The southeast district of Kim Sơn in Ninh Binh is the only district in Ninh Binh with direct access to the coast. However, do not think of beach parties as it is limited to 18kms of tidal flats on the edge of the Tonkin Sea.
It also has a higher concentration of Catholics than any other district and cathedrals abound. The topology is markedly different as the pinnacles of Trang An and west Ninh Binh recede into the distance. Kim Son Province is relatively flat with large alluvial plains abutting the short but wide coastal strip.
Like much of Ninh Binh, Kim Son experiences the full four seasons, with cool but rarely freezing winters and hot humid summers. Typhoon are known to occur during the summer months from June to September each year and can be quite devastating but for the rest of the year is a reasonably moderate sub-tropical climate.
Phat Diem Cathedral
In terms of tourism, Phát Diệm Cathedral is Kim Son’s primary attraction. World renowned, its 18th-century wood and stonework showcases an astonishing mix of French and Vietnamese architecture. Well-maintained and still in use, it is one of the most famous cathedrals not only in Vietnam, but across Asia. Bus and taxi services are readily available for the hour-long (30km) drive from Ninh Binh city to Phát Diệm, the district capital, and the Cathedral is just a short distance from town.
The cathedral is still very much a place of worship and many of the chapels are closed off to casual sightseers but are open during service times such as Mass, Easter, Christmas and so on. But they are religious services and require the appropriate decorum and behavior. If you truly wish to worship at one of the most spectacular and renown cathedrals in Asia, you will need to check their service schedule.
The “floating” island of Con Noi and the surrounding area off the coast are near the southern aquaculture town of Binh Minh. The entire bay area was recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Biosphere Reserve of the Red River Delta in 2004. It is an important habitat of some 200 bird species including more than 50 types of water fowl and nearly 60 migratory birds. The area also encompasses thousands of hectares of prime marine breeding grounds among the mangrove forests, alluvial plains and coastal estuaries.
The Kim Son coastal area is still in the tourism development planning phase. There is hope for the development of a marine and ecotourism showcase, with Con Noi the center piece and hosting a world class research center into coastal delta environments.
A relatively new district, Kim Son is more industrialized than most other Ninh Binh districts. It is also home to several famous Ninh Binh delicacies such as Nhech raw fish salad (Goi ca nhech) and the ever popular Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine.
