Flight
Fastest and most convenient way to reach central Vietnam
Train (sleeper)
Comfortable overnight journey with direct connection
Sleeper bus
Budget-friendly option with overnight travel
Train (if short on time)
Much slower than flying for this distance
Quick answer: Travelling from Hanoi to Dong Hoi is straightforward by plane, train, or sleeper bus. Flights are the fastest, trains offer a comfortable overnight journey, and sleeper buses provide an affordable option for budget travellers. You can book tickets to Dong Hoi from Hanoi online advance.
At a glance:
- 📍 Travel distance: approx. 500 km by train/bus | approx. 450 km by plane.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Plane ~1.5 hour | Train ~10 hours | Sleeper bus ~8–10 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Plane US$30–90/person | Train US$15–125/person | Sleeper bus US$12–32/person.
- ✈️ Plane: Fastest and most convenient option with direct flights.
- 🚆 Train: Comfortable overnight travel with several seat and berth classes.
- 🚍 Sleeper bus: Cheapest choice, suitable for travellers on a tight budget.
Last updated in March 2026
How do I get from Hanoi to Dong Hoi?
1. TRAIN from Hanoi to Dong Hoi
👉 Popular and scenic way to travel from Hanoi to Dong Hoi by train.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & long-distance travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~10 hours
- ✔️ Price: $17–75 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (better with sleeper cabins)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper berth in a 4-bed cabin or tourist sleeper train
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for better comfort on this longer journey.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Night trains help save time and accommodation costs.
Traveling by train is the most popular way to get from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. Vietnam Railways operates regular trains with seats and sleeper berths, while tourist trains such as Violette Train, Lotus Train, Laman Express, Livitrans Express and Damitrans offer more comfortable cabins.
Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and arrive at Dong Hoi Railway Station near the city center (see Vietnam Railway Map). The journey takes about 10 hours, so a sleeper berth is the recommended option.
BOOK TRAIN TICKET to Dong Hoi ➜
Regular train tickets cost about $17–50 per person, while tourist sleeper trains cost around $50–75 per person. Train tickets can be booked online in advance, and regular Vietnam Railways tickets are accepted as mobile e-tickets.
| Train | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Dong Hoi | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE1 (seats, sleeper) | 20:50 | 06:30 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE5 (seats, sleeper) | 08:55 | 19:16 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE7 (seats, sleeper) | 06:00 | 16:19 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE11 (seats, sleeper) | 21:25 | 08:13 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE9 (seats, sleeper) | 12:50 | 23:53 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE17 (seats, sleeper) | 20:25 | 07:33 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE23 (seats, sleeper) | 13:55 | 01:22 | From $18.00 |
| Train SE3 (seats, sleeper) | 19:20 | 04:51 | From $20.00 |
| Violette Trains SE1 (sleeper) | 20:50 | 06:30 | From $68.00 |
| Violette Trains SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 04:51 | From $68.00 |
| Violette Trains SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 05:40 | From $68.00 |
| Laman Express SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 05:40 | From $72.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE1 (sleeper) | 20:50 | 06:30 | From $68.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 04:51 | From $68.00 |
| Livitrans Express SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 05:40 | From $68.00 |
| Damitrans SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 04:51 | From $68.00 |
| Damitrans SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 05:40 | From $68.00 |
| Lotus Train SE19 (sleeper) | 19:45 | 05:40 | From $74.00 |
2. SLEEPER BUS from Hanoi to Dong Hoi
👉 Budget way to travel from Hanoi to Dong Hoi by sleeper bus.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & overnight transfer
- ✔️ Duration: 8–10 hours
- ✔️ Price: $12–32 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low to medium (less comfortable than train)
- ✅ Best option: Modern sleeper bus with better amenities
- 💡 Tip: Consider a train instead for better comfort on longer distances.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Bring earplugs and a jacket for a more comfortable ride.
Another budget option is to travel by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. Modern sleeper buses take about 8–10 hours and tickets cost around $12–32 per person, making them one of the cheapest transport options.
Several companies operate this route, including Khanh Hong, Camel Transport, Queen Cafe, HK Buslines, Quang Dung Limousine and Hung Thanh. Travel times may vary depending on traffic and scheduled stops.
Bus tickets can be booked online in advance. However, for better comfort on this long route, a sleeper train is usually the recommended option.
