Ho Chi Minh City To Hanoi: Best 4 Ways To Travel – The Best Travel Guide

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam with a population in 2017 that was estimated at 7.7 million people. The city is one of the most ancient capitals in the world with a prominent history going back thousands of years. While Ho Chi Minh City is the nation’s economic heart, Hanoi is known as the center of politics and culture of Vietnam with a lot of wonderful things to do in Hanoi. Hanoi is about 1160 kilometers (on air) and 1630 kilometers (on land) away from Ho Chi Minh City. With the advancement of transportation, traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is always accessible, especially, they are two of the biggest cities in Vietnam. Nevertheless, it is constantly a difficult thing to choose one satisfactory means of transport to go to. This article gives you all the applicable transport options to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. According to all of these instructions, we hope that you can comprehend the pros & cons of each type and make your own best decisions.

I. Getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by airplane - the fastest way

It takes about 2 hours to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by airplane and 60 minutes to transfer.

1. How to catch a taxi to Ho Chi Minh International Airport?

It is about just 8 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City’s center to Ho Chi Minh International Airport so there is no difficulty traveling. You can call any taxi brand to book one. Most simply, you may catch any taxi driver that you see on the street. They will be delighted to drive you to the airport. Commonly, the price will be about VND 100,000- VND 180,000 depending on the length of the way, brands of taxi and types of vehicle. However, you can agree with the driver to have an exceptional price. Most taxi drivers can understand a little bit of English but they are very welcoming so you can impart to them your desire. The standard of most of the cab is good because the competition among taxi brands is fierce and they need to improve the quality day by day to keep customers.

Some taxi brands that you should notice:

Above is the referential price information on taxi fares in Ho Chi Minh City. We will continue to update the latest info you can easily choose a suitable taxi for your journey.

2. How to book a flight ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

There are many flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi International Airport. The airlines that provide flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi International Airport include:

Buying a ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi is not too complicated. You can check information about airline tickets precisely on their website. Otherwise, if you prefer the cheaper price, you may spend time checking some sources likeTraveloka, Booking, etc. Especially, Jetstar Pacific and Vietjet Air often have many ticket price sale-off. If luckily, you can have a chance to buy a much cheaper price which is approximately lower than VND 300,000. You should try to catch one by following their website Jetstar and Vietjet Air. One notice that you need to arrange your schedule as soon as possible cause the ticket price on a close day is always more expensive than normal.

3. How to go to Hanoi center from Hanoi International Airport?

Hanoi International Airport is about 27 kilometers far away from the center. Despite a long-distance, it just takes about 15-20 minutes to travel due to the good quality highway that was built in 2015. You can easily catch a taxi or book a 4 seats car to move to your hotel for the price of VND 250,000- VND 400,000. There are also some transfer buses of Vietjet Air to take customers from the airport to the center with only VND 30,000. Some famous taxi brands you should notice

4. Advantages & disadvantages of getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by airplane

II. Getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by train - the interesting experience

1. How to book a train ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

It is very easy to book a train ticket at this moment. You can purchase the train ticket at 12go.asia, duongsatvietnam.com, vetaugiare24h or dailyvetauhoa.com  

On the other hand, you can go to Saigon Station in No.1 Nguyen Thong Street, Ward  9, District 3 to buy one. The procedure to buy tickets is simple, you just need to present your ID card or passport to sales staff. Direct payment by cash or through a credit card are both acceptable, there will be a lot of signs for you to buy tickets quickly. Debit/Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, JCB only or you can pay through PayPal in 12go.asia

2. How to buy a suitable train ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi is the longest Vietnam railway route. This avenue goes through a lot of big and small stations and mostly transported by two types of trains including SE (quick ship) and TN (slow train). Due to the kind of priority trains, SE trains only take 29-32 hours to complete this route, while TN may take about 40-42 hours with many stops.

The two earliest trains from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi Station are SE6 and SE4. They usually depart in the morning, at 8:00 and 9:30 every day. These types of trains do not usually visit the small railway station. They run a straight line to Hanoi and only stop at the big station in big cities such as Danang, Hue, Vinh.

Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi train ticket prices on SE trains are unfixed. They are depending on the kinds of the cabin, kinds of seats, etc. Each cabin can be filled with hundreds of people with various types of seats.

Board of Ticket Price:

3. The advantages of getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by train

First of all, it is uncomplicated for you to come to Saigon Station if your accommodation in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Second, a train travels along the length of the country and the landscape you are going to see from the window of your cabin and the local people you are going to meet en route will certainly augment your impressions about Vietnam. You are going to see extraordinary scenery while traveling. The ways through middle cities of Vietnam are especially picturesque with mountainous vistas and marine unfolding onwards your eyes as the train runs along the sea coast

On the other hand, traveling by train is quite secure, the percentage of serious accidents caused by train is one of the lowest among all means of transportation. Moreover, Hanoi railway station is in Le Duan Street, about 2 kilometers from Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Thus, you can easily catch a taxi or a bus for traveling to your destinations in the city after the train stops.

