Vietnam is excellent for people going on their first trip with a backpack. Visitors who want to get from the north to the south of the country can take intercity buses and trains, which stop at many different cities along the way. This makes it easy to see everything the country has to offer. Find out how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi best.
Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, are the most popular places for tourists from other countries. Not just because they have international airports but also because they are beautiful big cities with exciting cultures, lifestyles, histories, and beautiful tourist attractions; our article will tell you important things you need to check before booking transportation to Ho Chi Minh city from Hanoi, Vietnam.
You can get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh in these five best ways: by plane, by train, by bus, by car, or even by motorbike. Take the time to look at each option to choose the best one for your trip!
Read also:
- Getting to and from Noi Bai (Hanoi) Airport to the city center
- 11 Best Restaurants in Hanoi, Vietnam for the Best Vietnam Trip
- Getting to and from Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh) airport to the city center
- Top 14 Things To Do at Night in Ho Chi Minh City
- 14 Must-try Local Dishes in Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi is one of the oldest capital cities in the world. It is on the banks of the Red River. As soon as you get to the center of the Vietnamese capital, you’ll see streets with well-kept colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and exciting museums.
You can get away to the peaceful countryside just a short drive from the center of Hanoi. You can choose between green parks, traditional villages, and green mountains with trails that lead to rushing waterfalls. Ha Long Bay, a famous destination in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among one of the most picture-perfect places to visit.
Hanoi is more than 1,000 years old, so there is a lot of history to learn about here. There are temples, ancient imperial citadels, unique theaters, and beautiful nature outside the city. Make sure to visit as many of these Hanoi attractions as possible because they offer different ways to have fun, see beautiful things, and learn something new. Here are our top suggestions for things to do in Hanoi.
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Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
As the largest city in the country, Ho Chi Minh City is also called “The city that never sleeps.” This city is known as the economic and cultural center of the south. Because it is always busy and has bright neon lights that make it look beautiful at night, this city draws people in with its 19th-century buildings that look like they were made in the West, its many cultural and historical sites, and its wide range of delicious foods.
This city is also famous for tourists because of its exciting culture, beautiful temples, and pagodas. In the center of Saigon, Districts 1 and 3 have a lot of famous landmarks. Pham Ngu Lao Street, on the western edge of District 1, is a renowned backpacker’s street with many lanes and back alleys ready to be explored.
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Distance from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
Source: Google Maps
Hanoi is in the north of Vietnam, while Ho Chi Minh City is situated in the south. Even though these two big cities are about 1,645 kilometers (1,100 miles) apart, there are many ways to get between them.
Because Vietnam is shaped like an oblong, the trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi by land is long. However, flights are cheap, and it’s easy to fit both cities into a busy schedule. But what if you choose to travel on railways or roadways? In that case, you can stop at places like the historic trading port of Hoi An, the stunning beaches of Nha Trang, and the imperial city of Hue.
Vietnam’s capital is Hanoi, but the country’s largest city is Ho Chi Minh City, which used to be called Saigon. You can learn about Vietnam’s long and complicated history and culture by getting to Ho Chi Minh City in the south from Hanoi in the north.
Tourists can enjoy something different from each mode of transportation, and you can choose the one that works best for your trip. Find out more about each way of getting around below.
5 best ways To Get To Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi
There are five main ways for tourists to get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. Each has its points, which we’ll discuss in more detail now.
Flights – Practicality and comfort
- Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
- Cost (est): 100 USD to 200 USD
A plane is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. You will only need to fly for 2 hours instead of driving for 33 hours straight. The flight from Hanoi leaves Noi Bai airport, about 30 km from the city center, and lands at Tan Son Nhat airport, which is only a few kilometers from the city center.
Flights to Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi cost between 100 USD and 200 USD (it depends on your schedule). If you need a business flight, Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airlines are your best bet, but they can cost up to 260 USD.
Booking the tickets ahead of time saves a lot of money because it’s easy to find discounted tickets on Skyscanner or Aviasales. Three airlines in Vietnam fly between these cities: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Airlines.
Tips:
- When taking a plane: Vietjet is the next best airline in terms of quality and dependability, after Vietnam Airlines. Vietnam Airlines is a full-service airline.
- Some airlines charge extra meals and checked bags, but not Vietnam Airlines.
