Ninh Binh Red River Vietnam

Red River foot rowing
Red River foot rowing

In Northern Vietnam in the Red River Delta, lies the city of Ninh Binh. The Red River runs through the area and enters into the Gulf of Tonkin. The Delta provides the local people with fish, rice fields and wildlife. The city is home to about 130,000 people, it is the capital of the Ninh Binh province and it is about two hours S/E from Ha Noi. The city and the province was of great importance as an ally to the French during the preceding events to the Sino-French war in the bay of Tonkin. The Sino French war started in 1884. The French artillery that was established on the citadel up on a hilltop controlled access to the Bay of Tonkin through the Red River.

Mountain Goats by the Red River, skilled at Rock Climbing...
Mountain Goats by the Red River, skilled at Rock Climbing…
A Mountain Goat looking at you.
A Mountain Goat looking at you.
There is some very beautiful scenery along the Red River, limestone  cliffs and green rice fields mixed in with the green subtropical vegetation.
There is some very beautiful scenery along the Red River, limestone cliffs and green rice fields mixed in with the green subtropical vegetation.

The Red River got its name because the water is filled with silt from the fertile Red soil that is in the area. This gives the river a Reddish Brown tint.

Lotus flowers are in abundant supply along the river.
Lotus flowers are in abundant supply along the river.
Lotus flowers
Lotus flowers

The Lotus flower – Nelumbo nucifera a.k.a. Indian Lotus grows “en masse” along the banks of the Red River in the Delta.

A beautiful Lotus flower.
A beautiful Lotus flower.
This is the seed pod of a spent Lotus flower, and this is what is assuring the proliferation of the Lotus flowers along the river.
This is the seed pod of a spent Lotus flower, and this is what assures the proliferation of Lotus flowers along the river.
Here is an alternative use of the leaf of the Lotus Flowers.
Here is an alternative use of the leaf of the Lotus Flower.
Limestone rock formations surround the river.
Limestone rock formations surround the river.
Red River Delta
Red River Delta
Asian Open bill Storks in the Red River Delta
Asian Open bill Storks in the Red River Delta
Asian Open bill Storks in the Red River Delta
Asian Open bill Storks again.
One of the caves that the Red River runs through on the way out into the Sea of Tonkin
One of the caves that the Red River runs through on the way out into the Sea of Tonkin
The river can get crowded at times.
The river can get crowded at times.
A cave that the river has carved out.
A cave that the river has carved out.
Interior cave view.
Interior cave view.
Interior cave view.
Interior cave view.
Interior cave view.
Interior cave view.
Hole in the [cave] wall.
Hole in the [cave] wall.
Swallows nest outside the cave.
Swallows nest outside the cave.
A family out on a fishing trip on the Red River.
A family out on a fishing trip on the Red River.
Bamboo stand along the river.
Bamboo stand along the river.
A Temple riverside in a cave.
A Temple riverside in a cave.
Flowers
Flowers
A long hoop net sits along the side of the river.
Hoopnets along the river.
Hoopnets along the river.
Closeup on a Hoopnet.
Closeup of a Hoopnet.

Hoopnets are used by the local fishermen on the Red River. The bait sits at the end of the hoop and the fish swims through cylindrical portals that has a wide beginning but tapers to a smaller opening so the fish can not find its way back out. The nets are generally situated with the wider opening facing downstream to prevent clogging the net with silt.

Asian Open bill Stork taking flight.
Asian Open bill Stork taking flight.
Asian Open bill Stork on approach.
Asian Open bill Stork on approach.
Asian Open bill Stork cleared for landing.
Asian Open bill Stork cleared for landing.
The Stork has landed.
The Stork has landed.
A homestead along the river.
A homestead along the river.
Banana plants at the homestead.
Banana plants at the homestead.
Slowly rowing down the river.
Slowly rowing down the river.
Foot rowing style study.
Foot rowing style study.
Limestone formations line the river.
Limestone formations line the river.
Hang Múa with a viewpoint on top of the mountain, you can climb 500 steps up to the top.
Hang Múa with a viewing area on top of the mountain. You can climb 500 steps up to the top and be rewarded with great views of the river and the Delta.