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Overview | Flight | Train | Bus | Secret Escapes
How To Get From Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh?
The best way to travel the 435km distance from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh is by flight. This plane journey takes 3 hours, including transfers, and costs $24. Other options include taking the train (9.5 hours) or the bus (10 hours).
We suggest booking a flight from Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh since this is the fastest option for this route. Flights are also often cheaper than taking the train.
There are several trains operating on this route, but they won’t save you much or any money compared to the flight. The only reason to take the train is when flights sell out or get too expensive.
Buses are slightly cheaper, but the small savings don’t make up for the extra time and less comfort when travelling by bus.
| Transport Mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | 3 hours | 555,000 VND ($24) | Check flights |
| Train | 9.5 hours | 550,000 VND ($24) | Check train tickets |
| Bus | 10 hours | 220,000 VND ($9.50) | Check bus tickets |
View itinerary from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh
Flight
- Nha Trang
- 45min
- Nha Trang Airport
- 1 hour
- Ho Chi Minh Airport
- 45min
- Ho Chi Minh City Center
Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Duration: 3 hours
Costs: 555,000 VND ($24)
There are many flights leaving from Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh daily. From Nha Trang city center to Cam Ranh Airport as well as from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the center, it will take about 45min.
Step 1: Nha Trang City Center to Nha Trang Airport (Cam Ranh) by Bus
Duration: 45min
Costs: 50,000 VND ($2.20)
Cam Ranh Airport is a 45-min ride from Nha Trang city. You can take a public bus for 50,000 VND ($2.20) or a taxi for 300,000 VND ($13).
See the page of Nha Trang Airport for a more detailed description.
Step 2: Cam Ranh Airport to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Duration: 1 hour
Costs: 465,000 VND ($20)
Vietjet Air and Jetstar offer the cheapest flights starting from 465,000 VND ($20) and the flight just takes about 1 hour. Vietnam Airlines also operate on this route but their tickets are at least $10 more expensive.
Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center by Bus
Duration: 45min
Costs: 40,000 VND ($1.80)
Ho Chi Minh Airport is located 45min from the city center. We recommend taking the shuttle bus (also called the airport bus) from the airport to the center. 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 more info.
Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh by Train
Duration: 9.5 hours
Costs: 550,000 VND ($24)
Taking the train from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh is an option, but you will hardly save any money and it takes much longer than flying. One advantage though is that the train leaves from Nha Trang center and arrives close to Ho Chi Minh center.
We suggest to take one of the options below so you can travel by night and don’t waste any time during your day. Another advantage of the night train is that it also saves you a night on accommodation. We recommend to take SE21 so you can have a good night’s sleep during your journey and have an early morning start in Nha Trang.
| Train | Schedule | Duration | Sleeper berth |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE1 | 22:28-05:45 | 7h 17m | 620,000 VND ($27) |
| SE21 | 20:28-06:20 | 9h 52m | 575,000 VND ($25) |
| SNT1 | 20:00-05:26 | 9h 26m | 615,000 VND ($26.50) |
| SNT3 (not available) | 21:35-07:00 | 9h 25m | 550,000 VND ($24) |
Note that you can also book a soft-seat from 340,000 VND ($14.50). But, we do not recommend sitting 8-9 hours in a soft-seat and waste all day travelling when you can also take a flight for just $10 more.
Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
Duration: 10 hours
Costs: 220,000 VND ($9.50)
Hanh Cafe, The Sinh Tourist and Futa Bus all have buses leaving from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh.
The disadvantage of the bus is that spending 9-11 hours on a sleeper bus can get really uncomfortable. For this reason, we strongly recommend to take a plane or travel by night train instead. However, we have provided you with the bus schedules for this route below:
| Bus | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sinh Tourist | 07:15-18:30 20:00-06:00 | 11h 15m 10 | 265,000 VND ($11.50) |
| Hanh Cafe | 08:00-18:00 20:00-06:00 21:30-07:30 | 10h | 220,000 VND ($9.50) |
| Phuong Nam | 09:00-18:20 20:00-03:30 20:30-04:00 21:00-04:30 22:00-05:30 | 9h 20m 7h 30m 7h 30m 7h 30m 7h 30m | 255,000 VND ($11) |
| Tam Hanh Travel | 07:30-17:30 19:30-06:30 | 10h 11h | 325,000 VND ($14) |
| Phuc An Express | 20:15-05:15 21:30-06:30 | 9h | 280,000 VND ($12) |
| Phuc An Express (Luxury) | 09:30-18:30 22:00-07:00 | 9h | 500,000 VND ($21.50) |
| Futa Bus | 08:00-20:00 10:00-22:00 12:00-00:00 19:00-07:00 20:00-08:00 21:00-09:00 22:00-10:00 23:00-11:00 | 12h | 290,000 VND ($13) |
| Vietnam Transports | 08:00-19:00 20:00-07:00 20:30-07:30 21:30-08:00 | 11h 11h 11h 10h 30m | 485,000 VND ($21) |
Should you prefer other options, you can also book your bus ride through Baolau.
My favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Boholand Hostel
Want to enjoy a great atmosphere with a bit more privacy than the typical backpack hostel? Boholand hostel offers lovely decorated private rooms. The super friendly host will give you the best recommendations of where to go. And best of all, she serves a delicious home-made breakfast for a perfect start of the day!
Double rooms from: $24
Chez Mimosa
This boutique hotel is located just oustide of the center, but everything is still in walking distance, or just $1 by taxi to the center. Enjoy a wonderful breakfast at the balcony after a great night of sleep in the comfy beds. The very helpful owners also provide airport shuttle service.
Double rooms from: $32
SGN Living Artist Apartment
This apartment is located a few minutes walk from the backpacker street and offers great value for money. Expect stylish modern rooms with lots of space and very comfy beds.
Double rooms from: $40
Mekong Delta
One of the popular activities from Ho Chi Minh is visiting the Mekong Delta.
We recommend to check out Klook to get a better impression about this tour. Tickets start from $16.50 for a full day tour including entrance fees.