Categories
travel guide Vietnam

Getting from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (and return)

Ho Chi Minh City – commonly known as Saigon – is the largest city in Vietnam. It used to be the capital of South Vietnam. It is filled with museums and religious sites. It is also popular for its markets. Many travelers choose to visit both Hanoi and Saigon, making traveling between the two cities a very popular route.

Quick summary

Traveling by train and flying cost about the same, but if you choose to fly you’ll get between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in little over 2hours. Trains take 30-35 hours and it’s a good choice if you want to see the countryside while you travel.

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon (airport code: SGN) to Hanoi

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is Vietnam’s largest airport and serves Ho Chi Minh City. It is hub for Air Mekong, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, VASCO and Vietnam Airlines. Hanoi’s airport is the largest in the north part of the country and is also hub for Air Mekong and Vietnam Airlines.

Flights between the two cities are run by Air Mekong, Jetstart Pacific Airways and Vietnam Airlines. Single adult fares start at US$87 on Jetstar, while return fares start at US$155 (on the same airline). The flight time is 2h 10 min.

Read more about:
>> Cheap Flights to Hanoi
>> Cheap Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Trains from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

The North – South ‘Reunification’ Main Line connects the two cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. During the entire year there are 5 trains, while over the Tet holiday more trains are added. The travel time between the two cities is about 30 -35 hours.

It’s advised to choose the SE1 (7 p.m. daily) and SE3 (11 p.m. daily) trains, as they have three types of sleepers , all with AC and a restaurant car. Tickets range between 1008000 dong / US$48.50 (soft seat AC) and 1565000 dong / US$75 (soft sleeper AC).

>>read more about Train travel in Vietnam

Buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

There are buses connecting the two cities. Instead of seats, they have beds inside. And there are also toilets. The total travel time is about 30 hours and the single adult fare is US$43-50. Buses are run by Hoang Long Company (which doesn’t have a website). In Hanoi , they depart from Luong Vien bus station.

>>read more about Bus travel in Vietnam

Photo credit