4. The disadvantages of transferring from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by train

Traveling by trains in Vietnam is an appealing experience, however, it still has some issues that make passengers not satisfied Fixed schedules are one of them. Railways are known to be not flexible that cannot be tailored to a single individual. Moreover, you may have to share your journey with strangers, who maybe not so lovely for a long-tired journey like a crying baby or someone who speaks loudly. It can be difficult if you want to have a peaceful space cause there will be so many people on the train. Last but not least, the speed of Vietnam`s railway train is a big problem. With the ticket price approximately equal to the airplane, passengers usually hope that the travel time can be shortened rather than about 35 hours at this moment.

Also, on holiday vacation, the traveling demand of people is very high, so the volume of booking train tickets is huge. You should make your decision as soon as possible and book the ticket in advance.

III. Getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by sleeper bus

1. How to catch a sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is about 1,700 kilometers. There are more than 10 high-quality bus operators running from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi including Hien Phuong, Hoang Long, Phuong Hoang, Mai Linh Operators, etc. Most Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi sleeper buses start mainly from Mien Dong Station or maybe Nga Tu Ga Station. The earliest bus starts at 07:00, the latest departure is at 23:00. The journey time by sleeper bus takes about 38-39 hours. Bus fare to Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi journey is the average of VND 800,000 per ticket. The cheapest fare is VND 650,000/ticket, the highest fare is VND 900,000/ticket. To purchase the online ticket, please click here

2. Some information about sleeper buses from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

3.  The advantages & disadvantages of getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by sleeper bus

IV. Getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by motorbike - The adventurous way

1. How to rent a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City

When visiting Vietnam, many visitors would like to experience the interesting feeling of riding a motorbike and exploring every corner of the country by themselves. If you have ever dreamed of becoming a traveler on the road with your own motorbike, Vietnam is definitely your dreamland. Motorbike renting service is very common in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh-the biggest city, since it is extremely accessible for not only foreigners who want to try new things but also locals who depend on the motorbike as their main vehicles. In response to people’s high demand, renting shops can easily be found in Ho Chi Minh City. Most travel agents and hotels here also provide this service for travelers. You may contact your receptionists to have detailed information and assistance.

There are various kinds of motorbike that you can favor. After having chosen the one that will accompany you, the owner will ask you for the deposit, photocopy of your passport, and the renting fee. Some owners may obligate you for the original passport. However, it’s recommended to try to make a deal with them. Some motorbike rental shops:

2. The advantages & disadvantages of getting from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi by motorbike

3. Must-know tips when driving a motorbike from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

If you want to use the motorbike for traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, there are many things to know. About renting a motorbike, you need to find a motorbike that is good enough and suitable for yours. After that, you should research the way very carefully. Don’t forget to check additional information about the quality of the road, plain or mountainous terrain to suitable with your driving skill. One of the most important things you must remember during the trip is slowing down on big busy roundabouts and crossroads. The best guide for driving in Vietnam is following what people around you doing. Do not try to be the first person through an intersection, and do not be the only motorbike on a highway with transport trucks. Just do not make you be the only person doing anything. Remember to watch the traffic lights and look around if the light turns green because sometimes the people still try to pass over the red light in the corner. The average speed limit is around 25-60 km/h, try to maintain it on the road. There may be many obstacles during your trip as animals, void, oil spills from trucks, dirt roads, and debris on the road. Therefore, controlling your speed is very important so you need to be in control at all times. The most important thing is wearing a helmet. It is a  compulsory thing in Vietnam. You could be caught by a cop if they see that you do not use a helmet with a motorbike. For a long journey like from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, a good quality helmet is necessary to prevent some terrible things from happening.

You’ll see a lot of places where you can get fueled up and repair your motorbike along your way. However, what happens if there is no mechanic around? Looking for local people and asking them for helping. Vietnamese people are very hospitable and friendly. Most of them are driving a motorbike and know how to fix it. They are surely willing to help you.

