How to get from Nha Trang 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 435 kilometers (270 miles) from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh. You can choose between the bus, private transport, train and flight. The journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes to 11 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 320,000 VND ($12.30).

Travelling by bus from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh takes around 6 hours 25 minutes to 10 hours. That’s only an hour longer than taking the train. But buses are nowhere near as comfortable so the bus journey may be a bit exhausting.

Still, the bus is the cheapest option with ticket prices from 320,000 VND ($12.30).

If you take a night train, you can hopefully sleep for the most part of the journey. It’s worth noting that buses operating this route don’t really get good reviews. And if you want a guaranteed pleasant journey, we encourage you to take the train instead.

Departure and arrival station

Buses have varying departure and arrival points, usually at their own headquarters in Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh.

Some buses depart or arrive at the city centre, while others park at bus stations several kilometres away. This is why we highly advise that you pay attention to these details when booking your ride. Otherwise, you might end up taking a bus that departs or arrives miles away from your hotel.

Travelling by train from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh is very scenic, and also quite convenient because trains depart and arrive within the centre of the two cities.

The train journey takes around 8 to 11 hours, but if you travel during the day, you will be very entertained by the coastal and rural sites along the way. Ticket prices start from 323,000 VND ($12.40).

There are also several trains operating overnight if you prefer to sleep through the journey. Another advantage of this is you can save a night on hotel costs.

It’s still quite a long journey by train, so we recommend booking a 4-berth sleeper for the most comfort. If you’re looking to save on costs, you can also book a soft seat or a bunk in a 6-berth cabin.

Departure and arrival station

You can find Nha Trang Railway Station just within the city centre, about 2 km west of the main beach.

Your arrival point is Saigon Train Station, located in Ho Chi Minh’s District 3. From here, you can take a short taxi ride to Pham Ngu Lao Street, situated 3.5 km southeast.

Taking a flight from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh may seem like the fastest option at 2 hours 45 minutes. However, there is still the extra time to check in, the waiting time for your flight, and then the additional time to claim your luggage.

In reality, this flight journey can easily take 6 hours. And you’ll be walking around to various transfers for a great part of that. With a train ride from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh, you can just sit back and relax, or even enjoy a few hours of sleep, for the direct journey.

If you still want to take a flight, read on for a detailed guide.

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

Nha Trang Airport (also called Cam Ranh) is located some 35 km south of Nha Trang city centre.

You can get to the airport in 2 ways: by airport bus for 1 hour or by taxi for 45 minutes. Rates start from 74,000 VND ($2.80) and 226,000 VND ($8.70), respectively.

You can book your ride online via BookAway, which offers both airport shuttles and private transfers from Nha Trang city Centre to Cam Ranh Airport.

See our page on Nha Trang Airport for more details.

Vietjet Air often offers the cheapest flights from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh. Other carriers for this route are Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines, although they are usually more expensive.

Airfares start from 630,000 VND ($24). It’s best to book your flight tickets well in advance to get these rates. Flight fares can go as high as 1,000,000 VND ($38) in peak season.

The flight time from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh is a little over 1 hour.

Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) is located 8 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh city centre. You can cross this distance in about 45 minutes by bus or taxi.

If you’re a solo traveller, we recommend taking Public Bus #152, which only costs 6,000 VND ($0.20). This bus offers a good level of comfort and is convenient because it drops you off right smack in the city centre – particularly at Ben Thanh Market. From here, Pham Ngu Lao is just 10 minutes away on foot.

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer with BookAway. Rates start from 211,000 VND ($8.10) for a 3-seater car.

Check out our guide on Ho Chi Minh Airport for more transport options.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh.

Rates start from 3,721,000 VND ($145) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 1,240,000 VND ($48) per person. Travel time is around 6 to 9 hours.

Private Transport options from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh