How to Get from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City
Compare the 8-hour bus and the 55-minute flight from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, with fares, durations and travel tips.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Contents
Leaving behind the cool, pine-scented air of the Central Highlands for the humid, high-octane energy of Vietnam's southern metropolis is a quintessential travel experience. Da Lat is a romantic, slow-paced retreat among French colonial villas and hydrangea gardens, while Ho Chi Minh City greets you with a roar of motorbikes and a skyline that keeps growing.
The journey south covers about 305 km.[1] You can hop over the mountains by air or take the winding descent by road. You can book your seat through GoAsia.cc.
Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City by Bus
The bus is the most common way to make this trip, favored by locals and backpackers alike. FUTA Bus Lines runs Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City in about 8 hours for 300,000 VND.[1] On booking platforms, seats cost about $19 to $20 (October 2026), and sleeper buses and VIP cabins leave in the morning, around midday and in the evening.[2]
Sleeper buses give you a reclining bunk, and the VIP cabin classes add more privacy and legroom. An overnight departure saves a night of accommodation.
Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City by Flight
If you would rather spend your time in the city than watching the road, fly. Flights depart from Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), about 30 km from the Da Lat city center, and the flight takes 55 minutes.[3] Vietnam Airlines one-way economy fares start from 1,017,181 VND (seen in October 2026).[4] Add time for the airport transfer and check-in.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus (FUTA) | 300,000 VND[1] | About 8h[1] |
| Flight (Vietnam Airlines) | From 1,017,181 VND[4] | 55 min[3] |
Tips for Traveling from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City
- Book in Advance for Weekends: Da Lat is a favorite weekend getaway for residents of Ho Chi Minh City. Buses and flights often sell out on Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings, so plan ahead if you travel then.
- Airport Transfer: Lien Khuong Airport is about 30 km from the city center and can be reached by taxi or bus.[3]
- Prepare for the Descent: The road from Da Lat involves several mountain passes with winding turns. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding.
- Dress in Layers: Da Lat can be chilly in the early morning, while Ho Chi Minh City is almost always hot. Wear layers so you can adjust as the temperature rises during the descent.
- Luggage on Buses: Sleeper buses have a large hold under the floor for suitcases and backpacks. You are usually asked to take off your shoes and carry them in a plastic bag before boarding the cabin area.
Timetable
| Bus Da Lat - Ho Chi Minh City $ 19.21–19.86 8h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh, including current prices and schedules.
The bus. FUTA Bus Lines charges 300,000 VND for the trip of about 8 hours, and sleeper buses give you a reclining bunk for the ride.
A flight takes 55 minutes in the air. Even with the transfer to Lien Khuong Airport and check-in, it is much quicker than the bus ride of about 8 hours.
A flight takes 55 minutes, and the bus takes about 8 hours depending on traffic.
Night buses are a standard way to travel in Vietnam. Because the road from Da Lat is winding and mountainous, choose a reputable operator and keep your valuables in a small bag with you in the cabin.
Yes. Booking platforms list VIP cabin buses with private compartments for about $19 to $20 (October 2026).
Lien Khuong Airport is about 30 km from the Da Lat city center. Reach it by taxi or bus, and add the transfer to your total travel time.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Phuong Trang - FUTA Bus Lines: FUTA Bus Lines: popular routes. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [2] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Da Lat - Ho Chi Minh City. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [3] Vietnam Airlines: Book Cheap Flights to Da Lat. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Vietnam Airlines: Flights from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.