About the route from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Hoi An and Ninh Binh sit roughly 700 kilometers apart, which makes this one of the longer journeys up the country. The first thing to understand is that Hoi An itself has no train station and no airport. The nearest ones are in Da Nang, about 30 kilometers away, so travelers going by train or flight start there, while the direct bus can run all the way from Hoi An. Ninh Binh has no airport either, so flying is not direct and goes via Hanoi, as explained below. A private car is not worth considering over this distance, since the drive alone runs well over 10 hours.
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.
Tip: travel this route as a guided journey with Local Vietnam
Before sorting out transport, it is worth knowing there is an easier way to cover this stretch. Our Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, and Hoi An tour links these places over six days by train and private car, taking in the DMZ, the Phong Nha jungle and caves, and Hue’s imperial sights along the way. It is set up as Hanoi to Hoi An, but can be arranged the other way around just as easily, so it works whether you are heading north to Ninh Binh or south to Hoi An.
Getting from Hoi An to Da Nang station or airport
Since Hoi An has no station or airport, two of the options below, the train and the flight, require you to reach Da Nang first. It is a short and simple trip, about 30 kilometers and 30 to 45 minutes, so it adds little to the journey.
You have a few ways to cover it. A public bus runs between Hoi An and Da Nang regularly and costs very little, though it is slower and less direct. A taxi or private car is quicker and takes you straight to the door, whether that is Da Nang railway station for the train or the airport for the flight. If you are taking the train, head for the station; if you are flying, go to the airport. The direct bus is the exception here, since it leaves from Hoi An itself and skips this step entirely.
For the full detail on this first leg, see our guide on how to get from Hoi An to Da Nang.
Option 1: By train from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Why choose the train
The train is the best all-round way to make this journey. Over such a long distance it beats a bus for comfort, with room to move and a proper bed on the sleeper services, and it is one of the most scenic rides in the country. The catch is that you board in Da Nang rather than Hoi An, so factor in the short transfer covered above.
The Hai Van Pass
The scenery is a real reason to take the train here. Soon after leaving Da Nang, the line heads north to Hue over the Hai Van Pass, where the track runs along the cliffs high above the sea, giving the best views of the whole trip. After that it settles into hours of open countryside, but that early coastal stretch is the standout. A daytime departure lets you catch it before nightfall.
For more on this section, 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 ride and save a night’s accommodation. A soft sleeper in a 4-berth cabin is the most comfortable choice, with fares from around 530,000 VND (roughly $21) for a soft seat and more for a berth. Ninh Binh station is central but 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 sit on a bus for the same hours. Unless you are flying to save time, this is the option to choose.
Option 2: By plane from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Why choose to fly
Flying is the fastest way to cover the distance by a wide margin, since Hoi An sits so far south. It is not direct, since neither Hoi An nor Ninh Binh has an airport, so you fly from Da Nang to Hanoi and continue by road. Even with those steps, it is the quickest way to reach Ninh Binh, which makes it worth considering for anyone short on time.
How it works
The trip comes in several parts. First you travel from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport, around 30 to 45 minutes. Then you fly from Da Nang 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. Finally you travel from Hanoi down to Ninh Binh by road, around 2.5 to 3 hours. Counting the transfers and airport time, the door-to-door total comes to roughly 5 to 7 hours, far quicker than the overnight options, though it is the most expensive way to go.
Who it is for
Flying suits travelers who value their time and are happy to pay more to avoid a night of travel. Given how far south Hoi An is, the time saved is significant, so it is a strong option whenever speed matters and the fare fits your budget.
Option 3: By direct bus from Hoi An to Ninh Binh
Why choose the bus
The direct bus is the cheapest way from Hoi An to Ninh Binh, and unlike the train and flight, it runs all the way from Hoi An without the Da Nang transfer. These are sleeper buses with flat berths rather than seats, which helps on such a long trip, and they suit travelers on a tight budget.
How it works
The journey takes around 14 to 19 hours depending on the operator, usually overnight, with pickup in Hoi An. Several companies run the route, with fares from around 600,000 VND (roughly $24). 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 option and the convenience of leaving straight from Hoi An, and who 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.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Hoi An to Ninh Binh
The best way from Hoi An 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 530,000 VND. You board in Da Nang after a short transfer from Hoi An.
Plane – the fastest by far, flying from Da Nang 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 and the only option leaving straight from Hoi An, but the longest at around 14 to 19 hours, from about 600,000 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 direct bus only if you want the cheapest way through and the ease of leaving from Hoi An itself.
