How to get from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh

Why visit Ho Chi Minh?

Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest and probably busiest metropolis. Formerly called Saigon, the city pulsates with energy and organised chaos. Its streets are packed with motorcycles day in and day out, we absolutely have no idea how everyone manages not to bump into each other!

Don’t miss a visit to the War Remnants Museum and Central Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Shop (and prepare to haggle) at Ben Thanh Market, and explore the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels. When its bustling streets become too much, know that you can always find solace in one of its many cosy coffee shops.

There are 4 ways to travel the 940 kilometers (584 miles) from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh. You can choose between the bus, private transport, train and flight. The journey takes 3 hours 15 minutes to 1 day and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at 731,000 VND ($28).

Hoi An does not have its own airport, but there is one in the nearby city of Da Nang, which you can find 30 km north.

Including the transfers to and from the airports, a flight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh takes only 3 hours 15 minutes.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

From Hoi An, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to get to Da Nang Airport. Travel time is around 1 hour.

Travelling solo? We recommend taking a shuttle bus. This will pick you up from Hoi An city centre and take you straight to Da Nang Airport for around 155,000 VND ($6).

For couples and groups, it is more convenient to take a taxi. Rates start from 320,000 VND ($12.30).

You can book your shuttle or taxi ride beforehand through BookAway. Also check out our page about Da Nang Airport for more details.

From Da Nang Airport, a flight to Ho Chi Minh takes about 1.5 hours. Vietjet Air usually offers the cheapest flights, but you can also choose from a few other carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Jetstar.

Airfares start from 570,000 VND ($22). It’s best to book your tickets early to secure those prices. If you’re travelling during the peak season (December to April), rates can go as high as 1,500,000 VND ($58).

From Ho Chi Minh Airport, it takes 45 minutes via bus or taxi to the city centre.

Public bus #152 is the cheapest option at only 6,000 VND ($0.20). This drops you off at the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market, which is just a 10-minute walk from Ho Chi Minh’s Pham Ngu Lao Street.

See our page on Ho Chi Minh Airport for more info.

Hoi An does not have its own railway station. When travelling by train from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh, you can take one from Da Nang.

Travel time by train takes around 19 hours to 21 hours 30 minutes, including transfers. This is much longer than a flight, but all trains operate overnight so you won’t lose a lot of daytime on the journey. Also, while train fares are often more expensive, you can save a night on accommodation.

There are 2 ways you can get to Da Nang Railway Station from Hoi An: by minivan for 155,000 VND ($6) or by taxi with fares from 440,000 VND ($16.90).

Minivans are available daily from 06:00 to 20:00. Pick the minivan schedule that arrives at the station closest to your train’s departure time then pre-book your ride via BookAway to avoid any hassle on the day of your trip.

Visit our guide on Da Nang Railway Station for more info.

IMPORTANT: Cheap public buses used to operate from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (October 2024), these were no longer available.

You can choose from several trains operating daily from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh. Travel time is 18h - 20h 30m, so all of these are overnight trips. Just pick a schedule that fits well with your itinerary.

But if you ask us, SE1 has the best departure and arrival times. You can check out of your hotel in Hoi An at noon, travel an hour to Da Nang, have a quick lunch, and then board your train. Enjoy the journey, have a good night’s sleep and wake up in Ho Chi Minh the next morning!

Train fares start from 626,000 VND ($24). Because this is quite a long journey, we recommend that you get a bunk in a 4-berth sleeper. Cheaper 6-berth sleepers are also available, but may not be as comfortable.

You are to get off the train at Saigon Station, 3.5 km north of Pham Ngu Lao. To get to Ho Chi Minh’s tourist centre, you can take a taxi ride that takes 10 minutes and costs 75,000 VND ($2.90).

We do not recommend travelling this long distance by bus because it will be a really exhausting journey from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh. The bus ride takes almost 1 day.

Do you still want to take a bus? If yes, look at the two options below.

The direct bus from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh takes 19h.

Rates start from 2,274,000 VND ($88).

Bus options from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh

You can also travel to Ho Chi Minh from Hoi An via Da Nang. Read on for a step-by-step guide.

There are no direct buses from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh so you’ll first go to Da Nang Bus Station. When travelling in a group or carrying bulky luggage, the best way to do this is by taxi. Rates start from 440,000 VND ($16.90) when you book your private transfer through BookAway.

Travelling light? A motorbike taxi is a cheaper option at about 150,000 VND ($5.80). You can hail a moto taxi from the street or you can book one via Grab.

IMPORTANT: Public Bus #1 no longer operates from Hoi An to Da Nang the last time we checked (October 2024). Some tourists, who did not know this, have fallen victim to drivers offering overpriced taxis. This is why it’s best to pre-book your ride with a company or agency that you already trust.

Futa Bus is the sole bus operator for the Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh route.

Again, we don’t see any good reason why you should travel this long journey by bus. On top of that, Futa Bus has gotten complaints about dirty buses and rude staff — something you don’t want to endure in a journey that takes 23h.

Bus fares start from 513,000 VND ($19.70), just a few dollars cheaper than a plane ride.

Private Transport options from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh