Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh: 3 Quickest ways to travel between two places

When it comes to traveling from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City, you have three popular transportation options available: by air, train, or bus. Regardless of the transit mode you select, we are here to provide you with the latest and comprehensive information that will enhance your travel experience.

1. How far is it from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh?

How far is Ha Long Bay from Ho Chi Minh? Well, Ha Long is a city in the north, while Ho Chi Minh City is in the far south. So if you wonder how far they are, the Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh distance is approximately 1,721 kilometers. 

2. How to travel from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh?

2.1. Getting to Ho Chi Minh City from Ha Long Bay by airplane

If you prefer a swift and time-efficient journey, opting for a flight from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City would be the most favorable option. It allows you to avoid spending excessive time traveling over thousands of kilometers.

You can take flights from Van Don Airport (Quang Ninh) or Cat Bi Airport (Haiphong) to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Flights from either departure point will take around two hours to reach Ho Chi Minh City. 

2.1.1. Flights from Van Don Airport to Tan Son Nhat Airport

• Distance: Ha Long Bay is around 53 kilometers away from Van Don Airport, connected by the Ha Long - Van Don Highway. This is our recommended airport since it is closest to Ha Long Bay.
• How to get from Ha Long Bay to Van Don Airport:

To get from Ha Long Bay to Van Don Airport, it is recommended that you take a bus. This should take you around 50 minutes to an hour. Here are the top three recommended taxi companies for your sake:

• Flight information:
  • Time: The flight duration depends on the specific date you choose to travel from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh.
  • Airlines: Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo are the three airlines that offer flights from Cat Bi Airport to Saigon.
  • Airfares: The airfare from Van Don Airport to Saigon normally costs around 900,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND. However, the fares will fluctuate significantly and tend to get more expensive the later you book.

>>> Check out our map of Ho Chi Minh City if you want to explore Ho Chi Minh’s top tourist destinations once you get there

2.1.2. Flights from Cat Bi Airport to Tan Son Nhat Airport

• Distance: Ha Long Bay is around 66.7 kilometers away from Cat Bi Airport, connected by Ha Long - Van Don Highway.
• How to get from Ha Long Bay to Cat Bi Airport:

To travel from Cat Bi Airport to Ha Long Bay, you can catch a bus or taxi, which typically takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes. The three bus companies mentioned above also offer rides from Ha Long to Cat Bi Airport.

• Flight information:
  • Time: The flight time depends on the specific date you choose to travel from Cat Bi Airport to Ho Chi Minh.
  • Airlines: Similar to Van Don airport, the three airlines that offer flights from Ha Long Bay to Saigon are Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo.
  • Airfares: The airfare from Ha Long Bay to Saigon typically costs around 900,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND. However, this will get higher during festivals or weekends.

>>> Discover our top list of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City you shouldn't miss out on

2.2. Traveling from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh by train

If you have some time to spare and love the idea of traveling by train, you can travel 156 kilometers from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi to catch a train from Hanoi Railway Station to Saigon Railway Station.

There are trains from early mornings (6 AM) to late nights (10:20 PM) for you to choose from. The whole journey by train would take you around 31 to 36 hours. And depending on the type of seat, the prices range from 500,000 VND to over 1,500,000 VND.

2.3. Traveling from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City by bus

Another option to travel from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City would be taking a Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh bus. 

Similar to train, you will be on a 36-hour voyage. So if you or your friends are bus sick, you should consider taking a flight.

Below are a few bus companies that provide transportation services from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City, along with estimated prices and schedules: 

>>> Once you get to Ho Chi Minh, make sure you visit the city’s top tourist destinations like Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Street, Bui Vien Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, War Remnants Museum, Saigon Central Post Office, Landmark 81 Vietnam…

Besides Ha Long and Ho Chi Minh City, you can read our Vietnam travel guide to discover more about Vietnam’s other worth-visiting destinations like Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, etc.

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All in all, you can travel from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh City by air, train, or bus. If you want a time-efficient solution, traveling by flight would be the best option. And if you love to sightsee and have time to spare, you can consider embarking on a train or bus journey. We hope that after reading this article, you will be able to determine the way to travel from Ha Long Bay to Ho Chi Minh that fits you best.

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