Flight (via Saigon)
Fastest (7–9 h), most efficient
Bus + train (via Nha Trang)
Cheaper, more comfortable than bus
Sleeper bus (via Da Nang)
Lowest price, very long journey
Private car/taxi
Most costly, long distance
Quick answer: Traveling from Da Lat to Dong Hoi typically involves a flight with a connection (often via Ho Chi Minh City), or combining land transport such as bus + train. There’s no direct flight, so you’ll need to transfer. The land route is cheaper but much slower. It is also possible to travel by private taxi/car with a driver.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~900 km by road/rail through central Vietnam
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight route ~7–9 hours total (incl. layover) | Bus + train via Nha Trang ~20–25 hours
- 💰 Price range: Flight route $100–$200 | Land combination $23–$70 | Bus via Da Nang $22–$35
- ✈️ Best for speed: Flight + connection via Ho Chi Minh City
- 🚆 Best for comfort: Bus to Nha Trang + overnight train toward Dong Hoi
- 🚌 Best for budget: Sleeper bus via Da Nang with a transfer
Last updated in March 2026
From Da Lat to Dong Hoi you can get by plane, bus, train, taxi/car.
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- Spanning approximately 900 km by land, the journey from Da Lat to Dong Hoi offers diverse travel options. The most efficient and expedient route from Da Lat to Dong Hoi is via air travel, albeit with a layover in Ho Chi Minh City, as direct flights are not available. Traveling by plane with a stopover at Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport typically lasts 7-9 hours, with prices ranging from $100 to $200 per person.
- Alternatively, travelers can opt for a bus ride to Nha Trang followed by a sleeper train journey to Dong Hoi. This bus-train combination route spans about 20-25 hours and costs approximately $23-70 per person. From Nha Trang to Dong Hoi, travelers have the option of taking a sleeper train or opting for budget-friendly seats. Another viable route involves traveling by bus from Da Lat to Dong Hoi via Da Nang. Although economical, this route consumes approximately 19-22 hours. Booking bus/train tickets and flights from Da Lat to Dong Hoi is easily accessible online.
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- Dong Hoi stands as the capital city of Quảng Bình Province, situated along the north central coast of Vietnam. Renowned as the gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Dong Hoi attracts visitors from around the globe. This destination offers a plethora of activities, including tours, boat trips, and exploration of the park’s numerous caves. Dong Hoi boasts its own airport, located approximately 6 km north of the town center.
- Notably, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park served as a filming location for the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island. Travelers from Da Lat to Dong Hoi in southern Vietnam have three primary options: air travel via Saigon, bus + train via Nha Trang, or a tourist sleeper bus. Air travel via Saigon remains the preferred choice for many. Ahead of your arrival in Dong Hoi, acquaint yourself with the local weather conditions through this article: Weather in Dong Hoi.
| Transfer Mode – Da Lat to Dong Hoi | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (via Saigon) | 7-9 hours | $100-200 per person |
| Bus + Train (via Nha Trang) | 20-25 hours | $23-70 per person |
| Bus (via Da Nang) | 19-22 hours | $22-35 per person |
| Private Taxi/Car (via Da Nang) | 17-19 hours | $400-800 per car |
How do I get from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
1. FLIGHTS from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Saigon)
👉 Flights via Ho Chi Minh City are the fastest and most comfortable way from Da Lat to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time and travel long distances quickly
- ✔️ Duration: ~5–8 hours total (including transfer)
- ✔️ Price: $90–220 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern aircraft + airport facilities)
- ✅ Best option: Flight with VietJet Air or Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City + connecting flight to Dong Hoi
- 💡 Tip: Book flights online in advance and allow at least 2 hours for transfer between flights.
The fastest, most comfortable, but at the same time more expensive option of transportation from Da Lat to Dong Hoi are air connections via Ho Chi Minh City. There are no direct flights from Da Lat to Dong Hoi, so it is best to fly to Ho Chi Minh City first and then take another direct flight to Dong Hoi City from there.
This transport option will save you several hours of your time. However, if you want to visit other places in central Vietnam, then it is better to travel by train + bus combination.
So the first step is a direct flight from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes approximately 1 hour. On this air route, you can use well-known companies such as VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Hanh Air Systems. VietJet Air will offer you mostly low-cost flights and Vietnam Airlines usually has the most flights on this route.
