How to Get From Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Public Bus #152 · Minivan · Private · Bus
%2Cpin-s-b%2B8B4513(106.71233606666668%2C10.8053993)%2F106.68558028333334%2C10.8119312%2C11%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 7 kilometre (4 miles) distance from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Ho Chi Minh City Centre as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre?
There are four ways to travel the 7 km distance from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. You can choose between the public bus #152, minivan, private, and bus.
The journey takes between 30m–45m and the quickest way is by minivan (30m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by public bus #152 with tickets starting at 6,000 VND ($0.20).
45 minutes
6,000 VND ($0.20)
30m
139,000 VND ($5.30)
30-40m
500,000 VND ($19)
45 minutes
15,000 VND ($0.60)
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh at the bottom of this page.
Already in Ho Chi Minh?
Onward from Ho Chi Minh
Once you're in Ho Chi Minh, here's where to next — 9 researched onward routes to pick from.
Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Public Bus #152
Public bus #152 is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre. A bus ticket costs only 6,000 VND ($0.20), but you’ll have to pay an additional 6,000 VND ($0.20) per piece of big luggage.
Although cheap, it’s worth noting that Bus #152 caters mostly to locals and is neither as spacious nor as comfortable as Bus #109.
You can find the public buses outside the arrival terminal at Ho Chi Minh Airport. Walk about 50m to the right to find the ticket counter.
Public buses from Ho Chi Minh Airport to the city centre depart every 15 minutes from 05:45 to 18:15.
These buses make several stops along the way. The final stop is at the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market. From here, it’s a short 10-minute walk to Pham Ngu Lao Street (also called Backpacker Street).
Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Shared Minivan
If you're visiting Dĩ An District, you can travel directly from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Airport via a shared minivan.
Fares start at 139,000 VND ($5.30) for the journey that takes about 30m, depending on traffic. The minivan will drop you off at the Big C shopping centre in Dĩ An town, a convenient starting point for exploring the area.
Shared Minivan schedule from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Private Transport
When you take a taxi from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre, always ask the driver to put on the metre. For reference, a typical ride between the airport and Saigon city centre costs around 500,000 VND ($19).
Note that there is an airport surcharge of 10,000 VND ($0.40), on top of the total amount of your taxi ride.
Book with Grab if you have a Vietnam sim card
If you already have a Vietnam sim card that has mobile data, we recommend that you hail your taxi through Grab (Asian Uber). Fares are usually cheaper with rates from 100,000 VND ($3.80). And you will know how much to pay before the ride.
Grab also has an airport surcharge of 10,000 VND ($0.40).
TIP: When local taxi drivers ask if you ordered a Grab car, it’s better to ignore this question to avoid ending up in an argument. Grab doesn’t really sit well with veteran taxi drivers.
Book your transfer via BookAway
You also have the option to book a private transfer from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre via BookAway. Rates start from 260,000 VND ($9.90) for a group of 3. The cost gets higher depending on the size of the vehicle and the drop-off location in the city centre.
Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Ready to book your private?
Ho Chi Minh City Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport
Ready to book your private?
Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre by Bus
The yellow bus #109 is a modern bus with plenty of space for your luggage. These buses are tourist-friendly and the staff generally speak some basic English. Airport bus #109 was previously suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, it went back into operation in September 2022 according to Vietnam Net Global.
The bus operates from Saigon Airport to the city centre every 15-20 minutes between 05:30 and 01:00. You can find bus #109 at Column 12 of the International Terminal and Column 18 of the Domestic Terminal.
The yellow bus has designated stops within the city. This includes Ben Thanh Market and Pham Ngu Lao Street (backpacker area). Its last stop is at Park 23/9. The bus ride takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus tickets range between 15,000 VND ($0.60) and 20,000 VND ($0.80), depending on your destination. Previously, this airport bus did not require passengers to buy an extra ticket when carrying large luggage. But as of March 2024, according to one of our readers, you may now be asked to pay extra for big bags.
Yellow bus #109 itinerary from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Tan Son Nhat Airport International Terminal — Domestic Terminal — Truong Son St. — Tran Quoc Hoan — Hoang Van Thu St. — Nguyen Van Troi St. — Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St. — Nguyen Dinh Chieu St. — Cach Mang Thang Tam St. — Pham Hong Thai St. — Le Lai St. — Ben Thanh Bus Station — Pham Ngu Lao St. — 23/9 Park
IMPORTANT: Pre-pandemic, there was also an option to take another airport bus — Bus #49. However, services for this route have been suspended indefinitely. The last time we checked (December 2023), Bus #49 operations had not resumed.
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.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh is 7 km.
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.
How We Research
Every route on Gecko Routes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally travelled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELLERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travellers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
About the Authors
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.
Travel Writer & Editor
Aleksandra is a writer and editor who recently moved from Hong Kong to London. She's worked and studied in four countries (and counting) and picked up a new hobby in each of them. She's a big fan of long train journeys so you can count on her to take the scenic route, finding a few hidden gems along the way.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.
Reader Comments
6 commentsLeave a Comment