Routes
Route Map: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Motorbike
Ninh Binh is one of the most popular tourist areas in the whole of Vietnam. There is plenty to see and do both near and around the city. Taking a trip there by motorbike allows you the freedom to travel as you wish and also connect to other great places closeby.
Route Map: Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Motorbike
Hanoi to Ninh Binh is about 140km direct. It can be driven by motorbike in around 3 – 3.5 hrs using the main roads. However, the direct route is full of heavy traffic so it is better to take the route along the Red River and through Nam Dinh, unless you really are in a hurry.
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Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Route
This route totals around 150km and will take around 4 hrs. We choose this over the faster direct route (black) along QL1 because there is a lot less traffic.
Morning: Hanoi to Hung Yen / 60km – 1.5 – 2 hrs
Afternoon: Hung Yen to Ninh Binh / 80km – 2 – 2.5 hrs
Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Detours)
Hanoi to Ninh Binh can be a very nice ride along the the dyke road on the Red River for the first part and then if you need to make up a little time you can get on to the main road from there on.
Detour 1
This route is 70km, and will take around 1.5 to 2hrs. It is a main route and really quite dull but it will save you a little bit of time. It is really a last resort.
Where to stay in Ninh Binh
In Ninh Binh we usually stay in:
As you will see, though, there are a LOT of accommodation options in the area that you can choose from.
Where to next.
From Ninh Binh you can head further South on a one way rental to Danang or HCM City. You could also head westards to Cuc Phuong or Mai Chau and begin a northern loop back to Hanoi.
There are also those who like to head over to Cat Ba Island or Ha Long Bay, which is also possible.
Honda CB 500X Motorcycle Rental
Engineered to handle whatever the road throws at you Book NowWhat type of bike to choose
We would advise you to choose between a manual or a semi automatic bike. These are the best bikes for a long trip like this and also for when you get into the mountains of northern Vietnam. You have more control and they are less prone to overheating or break down.
Honda XR150
The XR150 is a great budget option that will perform well on the road and in the dirt on the small tracks of Ha Giang. The bike is lightweight, even if a little underpowered. There is plenty of room to fit a 40l bag on the rear, which should hold more than enough for a trip. The 12l tank and great fuel economy mean that this bike has a huge range of over 300km on a tank.
If you plan to ride two up, it might be a bit of a squeeze and you will have to pack very lightly or risk overloading the bike and making it quite rear weighted.
Honda CB500x
The CB500x is a great bike for the long haul drive up to Ha Giang. It is big enough and powerful enough to overtake trucks on the highway and carry two people with ease. Using a rear box and side panniers will give you plenty of room for gear. The 17l tank means you will have enough range for a day’s ride with ease.
The only concern would be taking some of the smaller tracks off road as our bikes have road tyres and the bike itself is quite big and heavy. However, there are plenty of small, interesting tracks that have concrete and are wide enough for the CB500x.
Semi Automatic
The Semi Automatic bikes are a much more budget option. We can offer the Honda Wave, Honda Blade or the Honda Future and they are all quite similar. it is really best to ride single on this kind of bike as this will leave room for a backpack and also not overlaod the bike in the hills. They are very fuel efficient but only have a 4l fuel tank so will need filling more regularly than the manual options.
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FAQ
How far is Ninh Binh from Hanoi?
Ninh Binh is between 100-120km from Hanoi depending on which route you choose to take. it usually takes around 3-4hrs to drive there.
Are there any good places to stay or visit in Ninh Binh?
There are many many great places at all price points to stay at in Ninh Binh. However, be aware that it can get very crowded even on normal days, not holidays, as it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of Vietnam.
Where can I eat in Ninh Binh?
Again, as this is a tourist mecca, both local and foreign, there are many many places to eat. It is easy to find both vietnamese and western food and now with the influx of Indian tourists, there is even more choice.
Where can I go to from Ninh Binh?
From Ninh Binh you may venture South and head towards either Vinh city or Tan Ky, Thai Hoa and down to Phong Nha. Alternatively, you may loop around and head over to Cuc Phuong National park or Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh?
For the best weather, I would say either Spring (Feb – Apr) or Autumn (Sep – Oct) and, if possible, avoid weekends and bank holidays such as Labour Day, or Reunification Day as there will be heaps of local tourists.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh by Motorbike
Ninh Binh is well worth visiting and can easily be added to a larger northern loop or a one way rental heading South. Whatever, you decide not taking the main road is key to your enjoyment so check out our route and the detours.