The smaller company Hanh Air Systems, on the other hand, offers small aircraft for a limited number of passengers. It’s up to you which company you choose, but most regular travelers will be fine with low-cost economy flights. Flights are operated from Lien Khuong Airport to Tan Son Nhat Airport, look at the airport map of Vietnam and you know where the airport is located.
Direct flights from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City range in price from $40-100/pp, although these prices may vary slightly throughout the year and seasons. It is advisable to arrive on a connecting flight with at least a 2-hour layover. Sometimes connecting flights are also available, e.g. from Vietnam Airlines. You can easily search and buy tickets from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City online in advance. Always read all flight instructions and transfer conditions to avoid any misunderstandings.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Saigon ➜
The second step is a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi. The flight schedule is sometimes more limited on this route, but again you can use companies like VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Hanh Air Systems. Prices for direct Economy class flights from Ho Chi Minh City range from $50-120/pp, it can be even more for Business class.
You can take flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Dong Hoi Airport, which is located a short distance from the city center. Both airports are therefore easily and quickly accessible by various buses or private taxi.
The direct flight time from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Hoi is approximately 1.5 hours and is therefore a very quick transfer option to central Vietnam from the southern part. Again, you can easily search and buy tickets to Dong Hoi from Ho Chi Minh City online ahead of time.
BOOK DIRECT FLIGHT to Dong Hoi ➜
2. BUS + TRAIN from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Nha Trang)
👉 Bus + train via Nha Trang is the best land option from Da Lat to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to explore central Vietnam on the way
- ✔️ Duration: ~20–24 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $30–80 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (bus/minivan + train with sleeper berths)
- ✅ Best option: Bus or minivan to Nha Trang + Vietnam Railways sleeper train to Dong Hoi
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for the train and book tickets online in advance for both segments.
If you are looking for a suitable land transport option from Da Lat to Dong Hoi, a combination of bus and train via the city of Nha Trang is suitable. But first of all, you have to expect a very long journey, thanks to which you will see a large part of central Vietnam.
It is also an option to visit the popular beach town of Nha Trang, which is approximately 140 km from Da Lat and is served by a number of buses, minivans and minibuses. So this option has 2 steps, first it is a bus/minivan transfer from Da Lat to Nha Trang and then it is a train transfer from Nha Trang to Dong Hoi.
The first step is a transfer by bus or minivan from Da Lat to Nha Trang, which takes approximately 3-4 hours. You can use a number of different companies on this route, some of them are Phuong Trang (Futabus), Cat Thien Hai Travel, iHome Transfer, Techbus VN, Khanh Phong, Sapa Discovery Travel, Duc Duong, iHome Transfer, Nasa Travel, S Travel, VietNam Travel Bus and more.
These companies will offer you, for example, sleeper buses or comfortable and smaller minivans for a limited number of passengers. These buses and minivans can depart from various locations in Da Lat and arrive at various locations in Nha Trang. You will see all this information when searching for tickets on online platforms.
Bus tickets from Da Lat to Nha Trang range in price from $7-15/pp, depending on the type of bus and company. Again, tickets to Nha Trang from Da Lat are easy to find and buy online in advance. Always check carefully where the buses leave from and where they go exactly, also read all other instructions and conditions of this transfer.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Nha Trang ➜
The second step is the Vietnam Railways train journey from Nha Trang to Dong Hoi, which can take approximately 16-18 hours. You can use ordinary trains that offer you seats or sleeping beds, on this longer route you should rather choose a sleeping bed. Sleeping beds are in these trains in cabins for 4 or 6 passengers.
Trains depart from Nha Trang Railway Station and arrive at Dong Hoi Railway Station, which is in the city center (see Vietnam railway map). A short distance away, you can also take the bus to Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park, which departs from Bến xe Nam Lý station.
You can search and buy train tickets from Nha Trang to Dong Hoi online as well as e-tickets. Regular trains accept these tickets on a smartphone, so it is not necessary to print them. Please arrive at Nha Trang station at least 30 minutes before the train departs.
These trains also stop at other cities in central Vietnam, so it is convenient for those who plan to visit other places before arriving in Dong Hoi. A train transfer is definitely more suitable than a sleeper bus trip.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Dong Hoi ➜
3. BUS from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang)
👉 Sleeper bus via Da Nang is the cheapest long-distance option from Da Lat to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers who don’t mind long travel times
- ✔️ Duration: ~19–22 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $30–60 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low to moderate (long journey on sleeper buses)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper bus from Da Lat to Da Nang + connecting sleeper bus to Dong Hoi
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance, expect delays and consider splitting the trip with a stop in Da Nang.
