Flight
Fastest and most convenient way to travel long distance
Train
Scenic journey across Vietnam, good for slow travel
Private car / motorbike
Ultimate freedom, ideal for multi-day road trip
Sleeper bus
Very long journey, less comfortable for this distance
Quick answer: Traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) offers several options to suit different needs. Flying is the fastest and most popular choice for most travelers, while the train provides a scenic and more leisurely experience over a day and a half. Tourist buses are available for budget-conscious travelers willing to spend more time on the road.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 1750 km by train or bus, about 1300 km by plane.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Plane ~2 hours | Train 33–40 hours | Tourist bus 38–45 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Plane US$50–300 per person | Train US$35–115 per person | Tourist bus US$60–65 per person.
- ✈️ Plane: Fastest and most convenient for most travelers.
- 🚆 Train: Scenic journey with various classes and sleeper options.
- 🚌 Tourist bus: Budget option, longer travel time but economical.
Last updated in May 2026
How do I get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
1. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
👉 Flight is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
- ✔️ Good for: all travelers & long-distance travel
- ✔️ Duration: ~2 hours (direct flight)
- ✔️ Price: $55–300 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (economy & business class options)
- ✅ Best option: Direct flight with low-cost or full-service airline
- 💡 Tip: Book flights in advance to get the best prices and seat options.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Early morning or late evening flights are often cheaper.
Direct flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City? So it will definitely be the most convenient and fastest option for you to travel between these cities in northern and southern Vietnam. There are dozens of direct flights from Noi Bai Airport to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport every day (see Vietnam Airports Map).
Tan Son Nhat Airport is a short distance from the center of Saigon and you can go there by various shuttle buses, public buses or private taxis. Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Hanh Air Systems operate these flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
BOOK FLIGHT to Saigon on Baolau ➜
Most of these companies have good reviews and references from other tourists visiting Vietnam. Economy and Business class flights are available for you – e.g. from Vietnam Airlines, the largest Vietnamese airline. 2 hours from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, yes, that’s exactly how long a direct flight between these cities takes.
And the fact that you can see Vietnam from the clouds can also be an advantage. The prices of direct flights can vary over time, sometimes there are also various low-cost flights on offer at very low prices. On average, the price of a direct flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City ranges from $55-300/pp.
The cheapest flights between these cities will be offered by VietJet Air, which is a low-cost airline. You can easily search and buy tickets to Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi online even in advance. Always read the conditions and flight instructions carefully and follow them according to the company.
BOOK FLIGHT to Saigon on 12go.asia ➜
2. TRAIN from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
👉 Train is the scenic and budget-friendly way of travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
- ✔️ Good for: experience & long-distance travel
- ✔️ Duration: 33–40 hours
- ✔️ Price: $35–120 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low to medium (better with sleeper berths)
- ✅ Best option: Sleeper berth in a 4-bed cabin or tourist sleeper train
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth and consider breaking the journey (e.g. in Da Nang).
- 🌏 Extra tip: Bring snacks and essentials as onboard services can be limited.
Traveling by train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is also an interesting transportation option for many tourists. Train travel in Vietnam is relatively cheap and regular trains offer seats and even sleepers on longer routes. In this case, it is definitely advisable to choose a sleeping bed, because it is a long route. More comfortable tourist sleeping trains such as the Violette Train only offer sleeping beds on this route.
Around 6 regular trains run from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City every day and the tourist sleeper train Violette Train is included in these regular trains. However, there are also other tourist trains, but they only go to Da Nang, or others can go between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. So you can combine this route according to your train requirements.
The train transfer from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes about 33-40 hours, each train has a different travel time and tickets range from $35-120/pp. The cheapest are the seats in regular trains, the most expensive are sleeping berths in the tourist train Violette Train. Sleepers on regular trains to Saigon are in cabins for 4-6 passengers.
BOOK TRAIN TICKETS to Saigon ➜
Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, which is easily accessible from the city center and Hoan Kiem district, and arrive at Saigon Railway Station (see Vietnam Train Map). This station is also a short distance from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. It is also possible to buy food, drink or other refreshments on the trains, and the trains also have toilets.
You can search and book train tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City online in advance, which is recommended. Read the transfer conditions before ordering train tickets to avoid possible complications. Traveling by train is a great transportation option in terms of price and convenience, but the journey takes a very long time.
| Train | Departs in Hanoi | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE1 (seat, sleeper) | 20:55 | 06:50 (33h 55m) | From $42.00 |
| Train SE3 (seat, sleeper) | 19:20 | 05:45 (34h 25m) | From $42.00 |
| Train SE7 (seat, sleeper) | 06:10 | 18:10 (36h 00m) | From $34.00 |
| Train SE11 (seat, sleeper) | 21:20 | 11:30 (38h 10m) | From $37.00 |
| Train SE9 (seat, sleeper) | 13:05 | 04:00 (38h 55m) | From $35.00 |
| Train SE5 (seat, sleeper) | 15:30 | 05:18 (37h 48m) | From $37.00 |
| Violette Trains SE1 (sleeper) | 20:55 | 06:50 (33h 55m) | From $110.00 |
| Violette Trains SE3 (sleeper) | 19:20 | 05:45 (34h 25m) | From $110.00 |
3. SLEEPER BUS from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
👉 Budget option for long-distance travel across Vietnam by sleeper intercity bus.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers & flexible routes
- ✔️ Duration: 38–45 hours
- ✔️ Price: $60–65 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: low (better for shorter segments)
- ✅ Best option: Split the journey (e.g. Hanoi → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City)
- 💡 Tip: Avoid doing the full route in one go and break the trip into shorter legs.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose newer buses with fewer passengers for slightly better comfort.
