How to Get From Hanoi to Phong Nha

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Written by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten·

Bus · Train · Flight

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Map showing route from Hanoi to Phong Nha - 383 km

Hanoi → Phong Nha383 km

Phong Nha is cave country, 383 kilometres (238 miles) south of Hanoi inside a national park. Son Doong, the biggest cave on earth, is here, and Paradise Cave is far easier to reach. Flying is the quickest way, taking 3h. Overland, the bus is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha at $13 (350,000 VND). The train costs more and takes longer.

DISTANCE

Distance from Hanoi to Phong Nha

Hanoi and Phong Nha are about 383 km (238 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 483 km by road. The quickest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha is by taking the flight, which takes around 3h.

~383 km

Straight-line distance

~483 km

Route distance

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Phong Nha to Hanoi→

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3 ways to travel from Hanoi to Phong Nha

There are three ways to travel from Hanoi to Phong Nha. You can choose between the bus, train, and flight. The journey takes 3h–11h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $13 (350,000 VND).

TransportDurationPrice

There are nine companies operating sleeper buses from Hanoi to Phong Nha. This means that you’re spoilt for choice in terms of prices and schedules.

Bus fares from Hanoi to Phong Nha start from $13 (350,000 VND) and travel time is around 7h 55m - 12h.

Departure and arrival station

Most buses depart from their own company headquarters located in Hanoi city centre, just a few minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Only Camel Travel departs a bit outside of the centre, some 3 km south of the Old Quarter.

They park at various hotels along the main street in Phong Nha.

Do check the bus departure and arrival points before booking your ride. Make sure that the pick-up and drop-off points are not too far from your hotels!

Bus schedule from Hanoi to Phong Nha

10h30mGreen TripsSleeping208 D. Tran Quang KhaiCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha18:00$13350,000 VNDTickets

10h30mQueen Cafe BusSleepingOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha17:30$16420,000 VNDTickets

10h30mQueen Cafe BusSleepingOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha18:0018:20$16420,000 VNDTickets

9hVietnam Luxury TravelLocal Cabin338 Tran Khat ChanTbus Phongnha20:30$17455,000 VNDTickets

10h30mGreen TripsVIP Cabin208 D. Tran Quang KhaiCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha18:00$17455,000 VNDTickets

Show all 25 companies

10hQueen Cafe BusLuxury SleepingOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha17:30$18475,000 VNDTickets

10hQueen Cafe BusLuxury SleepingOffice 208 Tran Quang Khai, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha18:0018:20$18475,000 VNDTickets

9hSapa Discovery TravelLocal Cabin338 Tran Khat ChanSapa Discovery Travel Phong Nha Office20:15$19490,000 VNDTickets

12hGrouptourSleepingHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB17:00$19490,000 VNDTickets

7h55mCamel TravelVIP SleepingCầu vượt Đỗ XáThien Phu Hostel18:5019:50$19500,000 VNDTickets

7h55mCamel TravelVIP SleepingCầu vượt Đỗ XáThien Phu Hostel17:50$19500,000 VNDTickets

8h45mCamel TravelVIP SleepingHa Noi OfficeThien Phu Hostel18:0019:00$19500,000 VNDTickets

8h45mCamel TravelVIP SleepingHa Noi OfficeThien Phu Hostel17:00$19500,000 VNDTickets

11hGrouptourVIP SleepingHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB17:30$20520,000 VNDTickets

11hGrouptourVIP SleepingHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB17:15$20520,000 VNDTickets

12hGrouptourSleepingHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB17:04$20520,000 VNDTickets

9hVietnam Luxury TravelVIP 20 Seats338 Tran Khat ChanTbus Phongnha20:30$26690,000 VNDTickets

9hSapa Discovery TravelVIP Cabin 20338 Tran Khat ChanSapa Discovery Travel Phong Nha Office20:15$28740,000 VNDTickets

9hTBusSleeping8 Bat Su, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha17:30$30780,000 VNDTickets

10h20mTechbus VN JSCVIP 32 Sleeping459 Tran Khat ChanTbus Phongnha17:15$30780,000 VNDTickets

10h20mTechbus VN JSCVIP 32 Sleeping459 Tran Khat ChanTbus Phongnha17:50$30790,000 VNDTickets

10hGrouptourVIP 20 SeatsHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB05:00$31800,000 VNDTickets

10hGrouptourVIP 20 SeatsHanoi SSBPhong Nha SSB05:1016:1516:30$31800,000 VNDTickets

10hTo Vietnam TravelVIP Cabin338 Tran Khat ChanTo Vietnam Travel Phong Nha Office20:15$35910,000 VNDTickets

9hTBusLuxury Sleeping8 Bat Su, Old QuarterCentral Backpackers Hostel - Phong Nha17:30$391,020,000 VNDTickets

Available atBookaway

Booking Tip

Hung Thanh is another direct bus operator for this route. However, we don’t recommend travelling with them because they get bad reviews. These include overloading, rude staff, and dirty buses. If you still want to travel with Hung Thanh, you can book a ticket through Phong Nha Locals.