If you would like to travel by sleeper bus from Da Lat to Dong Hoi, it is also possible and you can go, for example, with a change in the city of Da Nang. This means that it is definitely better to implement this transport option in 2 steps, first by bus from Da Lat to Da Nang and then another bus from Da Nang to Dong Hoi. However, expect a very long journey and the total driving time can be approx. 19-22 hours with a transfer in Da Nang.
The first step is to travel by sleeper bus from Da Lat to Da Nang, which can take around 13-15 hours. However, be aware that buses may be late and exact times may not be observed, unfortunately this happens in Vietnam. This route is mainly served by sleeper buses of various companies such as VietNam Travel Bus, Futabus – Phuong Trang, Techbus VN, Thanh Thuy Da Lat, An Phu Travel or Duc Duong.
Most of these sleeper buses depart from various locations in Da Lat and also arrive at various locations in Da Nang, you will see this information when you search for tickets on online platforms. Bus tickets from Da Lat to Da Nang cost between $16-36/pp, depending on the type of bus, newer and modern buses are usually the more expensive option.
Also take into account that the buses make other stops along the way and pick up other travelers or stop for refreshments. Bus tickets to Da Nang from Da Lat are easy to find and buy online in advance. Always read all transfer instructions and conditions to avoid any misunderstandings.
The second step is the journey again by sleeper bus from Da Nang to Dong Hoi, which takes approximately 4.5-5.5 hours. It is therefore a shorter route and you can mostly use the classic sleeper buses of companies such as TP Booking, VietNam Travel Bus or Tu Tac.
These buses usually leave from Da Nang Bus Central Station, but they can also leave from other places, again you will see this information when searching for tickets. Bus tickets from Da Nang to Dong Hoi cost between $12-22/pp, these prices can change slightly during the year.
Again, you can look up and buy these tickets online ahead of time. A bus transfer is also one of the options for going to Dong Hoi, but if you have the opportunity to go by train, it is better to choose a train transfer.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Dong Hoi ➜
4. TAXI / CAR from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang)
👉 Private taxi/car via Da Nang is the most flexible but most expensive way from Da Lat to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: groups and travelers seeking privacy and door-to-door service
- ✔️ Duration: ~17–19 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $400–800 per car
- ✔️ Comfort: high (private cars, SUVs or minivans with driver)
- ✅ Best option: Private transfer with companies like Mui Ne Private Car, Vietnam Locals or Hue Happy Travel (via Da Nang)
- 💡 Tip: Split the cost in a group and consider breaking the journey with a stop in Da Nang for rest.
The most expensive transfer option from Da Lat to Dong Hoi is transport by private car/taxi with driver via Da Nang city. This transport option can therefore be implemented in 2 steps, first from Da Lat to Da Nang and then by another car from Da Nang to Dong Hoi. For transport between Da Lat – Da Nang and Dong Hoi, you can use car reservations from companies such as Mui Ne Private Car, Vietnam Locals, Hue Happy Travel or Mango Travel.
These companies will offer you modern and comfortable air-conditioned smaller cars on this route as well as larger SUVs or minivans for more people. So if you are traveling in a group of more people, it is advisable to use a minivan for more people, some minivans are for 10-14 people, for example.
1. BOOK TAXI / CAR to Da Nang ➜
Transport by private car from Da Lat to Dong Hoi costs a total of about $400-800/car, including a transfer in Da Nang, and takes about 17-19 hours. The travel time may of course vary slightly, depending on your specific route. You can choose your departure and arrival location and also the departure date.
You can easily search for your private car online and then immediately book it in advance. First, search for cars from Da Lat to Da Nang and then separately for cars from Da Nang to Dong Hoi. This transfer option will be suitable mainly for travelers with a larger budget for their travel.
2. BOOK TAXI / CAR to Dong Hoi ➜
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel route from Da Lat to Dong Hoi:
1. How to book tickets or flights from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- Book bus/train tickets or flights from Da Lat to Dong Hoi on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also search another travel route, e.g. Da Lat > Nha Trang, Nha Trang > Dong Hoi…
2. What is the travel time from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- Travel by plane from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Saigon) takes about 7-9 hours.
- Travel by bus + train from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Nha Trang) takes about 20-25 hours.
