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Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) to Halong Bay is a journey spanning Vietnam from south to north. The two destinations are about 1,500–1,800 km apart (approximately 960–1,120 miles), so planning your route is essential.
However, since Ho Chi Minh is a major transportation hub itself while Halong Bay is very close to Hanoi, the capital, there are several ways to travel between these places for you to choose from, including: flights, trains, buses, or even self-driving.
In this article, let’s go through our guide about ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Halong Bay as well as their costs, duration, and comfort.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Flights are the quickest (5–7 hours) and offer high comfort, ideal for those prioritizing convenience.
- Overnight buses are the most budget-friendly ($25–$45), though they take 34–36 hours and have low comfort.
- Trains take the longest (35–40 hours) but offer a more scenic and authentic travel experience.
By Flights (Fastest Option)
Flying is by far the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Halong Bay.
There is no airport in Halong City itself, but you can fly to one of three airports nearby and then transfer by road to Halong Bay. The flight is only about 2 hours long, starting from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN). Multiple airlines operate this route, including Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet Air, and Pacific Airlines.
Airfares range widely based on how early you book and the carrier. On low-cost airlines (VietJet, Pacific) with hand luggage only, fares can be as low as USD 30–USD 50 if booked months in advance or during low season months. Full-service airlines (Vietnam Airlines) or last-minute tickets can cost USD 150 or more. Ticket could be booked easily via airline website or Google Flights.
Since flying only gets you to the vicinity of Halong, remember to arrange for ground transfer.
If you land at Noi Bai Airport, there are many companies that offer shuttle bus pickups from Hanoi (Old Quarter or Noi Bai airport) to the bay. The journey might take around 2.5 to 3 hours in normal traffic.
If you land at Hai Phong or Van Don, you may need to take a taxi or arrange a private car.
If you’re planning to join a cruise after landing, plan to arrive by morning or midday so you can transfer and catch an afternoon cruise boarding (~12–1 PM). For return, make sure to have your flight leave after 5 PM (from Hanoi) or 2 PM (from Hai Phong).
By Train (Scenic Option)
If you prefer a “travel like a local” experience, the train is a popular scenic option.
There is no direct train to Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh City, so you will first take the north-south Reunification train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, then connect by bus or other transport to Halong Bay. The entire trip will take roughly 35–40 hours (about 1.5 days), but you can sleep on the train and enjoy Vietnam’s landscapes along the way.
Trains depart from Saigon Railway Station to Hanoi Train Station multiple times per day – usually 6 departures daily. Most trains take about 33–36 hours; the fastest “SE” series trains might be closer to 33h if on schedule.
Ticket prices start from 1,500,000 VND for a seat in a 4-berth air-conditioned cabin and can be booked via the Vietnam Railway website.
Once you arrive in Hanoi, the simplest option is to take a shuttle bus or minivan from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Many leave from the Old Quarter at around 08:00. If you pre-book a Halong cruise, the company can often pick you up in Hanoi the same morning you arrive by train (some have early morning departures ~8–9 AM).
Overnight Buses (Budget Option)
For budget travelers, overnight buses offer a cheap way to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay. However, this is a very long haul because road travel times of 34–36 hours are common. These bus routes will normally break in Hanoi, where you’ll transfer to an additional shuttle to get to Halong Bay.
Most buses have reclining bed-seats in tiers. Standard sleepers have three rows of narrow bunk beds running front-to-back. A newer style some companies use is the “cabin” bus, which has fewer, larger berths with a bit more private compartments.
Costs typically range from USD 25–USD 45 for a one-way trip. The price can depend on the bus company and type of bus (standard vs cabins). Some reputable sites to book are Vexere, or 12go.asia.
Suggested Itineraries
To help you see how the trip might look, here are sample itineraries for 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Halong Bay. These assume you want to experience Halong Bay and then return. You can adjust each based on your preferences:
2-Day
Day 1: Early morning, fly from HCMC to Hanoi or Hai Phong. For maximum time, take one of the first flights (around 6–7 AM) to arrive by ~9 AM. Transfer immediately by pre-booked shuttle or car to Halong Bay.
Around noon, board a Halong Bay overnight cruise – most depart between 12:00–1:30 PM. Spend the afternoon cruising through the limestone karsts, visiting a cave or island, and enjoy the sunset from the boat.
Day 2: Wake up to sunrise over the bay, Tai Chi on deck. The cruise continues with a light breakfast and maybe kayaking or a cave tour. Early lunch/brunch on board as the boat heads back to port by late morning. Disembark around 11 AM. Drive back to the airport (if Hanoi, ~2.5 hours; aim for a flight ~5 PM or later). Fly back to HCMC in the evening (arriving ~8–9 PM).
3-Day
Day 1: Morning flight from HCMC to Hanoi (or Hai Phong). On arrival (late morning), instead of rushing straight to Halong, spend the afternoon in Hanoi to break up travel. Explore the Old Quarter, eat some delicious Hanoi pho or banh mi, and visit Hoan Kiem Lake. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Early pickup (around 8 AM) from your Hanoi hotel by the cruise shuttle. Travel ~3 hours to Halong Bay. Arrive by noon and embark on an overnight Halong Bay cruise. Enjoy the full cruise itinerary of cave visits, kayaking, cooking classes, or just relaxing on deck. Overnight on the cruise boat.
Day 3: Complete the cruise by late morning. After lunch at the port or on the way, head back to Hanoi by shuttle, reaching by mid-afternoon. Go straight to the airport. Fly back to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.
5-Day
Day 1: Fly HCMC to Hanoi (morning flight). Visit key sites like the Temple of Literature, Old Quarter, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Take a side trip to Ninh Binh or a full day in Hanoi. With 5 days, you can allocate a day to see the “Halong on land” in Ninh Binh, which is 2 hours from Hanoi. This could be a guided day tour: boat ride among karst cliffs in Tam Coc, Hoa Lu ancient capital, perhaps cycling in the countryside. Return to Hanoi by evening. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Morning transfer to Halong Bay. Check in to the boat and join some activities like visiting Sung Sot cave or climbing Ti Top Island.
Day 4: Spend your 2nd day on the cruise.
Day 5: Return to port by late morning (usually 11 AM). Back to Hanoi by mid-afternoon. From here, either catch an evening flight back to Ho Chi Minh City or stay one more night in Hanoi if you prefer and fly the next morning. (There are often flights around 6–7 PM and later at 9–10 PM from Hanoi to SGN, which work well.)