- You should know that low-cost airlines like Vietjet Airlines are more likely to change flight times, be late, or even cancel flights.
Trains – A scenic rail journey
- Time: 1 day 7 hours 25 minutes
- Cost (est): 63 USD to 150 USD
If you don’t need to get from the south to the north quickly, you should take the Reunification Express by checking Vietnam Railway. This is the name for any train along the North-South railway line. The 1,700-kilometer (1,056-mile) trip takes about 35 hours, which is a long time to be on a train. But the trains have air conditioning, reclining seats or bunk beds, clean bathrooms, and places to eat.
Usually, there are five different ways to sit or sleep on a train. People going only part of the way often choose between a hard seat and a soft seat. Hard seats are usually long wooden benches on both sides of the train car. Soft seats are like the ones you’d find on a bus.
People going a long way should pay a little extra and book a bunk. There are both hard and soft kinds of these. There are six beds in hard-sleeper spaces, but there is little padding. Travelers can choose a soft berth in a room with four bunks for just $4 more. Even though neither is very lovely, bunks are much more comfortable than seats. Visitors who have a little more money to spend should choose a VIP cabin, which has only two beds.
You can bring your food or buy set meals to your compartment during the long trip. If you get hungry between meals, snack carts will come by. There are places where you can get boiling water to make your tea, coffee, or instant noodles.
If the 35-hour trip is too long, you can stop somewhere in central Vietnam, preferably in Da Nang, a big city. You can take a taxi to Hi An for a few days. Taking the train is an excellent way to see Vietnam’s scenery. Still, the Reunification Express route runs along the spine of the country so you will see a lot of the coast, instead of the mountains or jungles. You’ll also see parts of the Vietnamese countryside that tourists usually need help to reach.
Tips:
- Clothes: If you want to stay warm at night, you should wear long pants. Bring a light coat that fits and a scarf that you can use as a pillow, blanket, or bedspread.
- Luggage: You should prepare tidy and handy baggage and avoid wearing valuable things.
- Food: There is a canteen on the train that sells fast food like noodles, soups, etc., but you can also bring your food and drinks.
- Hygiene: You should get up early and take care of yourself early. If you need it, bring your toilet paper.
Buses – Extreme budget travel
- Time: 35 hours
- Cost (est): 35 USD to 75 USD
If the train is too expensive, you can take a long-distance sleeper bus with seats that can fold down to make beds. Even though bus tickets are much cheaper than train tickets, they are less comfortable. But most buses have a small bathroom and many places to stop and rest. Considering traffic and other delays, the trip will take about 35 hours.
You can also take a bus that lets you get on & off at any stop. With an “open bus ticket,” you can get off at any significant stop, spend a few days exploring the area, and then move on to the next city on the route. You can choose an inland or coastal road, depending on your interest.
You can take a Vietnam open bus to stop in other beautiful cities in Vietnam for a few days and then keep going to Saigon. The top 3 available Vietnam bus companies that go to Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi are Sinh Cafe Open Bus, Hoang Long Bus, and Phuong Trang Bus Company. Or you can compare bus
Bus travel is cheap, but it’s essential to know that the route is long and tiring, especially for Westerners. If you have never taken a sleeper bus, this is not the best way to travel a long distance.
Tips:
- Taking the bus: tourist buses stop at some tourist destinations so remember to check to see if the place you want to go to is one of them.
- Some restaurants along the way may be too expensive, so buy snacks before you leave.
- Always have your day pack and valuables with you. It would be best if you always had a small backpack with your passport, money, laptop, camera, and other electronic items.
Cars – An adventurous road trip
- Time: 1-2 weeks (depending on driving hours)
- Cost (est): 1,000 USD to 2,000 USD (not including additional fees)
Renting a car is a great option when you want to go anywhere you want or when public transportation isn’t an option. This is also a good choice for places like Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Dalat, which have a lot to see but are far apart. This way of transportation gives you the most freedom, convenience, and flexibility because you can make your schedule. On the other hand, there are also some downsides: Vietnam’s traffic and the high cost of renting.
