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Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, right up in the north of the country. Think Old Quarter alleys, lakeside cafes and street food worth flying in for. Getting there from Ho Chi Minh City means crossing most of Vietnam. Flying is the quickest way to do it, taking 3h 55m. The train follows the coast the whole way, costing $42 (1,100,000 VND) and taking 1d 9h - 2d.
Distance from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are about 1143 km (710 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 1494 km by road. The quickest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by taking the flight, which takes around 3h 55m.
2 ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
There are two ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. You can choose between the flight and train. The journey takes 3h 55m–1d 9h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at $38 (991,000 VND).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre→Ho Chi Minh Airport45m
- Ho Chi Minh→Hanoi2h
- Hanoi Airport→City Centre1h
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Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Flight
Taking a flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is a no-brainer. Even including airport transfers, travelling by flight between these two busy cities only takes around 3h 55m.
While it is also possible to take a direct train or bus, the travel time will take over 36 hours. Just thinking about it is already exhausting!
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Ho Chi Minh Airport by Bus
From Ho Chi Minh city centre, you’ll have to travel some 8 km going north to get to Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport). The cheapest way to do this is by bus.
Public Bus #152 can take you from Saigon centre to the airport in just around 45 minutes. These buses depart from Ben Thanh Market, just 10 minutes away by foot from the backpacker hostels of Pham Ngu Lao Street. A bus ticket costs only $0.20 (6,000 VND).
If you don’t mind spending more for a private ride, we recommend booking a private transfer with BookAway. Rates start from $9.90 (260,000 VND) for a 3-seater taxi from Ho Chi Minh city centre to the airport.
Check out our guide on Ho Chi Minh International Airport for more transport options.
Step 2: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Flight
The flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is one of the most popular routes, which means there are also many flight options. Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines all offer a good number of flights daily.
The plane journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi takes around 2 hours 10 minutes.
Flight rates start from $36 (940,000 VND). Do book your ticket in advance. Ticket prices can go over $76 (2,000,000 VND) during peak season or when you book very near your travel date.
Step 3: Hanoi Airport to City Centre by Bus
Once you arrive in Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport), you’ll need to arrange transport to cross the 30 km to the city centre. You can choose from 4 options: express bus, public bus, shuttle bus, or taxi.
We recommend taking Express Bus 86 because it’s both convenient and affordable. Bus 86 picks you up from the airport and makes several stops near the Old Quarter. You should be able to easily find your hotel from the bus stop.
A ticket for Express Bus 86 costs $1.70 (45,000 VND). Travel time is around 1 hour.
If you need more details, just visit our article on Hanoi Airport.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Train
Ticket prices start from $42 (1,100,000 VND) for a second-class seat. But for this lengthy journey, we recommend booking a 4-sleeper cabin for more comfort.
Train schedule from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Hanoi
Here are our favourite places to stay in Hanoi for every budget.
Siva Luxury Hotel
Just landed in Hanoi? In this hotel, you will get the best night of sleep you had since ages. The friendly staff will give you a warm welcome and serve a wonderful breakfast buffet the next morning! Located in the middle of the centre, but completely isolated from all the noise.
Double rooms with city view from: $42
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Hanoi?
Hanoi is Vietnam’s bustling capital, where heritage and modernity collide. At its heart is the iconic Old Quarter bustling with cosy hotels, old residential buildings and neighbourhood cafes. Composed of 36 streets, just walking around this area will reward you with many amazing discoveries.
Must-visit sites include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the 19th-century gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We recommend munching on as much street food as you can, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, and our favourite: watching the world go by from one of the many coffee shops in Hanoi.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, roughly 1143 kilometres (710 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest non-flight fare is $42 (1,100,000 VND), though if you're lucky with timing you might find a flight ticket for even less. The quickest trip takes 3h 55m.
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 Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The distance from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is 1,143 kilometres (710 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by flight and takes 3h 55m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?
The cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is by flight with ticket costs starting from 991,000 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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