Halong Tours from Ho Chi Minh City: Best Ways to Travel

Option 1: Fly from HCMC to Northern Vietnam (Fastest & Easiest)

Fly to Van Don Airport (VDO) – Closest to Halong Bay

• Distance to Halong Bay: ~50 km
• Flight duration: Around 2 hours and 5 minutes
• One-way airfare: From 1,000,000 VND to 1,900,000 VND
• Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways
• Flights per day: 1–2 direct flights

Why it’s great: Van Don International Airport is the closest airport to Halong Bay, which means your journey from air to adventure is ultra-short, only about 45–60 minutes by car. The airport is new, efficient, and increasingly popular for travelers flying from HCMC to Halong Bay.

Watch out for:  Limited daily flights and slightly higher ticket prices if booked last-minute.

Transfer options to Halong Bay:

• Taxi: ~500,000–700,000 VND
• Private car: From 850,000 VND
• Airport bus: Around 100,000 VND/person (Hotline for booking: 0789.455.888)

Fly Van Don with Vietnam Airlines (Source: vietnamairlines)

Fly to Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong)

• Distance to Halong Bay: ~65–70 km
• Flight duration: About 2 hours
• Airfare range: 800,000 – 1,700,000 VND
• Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways
• Flights per day: 2–4 daily flights

Why it’s good: Convenient price and good balance. Not as convenient as Van Don, but a smooth and direct drive to Halong Bay because of the expressway system.

Think about it: A bit longer distance to Halong, and fewer ground transportation choices than Hanoi.

How to get to Halong Bay from Cat Bi Airport:

• Taxi: ~700,000 – 900,000 VND
• Limousine van: 300,000 – 400,000 VND/person
• Bus No. 07: Economical, but slower, and may require transfers

A great option for travelers who require an affordable flight but would still prefer to reach Halong Bay from Ho Chi Minh efficiently.

Fly Cat Bi with VietJet Air (Source: vinwonders)

Fly to Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi)

• Distance to Halong Bay: ~160–180 km
• Flight time: Around 2 hours 10 minutes
• Airfare: Typically 650,000 – 1,300,000 VND
• Flights per day: 15–30 flights (most frequent option)

Why it’s great: It’s Vietnam’s second-largest airport and has the most accommodating schedule. There are heaps of flight options to choose from at reasonable prices. And, as icing on the cake, this is a wonderful choice if you want to visit Hanoi before heading east.

Things to keep in mind: It’s the longest ground transfer (3 hours), so be sure to plan.

Ground transfer options from Noi Bai to Halong Bay:

• Limousine service: 350,000 – 450,000 VND/person
• Private car: 1,200,000 – 1,600,000 VND (4–7 seats)
• Shuttle buses: ~250,000 VND/person (Interbus, Anbasco, etc.)

Fly to Noi Bai Airport (Source: thegioitiepthi)

Quick Comparison Table

Option 2: Take the Train – Scenic, Slow, and Seriously Charming

Sample Train Schedules from HCMC to Hanoi

• Prices vary seasonally and booking website. You may book from Vietnam Railways, Baolau, or 12Go Asia.

Note: All trains depart from Saigon Railway Station (Ga Sai Gon) and terminate at Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Ha Noi).

Train SE2 (Source: baochinhphu)

Hanoi to Halong Bay: What’s Next?

Once you arrive in Hanoi, you may continue your HCMC to Halong Bay tour by:

• Limousine Bus (highly recommended): 2.5–3.5 hours
  • Price: 250,000–350,000 VND
  • Pick-up: Old Quarter, Hanoi Railway Station area
• Private Car: 2.5 hours direct
  • Price: 1,200,000–1,500,000 VND (good for groups)
• More routes and tips here: how to get from Hanoi to Ha Long

Pro Tips for This Scenic Journey

• Book early: Especially for 4-berth soft sleepers,  they sell fast
• Bring snacks and entertainment: You’ll thank yourself halfway through Ninh Binh
• Stopovers? Consider breaking the trip in Hue, Da Nang, or Ninh Binh — top-notch detours!

Who Should Take the Train?

