1. Flights to Dong Hoi
2. Bus + Train to Dong Hoi
3. Bus to Dong Hoi
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From Da Lat to Dong Hoi you can travel by plane, bus + train or bus.
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- Spanning approximately 930 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/pp |
| Bus + Train (via Nha Trang) | 20-25 hours | $23-70/pp |
| Bus (via Da Nang) | 19-22 hours | $22-35/pp |
How do I get from Da Lat to Dong Hoi?
1. FLIGHTS from Da Lat to Dong Hoi (via Saigon)
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.
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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)
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)
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 ➜
❓ 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.
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.
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.
11. Which beaches can you visit in central Vietnam?
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- Central Vietnam is known for its stunning coastline and beautiful beaches. The best places for visit these beaches are in Cam Ranh coast, Nha Trang area, Quy Nhon or Hue. Read this article: The Best Beaches in Central Vietnam.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
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