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How to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s vibrant capital, a beautiful mix of heritage and modernity.
At its heart is the Old Quarter, where just walking around will already reward you with many amazing discoveries. Composed of 36 streets, this commercial centre is bustling with cozy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes.
When in Hanoi, make sure to explore the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Munch on street food, lounge at one of their many coffee shops, and stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
The only sensible way to travel the 1,600 km from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by flight. This plane journey takes a little over 4 hours (incl. transfers). Combined fares start at 991,000 VND ($39.50).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
You can also travel overland, but we do not advise taking the bus or the train because the journey will take at least 36 hours. It only takes about 4 hours to fly from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi.
Train fares for a sleeper berth start from 1,350,000 VND ($54), even more expensive than a flight!
Bus rates, on the other hand, start at 920,000 VND ($37). You’ll save very little, but you’ll lose 2 days on the bus journey. Sitting on a bus for 12 hours is a pity, but 37 hours is just unbearable!
Itinerary from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Flight
Taking a flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is a no-brainer. Even including airport transfers, travelling by flight between these two busy cities only takes 4 hours.
While it is also possible to take a direct train or bus, the travel time will take over 36 hours. Just thinking about it is already exhausting!
Step 1: City Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport by Bus
From Ho Chi Minh city centre, you’ll have to travel some 8 km going north to get to Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport). The cheapest way to do this is by bus.
Public Bus #152 can take you from Saigon centre to the airport in just around 45 minutes. These buses depart from Ben Thanh Market, just 10 minutes away by foot from the backpacker hostels of Pham Ngu Lao Street. A bus ticket costs only 6,000 VND ($0.20).
If you don’t mind spending more for a private ride, we recommend booking a private transfer with BookAway. Rates start from 260,000 VND ($10) for a 3-seater taxi from Ho Chi Minh city centre to the airport.
Check out our guide on Ho Chi Minh International Airport for more transport options.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Flight
The flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is one of the most popular routes, which means there are also many flight options. Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines all offer a good number of flights daily.
The plane journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi takes a little over 2 hours.
Flight rates range from 940,000 VND ($37.50) to 1,200,000 VND ($48). Do book your ticket in advance. Ticket prices can go over 2,000,000 VND ($80) during peak season or when you book very near your travel date.
Step 3: Hanoi Airport to City Centre by Bus
Once you arrive in Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport), you’ll need to arrange transport to cross the 30 km to the city centre. You can choose from 4 options: express bus, public bus, shuttle bus, or taxi.
We recommend taking Express Bus 86 because it’s both convenient and affordable. Bus 86 picks you up from the airport and makes several stops near the Old Quarter. You should be able to easily find your hotel from the bus stop.
A ticket for Express Bus 86 costs 45,000 VND ($1.80). Travel time is less than an hour.
If you need more details, just visit our article on Hanoi Airport.
Our favourite places to stay in Hanoi
Nova Luxury Hotel
Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the center, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
Visiting Halong Bay
For many travellers, Halong Bay is one of the highlights of Vietnam. The stunning landscape and breathtaking views over the limestone rocks look almost unreal!
To experience Halong Bay in the best way, you can book a boat cruise departing from Hanoi. Organized tours departing from Hanoi are often cheaper than tours sold by agencies in Halong Bay and another advantage is that you don't need to organize your transport to get there.
We recommend to book your boat tour online to get the best prices and be certain that you book with a trusted company. I already spoke to many travellers who booked boat trips from a random agency on the street and were very disappointed by the service and conditions of this boat.
See here our recommendtion of well-rated boat cruises
- Halong Bay Day trip (from $39 pp)
- Halong Bay Cruise (from $185 for 2 pers)
*Both tours include free pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi.
Want to have a broader choice of tours? Check out Halongbaytours for more boat cruises around Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay (Cat Ba).
