Distance 140 km (87.5 miles) | |
Price range US$6-US$151 | |
Ride Duration Range 2h 50m-4h 30m | |
Earliest Departure 21:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Taking a bus is the most convenient and affordable way to travel from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh. You can take a tourist bus which makes stops along the way at different destinations, or a local bus which goes straight through. If you go between February and March, you can experience the Ninh Binh Festival which celebrates the city’s culture. Be sure to visit Tam Hoc and take pictures of the infamous limestone cliffs when you visit.
Fastest bus: 2h 50m
Cheapest bus: US$6
With towering limestone karsts rising from the water, Halong Bay is not only a top attraction in Vietnam but a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. You could spend many days exploring its secret caves, remote beaches and dense jungle. But when it's time to move on, another similar, yet different, landscape nearby deserves your attention.
Ninh Binh, which is the name of a city and the province, is often referred to as "Halong Bay on land." This is particularly the case in Trang An, another World Heritage Site.
Surrounded by lush scenery and vivid green rice paddies, you'll want to see this region of the Red River Delta for yourself.
Luckily, the journey is a quick three to five hours by minivan, car, or bus.
Read on to see what it takes to get there.
From Ninh Binh town, you are within easy striking distance of the province's top attractions. Here are some of the best:
Go sightseeing in Trang An. The top draw to Ninh Binh Province is, without a doubt, the UNESCO World Heritage inscribed Trang An Scenic Landscape. The name pretty much sums things up, with its stunning karsts rising above rivers and fields. In fact, this region was the filming location for Skull Island in the King Kong movie remake. Your best bet is to take an organized boat tour to soak in the immersive scenery.
Trek to Huang Ma Viewpoint. Situated between Trang An and Tam Coc, the trek up to the Huang Ma viewpoint should only take you about 20 minutes. From there, you'll get an Instagram-worthy vantage point for capturing the beauty of the panorama before you. The viewpoint is reached via stone stairs, so be careful not to slip after it rains.
Cycle your way through the scenery. The region of Vietnam is ideal for exploring by bicycle. You can really get a sense of the pace of the countryside as you bike past rice paddies, small villages and massive water buffalo. This time out and about might easily become one of those unforgettable travel highlights.
Explore Cúc Phương National Park. Jungle trekking is the most popular pastime in Cúc Phương National Park. Whether you take a short trail on your own or a full-day guided tour, you'll come face to face with the rich biodiversity of the Vietnamese rain forests.
Coming from the jaw-dropping scenery of Halong Bay, you won't feel too much of a letdown as you make your way 219 kilometers (136 miles) across the fertile river delta and into the similar landscape of Ninh Binh.
Over the next three to five hours, your bus, minivan, or car will stop for breaks along the way.
This will allow you to get a snack, stretch your legs, and take in the beautiful scenery at various points.
Much of what you'll see looks like a scene from the past, with farmers working in the fields along with their water buffalo as they have for centuries. As you enter Ninh Binh Province, it won't take long to figure out you're in for something special.
Travel between Halong Bay and Ninh Binh consists of three main options: minivan, car or bus.
Minivans offer both shared and private options.
The bus is definitely the cheapest option, but private cars and minivans offer a lot of convenience.
Here are some details that can help you reach a decision:
With minivans, you can either book a seat in a shared minivan or rent a private one if you're traveling with a group.
With a shared minivan, you pay a lower price (around $10) but will travel with strangers. Travel times are around 3-4.5 hours. It depends on the driver and how many people must be picked up and dropped off at their hotels.
A private minivan is a good idea for a large traveling party. That way, you can divide the higher costs (starting at $120 per vehicle) and still travel together. The travel time for a private minivan ride is also about 3-4.5 hours.
You can expect your minivan to have air conditioning, comfortable seats, and, in most cases, charging stations. Check with the individual operator for specific details.
With a private transfer, not only do you get the option of being picked up and dropped off at a hotel, but you also get to choose your departure time — a big convenience.
If you're going solo or traveling with a small party, hiring a car will allow you to enjoy a private ride while still sharing the costs. Cars start at around $77 and will be split amongst your crew.
You can pick your departure time and relax in the air conditioning while your English-speaking driver navigates the insanity of Vietnam's roadways.
With cars, you can expect a drive time of about three to four hours when you factor in the breaks along the way.
There is also the option of being picked up and dropped off at your accommodations.
Budget travelers will love the bus, with tickets starting at around $6.
Buses are very comfortable — especially the luxury ones — which don't cost much more than the standard rides. Either way, you can count on air conditioning, with some operators offering WiFi and/or snacks.
Some find that the AC can get a bit intense, so keep a jacket or hoodie with you.
Buses generally depart and arrive at set locations that vary with the provider. Often, these are the company's offices or a particular hotel or shop.
You are also subject to their particular timetable. Most departures are early in the day (before noon), so you'll want to plan accordingly. Remember that departures are limited, so be sure not to literally miss the bus, as you might have to wait until the next day to try again.
While some make the run (with stops) in 3.5 hours, some buses will take longer.
The dry season — specifically between November and April — is the best time to visit Ninh Binh. Not only will those sunny days make for better days touring and cycling the landscape, but it will also take the humidity down a notch.
If possible, avoid coming at the peak of the wet season, August and September. In that period, you risk heavy rains, flooding, and even the occasional typhoon.
Head over to Phong Nha to get lost in more incredible natural landscapes. Phong Nha National Park is famous for its caves, jungle trekking and gardens.
From Ninh Binh, it takes about seven to eight hours to get there by bus, train, car, or minivan.
Based on 1467 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Halong Bay to Ninh Binh
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Bai Chay Bus Station
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Tam Coc Van Lam Pier
Ninh Binh - Any hotel in the city center
Tam Coc - Any hotel
Trang An - Any hotel
Mua Caves (Hang Mua) - Any hotel
Getting to Halong Bay in Vietnam just got easier! This transportation guide will help you figure out how to get to this destination in Northern Vietnam.
Ready for Ninh Binh to take your breath away with dreamy boat rides and lush scenery? Find out here how to spend 1 to 2 days in Ninh Binh.
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