Transportations
Hanoi in the North and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the South are two key hubs of Vietnam. They are located about 1,699 km apart in the North and South regions. Hundreds of thousands of trips are made between these two locations daily. Here are ways to travel between them:
|
Mode of Transports |
Travel time |
Cost |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Plane |
2,15 hours |
About 50 USD/way |
This is the swiftest and most widely favored method of transportation when opting to journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. |
|
Train |
33 - 36 hours |
About 36 - 48 USD USD/berth/way |
Opting for train travel is more cost-effective, albeit time-consuming. Exploring Vietnam's landscapes from the train can be quite fascinating, but it entails spending a significant portion of your journey onboard. This choice is ideal for those who relish experiencing a day on a train and have ample travel time. |
|
Long bus |
31 hours |
About 40 USD/berth/way |
Traveling by long bus is another transportation experience. While this choice saves costs, it also takes time, with the majority of the journey spent sitting on the bus. |
|
Motorbike |
54 - 96 hours (rest time included) |
Motorbike 1-month renting fee: 40 - 100 USD Petrol fee: About 33 USD |
If you are passionate about traveling by motorbike to explore Vietnam on your own, this option isn't bad either. You will have the freedom to move around and stop anywhere you like. The familiar route for travelers from Hanoi to HCM is National Highway 1A. If you combine traveling with sightseeing, the duration could extend from one week to one month. |
Suggested Itineraries
From the two hubs of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are countless travel options available. Here, I will suggest itineraries for 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month for you to consider the time frame and the destinations worth visiting.
Option 1: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary in 1 week
This itinerary is typically relaxed and leisurely, allowing plenty of time for chilling out and exploring the areas of Hanoi 1000-year-old capital, Ninh Binh ancient capital, Halong Bay World Natural Wonder, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's most bustling economic hub, and the cultural richness of the Mekong Delta region.
Travel routes from Hanoi capital of Vietnam
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Day 1: Hanoi City tour |
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|---|---|
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Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh |
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Day 3 - 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay |
Itineraries for 2 days on a cruise often vary between each cruise. Typically, the schedule will include activities such as kayaking or bamboo boat rides, onboard meals, island visits, cave exploration, fishing villages, swimming, and onboard entertainment. |
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Day 5: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City |
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Day 6: Cu Chi & My Tho |
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Day 7: Can Gio Mangrove forest |
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Option 2: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary in 2 week
This two-week itinerary allows you to revel in the mountainous region of the North in addition to the plains and coastal areas, and also venturing to discover the beautiful heritage land of Central Vietnam.
Vietnam itineraries Northern, Central, and Southern
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Day 1: Hanoi City Tour |
|
|---|---|
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Day 2 - 3: Hanoi - Sapa |
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Day 4: Hanoi - Ninh Binh |
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Day 5 - 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay |
Enjoy a 2-day 1-night cruise trip |
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Day 7: Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An |
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Day 8: Da Nang City |
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Day 9: Da Nang - Hue |
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Day 10: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh |
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Day 11: Cu Chi & Shopping |
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Day 12 - 13: My Tho - Ben Tre - Can Tho |
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Day 14: Can Gio Mangrove forest |
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Option 3: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary in 1 month
What do you think about spending a month in Vietnam to thoroughly explore its 17 provinces and cities? Below are suggested tourist destinations for a 30-day Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary. You can choose to skip some places if you want to spend more time in another city.
1-month in Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City itinerary
|
Day 1 - 2: Hanoi City Tour |
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|---|---|
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Day 3 - 4: Hanoi - Mai Chau |
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Day 5 - 6: Mai Chau - Sapa |
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Day 7 - 8: Sapa - Ha Giang |
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Day 9: Ha Giang - Cao Bang |
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Day 10: Cao Bang - Bac Kan - Hanoi |
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Day 11- 12: Hanoi - Ninh Binh |
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Day 13 - 15: Hanoi - Halong Bay |
Enjoy a 3-day 2-night cruise trip or a 2-day 1-night cruise trip and 1 night at the city |
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Day 16 - 17: Hanoi - Quang Binh |
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Day 18 - 19: Quang Binh - Da Nang |
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Day 20 -21: - Da Nang - Hue |
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Day 22: Da Nang - Hoi An |
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Day 23 - 24: Da Nang - Nha Trang |
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Day 25: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh |
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Day 26 - 27: Cu Chi - Mekong Delta |
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Day 28 - 30: Phu Quoc Island |
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Budget
Apart from the transportation costs outlined above, I have some budget suggestions for you during your travel duration:
|
Visa cost |
|
|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
|
|
Food & Drink |
2- 8 USD/meal |
|
Ticket |
|
|
Guide |
12 - 20 USD/day |
|
Tour |
12 - 20 USD/half-day tour |
|
Personal Expenses |
From 2 USD/day |
|
City transport |
About 4 - 8 USD/day (bus, car, motorbike, bike, etc) |
If you travel according to the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary for two weeks with a 4-star budget, the expenses can be around 1,200 - 1,500 USD per person.
Travel Tips
Finally, if you are planning your Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary, you might find the following tips helpful:
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Get your visa ready: You should apply for your visa in advance for at least 2 weeks before your flight time to Vietnam.
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Ideal time for visiting Vietnam: You may want to plan your visit between September and April. Vietnam experiences high temperatures and humidity during the summer months from May to August. However, if you can tolerate such weather conditions, you can still travel during this period.
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Weather variations: Northern Vietnam experiences four distinct seasons, including a cold winter. While the Central and Southern regions have only rainy and dry seasons. You might need to wear a jacket in Hanoi but only a T-shirt in Ho Chi Minh City. Be sure to check the temperatures when packing your luggage to prepare appropriate sets of clothes.
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Recommended items to pack: Sunblock, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes or sandals.
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Vietnamese Currency (VND): Card payments are widely accepted in major cities in Vietnam. However, you should carry a few million Dongs in cash as backup.
For a comprehensive look, don't miss our post on travel guide to Vietnam!
The Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh itinerary is a classic travel route that never fails to captivate, especially for first-time visitors to Vietnam. You can continue exploring the New Asia Tours website to discover other recommendations for customized package tours tailored to different budgets and offering the best discount. Should you have any inquiries or wish to know more details, don't hesitate to reach out to our team with your message. We are here to help!
