After a few days exploring the sparkling Ho Chi Minh City, go to Hanoi – the heart of Vietnam – to experience the distinctly different beauty of another metropolitan of this country. Hanoi is 1,750km from Ho Chi Minh via 1A highway, and as both are the two largest cities in Vietnam, there are many ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi to enjoy every inch of the country from South to North.
1. Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Plane
Airplanes are one of the most popular means of transport between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. The flight time from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is relatively short, only about 1h30 – 2h per flight, so traveling by plane is easily the fastest and most convenient option. Flights from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi are frequently available, and prices vary depending on the airline’s service. Rest assured that most are reasonable, and there is always an affordable option to choose from.
More Tips at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
One of the trustworthy domestic airlines is Vietnam Airlines. This is the national airline of Vietnam and a traditional airline with mid-to-high prices. A flight from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines (one way) has the lowest cost of VND 1,500,000 (USD 65), and the price will increase gradually depending on the choice of seating class and flight time of travelers. Vietnam Airlines has recognized service and fewer delays or cancellations.
Some other famous low-cost airlines in Vietnam are Vietjet Air, Jetstar, and, more recently, Bamboo Airways. The price for a Vietjet Air, Jetstar, and Bamboo Airways flight ranges from VND 1,000,000 for one-way travel, lower or higher depending on the flight time. However, the disadvantages of these airlines are the frequent delays or cancellations, and the quality of seats, and the aircraft space itself is not as good as Vietnam Airlines.
Vietnam Airlines: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/home
Vietjet Air: https://www.vietjetair.com
Jetstar Pacific Airlines: https://www.jetstar.com/en/home
Bamboo Airways: https://www.bambooairways.com
2. Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Train
Besides airplanes, trains are also a viable option when traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. The train is somewhat more economical than airliners (for seats and hard beds) and especially suitable for those who want to do sightseeing. There is stunning scenery on the journey from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, especially the Hai Van Pass area. However, the apparent downside of traveling by train is that it takes an average of 30 hours – much longer than flying. Therefore, choosing the South-North train is unsuitable for people who cannot endure the long journey.
Taking trains in Vietnam offers tickets for hard seats, soft seats or hard beds, and soft beds; each type has a different price. A bed ticket for long journeys from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi will make the trip more comfortable, although the ticket price is not significantly lower than going by airplane.
One small tip is that you should only get off when the train stops at the big station. The longer stops at these stations will give you the chance to use the toilet or buy some snacks. There is also a kitchen on the train where you can order some fast food or prepare your food in advance to save money.
As for tickets, buying an early ticket will save more money than usual. Additionally, buying tickets early helps avoid unwanted situations like failing to find a satisfactory seat or tickets being sold out.
4. Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Coach Buses
Just like trains, the advantage of traveling by coach bus is that it is low-cost and suitable for sightseeing. However, traveling by car usually takes a considerable amount of time, 35 – 40 hours on average. Therefore, it does not sound very inviting for people with car sickness or back problems.
A sleeper coach bus is usually more favorable for traveling long distances from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Some recommended brands are:
Mai Linh Coach Bus: Mien Dong Station – Nuoc Ngam Station
Time: 15:00 – 17:30 – 19:00
Price: VND 860,000 / person
Hoang Long Coach Bus: Mien Dong Station – Nuoc Ngam Station
Time: 07:00 – 17:30 – 21:30
Price: VND 750,000
Phuong Hoang Coach Bus: Mien Dong Station – Nuoc Ngam Station
Time: 14:00
Price: VND 890,000
Or find your ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi on 12GoAsia
4. Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by Motorbike
Traveling by motorbike is for those passionate about adventures and exploring every part of Vietnam. It is worth mentioning that the distance from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is very long, about 2100km, and the road will not always be smooth. Therefore, traveling by motorbike requires high-level driving skills and good health conditions, and it would be best if a Vietnamese friend accompanies you.
Read more: Can Tourists Drive in Vietnam?
When traveling by motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, preparation is vital. In addition to the essential luggage, consider a motorbike repair kit, protection outfits, phones with 3G / 4G and GPS, raincoats, dry food, and water. It is also essential to prepare some cash, about VND 1,000,000 / day (if you’d like to stop by famous tourist destinations), and keep the rest in an ATM card for safety.
Choosing an appropriate route depends on your time and budget, but to save traveling time, the optimal choice would be Ho Chi Minh—Hoi An—Da Nang—Hue—Hanoi.
Summary of The Best Ways to Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi has become much more accessible, with many types of travel widely available. Each has its pros and cons, but they all guarantee a memorable journey to explore the two largest cities of Vietnam.
See more:
When is the Best Time to Go to Hanoi