Hanoi , the capital of Vietnam, is also the country’s second largest city, after Ho Chi Minh City. Although its airport is smaller compared to the other international airports in Vietnam, Hanoi is the main international gateway into the country.
Hong Kong is an important travel destination for Chinese mainland population, but the foreign travelers don’t avoid it, either. Plus, with a history of being a British colony and mixing the west and east is a unique manner, Hong Kong has a lot to offer to its visitors.
Quick summary
The cheapest option to travel between Hanoi and Hong Kong is by train (with two stops along the way). If the budget is not a problem, then you can consider flying as well.
Flights from Hanoi (airport code: HAN) to Hong Kong
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves the city of Hanoi. The airport is located about 45 km from the city center and is hub for Air Mekong and Vietnam Airlines.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the main airport in Hong Kong and an important passenger hub in the area. It is hub for the following airlines: Air Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair, Evergreen International Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways. It is also focus city for numerous airlines, including China Airlines, Virgin Airlines and Air New Zealand.
Direct flights between Hanoi and Hong Kong are operated by Dragonair, Hong Kong Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The flight time is 1h 50 min. In 2012, expect to pay from US$248 one way on Hong Kong Express to US$365 one way on Vietnam Airlines, depending on the day of departure.
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>>Cheap Flights to Hanoi
>>Airfare to Hong Kong
Trains from Hanoi to Hong Kong
While there is no direct train between Hanoi and Hong Kong, you can easily travel overland with stops in Nanning and Guangzhou.
You cannot buy the tickets for the entire length of the journey so you need to buy for each segment. It will add up to about $110 one way . Also remember that you need a visa for China and you need to prove your travel plans (onward or return).
In short, here’s how to get from Hanoi to Hong Kong by train:
1. Take the overnight train from Hanoi to Nanning. This is rather new route (started in Jan 2009) . Trains leave Hanoi daily at 9:40 p.m. (do make sure to double check , though). They arrive in Nanning after 13 hours. The fare is US$23 one way for the hard sleeper and US$35 one way for the soft sleeper. Please note that in Hanoi you need to show the passport with the Chinese visa in order to be able to buy the tickets. Make sure to get your visa in your home country (the Embassy in Vietnam won’t issue visas for foreign citizens).
Alternatively, you can take the bus on the same route. There are several daily buses on this route. The journey time is 7-8 hours and the fare is US$25 one way.
2. Take the overnight train from Nanning to Guangzhou. There are three trains leaving in the evening (7:15 p.m, 5:25 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.). All have soft and hard class sleepers and the travel time is about 7 ½ h. The fare is about US$30 for the hard sleeper and US$43 for the hard sleeper. Since you can pre-book this trip in Vietnam, you are left with showing up at the train station and see what options are available.
3. Take the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong : the 182 km between the two cities are covered by trains in about 2 hours. There are 12 trains per day and the single fare is HK$190 (about US$25).
Alternatively, you can take the bus from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. There are departures every 30 minutes, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m, and the single adult fare is US$70. Or you can take the ferry , which takes about 75 min to connect the two cities and the single adult fare starts at HK$147 (about US$20).
>>read more about Getting from Guangzhou to Hong Kong