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Dalat is Vietnam's cool-climate hill town, 229 kilometres (142 miles) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. You'll find pine forests, flower farms and old French villas. Flying is the quickest way, taking 2h 25m. By road, the bus is the cheapest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh at $14 (376,000 VND). The ride takes 6h 30m - 9h. The shared minivan costs more and runs a bit faster.
Distance from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh
Dalat and Ho Chi Minh are about 229 km (142 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 298 km by road. The quickest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 25m.
4 ways to travel from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh
There are four ways to travel from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 2h 25m–6h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $14 (376,000 VND).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- DaLat City Centre→DaLat Airport45m
- DaLat Airport→Ho Chi Minh55m
- Ho Chi Minh Airport→Ho Chi Minh City Centre45m
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1Dalat to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
If you’re looking for budget-friendly transport, your best option is the bus. Since this route is very popular, there are several bus companies departing from and arriving at various areas in DaLat and Ho Chi Minh.
Travel time takes around 6h 30m - 9h with fares starting from $14 (376,000 VND).
Departure and arrival station
Futa Buses depart from DaLat Intercity Bus Station in the south of the city centre. They offer multiple trips daily to Phuong Trang Bus Station in District 10 and An Suong Bus Station.
If you’re staying right at the heart of DaLat city centre, Phong Phu buses depart from the City Post and arrive at Tan Binh Exhibition & Convention Centre, which is also at the very centre of Ho Chi Minh.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Kim buses depart from their office in Duong Luong the Vinh and arrive at the bus station in District 1. It’s best to take this bus if you’re staying in the backpacker street in this area.
Bus schedule from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Dalat to Ho Chi Minh by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh costs around $22 (563,000 VND). The minivan journey takes about 6h - 6h 15m, depending on traffic.
There are two companies operating on this route: Lac Hong and Ben Tre Limousine.
What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Shared Minivan schedule from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Dalat to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Both DaLat and Ho Chi Minh have their own airports, so taking a flight is possible and convenient for this route.
The flight itself from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh takes only one hour, but you will still need additional rides to and from the airport. The total travel time is around 2h 25m.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: DaLat City Centre to DaLat Airport by Shuttle Bus
DaLat Airport is around 30 km away from the city centre, so you will have to take a shuttle bus. You can ask your hotel to book one for you or you can book one yourself from any local travel agency.
The shuttle bus ride takes 45 minutes and costs $1.50 (40,000 VND).
Step 2: DaLat Airport to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
There are multiple flights from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh daily. Travel time is just around 55 minutes.
Vietjet Air offers the cheapest flights on this route with fares from $21 (550,000 VND). Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines are also available, but they are more expensive.
Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Bus/Taxi
Ho Chi Minh Airport is just within the city centre, but you will still need to take a bus or a taxi to get to the main areas in the city centre.
Airport bus
The best option for tourists is the yellow Airport Bus 109. This bus goes through District 1 where the backpacker street is located. Its last stop is Saigon Bus Station, making it convenient for tourists who need to take an additional bus ride to other areas.
The airport shuttle bus costs $0.80 (20,000 VND) and gets you to the city centre in just 45 minutes. It runs only from 05:30 to 01:00 the next day.
Taxi
If the bus is unavailable at the time of your arrival at the airport, you can take a taxi instead. This option is more expensive though, with rates from $3.80 (100,000 VND).
See our page Ho Chi Minh Airport for more details.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Dalat to Ho Chi Minh by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh.
Rates start from $135 (3,553,000 VND) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about $45 (1,184,000 VND) per person. Travel time is around 6h - 6h 15m.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is home to around 9 million people. To fit that many people, it has got to be a pretty big city, which can make choosing the right area a little overwhelming.
Here is a quick rundown of the best districts for you to stay in:
- District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular choice for tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.
- Pham Ngu Lao is located within District 1 and is popular amongst budget travellers due to its nightlife, street food and cheap accommodations.
- District 3 is less touristy but still relatively central and offers a more local experience. It's known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture.
- District 5 (Chinatown) offers a unique cultural experience with its bustling atmosphere, Chinese temples, and a wide variety of delicious street food.
- District 7 is more modern and upscale. There are plenty of international restaurants, shopping centres and green spaces.
Check out our favourite places to stay in these areas:
Vy Khanh Guesthouse
Vy Khanh Guesthouse may not be the fanciest place in Ho Chi Minh, but what it lacks in glitz and glamour, it makes up with its hospitality. Vy is one of the best hosts that you'll experience in Vietnam, offering you recommendations for not just the city but the entire country.
She'll make sure you have the best experience and that starts with the guesthouse's location. It's situated in the heart of the city in District 1.
- Amazing host
- Great location
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good value for money
Double rooms start from $15 per night.
Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment
Golden Tree Hotel stands out amongst the rest due to its perfect ambient lighting both inside and outside. This hotel feels face fancier than its price tag.
The rooms are spacious and modern, with most rooms offering a private kitchen and large colonial-style windows. Stay here and you'll be located in District 7.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Great location
- Beautiful decor
- High speed internet
Double rooms start from $31 per night.
Silverland Mây Hotel
One look at Siverland Mây Hotel's swimming pool and you won't be able to resist booking here. It's surrounded by lush greenery hanging from the ceiling, hammocks and there's a pool-side bar.
The rooms live up to this standard boasting a beautiful ultra-modern decor. You'll never want to leave this place.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Pool-side bar
- Stunning rooms
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Ho Chi Minh?
Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam's largest and probably busiest metropolis. Formerly called Saigon, the city pulsates with energy and organised chaos. Its streets are packed with motorcycles day in and day out, we absolutely have no idea how everyone manages not to bump into each other!
Don’t miss a visit to the War Remnants Museum and Central Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Shop (and prepare to haggle) at Ben Thanh Market, and explore the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels. When its bustling streets become too much, know that you can always find solace in one of its many cosy coffee shops.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh, roughly 229 kilometres (142 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $14 (376,000 VND). The quickest trip takes 2h 25m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh?
The distance from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh is 229 kilometres (142 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh?
The fastest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh is by flight and takes 2h 25m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh?
The cheapest way to get from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh is by bus with ticket costs starting from 376,000 VND.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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