1. Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
2. Train to Ho Chi Minh City
3. Bus to Ho Chi Minh City
4. Questions + Travel Tips
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Hanoi to Saigon – The Best Ways to Travel:
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) by plane, train or bus.
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- Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) stand as the largest urban centers in Vietnam, attracting numerous travelers and locals seeking swift connections between them. Hanoi, the capital city, and Ho Chi Minh City, a pivotal transportation hub in southern Vietnam, facilitate travel not only within the country but also to neighboring destinations like Cambodia, accessible by bus or plane from Ho Chi Minh City. Opting to travel by train from north to south provides opportunities to explore Vietnam’s central coast and major cities. Vietnam Railways offers extensive coverage, with trains stopping at almost every city in central and southern Vietnam. Traveling from Hanoi to Saigon presents three popular options: Vietnam Railways trains, direct flights, or tourist sleeper buses. Low-cost flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City start as low as $25 per person (with carry-on baggage up to 7kg; additional fees apply for check-in baggage), offering the fastest and most comfortable transfer option.
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- The travel distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City spans about 1,700 kilometers by car or bus, and 1,100 km by plane. Opting for air travel is the fastest mode of transportation from Hanoi to Saigon. A direct flight typically takes around 2 hours, with occasional offers of very affordable fares, starting from $25-35 per person. However, to truly experience Vietnam’s diverse landscapes, consider traveling by Vietnam Railways train, allowing you to explore central Vietnam along the way. While trains may not be as swift, they offer an opportunity to witness the country’s beauty. For longer journeys, particularly from northern to central Vietnam destinations like Dong Hoi or Da Nang, train travel, especially in sleeper cabins, is recommended due to its affordability. Train tickets from Hanoi to Saigon range from $24 to $130 per person, depending on the chosen class (regular or tourist trains). Upon arrival in Saigon, explore further destinations like Can Tho, Chau Doc, or picturesque islands like Phu Quoc and Con Dao. Refer to the instructions below on reaching Saigon and secure your train, bus tickets, or direct flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) conveniently online.
| Transfer Mode – Hanoi to Saigon: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Flights | 2 hours | $25-300/pp |
| Train by VR | 31-35 hours | $30-130/pp |
| Tourist Sleeper Bus | 30-36 hours | $60-65/pp |
How do I get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
1. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
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- there are tens of flights every day from Hanoi to Saigon and from Saigon to Hanoi
- airlines from Hanoi to Saigon – Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Hanh Air Systems
- flight time from Hanoi to Saigon is only about 2 hours (direct flight)
- low-cost flights to Saigon start already at $25-35/pp (one-way), find and book them at Baolau
- normal price of the one-way low-cost flight is about 1 000 000 – 6 000 000 viet.dongs ($50-300)
- flights from Noi Bai International Airport to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City
- you can check this article: Airports in Vietnam + Map
- air transport is the fastest and most convenient option to transfer between Hanoi and Saigon
- Book and buy your flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
2. TRAIN from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
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- trains in Vietnam is an interesting experience, but not so fast
- travel by train from Hanoi to Saigon can take about 32-37 hours!
- trains are comfortable and refurbished, you can buy foods and you can sleep (berth cabs)
- see the Vietnam Railway Map
- you will see the country, you can sleep in the coupe, 2, 4, 6-bed/berth cabin
- there are about 5-6 trains every day of Vietnam Railways from Hanoi to Saigon (Reunification Express train)
- also luxury tourist train Violette Train (2x higher price)
- one-way train ticket costs about 600 000 – 1 400 000 viet.dongs ($30-130/pp, depends on the type train, seats, berths…)
- train station in Hanoi – Hanoi Railway Station (120 Đường Lê Duẩn)
- train station in Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon Railway Station (01 Nguyen Thong)
- Book and buy train e-tickets to Ho Chi Minh City online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- this is a top travel route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City – recommended – book and buy your train tickets online!
- you will receive your e-ticket to Saigon by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the train in Hanoi Railway Station
3. BUS from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
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- from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City you can also travel by tourist sleeper bus
- travel time by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Saigon is about 38-45 hours!
