Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City: Flight or Train
Beach days behind you and the south ahead: pick the leg that keeps your energy for the city.
Fly from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City on most trips. The train works, but it uses much of a day or a night that a short holiday needs for the city. The flight also handles baggage, which matters if you have shopped in Hoi An.
Which option suits which traveller?
- Short leave: fly. More time in the city, less time in transit.
- Families and seniors: fly. Fewer hours of sitting and a simpler day.
- Budget couples: compare the total, including bags. A sleeper may save a hotel night.
- Train lovers: ride the train if the coast view is part of your plan.
How do they compare?
| Basis | Flight | Train |
|---|---|---|
| Time in transit | Short in the air, plus airport time | A night or most of a day |
| Cost range | Wide, lower on early sales | Moderate, higher for better berths |
| Baggage | Allowance depends on fare; extras cost more | You carry your own bags |
| Comfort | Seat for a short time | Berth or seat, room to rest |
Da Nang’s airport code is DAD1, and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat is SGN2. Both are close to their city centres, so transfers are short.
What about the train and baggage?
The full North-South line takes about 30 hours end to end3. Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City covers a large part of it, so treat the ride as a day or a night, not an outing.
Tickets are sold through Vietnam Railways’ official site, dsvn.vn4. Read our train booking and classes guide for seat and berth types.
If you fly, check allowances in the domestic flight baggage guide. Add baggage at booking, and weigh your bag at home.
What should you check before you choose?
- The flight fare with your bag, not just the base fare.
- Your arrival time in the south, so you reach the hotel before late evening.
- Whether you arrive from Hanoi first. See Hanoi to Da Nang by flight or train.
To price each option, use the trip budget builder. Place guides: Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. More in Getting around Vietnam.
Share your leave days and how much luggage you expect to carry, and we can say whether flying or the train fits this central-to-south move.
Common questions
Is it better to fly or take the train from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City?
Fly for almost every trip. The train is a long ride that uses up most of a day or a night, while the flight leaves you time in the city. Take the train only if you want to see the coast from the window and have days to spare.
How should I think about baggage on this route?
Price the bag as part of the fare. Low-cost tickets may include only a small cabin allowance, so a checked suitcase can narrow the gap with a full-service ticket. Our baggage guide shows how to compare the two fairly.
Can I bring shopping from Hoi An on the flight?
Yes, but plan for it. Tailored clothes and gifts add weight, and you may pay for extra checked bags. Decide before you shop whether you will add baggage when you book, which is usually cheaper than paying at the airport.
Sources
- Da Nang International Airport has IATA code DAD and ICAO code VVDN. Wikipedia
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport has IATA code SGN and ICAO code VVTS. Wikipedia
- Typical end-to-end journeys on the Reunification Express last about 30 hours; express timetables run about 33 to 34 hours. Wikipedia. Timetables change; check dsvn.vn.
- Vietnam Railways' official booking website is dsvn.vn. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Share your leave days and how much luggage you expect to carry, and we can say whether flying or the train fits this central-to-south move.