Content
Route overview from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 3,5 hours | 742.000 VND (€28,50) | Check flights |
| Train | 17 hours | 885.000 VND (€34) | Check train tickets |
| Bus | 22 hours | 700.000 VND (€26,50) | Check bus tickets |
Option 1
Bus + Flight + Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
3,5 hours, 742.000 VND (€28,50)
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.
Option 2
Train + Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
17 hours, 885.000 VND (€34)
When taking the train, you have to book a train from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang. We do not recommend this option since traveling 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.
Option 3
Bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An
22 hours, 700.000 VND (€26,50)
On a tight budget? The bus saves you a little money but wasting a full day on traveling and taking more risk by traveling by bus is not worth the savings.
Option 1: Bus + Flight + Bus
Route: Ho Chi Minh Da Nang Hoi An
Duration: 3,5 hours
Costs: 742.000 VND (€28,50)
Bus: Ho Chi Minh City Center Ho Chi Minh Airport
Duration: 45min
Costs: 40.000 VND (€1,50)
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 (€1,50) and the buses offer a good level of comfort.
See the page of Ho Chi Minh Airport for a more detailed description.
Plane: Ho Chi Minh Da Nang
Duration: 1h 20min
Costs: 582.000 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 637.000 VND (€24).
Shuttle Bus: Da Nang Airport Hoi An
Duration: 45min
Costs: 120.000 VND (€5)
From Da Nang airport to Hoi An center takes 45 minutes with the shuttle bus. Another option is the local bus which brings you for only 20.000 VND (€0,80) to Hoi An.
See From DaNang airport to Hoi An for more details.
Option 2: Train + Bus
Route: Ho Chi Minh Da Nang Hoi An
Duration: 17 hours
Costs: 885.000 VND (€34)
Ho Chi Minh railway station is located close to the center. It’s about 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.
Train: Ho Chi Minh Da Nang
Duration: 15h 40min
Costs: 865.000 VND (€33)
We recommend taking the 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 | Departure/Arrival | Duration | Sleeper berth |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE22 | 11:50-06:15 | 18h 25m | 846.000 VND (€32,50) |
| SE10 | 14:40-09:48 | 19h 8m | 851.000 VND (€32,50) |
| SE4 | 19:45-12:29 | 16h 44m | 865.000 VND (€33) |
| SE2 | 21:55-13:35 | 15h 40m | 865.000 VND (€33) |
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.
Bus: Da Nang Railway Station Hoi An
Duration: 45min
Costs: 20.000 VND (€0,80)
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.
Option 3: Bus
Route: Ho Chi Minh Hoi An
Duration: 22 hours
Costs: 700.000 VND (€26,50)
We do not recommend to travel this long distance by bus since it will be a really long and exhausting journey.
If you still want to cover this distance by bus, we recommend to travel with Hanh Cafe. 2 other companies that operate on this route are Futa bus and Phuc Thuan Thao. But, Futa Bus receives bad reviews and ‘Phu Thuan Thao’ bus makes another stop in Da Nang before continuing to Hoi An.
The recommended bus of Hanh Cafe leaves from Ho Chi Minh at 8:00 and arrives in Nha Trang at 18:00. In Nha Trang, you have 1,5 hour to get some dinner and stretch your legs after this long 10-hour bus journey.
The second bus leaves at 19:30 form Nha Trang. This journey takes another 10,5 hours and arrives at 06:00 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: €15
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: €36
Things to do in Hoi An
Unfortanetely, I don't have a list of things to do yet. But, at least I can recommend you a good website.
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.
Was this post useful to you?