- transfer by bus from Hanoi to Saigon costs about $60-65/pp
- bus company from Hanoi to Saigon: Mai Linh
- it is not very convenient way to travel for this long distance
- Book and buy bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City online on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- you will receive your bus e-ticket to Saigon by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the station before boarding or in the bus in Hanoi
Baolau – Search, book, buy tickets and flights online
– Baolau sells the train, bus, ferry e-tickets mainly for Vietnam (+ tickets for Cambodia and Laos)
– bus tickets of variou companies (Mai Linh, Hoang Long, Futabus, InterBus Lines, TheSinh Tourist…)
– flights of Vietnamese airlines, VietJet Air, Jetstar, Air Asia as well as flights to neighbouring countries
– ferry/boat in Vietnam (eg. ferry to Cat Ba, Con Dao to Saigon, ferry to Quan Lan, ferry to Phu Quoc, boats to Phnom Penh…)
– train or bus tickets for various travel routes in Vietnam (eg. Da Lat to Hoi An, Lao Cai to Hanoi, Saigon to Ha Long…)
– the price of tickets or flights is from the official price of transport company or airlines
– you can use online train e-ticket in your mobile phone in Vietnam (I recommend to print a ticket)
– you can choose your seat or sleeper berth in the train online
– read in the order any other information about ticket, read also frequently asked questions on Baolau
12go – Search, book, buy tickets and flights online
– 12go.asia sells the train, bus, ferry e-tickets mainly to Thailand (also tickets for Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia)
– from 2018 you can book train tickets for China online (Beijing to Shanghai, Beijing to Xian, Shanghai to Suzhou..)
– ferry/boat tickets in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, eg. ferry to Vung Tau, Koh Chang, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao…
– train tickets for the most frequented routes in Thailand – Bangkok > Krabi, Bangkok > Chiang Mai, Bangkok > Hua Hin..
– if you order a ticket of private trains in Vietnam to Sapa on 12go.asia or Baolau (Orient Express, Sapaly…), you must pick it up at the station
– information about 12go.asia read in article about transportation in Vietnam
– more information about train tickets and trains in Thailand
❓ FAQ — Travel route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City:
1. How long does it take from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- Travel by plane (direct flights) from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) takes about 2 hours.
- Travel by train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) takes about 32-37 hours.
- Travel by tourist bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) takes about 38-45 hours.
2. What is the travel distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is about 1750 km by train/bus and about 1300 km by plane.
3. How to book tickets and flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
4. What is the price of transfer from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- Transfer by plane (direct flights) from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) costs about $25-300/pp.
- Transfer by train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) costs about $30-130/pp.
- Transfer by tourist bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) costs about $60-65/pp.
5. What is the best way of transport from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- If you want to skip central Vietnam and you want to get directly to Ho Chi Minh City, the best way how to get there is definitely to use a direct flight from Hanoi, 2 hours takes one-way flight to Saigon. There are a lot of direct flights (+low-cost flights) from Hanoi to Saigon every day.
6. What is the most cheapest option of transport from Hanoi to Saigon?
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- The most cheapest way of transport from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is to travel by train – but it is a hard seat – and you really do not want to spend about 34 hours on this type of seat. Low-cost direct flight from Hanoi to Saigon start already at $25-35/pp (carry-on baggage 7 kg) , so think about direct flight.
7. Where do you keep your luggage in Hanoi?
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- If you want to keep your luggage in Hanoi you can try Radical Storage service. This service offers a few places in the city center of Hanoi, it is a cheap and your luggage will be safe.
8. Travel by bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, it is a good idea?
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- In my opinion it is not a good idea for this long journey to travel by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. It could be a good idea only if you have a time and want to move slowly in Vietnam and you are planning to visit also another places, e.g. Hanoi > Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh > Vinh…
9. Is an train e-ticket in your smartphone acceptable?
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- Yes, if you book train e-ticket online, keep this e-ticket in your smarphone and board the train. Read carefully the instructions on Baolau/12go.asia before and after you book your ticket. It is recommended – print your tickets.
10. Which airport is closest to Ho Chi Minh City?
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- The closest international airport to Ho Chi Minh City is: Tan Son Nhat International Airport. There are various buses and taxi companies if you want to go to the city center of Ho Chi Minh City from the airport.
11. Is it possible to travel on motorbike from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh?
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- Yes it is possible, but it is a good way of transport only if you can skip the highways. It is recommended only for the experienced motorbike drivers, drive carefully and slowly, roads in Vietnam are dangerous and unpredictable. You have to own your international driving licence, if you do not have your IDP do not drive on motorbike in Vietnam.
12. How to search and book your motorbike in Hanoi?
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- If you want to search and book your motorbike/bicycle in Vietnam, try to search at Bikesbooking.
