Хошимин – Хойан

Still widely known by its former name of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is today the largest city in Vietnam and the most visited city in the country. Filled with great architecture that reflects its varied history as a French colonial possession, Ho Chi Minh City also played an important role in the recent Vietnam War and offers visitors many attractions associated with it.

But it is also a lively place filled with traditional culture and delicious food sold straight from roadside food stalls. After the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, the much smaller town of Hoi An can be a welcome relief. Known for its exceptionally well-preserved commercial port and historic district, Hoi An offers a step back in time, as well as beaches for relaxation, and has a pleasant laid-back atmosphere.

Travel options from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, the route between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An is very well provided with transportation. Nevertheless, it is a long journey, and depending on how you choose to travel it can take all day. Fortunately, there are many different travel options to suit all budgets and schedules.

Полет – отличный вариант для тех, кто торопит время. Но для тех из вас, кто предпочитает путешествовать медленнее и наслаждаться пейзажем и, возможно, культурой, есть поезда и автобусы. Самый короткий маршрут по дороге составляет около 850 километров (530 миль), поэтому будьте готовы к долгому путешествию, если путешествуете по автотрассе, и к столь же долгой поездке, если едете на поезде.

Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An

Let's start with the fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by air. We definitely recommend traveling by air, covering long distances like this. But often the cost of plane tickets can be prohibitive for those traveling on a tight budget.

Surprisingly, the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An is not as expensive as it may seem at first glance, so this is definitely a mode of transportation you should consider, especially if you don't have much free time in Vietnam and want to get to Hoi An as quickly as possible.

The cost of a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An varies depending on which airline you choose, so be sure to go through the different options rather than settling on the first price you see. If you are traveling with Vietnam Airlines, you will spend a lot more on airfare than if you choose one of the budget airlines such as VietJet Air. Their prices are the cheapest for this route, but you might also consider flying with Jetstar Pacific. Their tickets are more expensive than VietJet Air, but generally less than Vietnam Airlines.

When comparing prices, pay attention to what is included in the price of the ticket. Vietnam Airlines includes 20 kg of luggage in the ticket price, while the other two airlines do not, so see how much it would cost in total if you have luggage. Also don't forget to compare days and times of travel. This can usually save you quite a bit. For example, if you avoid flying on weekends. And don't forget to book in advance, as the closer you get to the day of departure, the more expensive it is likely to be.

Check the 12Go travel site. They give you search results for all three airlines offering flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, so you can easily compare prices and departure times.

The flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An has a disadvantage that you should know: you will not fly directly to Hoi An, since there is no airport there. Instead, you will fly to Da Nang airport, which is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Hoi An. You can take a bus, but you will need to take a cab to the bus stop first, since the bus does not go to the airport. Nevertheless, it won't take long, and you will still save time overall compared to the train or bus.

Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by train

Путешествие во Вьетнаме на поезде – это хороший опыт! Основным недостатком на самом деле является время, поскольку поезда путешествуют на очень низких скоростях, но стоимость разумна, и лучшее в том, чтобы добраться из Хошимина в Хойан на поезде – пейзаж, который вы увидите по пути.

It's a very scenic route, and while you're puffing along at those slow speeds, you'll have plenty of time to sit and watch the world go by the window. We also like to travel by train because it gives us a chance to see the culture of Vietnam. Even if you can't understand what your traveling companions, who are locals, are saying, it's interesting just to watch their conversations.

Vietnam Railways is the state operator for all railroads in Vietnam, so prices are kept at a reasonable rate. There are several different options depending on your budget and preference, from the cheapest 2nd class seats, to 1st class sleeper seats.

You can also choose a medium-priced option: sleeper class 2.
Like traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by plane, the disadvantage of traveling by train is that there is no train station in Hoi An itself. The train will arrive in Da Nang, and from there you will have to go to Hoi An. This is not so difficult, because if you book train tickets through 12Go, you can also book a transfer to Hoi An by bus or cab.

Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An

The last option to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An is by bus, but we do not recommend traveling this way when you have two other good options. Bus trips are very long and are not designed for those who are not good in tight spaces.

However, there are half-sleeper buses that allow you to lie down for a bit. If you are interested in saving money, the bus might be a good option for you, but apart from saving costs it will not save you time or hassle. And in that case, you still have to get from Da Nang to Hoi An.

Planes from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An are great for those who want to save time and explore Hoi An as soon as possible, but if you have free time, take a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An and enjoy the journey!