Flight + transfer
Fastest and most practical
Flight + private car
Smooth, minimal hassle
Train + bus/taxi
Cheaper but very long trip
Direct bus
Extremely long and tiring
Quick answer: Traveling from Phong Nha (near Dong Hoi) to Ho Chi Minh City can be done by bus + flight, bus + train, or direct tourist bus. The bus + flight option is the fastest, bus + train is scenic and more comfortable, and the bus alone is the most affordable. There are direct flights from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: ~1 300 km by bus/train route | ≈ 750 km by air (via Dong Hoi)
- ⏱️ Travel time: Bus + Flight ~6–7 hours | Bus + Train ~24–27 hours | Tourist Bus ~32 hours
- 💰 Price range: Bus + Flight US$45–100 | Bus + Train US$30–70 | Tourist Bus US$27–40
- ✈️ Best for speed: Bus/taxi to Dong Hoi + direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- 🚆 Best for comfort: Bus/taxi to Dong Hoi + overnight train south
- 🚌 Best for budget: Tourist sleeper bus from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City via Da Nang
Last updated in March 2026
From Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City by Flight, Train or Bus
Traveling from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City covers about 1,300 km by land. You can travel by flight, train, or sleeper bus via Dong Hoi.
The fastest option is a bus or taxi to Dong Hoi Airport followed by a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Dong Hoi is about 45 km from Phong Nha, and the total travel time is around 5–7 hours.
Another popular option is the Vietnam Railways train from Dong Hoi Railway Station. The journey takes about 24–27 hours and is usually the most comfortable overland transfer.
Sleeper buses are also available, often with transfers in Hue or Da Nang. Train and bus travel are generally the cheapest ways to reach southern Vietnam.
Before your trip, check the weather in Ho Chi Minh City. From Saigon, you can continue to Con Dao Islands, Chau Doc, Vung Tau, or Phan Thiet.
| Transfer Mode – Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus + Flight (via Dong Hoi) | 6-7 hours | $45-100 per person |
| Bus + Train (Dong Hoi) | 24-27 hours | $30-70 per person |
| Tourist Bus (via Da Nang) | 32 hours | $27-40 per person |
How do I get from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh?
1. BUS + FLIGHT from Phong Nha to Saigon (via Dong Hoi)
👉 Bus/taxi + flight via Dong Hoi is the fastest way from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City.
- ✔️ Good for: travelers who want to save time on long distances
- ✔️ Duration: ~4–6 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $35–80 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: high (short transfer + direct flight)
- ✅ Best option: Taxi to Dong Hoi Airport + direct flight with Vietnam Airlines or VietJet Air to Saigon
- 💡 Tip: Book flights online in advance and take a taxi instead of bus for a smoother airport transfer.
1. Bus / Taxi from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Dong Hoi
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- from Phong Nha-Ke Bang to Dong Hoi you can travel by local bus or private taxi
- travel by local bus or taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi takes about 1-1.5 hour
- local buses arrive close to the railway station in Dong Hoi
- the best way is to take a private taxi to Dong Hoi Airport
2. Direct Flight from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City
-
- from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City you can take a direct flight
- direct flight is the most fastest way of transport between Dong Hoi and Saigon
- airlines from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City: Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways
- flight from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes about 2 hours (direct flight)
- low-cost flights from Dong Hoi to Saigon start already at $30-70/pp
- flights from Dong Hoi International Airport, flights to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon
- you can check this article: Airports in Vietnam
- Book flights from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
| Airline | Departure in Dong Hoi | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VietJet Air | 10:35 | 12:10 | From $49.00 |
| VietJet Air | 18:10 | 19:45 | From $49.00 |
| Bamboo Airways | 20:50 | 22:40 | From $45.00 |
| Vietnam Airlines | 20:35 | 20:15 | From $60.00 |
| Pacific Airlines | 17:10 | 19:05 | From $75.00 |
| Pacific Airlines | 10:35 | 12:35 | From $120.00 |
2. BUS + TRAIN from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City
👉 Bus/taxi + train via Dong Hoi is the best low-cost way from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and long-distance train experience
- ✔️ Duration: ~23–26 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $30–70 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (short transfer + sleeper train)
- ✅ Best option: Taxi to Dong Hoi + Vietnam Railways sleeper train to Saigon
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for comfort and book tickets online in advance.
1. Bus / Taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi
-
- from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi you can travel by local public bus or private taxi
- travel by local bus or private taxi from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi takes about 1-1.5 hour
- these local public buses arrive close to the railway station in Dong Hoi
- the best option is to take a private taxi/car directly to Dong Hoi Airport
2. Train from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City
-
- travel by train from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City can take about 22-24 hours
- trains are comfortable and modern, you can buy foods and you can book sleeper berth
- you can check the Vietnam Railway Map
- there are 2, 4, 6-berth cabins in these trains
- there are about 5-6 trains every day of Vietnam Railways from Dong HoI to Ho Chi Minh City
- one-way train ticket from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City costs about $27-60/pp
- trains depart from Dong Hoi Railway Station (tiểu khu 4)
- trains arrive to Saigon Railway Station (01 Nguyen Thong) in Ho Chi Minh City
- Book train e-tickets from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- this is a top frequented railway route from Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City – book your train tickets online!
