We spent two and a half weeks travelling through Vietnam and had the chance to visit both Ninh Binh and Sapa. If your time is limited, you might have to choose just one. It’s not easy; they’re both stunning but in very different ways. In this post, we’re sharing our research and experience in each destination, a quick comparison, and our honest take on which one we’d recommend.
For context, we’re an active couple who loves cultural experiences, scenic landscapes, and avoiding big tourist crowds when we can. If that sounds like your kind of travel style, this article should help you decide which destination suits you best.
Ninh Bin vs Sapa: quick comparison
| Criteria | Ninh Binh | Sapa |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Countryside with rivers and karst cliffs | Mountain vibe with villages and remote feel |
| Top attractions and activities | Boat tours (Trang An and Tam Coc), Bai Dinh Pagoda, Mua Cave viewpoint, Hoa Lu ancient capital | Rice terrace treks, visits to ethnic minority villages, Vietnam’s highest peak (Fansipan – hiking or via cable car) |
| UNESCO status | Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site | No |
| Budget | More budget-friendly | Slightly higher (longer transport and guided treks add to costs) |
| Ease of access | Easier. 1.5-2 hours from Hanoi by train or road. Many day tours and overnight tours. | More remote. ~7-8h from Hanoi Direct bus from Hanoi (luxury limousine bus or sleeper bus). Train to Lao Cai + 1h transfer to Sapa. Tours available from Hanoi. |
| Minimum time needed | 1 day minimum (ideally 2 days to avoid crowds). | 2 days/2 nights (but 3+ days ideal to explore further and avoid crowds). |
| Landscape | Limestone karsts, rivers, rice paddies | Mountainous terrain, terraced rice fields, deep valleys |
| Weather | Spring (late Feb-Apr): mild, humidity rising Summer (May–Aug): Hot and humid with heavy downpours in Jul-Aug Autumn: pleasant Winter: chilly at night, less sunshine, foggy | Spring (Mar-May): mild and misty Summer (Jun-Aug): hot, rainy Autumn (Sep-Nov): dry and clear Winter (Dec-Feb): cold, occasional snow |
| Best time to visit | Sept–Oct (for golden rice fields and comfortable weather) or Feb-Apr (mild weather and lush landscapes) | Sept-Oct (golden rice fields) or Mar-May (mild weather). |
| Tourist density | High in peak spots like Tam Coc and Mua Cave | Can be high in Sapa town or Fansipan, rather low once on the trails and in villages |
| Difficulty | Mostly easy (boat tours, flat paths) except Mua Cave view points (many stairs) | Moderate (some walking on uneven and hilly terrain) |
| Rice fields | Flat and immense paddies, especially scenic by boat in Tam Coc/Trang An. Two rice seasons: golden in May/Jun or Sept/Oct. | Famous for terraced rice fields, but only one rice-growing season due to the altitude. Greenest from late May, golden in September. |
Our experience in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh was the first destination we visited after arriving in Hanoi, and it set the bar high. The scenery – a mix of dramatic limestone cliffs, winding rivers and lush rice paddies – was simply stunning.
We joined a one-day organised tour from Hanoi, which covered a lot in a short time. While the views from Mua Cave were impressive, it was extremely crowded by the time we got to the top. We expected to learn more during the visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital, but it wasn’t as engaging as other historical sites we visited later in Vietnam. The boat ride through Trang An was the real highlight. Even though it’s a popular activity, the different route options and cave system help avoid the feeling of mass tourism.
We stayed overnight in Tam Coc (Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa – see my full review here), which gave us a more relaxed vibe after the crowds had left. In mid-April, the rice fields were a lush green, and the weather, although hot and humid, was manageable for us, especially as we felt lucky to have a nice blue sky.
Our experience in Sapa (1.5 days)
Instead of ticking off Sapa’s most famous sights, we decided to skip the town itself and focus on a slower, more local experience. If you’re after iconic viewpoints and don’t mind queuing, don’t skip the Fansipan cable car (which takes you to Vietnam’s highest peak). And many also love visiting Instagram-friendly spots in Sapa like Moana Café. But that’s not really for us.
We joined a local guide for easy walks through the valleys and rice terraces, which gave us plenty of time to soak in the scenery and learn about life in the villages. The pace was slow, the conversations were rich, and we had the chance to try traditional activities like a H’Mong Batik workshop and a relaxing Red Dao herbal bath.
Sustainable travel tip: Joining activities run by local communities (like the H’Mong Batik workshop, but there are other traditional craft workshops) helps preserve cultural heritage in the region and creates direct income for families. We always learn a lot from experiences with locals; they make our trips more special.
We stayed at Sapa Plum Eco House in Ta Van village, a peaceful place surrounded by nature, with great food and a laid-back atmosphere. In the evening, we enjoyed the flexibility to explore a bit and had dinner at Samôc, a small restaurant nearby that offers set menus inspired by ethnic minority cuisines. We picked the Dzay menu, which was creative, delicious, and very generous in size!
While we didn’t do a traditional homestay, our guide Pang shared stories about what it’s like to welcome travellers into her family home. It sounded like a beautiful and authentic experience, one we’d consider if we hadn’t already booked our accommodation.
Ninh Binh vs Sapa: the winner is…
Both Sapa and Ninh Binh are worth visiting. But if we had to choose, Sapa was the more memorable destination. The cultural experience felt deeper, as we spent hours trekking and chatting with our local guide about everyday life in the mountains and the traditions of different ethnic minority groups.
In comparison, Ninh Binh was more about the scenery than local interaction. It was also noticeably more crowded, although that was partly due to us visiting on a packed one-day tour (you can avoid the rush by arriving before the day-trippers from Hanoi).
That said, Ninh Binh is much easier to get to and fits well into a short itinerary. It offers impressive landscapes with minimal effort and plenty of flexibility for a quick trip. If you do choose Ninh Binh, consider adding a day in nearby Pu Luong; it ended up being one of the highlights of our whole Vietnam trip.
Choose Ninh Binh if:
- You want a quick and easy escape from Hanoi
- You’re travelling on a tighter budget or schedule
- You prefer boat rides over trekking
- You have never seen Halong Bay or other limestone karst landscapes in Southeast Asia
- You’re travelling in winter and want to avoid cold weather
Short on time? If you’re wondering if you should choose between Ninh Binh or Halong Bay, this comparison may help!
Choose Sapa if:
- You’re interested in ethnic minority culture
- You enjoy walking or trekking
- You want mountainous landscapes and a remote feel
- You have at least two days and don’t mind the travel time
- You’re travelling in summer and want to avoid the humid heat
Have you been to Ninh Binh or Sapa? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where are Ninh Binh and Sapa?
Both Ninh Binh and Sapa are located in northern Vietnam but in opposite directions from Hanoi. Ninh Binh lies about 100 km south of the capital. Sapa, on the other hand, is around 320 km northwest of Hanoi, near the Chinese border.
Save this article for later!
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Save this comparison of Sapa and Ninh Binh on Pinterest to find it easily later!
