Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh

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How to get from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh

The best way to travel the 940 km distance from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh is by flight. This flight journey takes 3.5 hours (including transfers) and costs around $31 (731,000 VND). Alternative options include taking the train (17.5 hours) and the bus (24 hours).

3 ways to get from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh

Transport mode	Duration	Costs		Tickets
Flight	3.5 hours	$31 (731,000 VND)		Check flights
Train	17.5 hours	$48 (1,127,000 VND)		Check train tickets
Bus	24 hours	$40.50 (953,000 VND)		Check bus tickets

If you want to travel straight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh, we recommend booking a flight. It is the only option that does not take an entire day. And with combined fares from $31 (731,000 VND), flights are also often cheaper than a train ride.

Train travel is a more sustainable option than taking a flight. But for this route, it takes around 17.5 hours to travel by train. It is also often more expensive than taking a flight. This is why we think it is more reasonable to take a flight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh.

There is also a way to travel by bus, but we don’t recommend this option. The bus journey from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh takes around 24 hours. That’s a lot of time to get stuck on a bus that is neither as safe nor as comfortable as a plane or train ride.

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

Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh by Flight

Duration: 3.5 hours

Cost: $31 (731,000 VND)

Duration: 3.5 hours

Cost: $31 (731,000 VND)

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 3.5 hours.

Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Airport by Bus

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $6.50 (155,000 VND)

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $6.50 (155,000 VND)

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 $6.50 (155,000 VND).

For couples and groups, it is more convenient to take a taxi. Rates start from $13.50 (320,000 VND).

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

Step 2: Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh by Flight

Duration: 1.5 hours

Cost: $24 (570,000 VND)

Duration: 1.5 hours

Cost: $24 (570,000 VND)

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 $24 (570,000 VND) to $35 (830,000 VND). 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 $63 (1,500,000 VND).

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Bus

Duration: 45 minutes

Cost: $0.20 (6,000 VND)

Duration: 45 minutes

Cost: $0.20 (6,000 VND)

From Ho Chi Minh Airport, it’s a 45-minute bus or taxi ride to the city centre.

Public bus #152 is the cheapest option at only $0.20 (6,000 VND). 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.

PRO TIP: Use the free N26 debit card to avoid the extra fees charged by your bank. This N26 debit card is becoming very popular among travellers, because they don't charge any fees on payments in foreign currencies (most banks charge 3%-5%). New members can order one for free on the N26 website

 

Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh by Train

Duration: 17.5 hours

Cost: $48 (1,127,000 VND)

Duration: 17.5 hours

Cost: $48 (1,127,000 VND)

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

Travel time by train takes around 17.5 hours, 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.

Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang Railway Station by Minivan

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $6.50 (155,000 VND)

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $6.50 (155,000 VND)

There are 2 ways you can get to Da Nang Railway Station from Hoi An: by minivan for $6.50 (155,000 VND) or by taxi with fares from $18.50 (440,000 VND).

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: Pre-pandemic, cheap public buses operated from Hoi An to Da Nang. But the last time we checked (February 2023), these were no longer available.

Step 2: Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh by Train

Duration: 16.5 hours

Cost: $38 (897,000 VND)

Duration: 16.5 hours

Cost: $38 (897,000 VND)

You can choose from 4 trains operating daily from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh. Travel time is 16.5-19.5 hours, 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!

Because this is quite a long journey, we recommend that you get a bunk in a 4-berth sleeper. Fares start from $38 (897,000 VND). Cheaper 6-berth sleepers are also available, but may not be as comfortable.

Train schedules from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh (Sleeper berth)

Train	Schedule	Sleeper berth
SE5	09:17-04:45	$46.50 (1,093,000 VND) Check Train Tickets
SE3	12:02-05:47	$46.50 (1,092,000 VND) Check Train Tickets
SE1	14:08-06:32	$46.50 (1,092,000 VND) Check Train Tickets
SE7	23:25-17:10	$38 (897,000 VND) Check Train Tickets

Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Train Station to City Centre by Taxi

Duration: 10 minutes

Cost: $3.10 (75,000 VND)

Duration: 10 minutes

Cost: $3.10 (75,000 VND)

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 10-minute taxi for $3.10 (75,000 VND).

Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh by Bus

Duration: 24 hours

Cost: $40.50 (953,000 VND)

Duration: 24 hours

Cost: $40.50 (953,000 VND)

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 at least 24 hours and the company operating on this route don’t always get the best reviews.

Do you still want to take a bus? If yes, read on for a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Hoi An to Da Nang by Taxi

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $18.50 (440,000 VND)

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $18.50 (440,000 VND)

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 $18.50 (440,000 VND) when you book your private transfer through BookAway.

Travelling light? A motorbike taxi is a cheaper option at about $6 (150,000 VND). 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 (February 2023). 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.

Step 2: Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh by Bus

Duration: 23 hours

Cost: $21.50 (513,000 VND)

Duration: 23 hours

Cost: $21.50 (513,000 VND)

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 23-hour journey.

Bus fares start from $21.50 (513,000 VND), just a few dollars cheaper than a plane ride.

Bus schedules from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh

Bus Operator	Schedule	Costs
Futa Bus	10:15-09:15 17:00-16:00 19:00-18:00	$21.50 (513,000 VND) Check Bus Tickets

Futa Bus departs from Da Nang Central Bus Station and arrives at Ho Chi Minh’s Eastern Bus Station (Mien Dong). This is still 19 km away from Pham Ngu Lao so if you’re heading to Saigon city centre, you can take a 30-minute taxi for around $15.50 (370,000 VND).