Ninh Binh or Halong: A Detail Comparative Guide for First-Time Travelers

If you’re deciding between Ninh Binh or Halong Bay, it depends on your travel style. Halong Bay offers iconic seascapes, well-organized tours, and luxury to-budget cruise experiences. Ninh Binh, closer to Hanoi, provides diverse landscapes, local culture, and budget-friendly options. For fulfilling and richer experiences, it’s best to visit both destinations.

Ninh Binh vs Halong Bay? Which one is better?

Before delving into a detailed comparison, please refer to the infographic below for an overview of both destinations including location, scenery, activities, cost, and the local experience.

Location and Access

Halong Bay is located in northeast Vietnam, about 170 km from Hanoi. You can reach it by bus or car in approximately 4 hours. Halong Bay benefits from well-developed tourism infrastructure, making it easy to find transportation and accommodation.

Ninh Binh, on the other hand, is closer to Hanoi, just 100 km south. It takes about 2 hours to get there by car or bus. This proximity to Hanoi makes Ninh Binh an excellent choice for day trips or short stays. The downside is that tourism facilities in Ninh Binh are less developed compared to Halong Bay, which might mean fewer luxury options.

In short: Ninh Binh is closer and quicker to reach from Hanoi, while Halong Bay is farther but has better tourism infrastructure.

Landscape and Scenery

Ninh Binh is often referred to as “Halong Bay on land.” It features similar limestone formations, but these are surrounded by picturesque rice paddies and winding rivers instead of the ocean. This diverse landscape, combining both water and land features, offers a variety of stunning vistas. While Ninh Binh lacks the vast open water views of Halong Bay, it compensates with a more varied terrain that many find equally captivating.

Halong Bay is famous for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands. You’ll be treated to breathtaking views of towering cliffs covered in lush greenery rising from the sea. This unique seascape with iconic limestone karsts is truly one-of-a-kind. However, it’s worth noting that the views can sometimes be affected by weather conditions.

In short: Halong Bay offers iconic seascapes, while Ninh Binh provides a diverse mix of land and water scenery.

Crowds and Cost

Halong Bay’s popularity comes with a price – both literally and figuratively. It tends to be more crowded, especially on cruise boats, and the costs are generally higher due to its fame. However, this popularity also means that you’ll find well-established tourism services catering to a range of preferences.

Tips to note: If you are seeking a less touristy experience in the Halong Bay area, it’s worth considering Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. These neighboring bays offer similar stunning landscapes but with fewer crowds and often at lower prices. They provide a more serene experience while still allowing you to enjoy the iconic limestone karst scenery.

In contrast, Ninh Binh offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience. You’ll encounter fewer tourists here, which can lead to more authentic local experiences. Ninh Binh is also more budget-friendly, with lower costs for accommodation, food, and activities. The trade-off is that you might find fewer luxury options compared to Halong Bay.

In short: Halong Bay is more crowded and expensive but offers more amenities, while Ninh Binh is quieter and cheaper but with fewer luxury options.

The local experience

For a real taste of local life, Ninh Binh offers a more authentic glimpse into Vietnamese culture. As you cycle through the countryside, don’t be surprised if you see farmers tending to their rice fields or fishermen casting nets in the rivers. It’s a chance to witness rural Vietnamese life up close and interact with locals. However, this can be challenging for those who don’t speak Vietnamese, as English might not be as widely spoken as in more touristy areas.

In Halong Bay, most of your time will be spent on boats. While this provides a comfortable cruise experience, it can limit your interaction with local culture.  You’ll get glimpses into the fascinating world of fishing communities who’ve made the bay their home. You’ll primarily meet other tourists and cruise staff, which might feel less authentic for those seeking to immerse themselves in Vietnamese daily life.

In short: Ninh Binh offers more authentic local experiences, while Halong Bay provides a more curated, tourist-oriented environment.

What to Do and See

Halong Bay Activities

Halong Bay offers a wide variety of water-based activities such as:

• Cruise around the bay on a traditional junk boat
• Kayak through hidden lagoons and caves
• Visit floating fishing villages
• Explore impressive caves like Sung Sot (Surprise Cave)
• Swim and relax on small beaches

Note: Most activities are confined to cruise itineraries, which can limit flexibility.

Ninh Binh Activities

Ninh Binh provides a more diverse range of activities that span water, land, and cultural experiences. Here are the things you can do:

• Take a boat ride through Trang An or Tam Coc
• Hike up Mua Cave for panoramic views
• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda (the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam) or Bich Dong Pagoda for a hidden gems experience
• Explore Van Long Nature Reserve
• Cycle through rice fields and villages

In short: Halong Bay focuses on water activities, while Ninh Binh offers a wider variety of experiences across land and water.

Trip length – How long should you go for?

Ninh Binh tour

Most Ninh Binh tours are day trips from Hanoi. They’re more flexible and can be done in a single day, typically including a boat ride in Trang An or Tam Coc, a visit to Hoa Lu (the ancient capital), a bike ride through the countryside, and lunch at a local restaurant. However, staying for 2-3 days allows for a more relaxed pace and deeper exploration of the area. The flexibility to explore Ninh Binh in a shorter time frame is advantageous, but a day trip might feel rushed for some travelers.

>>> Suggested Ninh Binh tour without rush: Ninh Binh Private Tour 2 days

Halong Bay tour

Halong Bay tours are usually overnight cruises, offering an all-inclusive experience with various activities. Most Halong Bay cruises are 2 days and 1 night, which gives you enough time to see the highlights. For a more comprehensive experience, you might consider a 3-day, 2-night cruise. The overnight stay on a boat provides a fuller experience of Halong Bay, but it also requires a more significant time commitment, which might not suit all travel schedules.

>>> Helpful travel guide while planning a trip to Halong Bay: Halong Bay Cruise – A complete 2 days 1 night itinerary & Insider tips

In short: Ninh Binh tours are typically shorter and more flexible, while Halong Bay tours are longer, more structured, and all-inclusive.

So, what is the best choice between the two?

Choosing between Halong Bay and Ninh Binh ultimately depends on your personal preferences and travel style. Halong Bay might be the better choice if you want to see a UNESCO World Heritage site, enjoy being on the water, prefer organized tours with set itineraries, and don’t mind higher costs and more tourists.

On the other hand, Ninh Binh could be ideal if you prefer a more off-the-beaten-path experience, want to interact more with local culture, enjoy a mix of landscapes, are on a tighter budget, or have limited time due to its proximity to Hanoi.

Both destinations offer stunning scenery and unique experiences. If your schedule and budget allow, visiting both would give you a well-rounded view of northern Vietnam’s natural beauty. You should check out this Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Tour in 3 days to combine these 2 destinations. Since we offer VIETNAM CUSTOMIZED TOUR, your itinerary will be designed to match your travel preferences. Above is just our suggestion that you can take as a reference. To get the quote, simply contact us here or email at [email protected].

Trang Nguyen – Travel Specialist