Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route is the unique way to travel along Vietnam, this is the most important route not only for travel but also trade, transportation and national security. There are various ways to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, we only introduce advice for main roads as below.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by road
There two main ways from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City which are going by Ho Chi Minh Trail road and National Highway No. 1. National Highway No. 1 is the main road for trade and transportation to travel through main city and town; Ho Chi Minh Trail road is a new highway and longer than National Highway No. 1 to pass through forest, off the beaten track area, this road is compatible with motorbike tours and travelers who want to discover Vietnam in different style.
How many kilometers from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, you need to travel around 1,730 km with various choice for roads. The best choice is combination between National Highway No. 1, Ho Chi Minh Highway and other roads such as province ways, coastal ways…
If you go by bus, you should choose reliable bus team such as Open bus, Hoang Long Express or Mai Linh. It takes 36 – 38 hours for the road Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh and bus ticket cost varies from 30 to 45 USD according to bus quality. In fact, travelers usually divide this road to stages to book bus ticket like Hanoi – Quang Binh, Quang Binh – Hue or Da Nang, Da Nang – Nha Trang and Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh.
The best way to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by road
Stage 1: From Hanoi to Quang Binh
You start from Hanoi center to drive along Phap Van – Cau Gie highway. At the end of this highway, you turn right and drive along National Highway No. 10 to Ninh Binh city and continue to Tam Diem. Transfer along National Highway No. 1; you pass across Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and arrive in Quang Binh
If you go by motorbike, you are not allowed to drive in the highway. You should drive along Giai Phong road and continue to Phu Ly (Ha Nam province) and to Ninh Binh city and go along National Highway No. 1 as the above.
Stage 2: From Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa
Start from Quang Binh, you continue driving along National Highway No. 1 to go through Hue, drive across Hai Van pass to reach Da Nang. Driving continuously about 205 km, you will arrive in Quang Ngai and then Binh Dinh province. For this route, you can choose coastal roads from Quang Binh to Hue and Da Nang and stop in Nhat Le beach, Cua Tung beach, Lang Co beach and Da Nang beach, Quy Nho beach, Hoi An beach…
After Binh Dinh province, you will reach Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen province) to meet wonderful beaches and landscapes along the road. Passing Phu Yen you will arrive in Khanh Hoa with famous Nha Trang beach city.
Stage 3: From Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh
In Khanh Hoa, you might have some rest day to enjoy beautiful Nha Trang beach city before keeping the itinerary. Transfer along National Highway, you will pass Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. Binh Thuan owns Phan Thiet and Mui Ne beaches, sand dunes might attract your foot and really not able to leave this place.
From Binh Thuan, you drive along National Highway No. 1 to turn to Ho Xuan Huong road to reach Long Khanh city – Dong Nai province. Driving continuously about 7 km, you will meet Ho Chi Minh – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Highway to reach Ho Chi Minh City
On the other way, from Da Nang you might turn to central highland provinces to go along these lands to reach Ho Chi Minh.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by flight
There so many choice from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by flights, nearly 30 flights everyday from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa are operating by 3 major airlines named Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jestar Pacific. These 3 airway companies occupy Vietnam flights and compete to make cheaper and more convenient for passengers who travel Vietnam.
If you have time, you might book very cheap ticket for flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, even 1 USD but it’s not easy for newbie. It takes around 2 hours for flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh not included airport transfer and check in, check out time. Going by plane is the fastest way and the most comfortable way for this route.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by train
If you want to travel Vietnam by train, it may be a good choice. Because there are various train depart daily from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa. Consequently, you can choose the time and kind of train to suit you best. Additionally, Vietnam Railway Corporation have just launched new 5 star train for this route. It is called SE5 (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh) and SE6 (Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi).
Traveling by train, you are able to leave train in many stop along Vietnam and continue train at the other time. Moreover, if you travel for a long time you should choose soft bed ticket, and soft seat ticket for a short time or short road. Train ticket varies from US$15 for hard seat to US$75 for soft sleeper bed. It really depends on what route of train you go.
Ticket booking
You should book tickets as soon as possible, one soft sleeper cabin has 4 to 6 beds. It is very suitable for small group or family. This kind of travel has fun while keeping safe for luggage
Luggage
You need to walk a long way from station gate to train cabin so you should bring a light and convenient luggage. Comfortable clothe is advised when to travel by train. Important individual baggage should be in hand, luggage is placed under beds or cargo hold.
Food and beverage
There is a restaurant on train, they serve fast food such as noodle soup, steamed rice, bread, soft drink… If you have a long trip, please bring fruit, mineral water.
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