How to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An?
From Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An is approximately 846 to 940 kilometers away, depending on the route you take. To the surprise of most travelers, the shortest route is not always the fastest!
Whether you’re traveling by motorbike, bus, train, or plane, I’ll guide you on how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An (and vice versa).
Many factors come into play when trying to travel from point A to point B: the mode of transport, personal comfort, budget, and time, to name just a few. Keep in mind that the journey should take about 20 hours, and whichever mode of transport you choose, you will need to get to Hoi An from Da Nang.
First, you’ll need to select a mode of transport. I’ve listed them in order of price, from cheapest to most expensive, along with the duration of the trip to Hoi An:
Mode of Transport | Duration |
---|---|
Bus | 20h30 |
Train | 17h + 1h between Da Nang – Hoi An |
Plane | 1h20 + 1h between Da Nang – Hoi An |
Motorbike | 17h – 18h |
1. Saigon to Hoi An by Bus
Taking the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An (with a stop at Da Nang bus station) might be the simplest and definitely the cheapest mode of transport. A direct bus will cost about 500,000 VND and can be taken either overnight or during the day. All buses from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang depart from Mien Dong station, located north of District 1 at 292 Dinh Bo Linh, Phuong 26, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
A taxi will also drop you off at the station, with prices varying depending on your location and time of day.
Due to the length of the trip, this is a sleeper bus, equipped with three rows of “bunk beds” or reclining seats. The good news is that you’ll have your own bed and can lie down, but the bad news is that these seats are generally uncomfortable for long periods. A blanket, pillow, and bottled water are provided. There are no toilets on the bus, but it makes frequent stops, and you can request an urgent stop if necessary.
Upon arrival at Da Nang bus station (201 Ton Duc Thang), travelers can take a bus to Hoi An from the same station for 20,000 VND, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of passengers.
2. Saigon to Hoi An by Train
The train might be a more comfortable alternative if you plan to travel the long distance in one go. It’s faster but more expensive. Saigon train station is located west of District 1 at 1 Nguyen Thong, but it’s relatively close (around five kilometers). Ask your accommodation to book a taxi for you.
When booking a train ticket, it’s important to carefully select your seating options to ensure a comfortable ride. The options include soft seat, hard berth, and soft berth, with prices increasing respectively.
- Soft Seat: A soft seat, as the name implies, is cushioned but does not recline. The seats are aligned along the carriage, like on an airplane, with two seats on either side of the aisle. Prices usually range around 1,000,000 VND but can vary.
- Hard Berth: These are stacked, with a total of six beds in one cabin, perfect if you’re traveling in a large group and can secure the entire cabin. The prices typically range from 980,000 to 1,240,000 VND, depending on the train time and whether you choose the top, middle, or bottom berth.
- Soft Berth: As the name suggests, these are softer, and each cabin has four beds. These are the most expensive options, with prices generally around €65, depending on the departure time from Ho Chi Minh City.
Like the bus, the train departs both in the morning and evening, offering you the option to enjoy Vietnamese landscapes or sleep through the journey. It depends on your travel preferences, but take note of the arrival time in Da Nang. Morning trains arrive late at night, while night trains arrive mid-day.
Once you arrive at Da Nang train station (791 Hai Phong), you’ll just need to get to Hoi An. You can read my article for more details on getting to Hoi An from Da Nang.
3. Saigon to Hoi An by Plane
Flying is a quick and hassle-free option for travelers who want to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An. The flight time is only 1 hour and 20 minutes. Prices vary depending on when you book, the airline, the day of the week, and the season (March to August being peak tourist season).
12GoAsia does an excellent job of consolidating all flight options into a list so travelers can easily check fares and prices. Make sure to search for Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang, as it’s the nearest airport to Hoi An. Prices range from 650,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND, so try different combinations to find the best fare.
Ho Chi Minh airport is easy and inexpensive to reach by taxi (about 100,000 VND from District 1), or you can ask your hotel or hostel to arrange a shuttle for you. Lines and wait times depend entirely on flight schedules and season, but the general rule is to arrive two hours before your flight.
This will give you time to check in your luggage, print your tickets, and maybe grab a bite after waiting in unpredictable airport lines. Also, consider rush hour when booking a flight, as traffic in Ho Chi Minh can turn your quick, hassle-free flight into a stressful race against time.
Once at Da Nang airport, there are various inexpensive options to get to Hoi An.
4. Saigon to Hoi An by Motorbike
For adventure seekers with a flexible budget and schedule, I highly recommend a motorbike ride from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An. A few years ago, this option would not have been possible without buying a motorbike, handling mechanical issues, and then selling it at the end of the trip. Now, thanks to rental companies like Tigit and Style Motorbikes, it’s possible to rent a motorbike for a one-way trip from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An.
The rental company has made the process extremely easy for travelers: simply select a motorbike, choose a payment plan, and then pick your points A and B. Some motorbikes are cheaper than others, but they all come with insurance, luggage racks, and helmets. Prices range from 5,000,000 VND for a month or 200,000 VND per day (minimum of four days) to 15,000,000 VND for a month or 700,000 VND per day.