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Ninh Binh to Ha Giang: Bus, Train or Motorbike for Ha Giang Tours
The distance from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang is not just a change of scenery; it’s an exciting jump from the tranquility of rice fields to the grandeur of Vietnam’s most epic mountain ranges. For commuters looking to hop on the cheapest ride, the most convenient transfer, or a daredevil dart on a motorbike, this guide covers all the options – bus, train, and bike – with complete details for price, route, and schedule. Thinking about returning from Ha Giang to Ninh Binh? We’ve got that too. Armed with this trustworthy information and firsthand experience, this is your essential guide to ensure a smooth journey. And don’t overlook our deep dive on Ha Giang Transportation for planning after arrival.
The distance from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang is around 370 to 440 kilometers, depending on the specific route that you choose. That’s a full cross-section of northern Vietnam – from the tranquil lowlands to the cloud-kissed mountaintops. No matter if you fly the entire way or have layovers in another country, every portion of the journey is bursting with fresh landscapes, customs, and adventures.
How Long Does It Take?
Here’s a clear breakdown by transportation method:
Mode of Transport
Estimated Time
Notes
Sleeper Bus
8-10 hours
Departs nightly from Ninh Binh (Tam Coc or central garage). A great budget option.
Motorbike
10-12 hours
Adventurous but tiring. Only for experienced riders.
Bus + Train (via Hanoi)
9-11 hours
Split the journey. Bus to Hanoi, train to Ninh Binh or vice versa.
Each option offers a different travel experience – some prioritize speed, others comfort, or scenery.
Best Routes to Consider
There are two primary routes to go from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang:
Through Hanoi (easiest): Fast highways from Ninh Binh to Hanoi and a mix of expressways and curvy mountain roads north to Ha Giang.
Either via Ba Be or Tuyen Quang: For motorbike tours who want to take detours through or visit national parks or minority villages.
Fast route: Ninh Binh to Hanoi (Source: dantri)
Option 1: Sleeper Bus – Budget-Friendly & Efficient
Travel Time & Schedule
From Ninh Binh to Ha Giang is around 8-10 hours by bus and most night buses from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang depart around 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM You’ll usually find yourself pulling into the city of Ha Giang between 4:00-6:00 AM, where you can grab a sunrise coffee before kickstarting the iconic Ha Giang Loop.
Departure points:
Tam Coc (hotel pickup available)
Ninh Binh Bus Station (central garage, convenient for city stays)
If you’re on the bus going south to north (Ha Giang to Ninh Binh), there are nightly buses that leave from central Ha Giang (central bus garage area) from around 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM nightly.
Ticket Price & Booking Platforms
Prices range from 250,000 VND to 450,000 VND, depending on the type of bus:
Via local hotels or homestays in Tam Coc/Ninh Binh
For real-time booking and/or priority access to a Virtuoso, you are welcome to include a phone number to be reached at – we’ll have someone get in touch to help your trip along.
Top Sleeper Bus Companies on the Route
Below are some of the good sleeper bus companies when you are heading from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang:
Bus Company
Departure
Contact
Notes
Bang Phan
Tam Coc / Ninh Binh Station
+84 963 454 698
Reliable sleeper bus with VIP cabins, often runs full
Quang Nghi Bus
Ninh Binh center
+84 962 153 368
Clean, air-conditioned, popular with solo travelers
Techbus VN
Hotel pickup in Tam Coc
Via 12Go & Baolau
Modern fleet, offers onboard Wi-Fi
Good Morning Sapa
Pickup from hotel in Ninh Binh
+84 983 868 798
Known for smooth service and professional English support
Bang Phan Bus (Source: vexere)
Option 2: Motorbike – The Ultimate Adventure
Recommended Routes: Scenic, Wild & Worth Every Turn
There are two ways we recommend tackling the epic from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang by motorbike:
Route 1: Via Tuyen Quang (approx. 400-420 km) A fairly easy long ride on the National Highway 2 and 2C through Son Duong, Viet Tri, and Vi Xuyen until Ha Giang city. It’s perfect for people who want to go straight, without any side tracks.