TIP: Let your accommodation know when you expect to arrive and which bus company you booked with. Buses arrive very early in Phong Nha. But when luck is on your side, you can check in early and enjoy your room straight away!

Phong Nha

When you travel by train from Hanoi to Phong Nha, you have to book a train to Dong Hoi Station (not Dong Ha!).

From Dong Hoi, you can transfer to a bus or taxi to get to Phong Nha.

Step 1: Hanoi to Dong Hoi by Train

10h - 12h$18 (470,000 VND)

The train journey from Hanoi to Phong Nha via Dong Hoi takes around 10h - 12h.

Although there are several trains operating this route daily, we recommend taking one of the overnight trains so that you won’t lose a lot of daytime travelling. You can see our recommended train schedules in the table below.

Train ticket prices start from $18 (470,000 VND) for a soft seat. But for the most comfort for this long journey, we recommend getting a bunk in a 4-berth cabin.

You can also get a bunk in a 6-berth cabin, which is cheaper, but it might be too cramped. Choosing a train seat doesn’t make much sense either. If you want to save money, you are better off taking a sleeper bus.

Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station, which you can find some 2 km southwest of the Old Quarter. You are to get off the train at Dong Hoi Railway Station, located 40 km south southeast of Phong Nha.

10h27mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHanoiDong Hoi06:10$18470,000 VNDTickets

10h50mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHanoiDong Hoi15:30$20520,000 VNDTickets

11h54mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHanoiDong Hoi21:20$21560,000 VNDTickets

10h9mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHanoiDong Hoi19:20$22580,000 VNDTickets

9h58mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SeatHanoiDong Hoi20:55$24620,000 VNDTickets

Show all 19 companies

10h27mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi06:10$30780,000 VNDTickets

10h27mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi06:10$34900,000 VNDTickets

10h50mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi15:30$35900,000 VNDTickets

10h9mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi19:20$391,020,000 VNDTickets

9h58mVietnam RailwaysSecond Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi20:55$401,040,000 VNDTickets

10h50mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi15:30$401,060,000 VNDTickets

11h54mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi21:20$421,120,000 VNDTickets

10h9mVietnam RailwaysFirst Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi19:20$441,160,000 VNDTickets

10h18mViolette Express TrainShared Cabin for 4HanoiDong Hoi19:20$591,540,000 VNDTickets

10h43mViolette Express TrainShared Cabin for 4HanoiDong Hoi20:55$591,540,000 VNDTickets

10h15mLaman ExpressShared Cabin for 4HanoiDong Hoi19:40$711,860,000 VNDTickets

9h58mVietnam RailwaysCabin 2 XHanoiDong Hoi20:55$872,280,000 VNDTickets

10h15mLaman ExpressFirst Class SleeperHanoiDong Hoi19:40$1303,350,000 VNDTickets

10h15mLaman ExpressPremium ClassHanoiDong Hoi19:40$1453,850,000 VNDTickets

Train tickets are available on Bookaway.

Booking Tip

We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you're eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.

Step 2: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha by Bus/Taxi

1-1.5h$1.90 (50,000 VND)

From Dong Hoi Railway Station, you can then take either a 1.5-hour bus or a 1-hour taxi to Phong Nha.

A bus ride only costs $1.90 (50,000 VND). However, the nearest bus stop to the train station is located about 1 km away.

You can find this bus stop across the Central Bus Station. Just look for the blue signboard that says Bus 4. You can get here via a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the train station.

The more convenient option, albeit a bit expensive, would be to take a taxi. Fares start from $15 (400,000 VND) when taking a taxi from Dong Hoi Railway Station to Phong Nha.

Visit our page on how to get from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more information.

Booking Tip

Book your tickets online via Baolau to avoid any hassle or delay at the train station!

Dong Hoi

Want to fly from Hanoi to Phong Nha? You have to book a flight from Hanoi Airport to Dong Hoi Airport and then take a bus or taxi from there to Phong Nha.

The flight itself only takes 1 hour. But keep in mind that you have to travel 1 hour from Hanoi centre to the airport and another hour from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha.

Including 2 hours of waiting time at the airport, 30 minutes to collect your luggage and some time to find a bus, it will cost you about 5-6 hours to travel by plane from Hanoi to Phong Nha. For this reason, we recommend travelling on the night train or sleeper bus instead.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Step 1: City Centre to Hanoi Airport by Shuttle Bus/Taxi

1h$1.70 (45,000 VND)

From Hanoi city centre, you’ll have to travel some 30 km north to get to Hanoi Airport. You have several transport options, but we recommend taking Express Bus 86 if you’re on a budget.

Bus 86 departs from Hanoi Railway Station and picks up passengers from several bus stops near the Old Quarter. You can get a ticket for $1.70 (45,000 VND). Travel time is less than 1 hour.

For more convenience, you can also take a taxi. It’s best to book a ride via Grab for cheaper rates and better cars. Grab/taxi fares from Hanoi city centre to Hanoi Airport start from $8.70 (230,000 VND).

