What to expect when visiting Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.
2 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 600 kilometers (373 miles) from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by train (1 day 9 hours to 2 days) and flight (3 hours 55 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours 55 minutes to 2 days and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 991,000 VND ($40) for the flight.Where to stay in Hanoi?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Hanoi at the bottom of this page.
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 around 3 hours 55 minutes.
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!
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 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 ($10.50) 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 around 2 hours 10 minutes.
Flight rates start from 940,000 VND ($38). Do book your ticket in advance. Ticket prices can go over 2,000,000 VND ($81) 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 around 1 hour.
If you need more details, just visit our article on Hanoi Airport.
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Train
You can travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by direct train, but be prepared for a long journey—around 1 day 9 hours to 2 days!
Ticket prices start from 1,038,000 VND ($42) for a second-class seat. But for this lengthy journey, we recommend booking a 4-sleeper cabin for more comfort.
Train options from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Best places to stay in Hanoi
Siva Luxury Hotel - Budget Friendly
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 centre, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
What is the distance from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is 600 kilometers (373 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by flight and takes 3 hours 55 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by flight with ticket costs starting from 991,000 VND ($40).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. 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!
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.
