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From the harbour city of Hai Phong to the limestone peaks and rice paddies of Ninh Binh, you cross the Red River Delta in a few hours. Most people come for Tam Coc and Trang An, where rowing boats glide between the karst. If you are coming off a cruise around the bay, the same journey works from Cat Ba Island.
Hai Phong to Ninh Binh by Bus
The bus is the cheapest option. Express coaches, VIP 33 and VIP 24 buses and limousine minibuses serve the route, with tickets at about $10 to $18 on booking platforms (November 2026). The trip takes from about 3 hours 45 minutes, up to 5 hours. From Cat Ba Island, combined bus, ferry and bus tickets to Ninh Binh cost about $11 to $21 and take from about 3 hours. Tickets from Cat Ba to Tam Coc cost about $12 and take from about 4 hours 30 minutes.[1]
Hai Phong to Ninh Binh by Van
Shared limousine vans cost about $18 and take from about 4 hours 20 minutes on booking platforms (November 2026).[1]
Hai Phong to Ninh Binh by Private Transfer
A private car or van picks you up at your hotel and drops you at your door in Ninh Binh or Tam Coc. On booking platforms, prices run from about $86 for a 3-seat car to about $195 for the larger vans and SUVs (November 2026), and the ride takes from about 2 hours 55 minutes, longer in traffic. The cost drops per person when a group shares it.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | $10 to $18[1] | From about 3h 45min |
| Shared van | $18[1] | From about 4h 20min |
| Private transfer | $86 to $195[1] | From about 2h 55min |
Tips for Traveling from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh
- Book ahead: Weekends and Vietnamese holidays are busy, so buy your ticket a few days early.
- Choose Tam Coc or Ninh Binh City: Check the drop-off point when you book. Tam Coc is closer to the boat tours and limestone caves, while Ninh Binh City has the main bus station.
- Leaving from Cat Ba: Make sure your ticket covers the ferry as well as both bus legs.
- Allow a buffer: Traffic around Hai Phong can slow you down, so leave time if you have a dinner booked in Ninh Binh.
Timetable
| Bus Hai Phong - Ninh Binh $ 10.12–18.45 3h 45m – 5h | |
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| Taxi Hai Phong - Ninh Binh $ 86.32–195.27 2h 55m – 4h | |
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| Van Hai Phong - Ninh Binh $ 17.71 4h 20m | |
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| Bus Dao Cat Ba - Ninh Binh $ 10.54–20.87 3h – 5h | |
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| Bus Dao Cat Ba - Tam Coc $ 11.60 4h 30m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh, including current prices and schedules.
The bus, with tickets from about $10 on booking platforms (November 2026). Prices depend on the departure point and the bus class.
A private transfer, which takes from about 2 hours 55 minutes.
The bus takes from about 3 hours 45 minutes up to 5 hours, a shared van from about 4 hours 20 minutes and a private car from about 2 hours 55 minutes.
Yes. Booking platforms list combined tickets from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc that include the ferry and the bus legs.
Get off in Tam Coc if you want the boat tours and limestone hills. A bus that stops only in Ninh Binh City leaves you a short taxi ride from the main sights.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Hai Phong to Ninh Binh. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.