MaartenContents
Overview | Flight | Train | Bus | Secret Escapes
How to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An?
Flight, Train or Bus?
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 3.5 hours | 670,000 VND ($29) | Check flights |
| Train | 17 hours | 850,000 VND ($36.50) | Check train tickets |
| Bus | 23h 45min | 580,000 VND ($25) | Check bus tickets |
Flying from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An is the fastest option and is sometimes even cheaper than taking the train. Since Hoi An does not have an airport, you have to fly to Da Nang first. From here it is less than one hour to Hoi An city center.
When taking the train, you have to book a train from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang. We do not recommend this option since travelling by train does not offer any advantage over flying. The journey takes roughly 17 hours by train and is even more expensive than booking a flight.
On a tight budget? The bus is the cheapest option. But it saves you very little money and we don’t think that’s worth losing a day travelling and risking your safety on a long bus journey.
Itinerary from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Bus + Flight + Bus
Duration: 3.5 hours
Cost: 670,000 VND ($29)
Step 1: Ho Chi Minh City Center to Ho Chi Minh Airport by Bus
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Cost: 40,000 VND ($1.80)
Ho Chi Minh Airport is located 45 minutes from the city center. We recommend taking the shuttle bus (also called the airport bus) to the airport. Tickets only cost 40,000 VND ($1.80) and the buses offer a good level of comfort.
See the page of Ho Chi Minh Airport for a more detailed description.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang by Flight
Duration: 1h 20min
Cost: 510,000 VND ($22)
Flying from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An is fast and just takes a little more than 1 hour. Jetstar and Vietjet Air offer cheap flights starting from 510,000 VND ($22).
Step 3: Da Nang Airport to Hoi An by Shuttle Bus
Duration: 45min
Cost: 120,000 VND ($5.50)
From Da Nang airport to Hoi An center takes 45 minutes with the shuttle bus, which costs 120,000 VND ($5.50). Another option is the local bus which brings you for only 20,000 VND ($1) to Hoi An.
See From DaNang airport to Hoi An for more details.
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Train
Duration: 17 hours
Cost: 850,000 VND ($36.50)
Ho Chi Minh railway station is located close to the center. It’s about a 30-min walk or 15-min taxi ride from the city center.
Because Hoi An does not have a railway station, you have to book the train from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang. From Da Nang to Hoi An takes 45min.
Step 1: Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang by Train
Duration: 15h 40min
Cost: 830,000 VND ($35.50)
We recommend taking train SE2 since it is the fastest night train. The SE4 is also a good option, but it can take more time to reach the railway station during these peak hours in Ho Chi Minh.
Suggested trains from Ho Chi Min to Da Nang:
| Train | Schedule | Duration | Sleeper berth |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE2 | 21:55-13:37 | 15h 42m | 935,000 VND ($40) |
| SE4 | 19:25-12:16 | 16h 51m | 935,000 VND ($40) |
| SE22 | 11:40-06:28 | 18h 48m | 830,000 VND ($35.50) |
| SE10 | 14:30-09:28 | 18h 58m | 835,000 VND ($36) |
Indicated prices are for sleeper berths. Note that seats are cheaper, but it doesn’t make sense to choose this option for such a long journey in our opinion.
Step 2: Da Nang Railway Station to Hoi An by Bus
Duration: 45min
Cost: 20,000 VND ($1)
From Da Nang railway station to Hoi An center takes about 45 minutes. The bus stop is a 5-min walk from the railway station.
See DaNang railway station to Hoi An for the bus schedule and more details.
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Bus
Duration: 23h 45m
Cost: 580,000 VND ($25)
We do not recommend to travel this long distance by bus since it will be a really long and exhausting journey. Note that you will also need to buy 2 tickets as the journey will be split into 2, but with the same company.
If you still want to cover this distance by bus, we recommend to travel with The Sinh Tourist. Futa Bus also operates on this route but it often receives bad reviews.
The recommended bus of Sinh Tourist leaves from Ho Chi Minh at 7:00 and arrives in Nha Trang at 18:30. In Nha Trang, you have a 30-min stopover to buy food and stretch your legs after this long 11.5-hour bus journey.
The second bus leaves at 19:00 from Nha Trang. This journey takes another 11h 45min and arrives at 06:45 in the morning in Hoi An.
My favourite places to stay in Hoi An
HaLo HomeStay
You think you can only find good banana pancakes in Thailand? Wait till you get them for breakfast at HaLo HomeStay. This homestay has it all: The high-end standard of a hotel combined with the family feeling of a homestay. The owners serve a lovely breakfast and will do everything to get most out of your stay. You can explore Hoi An with their free bicycle rental and reach the Old Quarter or beach within 5 minutes.
Double rooms from: $11
Flame Flowers Homestay
When Halo Homestay is already fully booked, there are still several other great options to stay in Hoi An. Flame Flowers Homestay is one of them. Expect a very warm welcome from the owners. They will feel like family from the moment you meet them.
Double rooms from: $25
Vina Beach Pool Villas
Looking for a more luxurious experience right next to the beach? This little villa is within walking distance from the beach and is a perfect place to stay when you want to escape from the busy city life. Chill at the beach, relax at the pool and have a great night of sleep in a comfy bed.
Double rooms from: $40
Things to do in Hoi An
The online activity platform Klook offers many tours in Hoi An at great prices. I used it now for a couple of times and had great experiences. And the prices are often even lower than when you book with a local travel agent!
And most important, by booking the activity in advance, you avoid the problem of fully booked tours.
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