About the route from Da Nang to Ninh Binh
Da Nang and Ninh Binh sit roughly 680 kilometers apart, which makes this one of the longer trips travelers take up the country. Every way of covering it takes a good part of a day, so it is usually done overnight to save time. Ninh Binh has no airport of its own, so flying is not direct and runs through Hanoi, as explained below. A private car is not a sensible choice here either, since the drive alone runs around 10 hours without stops, and longer with breaks, which is too far to spend on the road.
One thing worth knowing before you book: most travelers do not stay in Ninh Binh city itself, but in the Tam Coc or Trang An area a few kilometers away, where the boat trips, caves, and viewpoints are. Ninh Binh is one of the most scenic parts of the north, a landscape of limestone karst rising from rivers and rice fields, often called “Halong Bay on land.” The draw is getting out onto the water at Trang An or Tam Coc and climbing the steps at Mua Cave for the view across the valley.
Plan your visit with our Ninh Binh travel guide.
Option 1: By train from Da Nang to Ninh Binh
Why choose the train
The train is the best all-round way to travel from Da Nang to Ninh Binh. Over this distance it is far more comfortable than a bus, with room to move and a real bed in the sleeper cabins, and it is also one of the most scenic rides in the country. Both cities have central stations, which keeps the trip simple and avoids out-of-town bus stops.
The Hai Van Pass and the coast
The scenery is a genuine reason to take the train here, not just a bonus. The first stretch out of Da Nang, heading north to Hue, crosses the Hai Van Pass, where the track clings to the cliffs above the sea and delivers the finest views of the whole journey. After that the line runs through open countryside for hours, but it is that opening coastal section over the pass that stands out. If you can, take a daytime departure for the first leg so you do not miss it.
For more on this stretch, see our guide to the Da Nang to Hue train over the Hai Van Pass.
How it works
Trains run from Da Nang railway station to Ninh Binh railway station in around 14 to 16 hours on the north-south line, with several departures a day. Given the length, an overnight train makes the most sense, letting you sleep through the journey and save a night’s accommodation. A soft sleeper in a 4-berth cabin is the most comfortable pick, with fares from around 620,000 VND (roughly $24) for a soft seat and more for a berth. Ninh Binh station is central, though about 8 kilometers from Tam Coc, so allow for a short taxi if you are staying there.
Who it is for
The train suits almost everyone on this route, especially travelers who want a comfortable overnight journey and would rather arrive rested than spend the same hours on a bus. Unless you are set on flying to save time, this is the option to choose.
Option 2: By plane from Da Nang to Ninh Binh
Why choose to fly
Flying is by far the fastest way to cover this distance, and because Da Nang is so far south, the time saved over the train or bus is significant. It is not direct, since Ninh Binh has no airport, so you fly to Hanoi and continue by road, but even with the transfers it is the quickest way to reach Ninh Binh. It suits travelers who are short on time and would rather not spend a whole night traveling.
How it works
The trip comes in three parts. First you fly from Da Nang Airport to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes, with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, and Bamboo Airways all serving the route frequently. Then you travel from Hanoi down to Ninh Binh by road, around 2.5 to 3 hours by limousine van or private car. Counting the airport time and both transfers, the door-to-door total comes to roughly 5 to 7 hours, well under half the time of the overnight options, though it is the most expensive way to travel.
Who it is for
Flying suits travelers who value their time and are happy to pay more to avoid an overnight journey. Given the distance from Da Nang, it is a stronger option here than on shorter central routes, so it is well worth considering if speed matters and the fare fits your budget.
Option 3: By direct bus from Da Nang to Ninh Binh
Why choose the bus
The direct bus is the cheapest way to travel from Da Nang to Ninh Binh, running the whole way without a change. These are sleeper buses with flat berths rather than seats, which helps on such a long trip, and they suit budget travelers who do not mind the extra hours.
How it works
The journey takes around 12 to 16 hours depending on the operator, usually overnight, with pickup at the bus company office in Da Nang. Several companies run the route, including Duc Duong Bus, HK Buslines, and Camel Travel, with fares from around 450,000 VND (roughly $18). Most are night buses that arrive early in the morning and drop in the Tam Coc area rather than Ninh Binh city, which is handy if you are staying there. As with any early arrival, let your accommodation know your timing so you can check in or wait comfortably.
Who it is for
The bus suits budget travelers who want the cheapest direct option and are prepared for the longest journey of the three. For a similar overnight saving but far more comfort, though, the train is the better choice.
Tip: add Hue and Phong Nha to your trip
The route between Da Nang and Ninh Binh passes two of central Vietnam’s best destinations, and both are easy to fold into the journey rather than rush past.
Hue, the former imperial capital, sits about 2.5 hours north of Da Nang and is worth a stop for its walled Citadel, royal tombs along the Perfume River, and old temples. Plan your time there with our Hue travel guide.
Phong Nha lies further north again and is one of the most rewarding places in Vietnam for nature and adventure, home to a national park and some of the largest caves on earth, along with jungle and rivers. A couple of days here turns a long transfer into a proper part of the trip. Plan your visit with our Phong Nha travel guide.
Tip: travel this route as a guided journey with Local Vietnam
Rather have the whole trip arranged, with Hue and Phong Nha built in? Our Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, and Hoi An tour links these stops over six days by train and private car, taking in the DMZ, the Phong Nha jungle and caves, and Hue’s imperial sights. It runs in either direction, so it works whether you are heading north to Ninh Binh or south toward Da Nang and Hoi An.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Da Nang to Ninh Binh
The best way from Da Nang to Ninh Binh comes down to your budget and how you want to spend the long journey. A quick way to choose:
Train – the best all-round choice, comfortable and scenic over the Hai Van Pass, best taken overnight in around 14 to 16 hours, from about 620,000 VND, dropping you at the central Ninh Binh station.
Plane – the fastest by a wide margin, flying via Hanoi and continuing by road for a door-to-door total of around 5 to 7 hours. Best for travelers short on time who do not mind the cost.
Direct bus – the cheapest but the longest, a direct overnight sleeper of around 12 to 16 hours from about 450,000 VND, arriving early morning at Tam Coc.
For most travelers it comes down to this: take the overnight train for the best balance of comfort, scenery, and cost, or fly if saving a night of travel is worth the higher fare. Choose the bus only if the lowest price matters most. And if you have the time, breaking the trip in Hue or Phong Nha is well worth it.