Even a bus trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is possible. It is more suitable if you divide it into, for example, 3 trips between different cities through central Vietnam. But there is a Mai Linh sleeper bus between these cities. However, it is good to consider whether to go on such a trip by bus at all, because the travel time from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is about 38-45 hours.
Mai Linh’s sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City costs $60-65/pp. So it can be more expensive than traveling by regular train. It is therefore advisable to take, for example, a bus from Hanoi to Da Nang and then continue from Da Nang by another bus to Ho Chi Minh City. Another different buses from many companies run between such shorter routes.
These are mostly classic sleeper buses. You can search and buy bus tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City online, you can also search for only some routes, e.g. Hanoi > Da Nang, Da Nang > Ho Chi Minh… If you don’t know whether to choose a sleeper bus or a train to Ho Ci Min’s cities, so the train journey is better. The sleeper bus is more suitable for shorter routes, although it is also available for such long trips.
❓ FAQ — Travel route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City:
How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
- Direct flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City take about 2 hours.
- Travel by train takes about 33–40 hours.
- Sleeper buses travel in about 38–45 hours.
What is the distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
- The travel distance is about 1750 km by train or bus and about 1300 km by plane.
How to book tickets or flights from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
- You can search and book flights, trains or bus tickets online at Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜.
- You can also book tickets for other popular routes in central and southern Vietnam.
How much does transport from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City cost?
- Direct flights cost about $50–300 per person.
- Train tickets cost about $35–115 per person.
- Sleeper buses cost about $60–65 per person.
What is the best way to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
- Flights are the fastest and most convenient option for this long-distance route. There are many direct and low-cost flights between Hanoi and Saigon every day.
What is the cheapest way to travel to Ho Chi Minh City?
- The cheapest option is usually a train seat, but for such a long trip a sleeper berth or low-cost flight is a much better choice.
Where can you store luggage in Hanoi?
- You can use Radical Storage, which offers secure and affordable luggage storage places in Hanoi city center.
Is traveling by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City a good idea?
- Sleeper buses are better for travelers who want to stop at different places along the route, such as Ninh Binh, Hue or Da Nang.
Can you use a train e-ticket on your smartphone?
- Yes, train e-tickets on your smartphone are accepted. It is still recommended to print your ticket as a backup.
Which airport serves Ho Chi Minh City?
- The main airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Can you travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike?
- Yes, but this route is recommended only for experienced drivers with an international driving permit.
How to book a motorbike in Vietnam?
- You can search and book motorbikes online at Bikesbooking ➜.
Where can you travel from Ho Chi Minh City?
- You can travel to Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc Island or Con Dao Island.
How to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh?
- You can travel by tourist bus, minivan or direct flight. Read also: How to get from Saigon to Phnom Penh?
Which floating markets are popular in southern Vietnam?
- The most popular floating markets in the Mekong Delta are Cai Rang, Cai Be and Phong Dien.
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by plane, train or sleeper bus.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in southern Vietnam and one of the most popular destinations in the country. The travel distance from Hanoi is about 1700 km by land, so it is important to choose the right transport option based on your budget and travel time.
The fastest and most comfortable option is a direct flight from Hanoi to Saigon. Flights take about 2 hours and are operated every day by airlines such as VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways. Low-cost flights usually start at about $50-70 per person. Flights depart from Noi Bai Airport and arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Another popular option is traveling by Vietnam Railways train. The train journey takes about 33-40 hours, but it is a good choice if you also want to visit central Vietnam. Trains offer seats and sleeper cabins, with sleeper berths being much more comfortable for this long route. Train tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City start at about $35 per person.
Sleeper buses are also available, but they are not the best option for such a long journey. Many travelers instead combine buses or trains with stops in places like Hue, Da Nang or Nha Trang.
After arriving in Saigon, you can continue to destinations such as Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phu Quoc or Con Dao.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is the longest and one of the most popular routes in Vietnam. You can travel by plane, train or sleeper bus.
- Fastest Option: Flights are the quickest choice and take about 2 hours.
- Train Travel: Overnight trains are more comfortable for long-distance travel and offer scenic views.
- What to Bring: Pack snacks, water, charger and a neck pillow for the long journey.
- Book Early: Flights and sleeper trains can sell out quickly during holidays and peak seasons.
- Break the Journey: You can stop in Hue, Da Nang or Nha Trang along the route.
- Avoid Cheap Offers: Very cheap bus tickets may include delays or multiple stops.
Tip: Flights, trains and bus tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City can be searched and booked online in advance.