How to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in South East Asia. Every year millions of tourists descend from all over the world to experience the best of what the country has to offer. 

The two most important cities in Vietnam- Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are on opposite sides of the country. Hanoi, the capital in the north and Ho Chi Minh, the biggest city in the country in the south. Despite the distance, the two cities are two of the biggest draws in Vietnam with most tourists landing in Ho Chi Minh City before making their way to Hanoi. The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is over 1500 km and there are multiple ways to travel between the two cities. Let’s take a look at your options:

By flight

The easiest and least hassle-free option to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is by flight. The two main airports in Vietnam are located in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi so getting from one city to another is fast, comfortable, and convenient.

The biggest Vietnam-based airline companies like Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways offer 26+ daily flights between the two cities every 30 minutes. On average the flight takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes to reach its destination. Usually the flight will cost around $40 to upwards of $200. Despite the cost, taking a flight is the ebay option for you if you want to see all that the country has to offer in a short period of time.

By bus

If you are traveling on a tight budget then taking an overnight bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is the cheapest option with tickets costing around $30 to $75. A bus journey might not be as comfortable as the rest of the options on this list but it still has its own perks including easy booking, and cheap tickets. Some bus companies also pick you up from designated bus stops which are located all over the city. 

The entire journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi will take around 34 hours with multiple short stops along the way. Sometimes the journey might take longer if the bus gets stuck in traffic. But if you have a flexible schedule, buses are the way to go. Some of the best and most comfortable bus companies that travel this route are Hoang Long, Mai Linh Express, and Hai Au Bus. 

By train

Trains are the best option for you if you want the scenic route. It is a great way to get a feel of the entire country since you’ll be traversing almost the entire length of the country on your journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. It is also reasonably priced with tickets costing as cheap as $30 to upwards of $80. If you book in advance you can get tickets for even cheaper. The entire trip will take around 34 hours with at least 21 stops in between. Despite the length of the journey, the trains come equipped with acs, different types of bedding according to your preference, clean toilets which all make the journey so much more comfortable. The best part about taking the train is the scenery along the way and the option to interact with locals from all walks of life.

By motorbike or car

If you are an adventurous soul, travelling on your own is a great way to see Vietnam. You  can either rent a motorbike or a car and drive all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. It is a long journey which requires over 30 plus hours of driving but offers the most flexibility since you don’t have to run on someone else’s schedule. It is also the most scenic route since you get to pass through towns, mountains, beaches, and various small sites that most tourists have never heard about. However, driving on your own can be quite dangerous if you are not used to mountain roads and local traffic rules. So, always make sure to read up on traffic rules and use a helmet if you are riding a bike.

Since you are here, I assume that you are planning to or want to travel to Vietnam.

The first thing you need to do when planning for a trip is to apply for a visa.

For Vietnam, you can either apply for a visa either through an embassy or consulate of Vietnam in your home country or apply for a visa online using a visa company like BDATrip which is already pre-approved by the government. If you are travelling from a country like the USA, you can directly apply for a Vietnam visa here.