The 1st thing you need to notice is how good the car you rent is. Many unprofessional drivers use rental vehicles because they think, “That’s not my property, so I don’t have to take care of it carefully.” So, you need to ensure the car is in good shape before renting it to avoid accidents or other surprises. It’s also a good idea to take the time to visit the agencies’ showrooms to find your best match. Vietnam’s traffic is something else you need to be aware of. Vietnam’s traffic system is complicated, making even the best and most careful drivers nervous. Because of this, it can be tough to drive a car in Vietnam.
Even worse, the noise of motorbikes and other cars, especially when they honk a lot, can make the situation more stressful than it should be. Suppose you need more clarification about your driving skills. In that case, it’s a good idea to hire a chauffeur from one of the rental car agencies. Many of them offer drivers their rental cars. Also, the local drivers know the area well and have been there before, so you will get to your destinations faster and safer.
So, which is better, renting a car with a driver or without one? You can rent a car in Vietnam and drive it yourself or have a driver take you around.
- Drive-yourself cars. There are several places in Vietnam where you can rent cars without drivers. International travelers who want to drive a vehicle on their own in Vietnam must change their International Driving Permit into a Vietnam Driver’s license. A valid passport, a form asking for a driver’s license, a certified copy of your International Driving Permit, 34-inch photos, and a fee are all things you need. But because of how dangerous the roads are and how hard it is to get a new license, only car rental companies will let you drive on your own if you have been in Vietnam for a long time and know how the roads work.
- Renting a car with a driver on board. Renting a car with a driver who speaks English is a free and easy choice for tourists since local drivers know the places well and won’t cause any problems on the way. You have to compare prices and find a reputable service to use. The tourists will then be given a price list and a schedule.
Hertz, VN Rent-a-car, Hanoi Journey, Green World Car Rental, and Vietnamdrive are some famous companies in Vietnam’s big cities that offer renting cars. Or you can compare all the options at Rentalcars.com.
Motorbikes – The fascinating route
- Time: 2 – 4 weeks
- Cost (est): $6.49 to $8.65 per day
The best way to learn about Vietnam might be to ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. During the trip, you’ll see the cities, towns, and villages and learn more about the culture and people there. That will be a unique experience as you pass white-sand beaches, mountains, valleys, limestone ridges, endless rice fields, and many other beautiful places.
Renting or purchasing a motorbike is the most exciting way to get around in Vietnam. You’ll have a lot of freedom, and you’ll be able to plan your route based on what you want to see and book places to stay at different stops. You can either take the same route as the Reunification Express or go through the highlands.
If you want to see the beach, follow this route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Phong Nha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Quang Ngai – Qui Nhon – Nha Trang – Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh City.
If you want to go through the mountains and have winding roads, try this route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Phong Nha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Kon Tum – Pleiku – Buon Ma Thuot – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh city.
You can choose any combination of these routes by reading five suggested ways by Vietnam Coracle.
Remember that riding a motorbike for the first time can be dangerous. Vietnam is not the place to learn how to drive. If you know how to go, these routes will give you the freedom to see everything Vietnam has to offer. Please remember to stay safe, learn how to drive in Vietnam, and get travel insurance.
You could also buy a motorbike in Hanoi and sell it in Ho Chi Minh City afterward. The price of a used vehicle should be at most $250. You should think carefully about safety before riding from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam’s traffic is crazy and hard to predict, so if you aren’t comfortable driving, you can choose one of the other options above.
Tips:
- Avoid QL1 (National Highway), one of Vietnam’s most dangerous roads.
- When you travel around the country, bring a gas bottle.
- Cover up from the sun and put on sunscreen.
- Take care when crossing the street.
- Lock your bike and leave it in a safe spot.
- Put on an excellent full-face helmet.
Recommended Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary
Source: Unsplash
Book a Vietnam package tour if you want to get to Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi with all of your transportation needs taken care of. A package tour will save you time on your trip, giving you more time to see more of Vietnam.
A flight or train ticket will be perfect for you for longer trips, like from Hanoi to Hue or Hoi An (Da Nang). A motorbike or car transfer will satisfy you for shorter trips, like from Hue to Hoi An. You can also take a bus from Hanoi to Sapa and back to Hanoi in Vietnam. There are different plans from which you can choose; it’s up to you!
Conclusion
You have just discovered the specific facts regarding the transportation between Ho Chi Minh from Hanoi. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us!
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