Embark on an Unforgettable Journey: Hanoi to Ninh Binh Tour in 3 Days

Ninh Binh tours from Hanoi

Source: Metta Voyage tour pages, per person “from” prices, checked 29 Oct 2026; your exact price is confirmed in your tailor-made quote.

1. Overview of Hanoi to Ninh Binh tour

Both Hanoi and Ninh Binh offer a variety of attractions and activities for tourists to immerse themselves in. If Hanoi is well known for its bustling lifestyles, Ninh Binh has its charm for tranquility and nature’s majesty. 

Ninh Binh is located around 90 kilometers south of Hanoi, and the travel time between the two cities is about 2 to 3 hours depending on the mode of transportation and the route taken. 

2. Suggested itinerary for 3 days

2.1. Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

• Start your journey early in the morning from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. 
• Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, check into your accommodation and freshen up.
• Have lunch at a local restaurant to try some traditional Vietnamese dishes.
• In the afternoon, visit Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning karst landscapes, caves, and serene waterways.
• Take a boat tour through the intricate network of limestone caves and lush greenery. The boat ride typically lasts around 2-3 hours.
• After the boat tour, you can explore the area on foot or by bicycle, visiting temples, pagodas, and viewpoints.
• Return to your hotel in the evening and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

2.2. Day 2: Explore Ninh Binh

• Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam. Explore the complex, which includes ancient temples, giant Buddha statues, and beautiful gardens.
• Next, head to Tam Coc, also known as “Halong Bay on land.” Take a scenic boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, passing through limestone karsts and rice paddies. This boat trip usually takes around 2 hours.
• After the boat ride, you can either explore Tam Coc further by bike or visit nearby attractions such as Bich Dong Pagoda.
• Have lunch at a local restaurant in Tam Coc.

• In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Explore the ancient temples and learn about the history of the area.
• Return to your hotel in the evening and have dinner at a local restaurant.

2.3. Day 3: Return to Hanoi

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend some leisure time exploring Ninh Binh town or doing any activities you missed.
• Check out from your hotel and depart for Hanoi.
• Upon arrival in Hanoi, you can either head straight to the airport if you have a flight to catch or continue exploring the city if you have more time.

3. Mode of transportation from Hanoi to Ninh Binh

Depending on your preferences, you can go by bus (cheapest), car/ taxi (fastest), train, minivan or motorbike. 

3.1. By bus 

• Travel time: about 2 hours on the expressway (longer from the city-centre bus stations at rush hour)
• Schedules at: Hanoi Central Circus

3.2. By train 

• Travel time: around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the train
• Schedules at: Vietnam Railways; Lotus Train ; 

For motorbikes or limousines, you can contact Metta Voyage for more information to hire.  

Fares change every season, so we no longer publish fixed prices here. Check the current fare on the official operator’s site (Vietnam Railways: dsvn.vn) before you travel, or let us arrange a private car as part of a private Ninh Binh tour — ask Metta Voyage for an up-to-date quote.

4. Where to STAY at Ninh Binh during your trip

Here are some popular choices:

Tam Coc Garden Resort: This resort offers charming bungalows surrounded by lush gardens, providing a tranquil atmosphere. It’s located near Tam Coc, offering convenient access to the area’s attractions.

Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh: Situated amidst beautiful landscapes, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh offers luxurious rooms and villas with modern amenities. The resort features a spa, swimming pool, and multiple dining options.

Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort: This hotel offers comfortable rooms and villas with scenic views of the surrounding mountains and rice fields. It’s located close to Trang An and Bai Dinh Pagoda, making it a convenient base for exploring the area.

5. Best time for a trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi

Ninh Binh can be visited all year, but the experience changes with the seasons. Spring (roughly February to April) is mild and is also pilgrimage season, so Bai Dinh and the Trang An temples are busy around and after Tet. Late May to early June is when the rice in Tam Coc turns gold before the harvest — the most photographed time of year, and a hot one. Summer brings heat, humidity and afternoon storms, while autumn (September to November) usually offers clearer skies and comfortable temperatures for boat trips and cycling. Winter is cool and often misty, which suits a slower, quieter visit.

