Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An Travel: How to Get There
By Air: Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An Flights
Time: 1hr 20min flight plus 45min drive
Est. Price: 450,000 – 1.2 million VND (20 – 50 USD) one-way flight plus taxi/bus fare
This is easily the quickest option to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An. You will have to fly from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Da Nang International Airport, as this is the closest airport to Hoi An. The flight on its own will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes. Once in Da Nang you’ve a variety of options to get to Hoi An – find our guide to transport from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An.
Flight prices will change depending on the time of year, the airline and when you book. Peak tourist season is March through August so you’ll likely find cheaper fares outside of those months. You can use 12go.asia or Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights.
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Train
Time: 16 – 19 hours
Est. Price: 450,000 – 1.2 million VND (20 – 50 USD) USD
The Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An train will be a long, but interesting way to get from one city to the other. You have the option to choose a soft seat, hard sleeper or soft sleeper depending on your needs. The train departs either in the morning or at night, starting from Saigon Railway Station (1 Nguyen Thong) and takes you to Da Nang Railway Station (791 Hai Phong).
Based on your itinerary and travel preferences, this can be a very enjoyable means of transport. The morning train arrives late at night if you want to enjoy the scenery and the night train arrives mid-day if you want to save a night on accommodation and have another day to explore.
Ho Chi Minh City by day and night
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Bus
Time: 21 – 23 hours
Est. Price: 350,000 – 550,000 VND (15 – 25 USD)
Travelling to Hoi An from Ho Chi Minh by bus will undoubtedly be a long and strenuous journey, as it is typically divided into two parts. The buses from Ho Chi Minh leave from Mien Dong Station (292 Dinh Bo Linh, Phuong 26). Your bus will drive around 11.5 hours to Nha Trang where you have a short 30 minute stopover before you head out for another 11 – 12 hours of driving.
Popular bus companies include The Sinh Tourist and Futa Bus. Many sleeper bus options are available and we recommend an overnight bus if you want to try to get some rest. You can book your ticket online through Baolau.com or 12go.asia.
Note: Typically a blanket and pillow are provided on a sleeper bus, however there are usually no toilets. The bus will make scheduled stops but this is something to consider before booking as well.
Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by Motorbike
Time: 17 – 18 hours (we advise breaking this up over 3 days at least)
Est. Price: 230,000 – 800,000 VND (10 – 35 USD/day)
For those with more time to spare and a thrill for adventure, taking the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by motorbike will be a great option. It is so easy to rent a bike in Ho Chi Minh, arrange your route/drop-off point and then hit the road. Some great hire companies include Style Motorbikes and Tigit.
With this option, it is best to break up your drive over the course of several days. You can make stops along the way in places like Da Lat, Nha Trang and Kon Tum. Ensure you have travel insurance, a luggage rack and a proper helmet and you’re good to go!
Note: We recommend driving yourself only if you have prior experience with a motorbike. If you don’t have much experience you can always hire an EasyRider to drive the bike for you. Be sure to make yourself aware of the laws surrounding a Vietnam Motorbike License here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An?
Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An are roughly 930 km apart by land and can take anywhere from 2 – 23 hours on public transport depending how you choose to travel.
What’s the best way to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An?
This depends on your personal circumstances. Naturally, a bus is much cheaper than a flight, and many sleeper options are available. A train journey will cost a similar amount to a flight yet still take close to a day’s travel – however, a train provides the best views en route. Flights and trains stop in Da Nang so alternative transport will be needed to reach Hoi An nearby.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An?
Typically, a bus is the cheapest option, but you may be able to get a relatively cheap direct flight to Da Nang if you book on a weekday in advance.