Route 2: Via Cuc Phuong National Park & Ba Be Lake (2-3 days) This path has beautiful scenery and is ideal for adventurers. You’ll ride through Cuc Phuong and push north to Ba Be Lake and then back west into Bac Kan and up across to Ha Giang. It’s farther flung, but the tastiest views – and the most rugged experiences – are spread over every kilometer.
Where to Rent: Ninh Binh, Hanoi, or Ha Giang?
Here’s a rundown on motorbike rental options by departure and arrival point:
Must ride ~2 hours to reach Ninh Binh or start earlier
Ha Giang
Ideal for the Loop only (start after bus/car ride)
Doesn’t support full Ninh Binh to Ha Giang experience
Need help locating a reputable shop with a good reputation and maintenance support down the road? Leave your phone number – we’ll hook you up with options that offer helmets, rain suits, and delivering or picking up the bike.
Motorbike Rentalin Ha Giang (Source: digiticket)
Fuel, Gear & License: Ride Smart, Ride Safe
Before you embark on this trip from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang, make sure you’ve gone through this important checklist:
Licence: International Driving Permit (IDP) with a bike licence. Police in far-off provinces do check, though.
Insurance: Ensure it includes motorbike travel in Vietnam.
Fuel: Top up regularly – petrol stations in the bush can be 50-70km apart. One tank-load (~60,000VN%) will take you about 120-150km.
This mixed route breaks the journey into two relaxed legs:
Train: Ninh Binh → Hanoi
Duration: ~2 to 2.5 hours
Several daily options: morning, afternoon, & evening
Price: ~80.000-150.000 VND (Soft seat, 2nd class AC)
Sleeper Bus or Limousine: Hanoi → Ha Giang
Duration: 5. 5 to 7.5 hours
Departs: Afternoon (limousine) or night (sleeper) from My Dinh Bus Station or Old Quarter hotels
Price: ~250,000-450,000 VND
Train Schedule (Ninh Binh to Hanoi)
Train
Departure
Arrival
Class Options
SE6
06:00
08:20
Soft Seat / Hard Seat
SE8
13:20
15:40
Soft Seat / AC Sleeper
SE20
19:25
21:40
Soft Seat / AC Sleeper
Pro tip: For the easiest connection, take the afternoon train, sleep or grab dinner in Hanoi, and rendezvous with your bus at the car to Ha Giang later that night.
Train SE8 fron Ninh Binh to Hanoi (Source: mia)
Connecting from Hanoi to Ha Giang
After arriving in Hanoi, head to:
My Dinh Bus Station (for local buses)
Old Quarter pickup points (for VIP sleeper & limousine services)
Reliable bus companies:
Quang Nghi Bus
Techbus VN
Bang Phan Sleeper
All bookable online via Baolau or 12Go
In Ha Giang, there are numerous rental shops, garages, and day tour operators at your disposal. Don’t forget to take a look at our complete Ha Giang Transportation guide for what to do next in the Mountains!
Why Choose This Route?
Pros
Cons
Comfortable and modern trains + buses
More planning required (2 tickets, 2 modes)
Great for families and those avoiding night travel
Short layover in Hanoi adds a few hours
Affordable price compared to private cars
Hanoi traffic may affect timing between connections
Easier to sleep and stretch legs between segments
Train schedules are fixed – less flexible than buses
What to Pack for the Trip
Essentials for Every Traveler (Bus, Train, Car)
Regardless of how you get there, here’s what to pack:
Light jacket or hoodie: Transportation can be a little chilly with the air conditioning on, especially on night trips.
Snacks and water: Good for long stints without rest stops or if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Power bank + charging cable: Many buses do have power outlets, but just in case
Eye mask and earplugs: Great for sleeper buses or light sleepers on trains.
Small toiletries kit: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, toothbrush for overnights.
Copy of passport and visa: Specifically handy for when you are booking through local agencies
Gear Checklist for Motorbike Riders
If you’re heading the wild way from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang on a motorbike, or even if you’re just planning on heading out once you get to Ninh Binh, then here’s what you’ll want:
Helmet (quality, full-face if possible)
Rain gear (jacket + pants): The changes fast in the highland, severe downpours flip.
Gloves + riding boots, or a sturdy, closed-toe shoe.
