Halong Bay is a famous tourist destination in Halong city, northern Vietnam with thousands of wonderful islands. The Bay is in the top 7 natural wonders of the world, which was recognized by the UNESCO in 2012. In addition, Tuan Chau Island is one of the most touristic places in Halong Bay.
Ninh Binh attracts tourists not only the famous sites such as Trang An, Tam Coc Bich Dong, Van Long, or Phat Diem Cathedral… but also the pureness and the wild nature of the land.
Hai Phong is not only the largest port city in northern Vietnam but the major tourist and cultural center of the country as well. The city is famous for Cat Ba Island, which is 60 km far from the city.
Wonder how to find the transportation to travel around these destinations. Here are some options for you to choose:
From Halong to Ninh Binh
Visitors can travel to Ninh Binh in all seasons of the year, however the best time to go is from January to March. In the spring, the weather is neither cold nor hot, Ninh Binh is great for those who want to combine travel and visit pagodas. Moreover, late May and early June is rice paddy season in Tam Coc, which is the best time for those who are interested in taking photographs.
There are several options for visitors to travel from Ha Long to Ninh Binh:
By Bus
If the depature place is Tuan Chau Island, visitors could take the taxi to Bai Chay bus station to book the tickets to find the suitable tickets to go to Ninh Binh. The bus timetable is flexible. On average, there are two bus trips by Hai Thang and Van Luc Tung company from Halong to Ninh Binh. The depature time is 12:05 pm and 14:30 pm in turn. Also, the ticket price is between 150,000 VND (more than 7 USD) for a normal seat and 390,000 VND (approx. 20 USD) for a sleeper coach seat.
By Motobike
A lot of travelers want to experience adventures, hence, they prefer to rent motorbikes to travel around. It is easy to rent motorbikes in any agencies or in the hotels with the cost of 10 USD per day. Renting motorbikes will help travelers arrange timetable to enjoy landscapes and take photographs on the way. However, it is necessary to check the motorbike, including the machine as well as the tank before depature. Additionally, traffic jam is usual in Vietnam. Therefore, be careful when you are on the way. Make sure that you start a bit earlier to reach the place on time.
Private transfer
If travelling as a group of 3 or 4 people, it is really convenient to rent a private car. The price for renting a car is around 2,000,000 to 2.500.000VND (100 – 130 USD). The price normally includes the driver, petrol, toll fees and parking fees.
From Ninh Binh to Halong
The best time to travel to Halong is between March to May, October to Dec. However, a lot of foreign tourists prefer to travel during winter. Similar to the route from Halong to Ninh Binh, tourists could take buses, motobikes or private cars to travel.
By Bus
Buy the ticket from Nho Quan bus station in Ninh Binh. There is a bus trip by Hai Thang company from Ninh Binh to Halong with the depature time is 05:45 am. The ticket price is 120,000 VND (more than 5 USD) for a normal seat.
Visitors could take the luxury bus by the local agency from Ninh Binh to Halong. The depature time is 6:30 am with the price of 200,000 VND (8.8 USD). Especially, this bus will pick up the visitors at the hotel near Tam Coc.
Private transfer
There is private car service available for a group of 3 to 8. The price for the group of 3 is from 123 USD/way, for the group of 4 is (141 USD) and for the group of 8 is around 4,000,000 VND (176 USD). The price normally includes the driver, petrol, toll fees and parking fees, except for entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, insurance, personal expenses and tip.
From Hai Phong to Ninh Binh
By Bus
From Hai Phong, visitors could book ticket from Hoang Long company. The depature time is 09:00 am, 19:00 pm and 19:30 pm with the price of 230,000 VND (approx. 11 USD).
If visitors want to save money, they could book the bus ticket at Cau Rao bus station and take the bus by various companies as Thanh Long, Hai Phong or Ninh Binh company. However, there is only 1 trip per day and the price is between 85,000 VND (nearly 4 USD) and 140,000 VND (approx. 6 USD).
In addition, for those travelling from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh, they could take the directbus from the island to Ninh Binh through Cat Ba Express company. On average, there are two bus trips daily on this route with the price of 320,000 VND (approx. 15 USD). The package already includes bus and speed boat. Children under 5 will be charged as 50% as adult while children over 5 will be charged as adult. The depature time is 07:40 am and 14:40 pm. The bus will pick up visitors at hotel which is located in Cat Ba town. Then, take the ferry from Cai Vieng to Binh pier, Hai Phong city and continue to take the bus to Ninh Binh.
By Train
Another option for visitors to travel is by train. Visitors could take taxi to Hai Phong train station to book the ticket to Ninh Binh train station. The depature time is 08:55 am, 14:35 pm and 18:40 pm. The ticket is about 6 USD per person.
From Ninh Binh to Hai Phong
By Bus
Through Hoang Long company, visitors could book the package from Ninh Binh bus station to Hai Phong with the depature time in turn is 06:00 am, 07:24 am, 09:54 am, 18:06 pm and 21:54 pm. The ticket price is about 15 USD per person.
Cheaper buses could be booked at Kim Son or Nho Quan bus station through Hai Phong, Ninh Binh company. The depature time is 6:00 am, 14:30 pm at Nho Quan bus station and 12:45 at Kim Son bus station. Ticket will be between 5 – 7 USD/way.
A lot of people want to go to Cat Ba Island. Therefore, they could purchase the whole package to take the bus from Ninh Binh to the island through Cat Ba Express company. The ticket will cost about 15 USD per adult. Children under 5 will get half of the price but children over 5 will be charged as adult. The depature time is 08:00 am and 13:15 pm. The bus will pick up visitors at Duc Tuan restaurant and Hoa Lu hotel in Ninh Binh, then head to Hai Phong city. After that, visitors will take the ferry from Binh pier to Cai Vieng, continue by bus from Cai Vieng to Cat Ba town.
By Train
Visitors could take depart from Ninh Binh train station to Hai Phong. The depature time is 15:20 pm and 18:00 pm with the ticket price of approximately 6 USD.
If you want to get to Cat Ba Island from Hai Phong train station, you should take a taxi to Got ferry harbor, take the ferry Got – Cai Vieng which operate every 20 minutes and continue taking a bus from Cai Vieng to Cat Ba town.
Another option is to get to Binh harbor and take direct hydrofoild to Cat Ba town. Timtable is 9am, 11am, 13:00 and 15:00. Cost is around 12-15$/person
Private transfer
Visitors could visit a lot of places on the way by renting private car via travel company. The service is available for a group of 2 to 8 people. Travelling by private car will be more expensive than other vehicles but you are sure to be taken care well and leave your worries behind for driver. However, travelling by group will save a lot of money. The price will be between 141 USD and 176 USD, which includes the petrol, road tolls, parking fees.
