we have experienced in our many travels. Nothing is a problem and solutions are simple, including locating a lost bag in Saigon. The team who Chi guides throughout the day, are friendly, sociable and genuine and they cannot go far enough .
They anticipate any need or want before you realise and create moments and memories that you can only wish would happen in other establishments.
Chi, Hunee and Tony, along with other staff whose names we sadly did not get, are the soul and heart of Ninh Binh Harmony Retreat. Being in their presence enhanced the experience. They are a total credit to their employer and business.
The Retreat is set back off a main road, down an alley full of laughing children and families. You feel completely detached from the hustle and bustle of Tam Coc town or Hoa Loa Old Town, which are must visits. There is a wonderful pool, suitable for families, an 8 ball table, karaoke, bikes and the most incredible breakfast and coffee.
We travel extensively and felt a sincere and genuine personal experience that made us feel truly cared for. We cannot recommend choosing Ninh Binh Harmony Retreat highly enough.
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Price per night fromAED 55
Posted on May 12, 2026
Serene Methias3~4 May 2026 - 4 Pax 1N Narci Resort Tam Coc. Hotel Manager Jenny sent me a WhatsApp message on 2nd May to welcome us and offered her assistance to arrange for private transport & local tour etc.. Am pleased with the extended service provided by the hotel staff. Since I've yet to find a private driver, she helped to arrange for 2-way transport, pick-up from Hanoi hotel > Narci Resort > Hanoi International Airport (reasonable fees). We arrived at Tam Coc around 1pm, dropped the luggage at the hotel & visited Bai Dinh Pagoda. Checked-in the hotel around 9pm. A modern & beautiful resort opened Feb 2026. To our surprise, our 3x Deluxe Garden Rooms were in different villas & all on level 2 without elevator. My mom age 80 were unhappy as she couldn't climb the stairs & my sisters age 60 & 67 were unhappy that we were separated by different villas. Fortunately, there are 2x Executive Garden Rooms on the ground floor were available but one of the room has smell. So, we decided to pay additional fee for upgrade of 1x Deluxe > 1x Executive + 1x FOC extra bed (3 pax), the other sister stayed the level 2 Deluxe Room. Hotel breakfast spread is good & food is delicious. Overall, we were very happy with the hotel rooms & staff service. Would suggest the hotel to state there is no elevator for Deluxe Garden Room (level 2), so that guests who are unable to climb the stairs will select either the ground floor Executive Garden Room or the Tower Standard Rooms with elevator.
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Price per night fromAED 200
Posted on Apr 13, 2026
LouieJay
The room I stayed in was good, clean and equipped with everything I needed for a comfortable stay. The location is excellent, being close to Bai Dinh Temple and the Trang An river tour, which made exploring very convenient. The property itself is wonderfully peaceful, surrounded by nature and perfect for relaxing away from busy areas. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout, always happy to help. There was also a very cute dog on-site, which added a lovely, homely touch. Overall, it was a pleasant and enjoyable stay that I would recommend.
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Price per night fromAED 89
Posted on Jan 10, 2026
Guest User
Our stay at this hotel was fantastic. The room and the hotel itself are beautiful, surrounded by lush greenery. The owner is a sweetheart and goes out of her way to help you with anything, even letting you use the bikes. The breakfast is great, with fresh fruit and several different options to choose from. My only minor complaint would be that I'd add a shower screen to prevent the whole bathroom from getting wet.
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Price per night fromAED 138