How to Get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in about 2 hours 5 minutes, or take the Reunified Express. Fares, airports and tips.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Contents
The route from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi spans the whole length of Vietnam, from the French colonial boulevards and relentless energy of Saigon to the narrow alleys and temples of the northern capital. The distance is over 1,700 km, and by bus or train the journey takes more than 30 hours.[1]
That is why most travellers fly. Reunified Express trains also run the full length of the country between Saigon and Hanoi, and they suit travellers who want to see the coast and stop in cities like Da Nang or Hue along the way.[2]
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi by Flight
Flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) take about 2 hours 5 minutes, and Vietnam Airlines alone runs more than 20 flights a day on the route. Its lowest one-way economy fares start at VND 888,181, and the airline advises booking 3 to 4 weeks ahead.[1] On booking platforms fares across airlines run from about $71 to $86 (October 2026).[3] That means breakfast in a southern market and lunch in Hanoi.
Tan Son Nhat lies about 8 km north of the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Noi Bai is about 30 km from central Hanoi: buses 86, 07, 17 and 90 run from Terminal 1 into the city, Vietnam Airlines' own bus costs about VND 40,000, and a taxi costs about VND 250,000.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Flight (economy) | From VND 888,181[1] | About 2h 5min[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
- Book early around Tet: Flights around the Lunar New Year sell out early, so book well ahead.
- Check airport terminals: Tan Son Nhat has more than one domestic terminal. Confirm your airline's current terminal, including whether your flight uses T3, before you tell your driver where to drop you. See Vietnam Airlines' terminal announcement.
- Pack for the weather change: Ho Chi Minh City is tropical all year, while Hanoi can be cool and misty from December to February.
- Arrive late at night? Pre-booking a private transfer at Noi Bai is often easier than negotiating with taxis outside the terminal.
Timetable
| Flight Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi $ 71.20–85.76 2h 10m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, including current prices and schedules.
Vietnam Airlines' one-way economy fares start at VND 888,181, and booking platforms show fares of about $71 to $86 (October 2026).
Flying is the fastest, with a flight time of about 2 hours 5 minutes.
A direct flight takes about 2 hours 5 minutes. By bus or train the journey takes more than 30 hours.
Fly from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), about 8 km north of the city centre.
If you are short on time, fly, because it saves more than 30 hours. Take the train if you want to see the coast and stop in cities like Da Nang or Hue.
Noi Bai Airport is about 30 km from central Hanoi. Buses 86, 07, 17 and 90 run from Terminal 1, and a taxi costs about VND 250,000.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Vietnam Airlines: Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [2] Vietnam Railways (Duong sat Viet Nam): Vietnam Railways timetable: North-South trains (Reunified Express). Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [3] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Retrieved October 28, 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.