| Bus Company | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Dong Hoi |
|---|---|---|
| HK Buslines | 07:00 | 15:30 |
| HK Buslines | 17:00 | 01:30 |
| HK Buslines | 20:30 | 05:00 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 08:30 | 21:30 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 10:20 | 23:20 |
| Sapa Discovery Travel | 13:30 | 02:30 |
| Tan Kim Chi | 16:00 | 02:00 |
| Camel Transport | 17:00 | 04:00 |
| Green Trips | 17:30 | 03:30 |
| Queen Cafe | 17:30 | 03:30 |
| Queen Cafe | 18:30 | 04:30 |
| Hung Thanh | 18:30 | 03:30 |
| Hung Thanh | 19:00 | 04:00 |
| Techbus VN | 17:30 | 04:30 (Phong Nha) |
| Techbus VN | 17:45 | 04:45 (Phong Nha) |
| Techbus VN | 18:00 | 05:00 (Phong Nha) |
| Grouptour | 17:45 | 05:45 (Phong Nha) |
| Grouptour | 17:50 | 04:50 (Phong Nha) |
| Grouptour | 18:00 | 06:00 (Phong Nha) |
| Hung Long | 20:15 | 05:35 (Phong Nha) |
| Hung Long | 20:30 | 05:50 (Phong Nha) |
| Duc Duong | 16:30 | 02:30 (Phong Nha) |
| Duc Duong | 17:45 | 03:45 (Phong Nha) |
| Green Trips | 18:00 | 04:00 (Phong Nha) |
| Queen Cafe | 18:45 | 04:45 (Phong Nha) |
| Sapa Disc. | 17:30 | 01:30 (Phong Nha) |
| Sapa Disc. | 20:15 | 05:15 (Phong Nha) |
3. DIRECT FLIGHT from Hanoi to Dong Hoi
👉 Fastest and most convenient way to travel from Hanoi to Dong Hoi.
- ✔️ Good for: time-saving & comfortable travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~1.5 hours (flight)
- ✔️ Price: $45–80 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (modern aircraft & services)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight with Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways
- 💡 Tip: Book early due to limited flight schedules on this route.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Check baggage limits, especially with low-cost fares.
Traveling by plane is the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Hanoi to Dong Hoi. Direct flights take about 1.5 hours and are ideal for travelers who want to save time.
Flights operate from Noi Bai Airport to Dong Hoi Airport, located only 6 km from the city center. Economy fares usually range from $45–80 per person.
Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways operate direct flights, although the schedule is limited. Booking flights in advance is recommended for the best prices and availability.
How to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha-Ke Bang?
If you want to travel from Hanoi to Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park, you can use a modern sleeper bus. Most buses travel via Dong Hoi before continuing to Phong Nha, home to the famous Son Doong Cave.
The bus journey takes about 9–12 hours and tickets cost around $18–35 per person. Premium sleeper buses with onboard toilets and LCD screens are also available for extra comfort.
Several companies operate this route, including Hung Long, Techbus VN, Grouptour, Full Moon Party Tour and Duc Duong Bus. Bus tickets can be easily booked online in advance.
How to get from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?
-
- from Dong Hoi city to Phong Nha-Ke Bang park you can go by local bus or private taxi
- local public bus departs from Bến xe Nam Lý (bus station) and bus tickets cost about $2/pp
- transfer by public bus from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha takes about 1.5 hour
- travel distance is 45 km from Dong Hoi town to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Hanoi to Dong Hoi:
How to book tickets or flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi?
You can book tickets or flights from Hanoi to Dong Hoi on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Dong Hoi?
Direct flights take about 1.5 hours. Travel by train takes about 10 hours.
What is the distance from Hanoi to Dong Hoi?
The travel distance is about 500 km by train or bus.
How much does transport from Hanoi to Dong Hoi cost?
Flights cost about $30–90/pp. Train tickets cost about $15–125/pp.
Are there luxury trains from Hanoi to Dong Hoi?
Yes, tourist sleeper trains like Lotus Train, Laman Express or Livitrans Express operate on this route.
Where can you store luggage in Hanoi?
You can use Radical Storage in Hanoi city center.
What is the best transport option?
The fastest option is a direct flight. Sleeper trains are the best alternative for comfortable overnight travel.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Dong Hoi?
The cheapest option is a sleeper bus or Vietnam Railways hard-seat train.
What places should you visit on this route?
You can stop in Ninh Binh, one of the most popular destinations in northern Vietnam.
Where can you travel from Dong Hoi?
From Dong Hoi you can continue by train or bus to Hue and then to Hoi An.
How to travel solo in Vietnam?
Read this guide about solo travel in Vietnam with tips for transport, nature and local culture.
From Hanoi to Dong Hoi you can travel by train, sleeper bus or direct flight.
Traveling from Hanoi to Dong Hoi covers about 500 km through central Vietnam. The fastest and most comfortable option is a direct flight, while sleeper trains are a popular choice for overnight travel. Sleeper buses are usually the cheapest transport option between these cities.
Dong Hoi is the main gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and an important stop when traveling across central Vietnam. From Dong Hoi you can continue south by train or bus to Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An.
Practical Travel Tips for Hanoi to Dong Hoi
Traveling from Hanoi to Dong Hoi is a popular route to central Vietnam and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. You can travel by plane, sleeper train or overnight bus.
- Best Option: Direct flights are the fastest and most comfortable transport option.
- Train Travel: Sleeper trains are popular for overnight travel and better comfort on long journeys.
- Budget Option: Sleeper buses are usually the cheapest way to reach Dong Hoi.
- Avoid Cheap Offers: Use trusted transport companies and avoid unclear bus offers in Hanoi.
- Onward Travel: From Dong Hoi you can continue by taxi or bus to Phong Nha caves and nearby beaches.
- Book Early: Flights and sleeper train tickets can sell out quickly during holidays and peak season.
Tip: Flights, train tickets and sleeper buses can be searched and booked online in advance.