Haiphong Bus Station Guide for Tourists Made Simple

This Haiphong bus station guide for tourists answers the question most visitors ask on day one: which station do I need? Haiphong has several intercity bus stations spread around the city, and each one mainly serves a different direction. Pick the right one and your trip is cheap and easy. Pick the wrong one and you can lose an hour crossing town in traffic.

The short version: the central stations near the old town handle many routes to Hanoi and the coast, while the stations on the southern and western edges serve the provinces toward Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh. Many limousine vans skip stations completely and pick you up at your hotel. Below, the Haiphong Adventure team explains how each option works, how to buy tickets and what to expect when you arrive. Routes, station roles and fares change from time to time, so treat the details as a reference, updated November 2026.

How Bus Stations Work in Haiphong

Vietnam does not have one national bus company. Instead, dozens of private operators run coaches, sleeper buses and limousine vans from city bus stations, called ben xe in Vietnamese. Each station has a ticket hall with small counters, one for each company or route, plus a waiting area and a parking yard where the buses line up.

Cities usually split stations by direction. A coach heading west toward Hanoi may leave from one station, while a bus going south toward Ninh Binh leaves from another. This is the most important thing to understand before you go: the station depends on where you are heading, not on where you are staying.

Three types of road transport you will see

• Standard coaches: large buses with 29 to 45 seats. Cheapest option, stops along the way to pick up passengers.
• Limousine vans: 9 to 11 seat vans with big reclining seats. Faster, more comfortable and often door to door within the city.
• Sleeper buses: long distance buses with flat berths, used for overnight trips to places such as Sapa or the central coast.

For short trips such as Haiphong to Hanoi, limousine vans have become the favorite choice of many travelers because they collect you from your hotel and drop you at your address in Hanoi, so you never need to visit a station at all.

The Main Bus Stations in Haiphong

Station names and their main routes are listed below as a practical overview. The city has been reorganizing its bus network for years, and some routes move between stations, so always check the station printed on your ticket or confirmed by your hotel.

Station	Area	Typical directions
Lac Long	Hong Bang, close to the Cam River and the old center	Hanoi, Quang Ninh and coastal routes, traditionally the starting point for bus and boat combos to Cat Ba
Thuong Ly	Hong Bang, west of the center	Hanoi and provinces to the north and west
Niem Nghia	Le Chan district	Routes to other provinces in the north and toward the center of Vietnam
Cau Rao	Southern side of the city	Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and further south
Vinh Niem	Le Chan district, a newer and larger station	Long distance routes that the city has been moving here over time

For most foreign visitors, only two or three of these matter. If you are going to Hanoi, look at the central stations or simply book a limousine van. If you are heading to Cat Ba, check whether your bus and boat ticket starts in the city center. If you are going south toward Ninh Binh, expect to leave from a station on the southern side of town.

Which station is closest to the old town?

Lac Long sits near the river, within a short taxi ride of the Opera House and Tam Bac Lake. It has long been the most convenient station for travelers staying in the center. The other stations are further out, typically 15 to 30 minutes by car depending on traffic.

>>> Travel From Hanoi To Haiphong Local Traffic Tips

Routes Tourists Use Most

Haiphong to Hanoi

This is the busiest route. The expressway makes the trip about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and the drop off point in Hanoi. You can choose a standard coach from a station, a limousine van with hotel pick up, or the train from Haiphong Railway Station. If you are deciding between them, our guide on bus versus train between Hanoi and Haiphong compares time, comfort and cost.

Haiphong to Cat Ba Island

Getting to Cat Ba usually combines a bus with a ferry or speedboat. Some companies sell a single ticket that covers the bus ride to the pier and the boat crossing, and some include the short bus on the island to Cat Ba town. Schedules depend on the season and the tide, so book a day ahead in summer. For step by step details, read our tips on the Haiphong to Cat Ba ferry and bus journey.

Haiphong to Halong Bay

Buses and limousine vans run toward Halong City via the expressway and the bridges across the bay area. Many visitors prefer an organized transfer or a tour because the cruise piers are spread out and not always next to a bus stop.

Haiphong to Ninh Binh

Southbound buses toward Ninh Binh normally leave from a station on the southern side of the city. Travel time is often around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Confirm whether the bus stops in Ninh Binh city or near Tam Coc, as this makes a big difference to your onward plans.

How to Buy Bus Tickets

At the station counter

Walk into the ticket hall and look for the counter that lists your destination. Each company has its own window. Show the name of your destination written on paper or on your phone, plus the time you want to leave. Pay in cash, keep the paper ticket and ask which bay or bus number to look for. If you do not know which company to choose, ask at the information desk or follow the crowd to the busiest counter for your route.

By phone or messaging app

Many limousine companies take bookings by phone, Zalo or a booking website. This is the easiest way to get door to door pick up, but the staff may speak little English. Ask your hotel reception to call for you. They do this every day and can confirm the pick up time and fare.

