If you're travelling in Vietnam and you want to get from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, there are basically two main ways to do it: going by road (and the various options that this offers you like the different types of bus, private transport, etc.) or going by train. I'll break it down step-by-step below, but let me quickly say something first! If you're thinking about skipping Phong Nha because it's kinda in the middle of nowhere and makes you take some awkwardly timed night buses, don't do it! Phong Nha was really cool and I'm so glad that I went there on my trip in Vietnam.
The drive from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha is about six hours long, but how long it will take you depends on a number of factors; what kind of bus you take, whether you take it at night or during the daytime, whether it's a public or private transport, and how many stops you make. The train ride is about 8 hours long, so it's a longer journey but quite a lot of people prefer the train because it's more comfortable, and if you take it during the daytime then there's plenty to see out of the window.
Contents
- Taking the Bus from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
- Taking the Train from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
- Taking a Taxi from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
- FAQs About the Trip from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
- Conclusion
Taking the Bus from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, Vietnam
The bus is definitely the most popular choice among backpackers and budget travellers going from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, like it is throughout most of Vietnam, and for good reason. It's the cheapest option, runs multiple times throughout the day, and honestly, Vietnamese sleeper buses are way more comfortable than people expect (obviously this is subjective, but most people tend to agree with me on this!). This route takes you through some beautiful parts of central Vietnam, and you'll get glimpses of rural life along the way.
The journey covers quite a long route through several provinces, so you'll see the landscape gradually change as you head further south if you take the bus during the day, although it's most common to take an overnight bus for this route. Most bus companies offer modern amenities including air conditioning and complimentary water, making it a convenient way to travel between these two incredible destinations. Let's break down your options for taking the bus from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha in Vietnam!
Types of Public Bus in Vietnam
Right, let me break down the Vietnamese bus system for you because it can be a bit confusing at first! First important thing to note is that on 12GoAsia you will see the number of beds on the bus which will tell you how big your seat will be. For example "Cabin 24" or "VIP 24" means there are 24 beds on the bus, "Cabin 32" means there are 32 beds on the bus, etc.
Don't be fooled by the words "VIP", "luxury", etc, they don't mean anything! The most common sizes are 37, 32, and 20 (sometimes 24 depending on the layout of the bus). The seats are lie-flat on almost all of the buses in Vietnam – of course there are exceptions but I never got a bus with upright seats when I was travelling intercity, even on shorter buses and during the daytime.
37-bed buses usually mean you are lying down but there isn't a curtain or any privacy between your seat and the aisle. These are the most basic sleeping buses but still perfectly comfortable for the journey. Approximate cost for Ninh Binh to Phong Nha: 350kVND (€15).
32-bed buses usually mean there is a similar layout to the 37-bed, but there is a curtain and maybe a little more space lengthwise. This gives you a bit more privacy and room to stretch out during the long journey. Approximate cost for Ninh Binh to Phong Nha: 450kVND (€19).
20-bed buses usually mean you are on one of those ultra-modern-blue-neon-light-spaceship kind of beds you see so much on TikTok! These are the nicest option with the most space and best amenities. Approximate cost for Ninh Binh to Phong Nha: 650kVND (€28).
You can also choose to take this bus ride during the day or overnight – that doesn't affect the type of bus that you get. Most of the night buses leave awkwardly early from Ninh Binh, meaning you end up arriving in Phong Nha at a crazy time in the morning, sometimes as early as 2 or 3am, so make sure you plan ahead for how you'll get to your accommodation, and make sure you'll have somewhere to rest when you arrive.
Usually you find that the VIP buses are faster because they make fewer stops to let people on and off (although this isn't necessarily a good thing because you'll arrive even earlier into the night).
How to Book Your Bus from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
There are a couple of reliable ways to book your bus ticket, and I tried pretty much all of them during my travels through Vietnam:
Book through your hostel – Sometimes this will get you a free ride or transfer from your hostel to the bus station, or get you picked up straight from your hostel, although this really is a mixed bag. You never know quite what's going to happen when you book through your hostel but they'll always get you there one way or another! The staff usually speak good English and can help explain the different options available.
Book online through 12GoAsia or BookAway – In my opinion, 12GoAsia is the most reliable platform. I had some issues with unconfirmed bookings when booking Asia travel through BookAway (although I always got a full refund when that was the case). Online booking gives you the most choice and you can see exactly what time your bus departs and arrives, plus you can compare ticket prices across different bus companies.
