Flight (via Bangkok)
Fastest and easiest but more expensive
Bus / van (via Cambodia & Thailand)
Cheapest option but very long and tiring
Flight + train
Possible combination but less straightforward
Complicated overland routes
Too many transfers across multiple countries
Quick answer: Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai is best done by flight (via Bangkok or with limited direct options), while overland travel by bus/van or train through Cambodia and Thailand is possible but very time-consuming. Private transfer is also available, but it is the most expensive option.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~1 215 km by air / ~1 500 km by road.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight ~5–8 hours (with stop-over) | Bus/van via Cambodia/Thailand ~20–36 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Flight US$70–200 per person | Overland bus/van US$50–70 per person.
- ✈️ Best for speed & comfort: Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (via Bangkok)
- 🚌 Best for budget (and time to spare): Bus/van via Cambodia + Thailand
Last updated in March 2026
From Saigon to Chiang Mai you can travel by plane, bus or bus+train.
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- Travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai in Thailand is 1215 km by plane and about 1500 km by road. The best and fastest way how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai in Thailand is to travel by plane. There are direct flights (direct flights are limited) or flights with stopover in Bangkok. Direct flight from Saigon to Chiang Mai takes about 2 hours and flight with stopover in Bangkok takes about 5-11 hours. But you can also travel by land, by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia (Phnom Penh or Siem Reap) + bus from Cambodia to Bangkok + by train or bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Travel by bus+train via Cambodia takes a lot of time, it is a good option only if you want to visit Cambodia. Travel by bus via Cambodia and Bangkok takes about 32-36 hours. You can book bus/train tickets or flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (+bus tickets via Cambodia) online. From Chiang Mai you can also travel to Chiang Rai or Phayao by bus, minivan or car or you can take a minivan or car to Pai.
Chiang Mai is the starting point for exploring northern Thailand.
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- Chiang Mai is the economic and tourist center of northern Thailand, it is about 700 km from Bangkok and has over 150,000 inhabitants. There are over 300 temples, including Wat Phra Singh of the 14th century. The city is an excellent starting point for excursions such as elephant, orchid, snakes or butterflies, or to Doi Inthanon Mountain (2565 m above sea level). The 1676-meter-high Doi Suthep Mountain is also a frequent destination with spectacular views of the city. Northern Thailand is mainly a mountain area with good climate. Chiang Mai City is one of the centers of digital nomads in Thailand. Chiang Mai has also an interantional airport and railway station. There are various way how you can travel from Saigon to Chiang Mai in Thailand – by land via Cambodia or travel by plane. The most cheapest option how to reach Chiang Mai from Vietnam is to travel by land, but this option takes a lot of time.
| Transfer Mode – Ho Chi Minh-Ville to Chiang Mai | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Plane (direct flight) | 1.5 hours | $70–200 per person |
| Tourist Bus / Van (via Cambodia) | 20–34 hours | $50–70 per person |
| Bus + Train (via Phnom Penh, Poipet) | 26 hours | $20–30 per person |
How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
1. FLIGHTS from Ho Chi Minh City to to Chiang Mai
👉 Flight is the fastest and most efficient way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai.
- ✔️ Ideal for: travelers who want to save time and prefer quick connections
- ✔️ Travel time: ~5–8 hours (including possible stopover in Bangkok)
- ✔️ Ticket cost: $70–200 per person
- ✔️ Comfort level: high (modern aircraft with short travel duration)
- ✅ Best Option: Direct or connecting flights with airlines like VietJet Air, AirAsia or Thai Airways
- 💡 Tip: Compare direct and connecting flights via Bangkok to find the best balance between price and travel time.
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- there are direct flights from Saigon to Chiang Mai or flights with stopover in Bangkok
- the best and fastest way how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai in Thailand
- airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, VietJet Air, Nok Air, Air Asia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Air
- flight time from Ho Chi Minh to Chiang Mai (with stopover) is approximately 5-8 hours
- the price of the one-way low-cost flight from Saigon to Chiang Mai is about $70-200/pp
- airport in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam: Tan Son Nhat Int. Airport
- airports in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport
- airport in Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai International Airport
- the plane is the fastest but sometimes can be the most expensive way of the transfer
- Book your flight from Saigon to Chiang Mai online on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜
2. BUS + TRAIN from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai
👉 Bus + train via Cambodia and Bangkok is the cheapest but longest way to reach Chiang Mai.
- ✔️ Ideal for: adventurous travelers and low-budget backpackers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~20–30+ hours (multiple segments and border crossings)
- ✔️ Total cost: low (varies by route and transport types)
- ✔️ Comfort level: low to medium (long journeys with several transfers)
- ✅ Best Option: Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh + onward transport via Bangkok + train or bus to Chiang Mai
- 💡 Tip: Plan each segment in advance and allow extra time for border crossings and connections.
A) From Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh)
If you want to travel by bus to Chiang Mai from Saigon, first you have to take a bus to Cambodia via Bavet border crossing. There are tourist buses or minivans from Saigon to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Travel by bus from Saigon to Phnom Penh in Cambodia takes about 6-7 hours.
B) From Cambodia or Vietnam to Thailand (Bangkok)
From Phnom Penh or Siem Reap you can travel by another bus to Bangkok in Thailand. Buses from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap go via Poipet border crossing. From Aranyaprathet (5 km from Poipet) you can also travel by train to Bangkok.
C) From Bangkok to Chiang Mai (bus, train, flight)
From Bangkok you can take anorther bus to Chiang Mai. Travel by bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 9-11 hours. Travel by bus via Cambodia to Thailand is the cheapest option of transfer, but it is not comfortable and takes a lot of time.