What do you need to drive a motorbike from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

Helmet (obviously)

Money (must be in VND)

Map (or using google map but the battery of your phone is limited so you need to have a very detailed map) 

Driving license (in case you meet the police) 

Jacket (it can be cold) 

Raincoat (sometimes its raining) 

Lock (to prevent robbers) 

Sunglasses (also for the dust and little stones) 

Suncream (for when the sun is shining) 

Bungee cords (for securing your backpack to your bike) 

Multitool and ducktape (for quick fixes) 

Plastic or raincoat for your backpack (so everything stays dry and clean) 

Some snacks, fast food, and water for a break in the journey

V. Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi: How to choose a suitable means of transport 

All of these means of transport have their advantages and disadvantages. However, appointing the most satisfactory one for each person is very problematic. Choosing the best means not only to take you from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi but also influence a lot to the overall quality of your journal. To answer the question: How to choose a proper one while every transport has its own strengthens and weaknesses maybe not simple as you thought, there are some queries that you need to notice to find the solution. Remember our suggestion cause it will be helpful for you:

1. In which season do you have your trip from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

As a result of being located in the northern region of Vietnam, Hanoi experiences all four seasons. This means the weather in winters are cold, very hot in summer, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons which have a temperature climate. Here is a list of each season and the recommendations for visiting Hanoi during the different seasons:

a. Spring (From February to April)

Spring is one of the best suitable times to visit Hanoi. The weather is still a little bit cold with temperatures ranging between 15-20°C. The skies are clear but sometimes there are still some drizzling rains. If you use a motorbike, remember to drive carefully cause the sight will be affected so much. Another thing to concern that Spring may also coincide with Tet (about in late January or in early February) which is the Vietnamese New Year. It’s the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture so expect many establishments to be closed during that time. It is also very difficult for you to book an airplane, train or sleeper bus ticket or even to rent a motorbike cause the demand for traveling on that day is huge.

b. Summer (From May to August)

Summers in Hanoi is very hot and humid. The average temperature is about 32°C, and even 40°C on some days. Not only Hanoi, but every province and city in Vietnam at that time also have a hot temperature with an uncomfortable environment. On top of that, it’s official the rainy season as well with August seeing the most rainfall and it also brings a bad effect for all transportation Unless you have to travel in this type of weather, airplane, in my opinion, is the only option. If not,  it’s best to avoid traveling to Hanoi in summer.

c. Autumn (From September to November)

Like Spring, Autumn is an ideal time to visit Hanoi. The weather is mild with average temperatures hovering around 25-30°C. Skies become clearer in November and leave turn golden-yellow, which makes it the perfect time to explore the tree-lined boulevards in some old street in the center like Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hoang Dieu Street, Hoang Hoa Tham St., etc. The weather on your way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is good as well. The environment is fresh, the wind often blows and the scenery is amazing. It is very suitable for traveling, especially by train, bus or motorbike to have an opportunity to enjoy fully the beautiful landscape of Vietnam. Fall is considered the most beautiful time to visit Hanoi as well as anywhere in the north of Vietnam.

d. Winter (From December to January)

Winter in Hanoi is extremely cold. The average temperature is around 15-18°C, but it has been known to drop down below 7°C. High humidity, wind chill, and a lack of building insulation make it seem even colder. However, Hanoi at this moment, from my point of view, is the most beautiful of the year. You can enjoy one ancient capital that so quiet and peaceful with a hot cup of coffee and feel living here. Traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi at this moment is easy. There is a few vacation or holiday at that time so you can go whenever you want. Remember to dress appropriately if you decide to visit Hanoi in winter.

2. What is your budget to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

It can be denied that money is the main and decisive factor of almost all journeys. Nevertheless, the greater or less amount relies on how and what your purpose of spending. Moreover, you should pay a lot of attention to your budget to balance the expenses and fees for the whole journey. If you do not have the big-budget, the suitable mean of transport for you are the sleeping bus, motorbike or train. Traveling by airplane is suitable if you have more amount of money. However, there are a lot of cheap price airplane tickets from Jetstar or Vietjet Air to encourage people to use their service. This kind of ticket is sometimes cheaper than the sleeping bus ticket and you need to follow their news to have an opportunity to purchase one. Assuming you have to share a hotel room with one other person and stay only in Hanoi for a couple of days, then a budget of around VND 850,000 per day including meals should be plenty.

3. How much luggage do you bring along for traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi?

It is the less important thing that you need to notice. A small bag will let you fit in any vehicle. If you decide to travel by airplane, you can bring as much as you want. Traveling by train or sleeping bus may be more comfortable if you only have 2-3 big bags. About driving a motorbike, one small bag with 3-4 clothes and personal equipment is enough.

VI. Comparison of all vehicles to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

VII. Conclusion 

The above are 4 ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, which can give you a good decision for picking one transportation. It is a wonderful city waiting for your exploration. “Hanoi will grow on you, just as it has on many travelers before”-this is one of the most common sayings of people who come to Hanoi from all over the world. Hanoi is not just the capital and center of politics and culture of Vietnam, it is also known as the World`s City of Peace. Hope you will have a perfect trip.