Dry bag or waterproof case for your backpack
Phone mount and offline maps
Printed/directions to nearest garage/fuel stops
International Driving Permit + insurance (this is a must for both legal and medical security)
Spare cash (ATM’s few and far between in the bush! )
Toolkit and tire patch kit: These are optional, but good for emergencies
Bonus: Throw in a few extra socks and a scarf or face mask to shield from wind and dust during mountain rides!
Digital Prep: SIM Cards, Apps & Contacts
Vietnamese SIM card: Pick up one with 4-5GB of data. Viettel and Vinaphone are the best for rural areas. Apps to install:
Apps to install:
Google Maps (download offline maps for your route)
12Go Asia / Baolau to check the schedule and booking
Zalo or WhatsApp to message local hosts or share your phone number with drivers
Emergency numbers:
Police: 113
Ambulance: 115
Tourist support: 1800 1109 (English-speaking line in Vietnam)
Conclusion
From Ninh Binh to Ha Giang, your journey can be as brassy or as breezy as you like, sleeper bus, motorbike, train combo; there’s a rhythm of its own to all of them. As you go north or as you are coming south from Ha Giang to Ninh Binh, our local knowledge and travel advice are just what you need to keep your trip traveling the way you wanted to. And for everything you need to know about prices, routes, and road tips, check out our complete Ha Giang Transportation guide.
FAQs: Quick Answers Before You Go
Is the Ha Giang Loop a moped or motorbike?
Motorcycling the Ha Giang Loop – This is usually done on a motorbike, generally 110cc-150cc semi-auto or manual, rather than the mini 50cc moped. These higher-performance bikes are more capable of taking on spiral mountain roads, narrow passes, and long distances. If you are experienced, you can rent a manual bike, which will give you more freedom on the loop. Oh, and by the way – be sure that brakes, lights, and tires are in proper working order at a trustworthy garage before heading from Ha Giang to Ninh Binh or vice versa.
Tip: If driving seems too intimidating, you can opt to hire an Easy Rider (a local driver) or look at other transportation options in our complete Ha Giang Transportation guide.
How to travel around Ninh Binh?
Exploring Ninh Binh is easy and flexible! You can:
Hire a bike or scooter and explore Tam Coc, Trang An, and Mua Cave on your schedule.
Opt to take a private car or taxi transfer for comfort and convenience, especially if you’re short on time.
Book day tours or shuttle vans from Hanoi for hassle-free round trips..
The roads here in Ninh Binh are flat and often empty; this makes them perfect for newbies and families. Just don’t forget to plan your route and schedule accordingly for a seamless journey!
Can you do the Ha Giang Loop without a motorbike?
Absolutely! Although the classic Ha Giang Loop is known for motorbiking, you can still see those same breathtaking landscapes:
Charter a private car, or take a small van tour – a perfect option for families, older travelers, or anyone who doesn’t want to ride.
Opt for an Easy Rider, crammed pillion behind a local guide who knows every bend of the way.
Book multi-day guided tours including meals and accommodation – you just need to sit back and enjoy the view!
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Tour of Vietnam
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The imposing mountains, hills, lure valleys, and scattered Karst Parks have all made Ha Giang one of the most appealing destinations in Vietnam for travelers around the world. Additionally, the culture, tradition, and diversity of ethnic minority people such as the H’mong make Ha Giang more immersive for people to come to explore this land at the intersection of earth and heaven more and more.
You will take an experience of stunning scenery, to obtain the active venture for trekking and driving on the winding paths to discover the authentic hill tribe of Hmong Village in Ha Giang.
To discover the most appealing landscapes such as Meo Vac, Lung Cu, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and further hidden tracks and the culture and traditions of Ha Giang ethnic minority people such as H'mong, Red Dzao, and try to specialty local foods.
This tour bring you to explore Ba Be lake and Giang Giang loop adventure tour for 5 days/4 nights. Real experience combines Ha Giang & charming part of North East. This is private for small group tour who is interested North East West Vietnam.
Adventurous package tour combine the discovery along the north west of Vietnam. Additionally to explore the northern pole of Vietnam - Ha Giang with breathtaking scenery of Meo Vac & Lung Cu.
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