What to expect when visiting Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest and probably busiest metropolis. Formerly called Saigon, the city pulsates with energy and organised chaos. Its streets are packed with motorcycles day in and day out, we absolutely have no idea how everyone manages not to bump into each other!
Don’t miss a visit to the War Remnants Museum and Central Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Shop (and prepare to haggle) at Ben Thanh Market, and explore the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels. When its bustling streets become too much, know that you can always find solace in one of its many cosy coffee shops.
2 ways to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh
There are two ways to travel the distance of 305 km (190 miles) from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh: by bus (7-8 hours) and flight (2h25m). The journey takes between 2h25m - 8h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 360,000 VND ($14.50) for the bus.Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh at the bottom of this page.
Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
If you’re looking for budget-friendly transport, your best option is the bus. Since this route is very popular, there are several bus companies departing from and arriving at various areas in DaLat and Ho Chi Minh.
Travel time takes around 7-8 hours with fares starting from 360,000 VND ($14.50).
Departure and arrival station
Futa Buses depart from DaLat Intercity Bus Station in the south of the city centre. They offer multiple trips daily to Phuong Trang Bus Station in District 10 and An Suong Bus Station.
If you’re staying right at the heart of DaLat city centre, Phong Phu buses depart from the City Post and arrive at Tan Binh Exhibition & Convention Centre, which is also at the very centre of Ho Chi Minh.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Kim buses depart from their office in Duong Luong the Vinh and arrive at the bus station in District 1. It’s best to take this bus if you’re staying in the backpacker street in this area.
Bus schedules from DaLat to Ho Chi Minh
Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Both DaLat and Ho Chi Minh have their own airports, so taking a flight is possible and convenient for this route.
The flight itself takes only one hour, but you will still need additional rides to and from the airport. The total travel time is around 2.5 hours.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: DaLat City Centre to DaLat Airport by Shuttle Bus
DaLat Airport is around 30 km away from the city centre, so you will have to take a shuttle bus. You can ask your hotel to book one for you or you can book one yourself from any local travel agency.
The shuttle bus ride takes 45 minutes and costs 40,000 VND ($1.60).
Step 2: DaLat Airport to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
There are multiple flights from DaLat to Ho Chi Minh daily. Travel time is just around an hour.
Vietjet Air offers the cheapest flights on this route with fares from 550,000 VND ($22.00). Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines are also available, but they are more expensive.
Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Bus/Taxi
Ho Chi Minh Airport is just within the city centre, but you will still need to take a bus or a taxi to get to the main areas in the city centre.
Airport bus
The best option for tourists is the yellow Airport Bus 109. This bus goes through District 1 where the backpacker street is located. Its last stop is Saigon Bus Station, making it convenient for tourists who need to take an additional bus ride to other areas.
The airport shuttle bus costs 20,000 VND ($0.80) and gets you to the city centre in just 45 minutes. It runs only from 05:30 to 01:00 the next day.
Taxi
If the bus is unavailable at the time of your arrival at the airport, you can take a taxi instead. This option is more expensive though, with rates from 100,000 VND ($4.00).
See our page Ho Chi Minh Airport for more details.
Our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is home to around 9 million people. To fit that many people, it has got to be a pretty big city, which can make choosing the right area a little overwhelming.
Here is a quick rundown of the best districts for you to stay in:
- District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular choice for tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.
- Pham Ngu Lao is located within District 1 and is popular amongst budget travellers due to its nightlife, street food and cheap accommodations.
- District 3 is less touristy but still relatively central and offers a more local experience. It’s known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture.
- District 5 (Chinatown) offers a unique cultural experience with its bustling atmosphere, Chinese temples, and a wide variety of delicious street food.
- District 7 is more modern and upscale. There are plenty of international restaurants, shopping centres and green spaces.
Check out our favourite places to stay in these areas:
Vy Khanh Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
Vy Khanh Guesthouse may not be the fanciest place in Ho Chi Minh, but what it lacks in glitz and glamour, it makes up with its hospitality. Vy is one of the best hosts that you’ll experience in Vietnam, offering you recommendations for not just the city but the entire country.
She’ll make sure you have the best experience and that starts with the guesthouse’s location. It’s situated in the heart of the city in District 1.
- Amazing host
- Great location
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good value for money
Double rooms start from $15 per night.
Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment - Mid Range
Golden Tree Hotel stands out amongst the rest due to its perfect ambient lighting both inside and outside. This hotel feels face fancier than its price tag.
The rooms are spacious and modern, with most rooms offering a private kitchen and large colonial-style windows. Stay here and you’ll be located in District 7.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Great location
- Beautiful decor
- High speed internet
Double rooms start from $31 per night.
Silverland Mây Hotel - Treating Yourself
One look at Siverland Mây Hotel’s swimming pool and you won’t be able to resist booking here. It’s surrounded by lush greenery hanging from the ceiling, hammocks and there’s a pool-side bar.
The rooms live up to this standard boasting a beautiful ultra-modern decor. You’ll never want to leave this place.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Pool-side bar
- Stunning rooms
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh
What is the distance from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh?
The distance from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh is 305 km (190 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh?
The fastest way to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh is by flight and takes 2h25m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh?
The cheapest way to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 360,000 VND ($14.50).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Most popular routes in Vietnam
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
We booked Thinh Phat limousine from DaLat to HCM and the experience was not good. The driver spoke limited English which would have been fine until we reached HCM and he beckoned we follow other customers onto another mini van about 1hr out of the city. This mini van driver then drove us to the airport (a random road, not even the terminal) where we ended up arguing (again limited English) that we expected to be dropped off in district 1 as the paid for ticket described. In the end after he removed our bags we had to get an additional Grab to district 1. In total with this stressful delay from leaving DaLat to arriving in district 1 HCM it took us 9hours so I would recommend there is no benefit booking Thinh Phat!!!!
Hello Melanie, I’m very sorry to hear about your experience with Thinh Phat. It’s already quite a long drive and there is nothing more annoying than ending up in an argument with the driver after such a long drive. I directly removed this company from the possible schedules as I don’t think they offer any benefit over other companies after reading your review. Thanks a lot for sharing this feedback. At least we can now inform other travellers about your bad experience with this company. Hope you still enjoyed your stay in Ho Chi Minh!