About the route from Ninh Binh to Hoi An
Ninh Binh and Hoi An lie roughly 700 kilometers apart, one of the longer trips down the country. The key thing to know is that Hoi An has no train station and no airport, so the train and flight both end in Da Nang, about 30 kilometers away, from where you finish the trip by road. The direct bus is the exception, running all the way to Hoi An. Ninh Binh has no airport either, so flying starts from Hanoi rather than Ninh Binh itself, as covered below. A private car is not a realistic choice over this distance, with the drive alone taking well over 10 hours.
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming towns, a former trading port known for its old streets, tailor shops, riverside setting, and the lanterns that light it up at night. It is small, walkable, and relaxed, with quiet beaches and rice fields close by, and it makes a rewarding change after the countryside of Ninh Binh. Da Nang, the larger city where the train and flights arrive, sits just half an hour away.
Plan your visit with our Hoi An travel guide.
Tip: travel this route as a guided journey with Local Vietnam
Before arranging transport, it is worth knowing there is a smoother way to cover this stretch. Our Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, and Hoi An tour ties these places together over six days by train and private car, including the DMZ, the Phong Nha jungle and caves, and Hue’s imperial sights. It is arranged as Hanoi to Hoi An, but runs equally well the other way, so it fits whether you are heading south to Hoi An or north to Ninh Binh.
Getting from Da Nang station or airport to Hoi An
Because Hoi An has no station or airport, two of the options below, the train and the flight, drop you in Da Nang, and you cover the last leg to Hoi An from there. It is a short and easy trip, around 30 kilometers and 30 to 45 minutes, so it adds little to the overall journey.
There are a few ways to make it. A public bus links Da Nang and Hoi An often and costs next to nothing, though it is slower and stops along the way. A taxi or private car is faster and drops you at your hotel door, which is the easier choice after a long overnight trip. The direct bus avoids this step altogether, since it carries on all the way to Hoi An.
For the full detail on this final leg, see our guide on how to get from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Option 1: By train from Ninh Binh to Hoi An
Why choose the train
The train is the strongest option on this route. Over such a long distance it is far more comfortable than a bus, with space to move and a real bed in the sleeper cabins, and it happens to be one of the finest rides in Vietnam. The only catch is that it ends in Da Nang, so you finish with the short transfer to Hoi An covered above.
The Hai Van Pass
The scenery earns the train its place here. For most of the way south the line runs through open countryside, but the highlight comes on the final approach, between Hue and Da Nang, where the track crosses the Hai Van Pass and clings to the cliffs high above the sea. It is the most striking part of the whole journey, so if you can, time your trip to reach this stretch in daylight rather than sleeping through it.
For more on this section, see our guide to the train between Da Nang and Hue over the Hai Van Pass.
How it works
Trains leave from Ninh Binh railway station and reach Da Nang railway station in around 14 to 16 hours on the north-south line, with several departures a day. Because of the length, the overnight train is the sensible pick, letting you sleep through the ride and save a night’s accommodation. A soft sleeper in a 4-berth cabin is the most comfortable option, with fares from around 530,000 VND (roughly $21) for a soft seat and more for a berth. If you are staying in Tam Coc, note that Ninh Binh station is about 8 kilometers away, so allow for a short taxi to reach it.
Who it is for
The train works for most travelers on this route, especially anyone who wants a comfortable overnight journey and would rather arrive rested than spend the same hours on a bus. Unless you are flying to save time, this is the option to book.
Option 2: By plane from Ninh Binh to Hoi An
Why choose to fly
Flying is the fastest way to cover the distance by far, since Hoi An sits so far south. It is not direct, since neither Ninh Binh nor Hoi An has an airport, so you travel to Hanoi first and fly into Da Nang. Even with those steps, it remains the quickest way to reach Hoi An, which makes it worth a look for anyone short on time.
How it works
The trip comes in several parts. First you travel from Ninh Binh to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, around 3 hours by road. Then you fly from Hanoi to Da Nang Airport, a flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes, with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, and Bamboo Airways all flying the route frequently. Finally you cover the short transfer from Da Nang to Hoi An, around 30 to 45 minutes. Counting the transfers and airport time, 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 priciest way to travel.
Who it is for
Flying suits travelers who value their time and are happy to pay more to skip a night of travel. Given how far south Hoi An is, the time saved is considerable, so it is a strong option whenever speed matters and the fare works for you.
Option 3: By direct bus from Ninh Binh to Hoi An
Why choose the bus
The direct bus is the cheapest way from Ninh Binh to Hoi An, and unlike the train and flight, it runs all the way to Hoi An with no Da Nang transfer at the end. These are sleeper buses with flat berths rather than seats, which makes the long ride easier, and they are a reasonable pick for travelers watching their budget.
How it works
The journey takes around 14 to 19 hours depending on the operator, almost always overnight, with pickup in the Tam Coc area or at the bus company office. Fares start from around 600,000 VND (roughly $24). Buses generally arrive in the morning and drop in central Hoi An, close to plenty of accommodation. As with any overnight service, an early arrival is worth planning for, so confirm your check-in time with your hotel.
Who it is for
The bus suits budget travelers who want the cheapest option and the convenience of being dropped right in Hoi An, and who are ready for the longest journey of the three. For a similar overnight saving but far more comfort, though, the train is the better choice.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Ninh Binh to Hoi An
The best way from Ninh Binh to Hoi An comes down to your budget and how you want to spend the long journey south. 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 530,000 VND. It ends in Da Nang, a short transfer from Hoi An.
Plane – the fastest by far, flying via Hanoi into Da Nang 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 and the only option that drops you straight in Hoi An, but the longest at around 14 to 19 hours, from about 600,000 VND, arriving in the morning.
For most travelers it comes down to this: take the overnight train for the best mix of comfort, scenery, and cost, or fly if saving a night of travel is worth the higher fare. Choose the direct bus only if you want the cheapest way through and the ease of arriving right in Hoi An.