Through online platforms

Several Vietnamese and international booking sites list bus and limousine routes from Haiphong with English menus. Check reviews, pick up location and luggage rules before you pay. Screenshot your booking in case the confirmation email is only in Vietnamese.

Bus Fares at a Glance

Bus travel in northern Vietnam is inexpensive. The ranges below are rough references only. Fares vary by company, vehicle type, season and holidays such as Tet, when prices often rise.

Route	Standard coach	Limousine van
Haiphong to Hanoi	Low, often under 150,000 VND	Higher, often around 200,000 to 300,000 VND
Haiphong to Cat Ba (bus and boat)	Combo tickets usually cost more than a simple bus ride because they include the crossing
Haiphong to Ninh Binh	Low to medium	Medium

Always confirm the price before you board and ask whether luggage is included. On most routes one suitcase and one small bag are fine. Bulky items such as bicycles may cost extra.

Getting to and from the Stations

Most stations are not within walking distance of central hotels. The simplest option is a ride hailing app car or a metered taxi from a well known company. Short rides across the city are inexpensive, but allow extra time at rush hour, roughly 7 to 8.30 in the morning and 4.30 to 6.30 in the evening.

When you arrive in Haiphong by bus, you will often be greeted by motorbike taxi drivers and taxi touts at the exit. Politely say no, walk a little away from the gate and book a ride on your phone, or head to the official taxi line. If your limousine van offers drop off at your hotel, use it, it saves you this step entirely.

>>> Haiphong To Cat Ba Travel Time And Schedule Info

What to Expect Inside a Haiphong Bus Station

• Language: signs are mainly in Vietnamese. Destination names are easy to spot if you know the spelling, such as Ha Noi, Cat Ba, Ninh Binh or Quang Ninh.
• Waiting area: plastic chairs, small kiosks selling water, snacks and phone cards, and basic toilets.
• Boarding: buses usually park in numbered bays. Staff may call out destinations rather than announce them.
• Departure times: standard coaches can leave a few minutes late or wait to fill seats. Limousine vans tend to be more punctual.
• Luggage: large bags go in the hold or at the back of the van. Keep valuables and passports with you.

The stations are busy but generally safe. Keep an eye on your phone and wallet in crowds, as you would in any transport hub.

Practical Tips from Local Guides

• Write your destination in Vietnamese on your phone, with accents if possible, to show at the counter.
• Ask your hotel which station your bus leaves from. Locals know the latest changes better than any website.
• Carry small notes in Vietnamese dong. Many counters do not take cards.
• Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early on weekends and holidays.
• Download an offline map so you can track the route and know when to get off.
• For early flights or tight connections, book a private car instead of relying on a bus timetable.
• Bring a light jacket, buses often run the air conditioning on full.

Have a few hours before your bus leaves? Stroll along the Cam River promenade or grab a coffee in the old town. If you would rather explore with someone who knows the city, our haiphong tours include hotel pick up, so you can fit a short city ride in before your departure.

>>> Haiphong To Cat Ba Journey Ferry And Bus Tips

Bus, Limousine, Train or Private Car

Option	Best for	Main downside
Standard coach	Lowest budget, flexible times	Station transfers, slower
Limousine van	Comfort and door to door service	Costs more, less luggage space
Train	Relaxed ride to Hanoi from the city center	Few departures, slower
Private car	Families, groups, early flights	Highest price

If you are also planning a trip to Halong Bay, compare the choices in our review of travel options from Haiphong to Halong Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bus station in Haiphong goes to Hanoi?

Buses to Hanoi run from more than one station, usually the central ones in Hong Bang district. Many travelers skip the station and book a limousine van with hotel pick up.

How do I get from Haiphong to Cat Ba by bus?

Buy a bus and boat combo ticket that takes you to the pier, crosses by ferry or speedboat and often continues to Cat Ba town. Check the latest schedule, as it changes with the season.

Can I pay for bus tickets by card?

Station counters mostly take cash. Online platforms and some limousine companies accept cards or e wallets.

Do I need to book in advance?

On weekdays you can usually buy on the day. Book ahead for weekends, summer and public holidays, especially for Cat Ba.

Are Haiphong bus stations safe for tourists?

Yes, they are busy but safe. Watch your belongings, ignore touts and use official taxis or ride hailing apps.

Travel Smart Around Haiphong

With this Haiphong bus station guide for tourists, you know how the stations are organized, which routes matter most and how to buy tickets without stress. Check the departure station, leave early for traffic and consider a limousine van when comfort matters.

Haiphong Adventure can help you plan transfers, book onward transport and show you the city before you move on. Contact us any time:

• WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat: +84(0)934.555.001
• KakaoTalk, Line ID: haiphongadventure

Safe travels, and see you in Haiphong.