How to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
👉 There are 3 main ways to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: bus, train or flight.
- ✔️ Ideal for: all types of travelers (budget, comfort, or time-saving options)
- ✔️ Travel time: ~1–1.5h (flight), ~10–12h (bus), ~12–14.5h (train)
- ✔️ Ticket cost: $15–50 per person (depending on transport type and class)
- ✔️ Comfort level: varies (bus = standard, train = comfortable sleepers, flight = fastest)
- ✅ Best Option: Flight for speed, train sleeper for comfort, bus for lowest price
- 💡 Tip: Compare all options online in advance—tickets and flights can be easily searched and booked ahead of time.
1. BUS from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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- lots of buses all the day go on this route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- travel distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is 700 km
- bus travel takes about 10-12 hours, comfortable, modern and air-conditioned buses
- bus companies Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Bangkok Busline, Lignite Tour (PK), New Viriya…
- price of the one-way bus ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about $15-24/pp
- buses depart from the Mochit Bus Terminal in Bangkok
- you can check a schedule: Bangkok to Chiang Mai – Bus Timetable
2. TRAIN from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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- about 8 trains of Thai Railways all the day go on this route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- train travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 12-14,5 hours
- 1st + 2nd Class Sleeper, 2nd Class AC seats only, Class II Ladies Only, 3rd class aircon + nonaircon
- price of the one-way train ticket is about $22-33/pp, 1st Class Sleeper – $50/pp
- trains to Chiang Mai depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station or Don Mueang
- you can check current Thailand Railway Map + Thailand Train Schedule
3. FLIGHT from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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- lots of airline companies operate on this route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- airlines from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Nok Air, Air Asia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Air, Thai Smile
- to use a flight is sometimes cheaper then train connection
- flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1-1.5 hour
- planes fly from Don Mueang Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok
- Book tickets or flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai online on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜
❓ FAQ – Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai:
1. How to book and buy tickets or flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
2. How long does it take to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- Travel by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (via Cambodia) takes about 32-36 hours.
- Travel by bus + train from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (via Cambodia, Bangkok) takes about 30-40 hours.
- Travel by plane (direct flight) from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai takes about 2 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- Travel distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai is about 1215 by plane and about 1500 km by road.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- Travel by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai costs about $50-70/pp.
- Travel by bus + train from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (via Cambodia, Bangkok) costs about $40+/pp
- Travel by plane (direct flight) from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai costs about $70-200/pp.
5. What is the best way of transport from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- The best and fastest way of getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai in Thailand is to travel by plane. There are direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (but it is limited) and various flights with stopover in Bangkok.
6. What is the most cheapest way of transport from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- The most cheapest way of transport from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai in Thailand is to travel by bus via Cambodia and Bangkok.
7. Is there a direct tourist bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- No, there are no direct tourist buses from Saigon to Chiang Mai. It has 3 steps if you want to travel by bus to Chiang Mai. Bus from Saigon to Cambodia, bus from Cambodia to Bangkok and bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
8. Is there a direct train from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai?
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- No, there is no direct train from Saigon in Vietnam to Chiang Mai in Thailand.
9. Where to go and travel from Chiang Mai?
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- From Chiang Mai you can travel to Mae Hong Son by tourist bus or private taxi. It takes about 9 hours. You can book bus tickets from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son on 12go.asia. You can also travel by van to Pai or Nan.
10. What to visit in Chiang Mai?
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- You can visit various tourist places in Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Zoo, Night Safari, Wat Chedi Luang temple, Wiang Kum Kam the Underground Ancient City, Doi Inthanon National Park or Doi Pui Tribal Village and National Park… You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle and explore this site on your own.
BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Chiang Mai ➜
💡 Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (Thailand)
The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai covers a long international distance with at least one border crossing and major changes in terrain, culture, and transport systems. Because this trip can be done over land, air, or a combination, having practical planning tips will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
1. Check Visa & Entry Requirements Early
Since you’re travelling from Vietnam into Thailand, check visa rules and entry requirements well in advance. Some nationalities need a visa before arrival, others can use visa‑on‑arrival or eVisa services. Preparing paperwork, passport photos, and any fees ahead of time saves significant hassle at the border or airport.
2. Plan Around Border Crossing Times
Overland routes involve official checkpoints with set opening hours. Leaving early in the day gives you the best chance of crossing before peak queues and helps avoid being stranded overnight by border closures. Early departures also reduce traffic delays in and around departure cities.
3. Break Up the Long Journey
This is a long travel segment, and doing it all in one go can be tiring. Consider breaking the route into manageable segments — for example stopping overnight in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Bangkok — to rest and explore rather than endure a single extended travel day.
4. Pack Essentials for Comfort
Long land routes or multi‑leg combinations take many hours, so bring plenty of water, snacks, entertainment, chargers, and layers of clothing. This keeps you comfortable on buses, vans, or waiting at border checkpoints and airports.
5. Have Multiple Currencies & Small Cash Ready
You might need small bills in Vietnamese dong, Cambodian riel, US dollars, and Thai baht depending on stops, border fees, snacks, or local transport. Carrying small denominations means faster transactions and fewer delays looking for ATMs or exchanges along the way.
6. Arrange Arrival Transport Ahead of Time
Chiang Mai is a large city with multiple arrival points (airport, bus station, etc.). Knowing your final destination and how you’ll get there — whether by taxi, ride‑hailing, tuk‑tuk, or pre‑booked pick‑up — removes stress after a long travel day and helps you start your visit smoothly.
Tip: Flight, bus, and combined international transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance to secure your seat and preferred departure time — especially useful during busy travel seasons and holidays.