Whatever the month, start early. Boat trips at Trang An and Tam Coc are calmest in the first hours of the morning, before the day-trip coaches from Hanoi arrive.

6. Day trip or overnight stay?

Many travellers see Ninh Binh on a day trip from Hanoi, and it works if your time is short: you can fit in one boat ride and one or two temples. But a day trip means around four to five hours on the road in total, and you see the valleys in the middle of the day, when they are at their busiest. Staying two or three nights, as in the itinerary above, lets you take the boats early, cycle through the villages in the late afternoon light and enjoy the karst scenery when the crowds have gone. For families with older children and couples who prefer an unhurried pace, an overnight stay in a resort among the rice fields is the more comfortable choice.

If you only have one day, our Hoa Lu day trip covers the ancient capital and the boat ride in a single, well-paced loop. To see more, browse our Ninh Binh tours or the Hanoi – Ninh Binh cycling trip.

7. Private tour or group tour?

Group day tours from Hanoi are the cheapest option, but they follow a fixed schedule and usually visit the most crowded sites at peak hours. A private tour with your own car, driver and guide lets you choose the start time, change the order of visits to avoid the crowds, stop for photos and adjust the pace for children or older travellers. It also means door-to-door transfers from your Hanoi hotel and a guide who can explain the history of Hoa Lu and the legends behind the temples, which brings the landscape to life.

8. Practical tips for your Ninh Binh trip

• Sun protection: the boats are open, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. In the rainy months, a light rain jacket is more practical than an umbrella on the boat.
• Footwear: wear comfortable shoes with good grip — some caves are low and damp, and viewpoints such as Mua Cave involve hundreds of stone steps.
• Temple etiquette: cover shoulders and knees at Bai Dinh, Bich Dong and the Hoa Lu temples, and speak quietly inside the shrines.
• Rowers: the boats are rowed by local villagers, often for two hours or more. A small tip at the end is customary and much appreciated.
• Combine it: Ninh Binh pairs naturally with a cruise on Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay. Our Hoa Lu and Ha Long Bay on land itinerary and our Ha Long Bay tours show how the two fit together.

9. Conclusion

Above is the necessary information you should know to take the first step to discovering Hanoi-Ninh Binh. It’s recommended to contact Metta Voyage as soon as possible so that your Hanoi to Ninh Binh tour is carefully planned from top to toe, especially during peak tourist seasons.

You can also take a look at our other tours here: 

Top 8 Best Destinations On The Ninh Binh Tour 2 Days 1 Night

Where To Stay In Ninh Binh: Top 6 Best Accommodation Areas

How Many Days To Spend In Ninh Binh – Top 3 Best Trips Of One, Two, Or Three Days?

Top 15 Specialties Of Ninh Binh Foods You Must Try

Frequently asked questions

How far is Ninh Binh from Hanoi?

Ninh Binh is about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. By private car on the expressway the drive usually takes around two hours, depending on traffic leaving the city.

Is one day enough for Ninh Binh?

One day is enough for a boat ride at Trang An or Tam Coc and a visit to Hoa Lu, but two or three days let you explore at a gentler pace, cycle through the countryside and avoid the midday crowds.

Which is better, Trang An or Tam Coc?

Both are beautiful. Trang An is larger, with several caves and temples on the boat route, while Tam Coc follows the Ngo Dong River through rice fields and is at its best in the golden rice season. If you stay overnight, you can do both.

Can Ninh Binh be combined with Ha Long Bay?

Yes. Many travellers spend one or two nights in Ninh Binh and then transfer to Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay for an overnight cruise, so you see both landscapes without returning to Hanoi in between.

Is Ninh Binh suitable for families and older travellers?

Yes. The boat trips are gentle and seated, and a private tour lets you skip the steep climbs and plan rest breaks. Choose a resort close to Tam Coc or Trang An to keep transfers short.

Contact us

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