What to expect when visiting Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a high-rise resort town in southeast Vietnam. Its sandy coast is regarded as one of the most beautiful bays in the world — thanks to its crescent-shaped white sand beach and clear turquoise waters.
Also known as the country’s seafood capital, Nha Trang is bustling with many offerings — from dining choices to pagodas and sculpture gardens as well as a vibrant nightlife. But if those are not enough, you can always visit the many islands nearby via boat or by cable car from Nha Trang.
3 ways to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang
There are three ways to travel the distance of 435 km (270 miles) from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang: by bus (9 hours), train (7h42m-9h45m) and flight (1h55m). The journey takes between 1h55m - 9h45m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 286,000 VND ($11.50) for the bus.Where to stay in Nha Trang?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Nha Trang at the bottom of this page.
Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by Bus
On a budget? The bus is the most affordable choice when travelling from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang.
Bus rates start from 286,000 VND ($11.50). You can choose from a variety of companies. Among these are Viet Nhat, Phuc An Express, Futa Bus, and Kumho Samco.
The bus journey from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang takes around 9 hours, but you can travel overnight so that you won’t lose a full day on the bus ride. It’s still worth noting that bus travel is neither as safe nor as comfortable as a train ride.
We think that a few dollars more on the train is well worth the money when travelling from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang!
Departure and arrival station
When booking your ride, make sure to take note of the departure and arrival points.
Buses depart and arrive at varying locations in Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang. Usually, that’s at their own headquarters in the two cities. If you’re staying in Pham Ngu Lao, Viet Nhat and Phuc An Express depart from the backpacker area.
Sometimes, one bus company has several pick-up locations. It’s very important to pick a bus with the most convenient bus stops for you. This way, you won’t have to spend unnecessary costs and time on finding your way to and from bus stations!
Bus schedules from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang
There are plenty of bus companies operating on this route so you can basically “shop around” depending on your budget and preference. You can do that via the booking platform BookAway, which offers over a dozen of bus selections from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang.
Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by Train
Taking the train is a very picturesque way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang.
The train journey takes around 8 hours. And although this looks more than double the travel time with a flight, it will be time well spent.
When you want to catch up on some sleep, you can take an overnight train from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang. This way, you won’t lose a day on travelling and can also save a night on accommodation.
Travelling by day is not a bad idea too. The train ride from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang passes along the coast and is very scenic!
Train fares start from 436,000 VND ($17.50) for a very comfortable bunk at a 4-sleeper cabin. You can also consider booking a soft seat or a 6-sleeper berth if you want to save on costs.
Departure and arrival station
Trains depart from Saigon Railway Station in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh, some 3.5 km northwest of Pham Ngu Lao Street.
You are to get off at Nha Trang Train Station, located 2 km west of the main beach.
Train schedules from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang (Sleeper berth)
Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang by Flight
Travelling by flight is the fastest option from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang, at least on paper.
But when you consider the travel time when going to and from the airports, the waiting time for your flight, and the time you spend on getting your luggage, then we’re looking at about 6 hours on this flight journey.
We think that taking a direct train would be a better value for money when travelling from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang.
But if you still prefer to take a flight, read on for a step-by-step guide.
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
Ho Chi Minh Airport (also called Tan Son Nhat) is located 45 minutes from the city centre. We recommend taking Public Bus #152 to the airport. A ticket only costs 6,000 VND ($0.20) and the buses offer a good level of comfort.
Public Bus #152 departs from across Ben Thanh Market, which you can reach in just 10 minutes on foot from the backpacker area in Pham Ngu Lao.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer online via BookAway. Rates start from 260,000 VND ($10.50) for a 3-seater car.
Visit our guide on Ho Chi Minh Airport for more transport options.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh Airport) by Flight
There are many flights leaving from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang every day. These are operated by Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines.
Flight fares range from 570,000 VND ($23.00) to 730,000 VND ($29.50). Do note that ticket prices can go over 1,000,000 VND ($40.50) when you book close to your desired date. This is why we highly recommend always buying your plane tickets well in advance.
The plane ride from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang takes a little over an hour.
Step 3: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang by Bus/Taxi
Cam Ranh Airport and Nha Trang city centre are separated by a 35 km distance.
To get to your hotel, you can either take the airport bus for 74,000 VND ($3.00) or a taxi for 226,000 VND ($9.00). Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
To skip the lines at the airport as well as avoid touts trying to offer expensive taxi rides, it’s best to pre-book your bus or private transfer online through BookAway.
See our page on Cam Ranh Airport for more details.
Our favourite places to stay in Nha Trang
Shoho Hotel - Budget Friendly
The value for money of Shoho Hotel is insane. In other cities around the world, you would be paying 5x the price of this place. The rooms are beautifully designed with pops of colour and comfortable simplicity.
Staff here are incredibly friendly and helpful, plus you can’t beat the location. It’s only 100m from the beach!
- Right on the beach
- Great value for money
- Beautiful design
- Amazing staff
Private rooms start from $10 per night.
Mojzo Inn - Budget Friendly
Want to wake up in a stylish & spacious room and enjoy a tasty breakfast on the rooftop restaurant?
Mojzo Inn is located close to the restaurants, bars and just a few minutes walk from the beach. When you stay at Mojzo, make sure you don’t miss out on the delicious (and free) home-baked cake served at tea time between 15:00-17:00.
- Rooftop restaurant
- Great location
- Free homemade cakes
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $17 per night.
Zenia Boutique Hotel - Budget Friendly
You’re spoilt for choice with budget accommodations in Nha Trang, but one thing that makes Zenia Boutique Hotel stand out is its rooftop pool. The views of the beach and city are spectacular.
Their onsite Asian restaurant serves both delicious local and international cuisine. Then you can burn off the calories you consumed in their gym. The rooms are super modern and spacious. A great stay in Nha Trang.
- Rooftop pool
- Amazing views
- Delicious onsite restaurant
- Gym
Private rooms start from $18 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang
What is the distance from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang is 435 km (270 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang is by flight and takes 1h55m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang is by bus with ticket costs starting from 286,000 VND ($11.50).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang. 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!
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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.