Book directly at a booking office – This is also an option, and it's a good idea to ask here if you're booking last minute or don't see availability online. What I don't like about this option is that they usually don't have a way to contact you if your bus is delayed or cancelled.
Will the bus pick me up at my accommodation?
That depends; usually they will if you book the bus through your accommodation. If you book online you usually have to go to a pickup spot or bus station. The pick-up time and place is typically communicated clearly when you make your booking.
In smaller towns like Tam Coc, which is close to Ninh Binh and probably where you're staying if you're a backpacker, sometimes it makes more sense to just walk to the bus station (or wherever you're getting picked up) rather than wait at your hostel to get a short shuttle bus that will drop you off somewhere random and leave you waiting for an hour before the bus arrives. The drop-off point in Phong Nha is usually right in the town centre, making it easy to get to your accommodation.
Taking the Train from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, Vietnam
As I mentioned above, the train is generally considered to be more comfortable, but I don't like them that much (for me they are often too noisy). For train journeys in Vietnam, each one has a code like #SE3, #SE15, etc. and you can Google which ones people say run the quiet trains vs the noisy trains, but personally I didn't want to risk it so I didn't take any overnight trains in Vietnam. The loud trains are LOUD, and I definitely wouldn't be able to sleep through that (and I'm usually quite an easy sleeper).
Also, you have to book these further in advance and I am a last-minute travel girlie through and through, so that didn't really work for my style of travel! The Vietnam railway system is reliable, but it's definitely less flexible than the bus options.
Train ticket prices for this route start from: 1.7 million VND (€73)! That's significantly more expensive than the bus, so it's really a question of whether you value the train experience enough to pay the extra cost. You'll need to get off at Dong Hoi station and then take a taxi or bus to Phong Nha town, which adds extra time and cost to your journey.
Taking a Private Car from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, Vietnam
You can also take a private car or taxi from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha, which sounds extra, but if you fit four people in the car then it actually works out cheaper than the train! A 4-person car is around 6.5 million VND (€278), which works out at 1.6 million VND (€69) per person.
A private car service offers door-to-door service and is definitely the most comfortable option, especially if you're travelling with luggage or want to stop along the way. The best thing about this is that you can usually arrange it for whatever time you like, so you have the flexibility to arrange it exactly to your schedule.
Many companies offer English-speaking drivers and flexible departure times, making it a great choice if you value convenience over budget. The travel time is also shorter than both bus and train options since you won't make multiple stops.
FAQs About the Trip from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha
How do I get from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha?
The best way to get from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha is by sleeper bus, which takes about 6 hours and costs 350-650kVND (€15-28) depending on the type of bus. You can also take the train (8 hours, from 1.7 million VND/€73) or hire a private car (6 hours, from 1.6 million VND/€69 per person for 4 people).
Can you fly from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha?
There are no direct flights from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha. The closest airport to Phong Nha is Dong Hoi Airport in Quang Binh Province, but you'd need to fly from Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) to Dong Hoi, then take a taxi to Phong Nha. This would be much more expensive and time-consuming than taking the bus.
Is it worth going to Phong Nha?
Absolutely! Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to some of the world's largest caves, including the famous Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible underground river systems and stunning limestone formations. The area also offers jungle treks, boat tours, and various adventure activities that make it a highlight of many travelers' Vietnam itinerary.
Is Phong Nha or Ninh Binh better?
Both destinations offer unique experiences and are worth visiting. Ninh Binh is famous for its scenic Tam Coc area with rice fields and limestone mountains, while Phong Nha is renowned for its massive cave systems and national park adventures. Ninh Binh is better for leisurely sightseeing and photography, while Phong Nha is ideal for adventure activities and cave exploration.
Conclusion
The sleeper bus is the best way to get from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha for most travellers, because it has the best balance of comfort, cost, and convenience. Whether you're heading to explore the world's largest caves, take a boat tour through underground rivers, or embark on jungle adventures, this journey south through central Vietnam will take you from one incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site to another.
Remember to book in advance during peak season (especially if you want one of the nicer buses, which always sell out first), pack layers for the air conditioning on buses, and prepare for an amazing time exploring the natural wonders of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The long journey is absolutely worth it when you see those incredible cave formations!