This is the preferred option if:

• You like lengthy, scenic road journeys and true traveling
• You want to experience more than Halong Bay while in Ho Chi Minh
• You have the time to take in the journey and would prefer to drive overland

Option 3: Sleeper Bus – Budget but Brutal

Route & Duration

• Ho Chi Minh City → Hanoi: ~1,700 km sleeper bus (~35–38 hours)
• Hanoi → Halong Bay: ~160 km bus or car (~2 – 3 hours)
• Total journey time: approximately 38–41 hours from HCMC to Halong Bay

Example. Hoang Long departs at 17:30 from Mien Dong Station, arriving in Hanoi around 05:30–06:00 after ~36 hours

Hanoi → Halong Bay Transfer

On arrival in Hanoi:

• Take a limousine van or shuttle bus from the main stations (My Dinh or Gia Lam).
• Average fare: Hanoi to HCMC: 180,000–400,000 VND (~ US$7–17), journey takes 2–3 hours

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Budget-friendly option from HCMC to Halong Bay

• An overnight journey saves you one night of accommodation
• Fine if traveling lightly and not in a hurry

Cons

• Very long, cramped hours, with only bunk beds, cramped space, and irregular breaks
• Unpredictable ride—roads rough, drivers tough, delay possible
• Not for light sleepers or tall riders

Best For

• Die-hard budget travelers who desire the cheapest ticket
• Those who crave a genuine, wholesome Vietnamese overland experience
• Anyone with flexibility and patience for long-distance bus travel

Hoang Long Sleeper Bus for Budget Explorers (Source: 12go)

Option 4: Car/Motorbike – Road Warriors Welcome

The Route: From the South to the Northern Sea

The overland journey is over 1,800 kilometers, yes, it’s a haul, from Ho Chi Minh City’s buzzing motorbike roads to Halong Bay’s jade sea. It’s not a journey for the faint of heart, but for those who embrace the rush of the road, it’s an experience of a lifetime.

You can choose to:

• QL1A: Vietnam’s national backbone, passing through large urban areas like Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue, and Vinh.
• QL14 / Ho Chi Minh Highway: More picturesque with green mountain passes and fewer lorries, but slower.

Option A: Private Car (with or without driver)

Driving by own vehicle from HCMC to Halong Bay makes it your responsibility to decide on the stops, diversions, playlist, and pace. It is ideal for families or groups who need privacy and are flexible.

• Distance: ~1,824 km
• Drive time: ~33–38 hours (excluding rest breaks)
• Fuel cost: Around 3.5–4.5 million VND (~ US$140–180)
• Tolls: ~600,000–1 million VND
• Car rental: From 900,000 VND/day without driver; ~1.3–1.8 million/day with driver (including insurance)

You’ll want to stop overnight in at least one major city (Da Nang or Vinh are perfect options), so plan 2–3 days minimum. Make sure your rental company allows cross-province travel and confirms insurance coverage.

Private Car With Driver (Source: xetaimydinh)

Option B: Motorbike – Only for the Brave

Motorbike travel from HCMC to Halong Bay is a mad idea, and we don’t say that metaphorically. Though not impossible, this journey is physically demanding, mentally challenging, and dangerous unless you are a highly skilled rider with a proper Vietnamese license.

• Ride time: ~5–7 days, depending on your pace
• Fuel cost: 600,000–900,000 VND (~ US$25–35)
• Motorbike rental: ~150,000–200,000 VND/day
• Required: International Driving Permit (IDP), helmet, safety gear, rain cover

Tip: Try to avoid traveling during the rainy season (July–September). You’ll also need to check your bike daily, take a rest stop often, and plan for gas stops—especially in rural areas.

Motorbike: HCMC to Halong Bay (Source: mia)

Must-Stop Rest Points on the Way

If you’re planning to drive or motorbike the whole distance from HCMC to Halong Bay, here are some smart stops along the way:

• Nha Trang: Take a beach break and refuel with fresh seafood
• Hoi An / Da Nang: Cultural gems and cozy overnight accommodations
• Phong Nha: If time permits, break in this cave haven
• Vinh or Ninh Binh: Final big city stop before reaching Hanoi or Halong

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Most flexibility for spontaneous stops
• See the real Vietnam off the beaten track
• Suited for couples, friends, and remote workers who want a flexible travel plan

Cons

• Time-consuming and tiresome
• Road conditions are irregular; drivers must stay alert at all times
• Navigation and insurance regulations for foreigners may be complicated

Conclusion

No matter your style, speedster flyer, scenic dreamer, or cheap backpacker, there’s an excellent way to travel from HCMC to Halong Bay. Fly to Van Don for speed, ride the train for scenery, or suffer the sleeper bus for pennies; the journey is all part of the experience. And if you’re stopping in Hanoi, don’t miss our tips on how to get from Hanoi to Ha Long to make your final leg effortless. HCMC to Halong Bay isn’t just a route,  it’s the start of a story you’ll never forget.