Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: Flight, Train or Bus
The longest leg in Vietnam: choose it so it does not swallow the best days of your leave.
Fly from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The train and bus are legitimate, but they are very long and use up days that short leave cannot spare. Take the train only if the ride is part of what you came for, and then only for a section of the line.
Which option suits which traveller?
- Short leave: fly, and keep your days for the places themselves.
- Families with young children or elders: fly. A long overnight ride is hard on them.
- Budget couples: price the flight first. The train and bus add hotel nights and meals that narrow the gap.
- Rail enthusiasts: ride a section, not the whole line, and fly the rest.
How do they compare door to door?
The two cities sit at opposite ends of the country, so the gap between modes is the widest you will meet in Vietnam.
| Basis | Flight | Train | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time in transit | Short in the air, plus airport time | More than a day on board | A very long road journey |
| Airport or station | Noi Bai (HAN) and Tan Son Nhat (SGN) | City stations at both ends | Coach terminals at both ends |
| Cost range | Wide, lower when booked early | Moderate, rising with berth quality | Low ticket, but extra hotel nights |
| Comfort | Seat for a short time, baggage handled | Berth or seat, you can lie down | Seat or bed, hard to sleep well |
| Best for | Almost every traveller | Rail lovers with spare days | Rare, only for short sections |
Noi Bai uses the code HAN4, and Tan Son Nhat uses SGN5. Check baggage rules before you pick a low-cost fare, because they affect the real price.
How long is the train, really?
The North-South railway between the two cities is 1,726 km long1. The full journey takes about 30 hours end to end2. That is more than a day of your leave, and a night or two in the berth.
If you still want the experience, tickets are sold on Vietnam Railways’ official site, dsvn.vn3. Our guide to the scenic stretches shows which sections reward the time.
What should you check before you choose?
- Whether you need both cities at all. Read Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: which trip suits you if you are unsure.
- Whether flying into one city and home from the other saves a day. See fly in to Hanoi, out of Ho Chi Minh City.
- The buffer between the internal flight and any international one.
- The total cost, including airport transfers and extra nights.
Plug today’s quotes into the trip budget builder to compare modes honestly. For place guides, see Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. More route advice lives in Getting around Vietnam.
Tell us your leave days and which cities you want to see, and we can say whether one flight between Hanoi and the south is all this trip needs.
Common questions
Should I fly or take the train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City?
Fly, unless the ride is the point of your trip. The rail line is very long, so the train swallows more than a day of leave. A flight leaves your days for sightseeing, and you can still see the middle of the country on a separate stop.
Is it possible to take the train for only part of the way?
Yes, and that is the sensible way to enjoy it. Take a shorter section, such as a leg between two central cities, and fly the long north-to-south gap. Our scenic stretches guide points to the sections worth the time.
Is the bus a good alternative on this route?
Rarely. The road is as long as the rail line, and a coach adds fatigue without saving much money once you count an extra hotel night. Use a bus for shorter hops, not for the whole length of the country.
Can I fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, and it is a smart way to avoid backtracking. You fly into one city and home from the other, with one internal flight in between. We explain how to price and plan it in our open-jaw guide.
How early should I be at the airport for the internal flight?
Treat a domestic flight like a short international one. Arrive with a sensible margin, and leave extra time if it connects to a flight home. Our buffer time guide explains how much room to leave between flights.
Sources
- The North-South (Reunification Express) railway route is 1,726 km. 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
- Noi Bai International Airport has IATA code HAN and ICAO code VVNB. Wikipedia
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport has IATA code SGN and ICAO code VVTS. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Tell us your leave days and which cities you want to see, and we can say whether one flight between Hanoi and the south is all this trip needs.