About the route from Ninh Binh to Da Nang
Ninh Binh and Da Nang lie roughly 680 kilometers apart, making this one of the longer journeys down the country. Because the distance is so great, most travelers make it overnight to avoid losing a full day. Ninh Binh has no airport, so flying is not direct and starts from Hanoi, covered below. A private car is not worth considering on this route either, since the drive alone is around 10 hours without stopping, and longer once you add breaks, which is far too long to sit in a car.
Da Nang is Vietnam’s third-largest city and the main hub of the central coast. It is a modern, easygoing place with long beaches, a busy riverfront, and the Marble Mountains nearby, and it works as a base for the wider region, with the old town of Hoi An just half an hour to the south. Many travelers use it as a gateway to central Vietnam rather than a destination in itself.
Plan your visit with our Da Nang travel guide.
Option 1: By train from Ninh Binh to Da Nang
Why choose the train
For this route, the train is the strongest choice. Over such a long distance it is far more comfortable than a bus, with space to move and a proper bed in the sleeper cabins, and it doubles as one of the most scenic rides in Vietnam. Both cities have central stations, which keeps the whole trip straightforward.
The countryside and the Hai Van Pass
The scenery earns the train its place here. For much of the way south the line runs through open countryside, but the real highlight comes near the end, on the final stretch into Da Nang. Coming down from Hue, the track crosses the Hai Van Pass, clinging to the cliffs high above the sea, which is the most spectacular part of the whole journey. If your schedule allows, time your trip so you reach this last leg in daylight rather than sleeping through it.
For more on this stretch, 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 daily. Given the length, the overnight train is the sensible pick, so 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 620,000 VND (roughly $24) for a soft seat and more for a berth. If you are staying in Tam Coc, remember 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 Da Nang
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 overnight options is considerable. It is not direct, since Ninh Binh has no airport, so you travel to Hanoi first and fly from there, but even with the transfers it remains the quickest way to reach Da Nang. It suits travelers who are short on time and would rather not spend a whole night on the move.
How it works
The trip comes in three 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. Da Nang’s airport sits close to the city center, a short taxi from most hotels. Counting the airport time and the transfer to Hanoi, 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 an overnight journey. Given how far south Da Nang is, it is a stronger option here than on shorter routes, so it is worth considering whenever speed matters and the fare works for you.
Option 3: By direct bus from Ninh Binh to Da Nang
Why choose the bus
The direct bus is the cheapest way from Ninh Binh to Da Nang, covering the full distance without a change. These are sleeper buses with flat berths rather than seats, which makes the long ride easier, and they are a reasonable pick for travelers on a tight budget.
How it works
The journey takes around 12 to 16 hours depending on the operator, almost always overnight, with pickup in the Tam Coc area or at the bus company office. Companies running the route include Duc Duong Bus, HK Buslines, and Camel Travel, with fares from around 450,000 VND (roughly $18). Buses usually arrive in Da Nang in the morning and drop in or near the city center. 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 through-service and 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.
Tip: add Phong Nha and Hue to your trip
The route between Ninh Binh and Da Nang passes two of central Vietnam’s best destinations, and both are easy to work into the journey rather than pass straight through.
Phong Nha comes first as you head south, 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. Plan your visit with our Phong Nha travel guide.
Hue follows further south, about 2.5 hours before 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.
Tip: travel this route as a guided journey with Local Vietnam
Rather have the whole trip arranged, with Phong Nha and Hue 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 south toward Da Nang and Hoi An or north to Ninh Binh.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Ninh Binh to Da Nang
The best way from Ninh Binh to Da Nang 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 620,000 VND, leaving from the central Ninh Binh station.
Plane – the fastest by a wide margin, flying via Hanoi 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 in Da Nang 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 bus only if the lowest price matters most. And if you have the time, breaking the trip in Phong Nha or Hue is well worth it.