For more info on shuttle bus routes and other transport options, check out our page on Hanoi Airport.

Step 2: Hanoi Airport to Dong Hoi Airport by Flight

1h$26 (680,000 VND)

Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways operate 3 to 4 direct flights daily from Hanoi to Phong Nha via Dong Hoi. The flight time is around 1 hour.

Airfares start from $26 (680,000 VND).

Note that it is always best to book flights early to get lower rates. Flight prices can go over $38 (1,000,000 VND) when you book close to the travel date or during the busy season.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha by Taxi

1h$1.90 (50,000 VND)

From Dong Hoi Airport, Phong Nha is still 40 km away. You can get to your hotel by taking either a bus or a taxi.

Bus 4 operates daily from 06:00 to 17:00. You can hail a bus from the main road just outside Dong Hoi Airport. A bus ticket costs $1.90 (50,000 VND). Do note that buses have an hourly interval and don’t have a definite schedule.

Taxis are also available at the airport for around $15 (400,000 VND). However, drivers often try to charge more, sometimes even higher than your airfare from Hanoi!

If you’re planning to take a private transfer from Dong Hoi Airport to Phong Nha, we recommend booking your ride online via BookAway. Their prices are fixed at $22 (580,000 VND) for a 3-seater car.

See our page for Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for more info.

Book a Private Transfer with BookAway

Phong Nha

Reach out to our Community

Hi Maarten,

Thanks for all your articles, they are extremely useful.

I am travelling to Vietnam in September and I would like to take a sleeper bus with Hung Long company to go from Hanoi to Phong Nha, on Vexere. They only provide a phone number (not email or website) which would be very expensive to call for me. Is it necessary to book a few weeks in advance or can I book it 3 days in advance when I arrive in Hanoi? I am not sure of how available are sleeper buses.

Thanks,

Louise

MaartenGeckoRoutes team

Hi Louise, thanks for your kind comment!

Well noted. This specific company doesn't have a website, so you need to book a ticket via an agency or hotel in Hanoi. Don't worry too much about buses selling out. If you are not travelling during a festival day like Tet, you can normally still book the bus one day in advance. I think this transportation guide (geckoroutes.com) could be useful when planning your trip!

If you don't want to take any risk that bus tickets sell out, you could also email or send a message on FB to your accommodation in Hanoi. Maybe they can reserve a ticket for you.

STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha

Here are our favourite places to stay in Phong Nha for every budget.

Budget

Thao Nguyen Homestay

Thanks to the great hospitality of the family, Thao Nguyen Homestay will feel like your home. After a day of trekking, you can take a dive in the pool or sit back and relax with a Netflix movie.

The homestay is located right in front of the bus stop in the centre of Phong Nha. The rooms are bright and spacious, with some of them offering spectacular views of the mountains.

Mountain views
Outdoor swimming pool
Bright and spacious rooms
Delicious free breakfast

Private rooms start from $16 (420,000 VND) per night.

Check availability

Budget

Phong Nha Dawn House

You'll probably find it slightly hard to believe that rooms also start at $16 (420,000 VND) at Phong Nha Dawn House. This place has an almost perfect rating for a reason.

Tu Tu and her family make you feel right at home in their beautiful homestay where you can enjoy a refreshing swimming pool, delicious restaurant and comfortable rooms.

Great value for money
Outdoor swimming pool
Delicious restaurant
Free breakfast

Private rooms start from $16 (420,000 VND) per night.

Check availability

Mid-Range

Karst Villas Phong Nha

Floating in an infinity pool overlooking endless rice fields, can you think of anything better? How about if on top of that, there are mountains in the background and you're staying with a beautiful Vietnamese family?

Karst Villas offer all of that plus modern room and unique bathrooms. A very memorable stay!

Infinity pool
Incredible views
Amazing family
Delicious free breakfast

Private rooms start from $38 (1,000,000 VND) per night.

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Phong Nha?

Phong Nha is a haven for adventure seekers. Its location in central Vietnam requires more time and effort to reach, probably why fewer travellers make their way to this town. That means you can enjoy a mostly unspoiled bit of paradise when you visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its enormous cave system — which includes the world’s largest cave (Hang Son Doong) and the longest dry cave in Asia (Paradise Cave). Outdoor lovers will also enjoy the lush hiking trails, karst mountains, and amazing wildlife in Phong Nha.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Hanoi to Phong Nha, roughly 383 kilometres (238 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $13 (350,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 3h.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Hanoi to Phong Nha?

The distance from Hanoi to Phong Nha is 383 kilometres (238 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha?

The fastest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha is by flight and takes 3h.

What is the cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha?

The cheapest way to get from Hanoi to Phong Nha is by bus with ticket costs starting from 350,000 VND.

About the Authors

Ela

Senior Travel Writer

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.

MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

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How to Get From Hanoi to Phong Nha

Distance from Hanoi to Phong Nha