13. Where to go from Ho Chi Minh City? What to visit?
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- You can travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, Mui Ne or you can visit the most visited island in the south – Phu Quoc Island or not so crowded Con Dao Island. Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest transport hub in the south of Vietnam.
14. How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh in Cambodia?
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- Lots of tourists travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia, the major travel route is Ho Chi Minh City > Phnom Penh. There are various buses, vans or minivans or direct flights to Phnom Penh, there is no train from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. Read this story: How toget from Saigon to Phnom Penh?
15. Which floating markets are the most popular in southern Vietnam?
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- There are a few very interesting and big floating markets in southern Vietnam, Mekong Delta region for visit. The most visited are Cai Rang, Cai Be, Phong Dien floating markets.
16. How to travel solo in Vietnam?
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- Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.
17. What are the most interesting things or facts about Vietnam?
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- Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.
18. What to expect from Vietnam Culture?
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- Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.
19. What is the weather in Vietnam and what to expect?
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- Weather in Vietnam varies with a tropical climate featuring distinct wet and dry seasons. In the north, the dry season (October to April) brings cooler temperatures, while the wet season (May to September) is marked by higher humidity and heavy rainfall. Central Vietnam experiences a dry period (January to August) with lower humidity and a wet season (September to December) characterized by increased rainfall. In southern Vietnam, the dry season (December to April) offers warm temperatures, while the wet season (May to November) brings higher humidity and occasional heavy rainfall. For accurate information, check local forecasts.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Saigon ➜
🚆 Train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City – Schedule / Timetable + Train Tickets:
FULL UPDATED TRAIN SCHEDULE – CLICK HERE
Train Schedule - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Train SE1 (soft seat, sleeper) | 22:00 | 06:30 (32h 30m) | From $42.00 |
Train SE3 (soft seat, sleeper) | 19:20 | 05:40 (34h 20m) | From $42.00 |
Train SE7 (soft+hard seat, sleeper) | 06:10 | 17:58 (35h 48m) | From $38.00 |
Train SE5 (soft+hard seat, sleeper) | 15:30 | 04:25 (36h 55m) | From $45.00 |
Violette Trains SE1 (sleeper) | 22:00 | 06:30 (32h 30m) | From $126.00 |
Violette Trains SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 05:40 (34h 20m) | From $126.00 |
🚆 Train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi – Schedule / Timetable + Train Tickets:
FULL UPDATED TRAIN SCHEDULE – CLICK HERE
Train Schedule - Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi | Departs in Ho Chi Minh | Arrival in Hanoi | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
Train SE2 (soft seat, sleeper) | 20:55 | 05:45 (32h 50m) | From $42.00 |
Train SE4 (soft, sleeper) | 19:00 | 05:25 (34h 25m) | From $42.00 |
Train SE8 (soft+hard seat, sleeper) | 06:45 | 19:12 (36h 27m) | From $37.80 |
Train SE6 (soft+hard seat, sleeper) | 15:30 | 04:30 (37h 00m) | From $42.00 |
Train SE10 (soft+hard seat, sleeper) | 14:30 | 03:08 (36h 38m) | From $37.80 |
Violette Train SE2 (sleeper) | 20:55 | 05:45 (32h 50m) | From $126.00 |
Violette Train SE4 (sleeper) | 19:00 | 05:25 (34h 25m) | From $126.00 |
3 Ways of Transfer from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City:
| 1. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City | |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines |
| Flight Time | About 2 hours (direct flight) |
| Low-cost Ticket Cost | About $25-35/pp (one-way) |
| Normal Ticket Cost | About 1,000,000 – 6,000,000 Vietnamese dong ($50-300) |
| Departure Airport | Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) |
| Arrival Airport | Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) |
| 2. TRAIN from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Travel Time | About 32-37 hours |
| Train Options | Vietnam Railways (Reunification Express train), Violette Train |
| One-way Ticket Cost | About 600,000 – 1,400,000 Vietnamese dong ($30-130/pp) |
| Departure Train Station | Hanoi Railway Station (120 Đường Lê Duẩn) |
| Arrival Train Station | Saigon Railway Station (01 Nguyen Thong) |
| 3. BUS from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Transport Option | Tourist sleeper bus |
| Travel Time | About 38-45 hours |
| One-way Ticket Cost | About $60-65/pp |
| Bus Company | Mai Linh |