What to expect when visiting 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.
2 ways to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 390 kilometers (242 miles) from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh by bus (9 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes) and flight (2 hours 15 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 606,000 VND ($24) for the flight.Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh at the bottom of this page.
Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
A flight is the fastest option from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh. And if you book your tickets early, total rates can be cheaper than a combined ferry and bus ride.
Also, if you’re taking an international flight within the same day, it really is better to take a flight out of Phu Quoc. Ferry trips going out of the island can get cancelled without prior warning because of rough seas.
When that happens, you might not be able to make it in time for your international flight from Ho Chi Minh.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Phu Quoc City Centre to Phu Quoc Airport by Taxi
You can find Phu Quoc Airport 15 km south of Duong Dong town and 5 km south of Long Beach.
You have 2 options when you want to reach the airport: you can take a bus for 20,000 VND ($0.80) or a taxi for around 200,000 VND ($8.10) from Duong Dong and 120,000 VND ($4.80) from Long Beach.
For more details, visitph our page about Phu Quoc Airport.
Step 2: Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines offer several daily flights from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh. The flight takes a little over 1 hour.
Airfares start from 580,000 VND ($23). Book your flights early to get the best rates!
Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Taxi
From Ho Chi Minh Airport, you will find the tourist centre 8 km southeast.
The cheapest way to get there is by public bus #152. This bus departs from outside the arrivals terminal of Ho Chi Minh Airport and makes its final stop at the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market. From here, it’s just a 10-minute walk to Pham Ngu Lao.
If you prefer a private ride, you can also take a taxi with rates from 150,000 VND ($6). See our page for Ho Chi Minh Airport for more info.
Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
Travelling by combined bus and ferry does not offer any advantage compared to taking a flight from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh.
This option takes at least 9 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 30 minutes (excluding the waiting time for your bus) and costs around 700,000 VND ($28). That price does not include yet your taxi transfers when going to and from the bus stations.
Given those reasons, we only recommend taking a bus & ferry from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh when flight fares are too expensive.
Step 1: Phu Quoc City Centre to Bai Vong Port
Ferries bound for Rach Gia depart from Phu Quoc’s Bai Vong Port, which you can find 15 km southeast of Duong Dong town centre. You can cross this distance in 2 ways: via bus and taxi (both take around 30 minutes).
A bus ticket costs 60,000 VND ($2.40) and there are pick-up points in Duong Dong as well as Long Beach. With a taxi ride, fares start from 230,000 VND ($9.30).
Check out our guide on Phu Quoc Ferry Port for more details.
Step 2: Phu Quoc to Rach Gia by Ferry
Superdong and Phu Quoc Express operate a number of ferry trips from Phu Quoc to Rach Gia every day.
Ticket prices start from 390,000 VND ($15.70). The ferry journey takes around 2h 40m - 3h.
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eyeing the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
Ferries dock at Rach Gia Harbour. Because there is quite a distance from the port to the bus terminals in Rach Gia, we recommend that you allow at least a 1-hour allowance between your ferry’s arrival and your bus departure.
Step 3: Rach Gia to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
There are 3 bus companies that can take you from Rach Gia to Ho Chi Minh. These are Futa Bus, Kumho Samco and Thien Thanh.
Bus fares start from 250,000 VND ($10.10) for the journey that takes 6 hours.
Futa Bus offers the cheapest rates and also has the most convenient departure point, but it doesn’t always get good reviews. It departs from Rach Gia Bus Station, just 1.5 km northeast of the port.
Kumho Samco gets better reviews than Futa Bus and offers clean and comfortable buses — well worth its affordable rates. However, its bus departs from its headquarters in Rach Gia, which is 10 km away from the harbour.
Both Futa Bus and Kumho Samco arrive at the Western Bus Station (Mien Tay), 9 km southwest of Pham Ngu Lao.
Thien Thanh, although more expensive, is highly rated for its luxury buses. It departs from its office in Rach Gia (6 km from the port) and arrives at its headquarters in Ho Chi Minh (9 km northwest of the tourist district).
Best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is home to around 9 million people. To fit that many people, it has got to be a pretty big city, which can make choosing the right area a little overwhelming.
Here is a quick rundown of the best districts for you to stay in:
- District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular choice for tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.
- Pham Ngu Lao is located within District 1 and is popular amongst budget travellers due to its nightlife, street food and cheap accommodations.
- District 3 is less touristy but still relatively central and offers a more local experience. It’s known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture.
- District 5 (Chinatown) offers a unique cultural experience with its bustling atmosphere, Chinese temples, and a wide variety of delicious street food.
- District 7 is more modern and upscale. There are plenty of international restaurants, shopping centres and green spaces.
Check out our favourite places to stay in these areas:
Vy Khanh Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
Vy Khanh Guesthouse may not be the fanciest place in Ho Chi Minh, but what it lacks in glitz and glamour, it makes up with its hospitality. Vy is one of the best hosts that you’ll experience in Vietnam, offering you recommendations for not just the city but the entire country.
She’ll make sure you have the best experience and that starts with the guesthouse’s location. It’s situated in the heart of the city in District 1.
- Amazing host
- Great location
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good value for money
Double rooms start from $15 per night.
Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment - Mid Range
Golden Tree Hotel stands out amongst the rest due to its perfect ambient lighting both inside and outside. This hotel feels face fancier than its price tag.
The rooms are spacious and modern, with most rooms offering a private kitchen and large colonial-style windows. Stay here and you’ll be located in District 7.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Great location
- Beautiful decor
- High speed internet
Double rooms start from $31 per night.
Silverland Mây Hotel - Treating Yourself
One look at Siverland Mây Hotel’s swimming pool and you won’t be able to resist booking here. It’s surrounded by lush greenery hanging from the ceiling, hammocks and there’s a pool-side bar.
The rooms live up to this standard boasting a beautiful ultra-modern decor. You’ll never want to leave this place.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Pool-side bar
- Stunning rooms
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh
What is the distance from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh?
The distance from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh is 390 kilometers (242 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh?
The fastest way to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh is by flight and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh?
The cheapest way to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh is by flight with ticket costs starting from 606,000 VND ($24).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh. 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!
Routes from Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Most popular routes in Vietnam
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.