- Travel by bus from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang) takes about 19-22 hours.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang) takes about 17-19 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- Travel distance from Da Lat to Dong Hoi is about 920 km by bus and train.
4. How much does it cost to get from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- Transfer by plane from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Saigon) costs about $100-200/pp.
- Transfer by bus + train from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Nha Trang) costs about $23-70/pp.
- Transfer by bus from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang) costs about $22-35/pp.
- Travel by private taxi/car from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Da Nang) costs about $400-800/car.
5. What is the best way of travel from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- The best and also fast option how to reach Dong Hoi from Da Lat is to travel by plane via Ho Chi Minh City. There is no direct flight to Dong Hoi from Da Lat, but there are direct flights between Da Lat > Saigon and Saigon > Dong Hoi.
6. What is the cheapest option of travel from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
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- The cheapest option how to travel to Dong Hoi from Da Lat is to travel by tourist bus. You can travel by bus via Da Nang, bus from Da Lat to Da Nang and bus from Da Nang to Dong Hoi. Bus tickets to Dong Hoi start already at $22/pp (2 bus tickets). If you can – it is better to travel by sleeper train.
7. Where to go and travel from Dong Hoi?
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- If you are already in Dong Hoi City you should definitely visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. After this visit you can travel to northern Vietnam. You can travel by bus from Phong Nha to Hanoi or by train from Dong Hoi to Hanoi.
8. Where to stay in Dong Hoi or Phong Nha?
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- Dong Hoi City has a large offer of various accommodation in the city. There are modern luxury but also cheap hotels, guesthouses and in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park you can try homestay or bungalow.
- Search and book your accommodation in Dong Hoi online > Hotel in Dong Hoi and Homestays in Phong Nha
9. What are the must-visit attractions in Dong Hoi?
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- Dong Hoi town, located in central Vietnam, offers several attractions worth visiting. One must-see attraction is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to stunning caves such as Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. Another notable site is Nhat Le Beach, a picturesque stretch of coastline where you can relax and soak up the sun. Lastly, the Dong Hoi Citadel, a historic fortress, provides insights into the town’s rich cultural heritage.
10. Are there any local specialties or food experiences in Dong Hoi?
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- Yes, Dong Hoi offers some local specialties that are worth trying. One popular dish is Banh Xeo, a savory Vietnamese pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Another specialty is Bun Cha Ca (fishcake noodle soup), a delicious soup featuring fishcakes, noodles, and flavorful broth. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample fresh seafood in Dong Hoi, as the town is known for its coastal cuisine. The local markets and street food stalls are excellent places to experience these culinary delights.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Da Lat to Dong Hoi
These tips are based on real transport options and traveler experience for the long journey from the highland city of Da Lat down to the coastal city of Dong Hoi in central Vietnam. Since there’s no direct route, most itineraries involve combinations of plane, bus and train to manage the long distance efficiently.
Look for Flights via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
Direct flights between Da Lat and Dong Hoi are limited, so most plane trips involve a connection in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This means building in a layover of a few hours between flights. Flights with one stop are usually the fastest overall option compared to overland choices, even with connection time.
Prepare for a Full-Day Overland Route
If you prefer to travel by land and rail, the journey can take most of a day. One practical method is to take a bus from Da Lat to Da Nang or another major rail hub, then board a northbound train toward Dong Hoi. These overland combinations give you changing scenery but require good timing between segments and plenty of water and snacks.
Expect Multiple Transfers and Changes
Because there’s no direct train line from Da Lat and long-distance buses alone can be very slow, most routes involve at least two legs — for example bus to Da Nang then train to Dong Hoi, or bus to Ho Chi Minh City and a flight onward. Planning your connections with buffer times reduces stress if one segment runs late.
Pack for Comfort on Long Segments
Long journeys like this benefit from travel essentials like bottled water, light snacks, chargers and a travel pillow. Overnight sleeps on buses or trains are more comfortable if you bring a light blanket or layer in case cooling is strong, and you can take breaks during scheduled stops to stretch your legs.
Know Your Arrival Options in Dong Hoi
Once you reach Dong Hoi by train or plane, taxis and motorbike taxis are readily available to take you to your hotel or onward transport for local attractions like Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Dong Hoi Airport is just a short ride from town, making arrival transfers quicker.
Tip: Plane, train and bus tickets can be searched and booked online in advance, helping secure your preferred departure times and smoother transfers — especially helpful during weekends and peak travel seasons.