- you will receive your train e-ticket to Saigon by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the train in Dong Hoi Railway Station
| Train | Departure in Dong Hoi | Arrival in Ho Chi Minh | Train Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train SE3 (seat, sleeper) | 05:03 | 05:15 | From $32.00 |
| Train SE7 (seat, sleeper) | 16:31 | 17:35 | From $28.50 |
| Train SE5 (seat, sleeper) | 19:28 | 20:20 | From $31.00 |
| Train SE1 (seat, sleeper) | 06:42 | 05:45 | From $32.00 |
| Train SE11 (seat, sleeper) | 08:25 | 11:10 | From $31.00 |
| Train SE9 (seat, sleeper) | 00:05 | 03:40 | From $32.00 |
| Train SE23 (seat, sleeper) | 01:34 | 09:00 | From $32.00 |
3. BUS from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City
👉 Bus/taxi + train via Dong Hoi is the best low-cost way from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City.
- ✔️ Good for: budget travelers and long-distance train experience
- ✔️ Duration: ~23–26 hours total
- ✔️ Price: $30–70 per person
- ✔️ Comfort: moderate (short transfer + sleeper train)
- ✅ Best option: Taxi to Dong Hoi + Vietnam Railways sleeper train to Saigon
- 💡 Tip: Choose a sleeper berth for comfort and book tickets online in advance.
-
- This is the last option how to travel from Phong Nha-Ke Bang / Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The slowest, cheap, but not a comfortable option of transport. You can travel by bus from Phong Nha to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Travel by bus from Phong Nha to Saigon via Da Nang takes about 32 hours and bus tickets cost totally about $27-40/pp. There are various bus companies: Hey Travel, Queen Café, Hoang Long, Futabus, Hanh Cafe. These buses have also another stops before they arrive to Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. You can search and book bus tickets from Phong Nha to Saigon in southern Vietnam online.
- This is the last option how to travel from Phong Nha-Ke Bang / Dong Hoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The slowest, cheap, but not a comfortable option of transport. You can travel by bus from Phong Nha to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. Travel by bus from Phong Nha to Saigon via Da Nang takes about 32 hours and bus tickets cost totally about $27-40/pp. There are various bus companies: Hey Travel, Queen Café, Hoang Long, Futabus, Hanh Cafe. These buses have also another stops before they arrive to Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. You can search and book bus tickets from Phong Nha to Saigon in southern Vietnam online.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City:
How long does it take to get from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
Bus + flight via Dong Hoi takes about 5–7 hours. Train travel takes about 24–27 hours, while sleeper buses can take up to 30–32 hours.
How to book tickets and flights from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
What is the travel distance from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
The distance is about 1,300 km by train or bus and about 750 km by plane from Dong Hoi.
How much does it cost to get from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
Bus + flight costs about $45–100/pp, train travel about $30–70/pp, and sleeper buses about $27–40/pp.
What is the best and fastest way to travel from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
Take a bus or taxi to Dong Hoi Airport and then a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
What is the cheapest way to travel from Phong Nha to Saigon?
The cheapest option is usually a train from Dong Hoi Railway Station.
Does Phong Nha have an airport?
No. The nearest airport is Dong Hoi Airport, about 45 km from Phong Nha.
Can you travel by motorbike from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, but this long journey is recommended only for experienced riders.
Where can you travel from Ho Chi Minh City?
Popular destinations include Can Tho, My Tho, and Phu Quoc Island.
Which floating markets are the most popular in southern Vietnam?
The most visited are Cai Rang, Cai Be, and Phong Dien.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City
Traveling from Phong Nha to Ho Chi Minh City covers more than 1,200 km. You can travel by bus + flight via Dong Hoi, train, or long-distance sleeper bus.
- Choose Flights for Speed: A transfer to Dong Hoi Airport and a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City is the fastest option, taking about 5–7 hours in total.
- Use Sleeper Trains: Train travel takes about 24–27 hours, so a sleeper berth is strongly recommended.
- Expect Long Bus Journeys: Sleeper buses can take over 30 hours and are best suited for budget travelers.
- Plan Transfers from Phong Nha: The nearest airport and railway station are in Dong Hoi, about 45 km away.
- Book Early: Flights, sleeper berths and popular bus services can sell out during weekends and holidays.
- Pack Essentials: Bring water, snacks, chargers and a travel pillow for long overnight journeys.
- Arrive Early: Reach airports, train stations or bus departure points at least 30–60 minutes before departure.
- Plan Your Arrival: Taxis, Grab and public transport are available throughout Ho Chi Minh City.
Tip: Flights, train, bus and private transfer tickets can be searched and booked online in advance.