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The route from the dynamic southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City to the beaches and calm atmosphere of Da Nang is one of the most popular routes in Vietnam. The distance of about 800 km can be covered with varying levels of comfort, speed, and cost.
Here, as in other directions, the classic trio works: plane (fast and comfortable), train (leisurely and with views), and bus (maximum budget). In this article, we will compare them and give specific instructions: how to get to stations and airports, where to buy tickets without markups, and what to take on the road.
Useful links for planning your trip:
Comparison of All Methods: Quick Summary
For a quick understanding, here is our comparison table based on up-to-date information for 2025.
| Method | Travel Time | Approximate Price (One Way) | Main Pros | Main Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | ~1.5 hrs + travel to airports | from 1,200,000 dong (45.59 USD) | Very fast, maximum comfort, frequent flights | Most expensive option |
| Train (Night Compartment) | ~17-20 hours | from 1,300,000 dong (49.39 USD) | Reliable, saves a hotel night, you can sleep lying down | Very long, needs to be booked in advance |
| Bus (Night Sleeper) | ~14-16 hours | from 500,000 dong (19 USD) | Cheapest, night trip saves a day | Least comfort, shaking on the roads |
Our opinion: If you want to start your beach vacation as soon as possible — choose the plane. It saves a whole vacation day. If your budget is limited, but you want comfort on the road — choose the night train in a Soft Sleeper compartment. If the goal is maximum economy, and you are ready for road hardships — then your path is the night sleeper bus.
Plane from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang ✈
This is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the central Vietnam coast. Several flights a day from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) to Da Nang Airport (DAD) are operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Bamboo Airways. You will spend about 1 hour and 20 minutes in the air.
Practical Details: From Departure to Arrival
Life hack from our experience: Vietjet often holds sales on domestic flights. We've caught Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang tickets for as low as 700,000 dong, which is cheaper than the train. The secret is to subscribe to the airline's newsletter and book 4-6 weeks before the trip. Check prices on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — sales often start on these days.
| ЦЕНА | ПЕРЕСАДКИ | АВИАКОМПАНИЯ | ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА | ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ |
| Купить от 7026 ₽ | Без пересадок |  |
03.06.2026 | 03.06.2026 |
| Купить от 7461 ₽ | Без пересадок | |
29.07.2026 | 15.08.2026 |
| Купить от 7526 ₽ | Без пересадок |  |
01.08.2026 | 14.08.2026 |
| Купить от 4986 ₽ | Без пересадок |  |
16.09.2026 | 22.09.2026 |
| Купить от 6409 ₽ | Без пересадок | |
09.10.2026 | 20.10.2026 |
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Where to Search and Buy Tickets
Prices start from 1.2 million dong one way. For comparison, we use aggregators Aviasales and Trip.com. They show all available flights from different airlines and allow you to choose the optimal one by time and price.
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How to Get to Tan Son Nhat Airport from Ho Chi Minh City Center
The airport is located within the city (airport on map), which is very convenient. But note that a new Terminal T3 is now open here, so before going to the airport, check which terminal your flight departs from to avoid going to the wrong one.
- Taxi (Grab, Mai Linh): Most convenient. A trip from the tourist district (Pham Ngu Lao) will cost 100,000 – 150,000 dong (3.8 - 5.7 USD) for 20-30 minutes.
- City Bus No.152 or No.109: Most economical. Bus No.152 costs 5,000 dong, runs frequently until 19:00. Bus No.109 (comfortable) costs 15,000 dong, operates until 21:30. Both go to Ben Thanh Market in the center.
- Pre-booked Transfer: Convenient for early flights or families with children. Can be ordered through the hotel or via Kiwitaxi.
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How to Get from Da Nang Airport to the City
Da Nang Airport is almost in the center, a huge plus.
- Taxi (Grab, Mai Linh, Vinasun): Our favorite. To My Khe Beach or the tourist area — 70,000–100,000 dong (2.66 - 3.8 USD) for 15-20 minutes.
- City Bus: Cheapest. Buses No.06 and No.10 go to the center. Fare is 8,000 dong.
- If Your Hotel is in Hoi An: Take a taxi directly from the airport (from 300,000 dong, 1 hour) or pre-book a transfer.
Our verdict: Flying is our choice when we want to use time most efficiently. The difference of 15-18 hours saved on the road is worth the money, especially if you manage to catch a promotional fare. For us, this is the priority method on this route.
Train from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang 🚆
Traveling by train on the Reunification Line is a classic way to see Vietnam from south to central. The night train is especially logical: you board in Ho Chi Minh City in the evening, go to sleep in a compartment, and wake up by the sea in Da Nang. Travel time — from 17 to 20 hours.
All About Trains: From Classes to Buying Tickets
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Car Classes: What to Choose for the Long Road North
- Soft Sleeper (4-berth compartment): Best choice for a night trip. Has air conditioning, power outlets, you can lie down fully. Price Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang — from 1,300,000 to 1,800,000 dong.
- Hard Sleeper (6-berth compartment): 20-30% cheaper. Bunks in three tiers, the top one is very low. Suitable for budget travelers.
- Soft Seat / Hard Seat: For 17-20 hours on the road — a serious challenge. We do not recommend it unless you are looking for extreme experiences.
Interior of a Hard Sleeper car (6-berth compartment). -
Where to Buy Tickets and How Not to Get Caught Out
- 12go.asia — the best website for tourists. Has Russian language, e-tickets, detailed class descriptions. Russian cards do not work, a foreign one is needed.
- Official Vietnam Railways Website (dsvn.vn) — cheaper, but the interface is complicated, Russian cards do not work, and not even all foreign cards work. But it has the most complete schedule.
- Ticket Office at Ga Sai Gon Station: The cheapest way (station on map). The station is not far from the tourist district. Buy at least 2-3 days before the trip.
- Sales Office on Pham Ngu Lao (275C Pham Ngu Lao): Convenient point right in the tourist center. Small markup.
Important from our experience: Tickets for night trains in compartments, especially on Friday and Sunday, sell out several days in advance. Don't count on buying a ticket on the day of departure. Plan your trip in advance. Even better, additionally read our guide on trains in Vietnam and how to use them.
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Stations: Departure and Arrival
In Ho Chi Minh City: All trains north depart from the main station Ga Sai Gon. You can get there by Grab taxi from the Pham Ngu Lao district (about 40,000 - 50,000 dong) or even walk in 25-30 minutes.
In Da Nang: Trains arrive at the main railway station in the city center on Hai Phong Street (station on map). From here to a hotel on My Khe Beach — a taxi for 80,000 dong or bus No.05 for 8,000 dong.
Our verdict: The night train in Soft Sleeper is an excellent alternative for those who don't like to fly but want to save on a hotel night and still have the opportunity to sleep lying down. This is a journey with character that will be remembered. The day train is only for the very patient and curious.
Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang 🚌
The most budget-friendly way to get to the central coast. Many companies offer night sleeper buses (Sleeper Bus) on this route. You leave Ho Chi Minh City in the evening, sleep (or try to sleep) on the bus, and arrive in Da Nang in the morning. Travel time — 14-16 hours.
Practice: Buying Tickets and Logistics
Our advice: If possible, choose buses of the "VIP Sleeper" or "Cabin Bus" class with separate cabins. They have more personal space and higher partitions between seats. An ordinary sleeper bus with three rows of bunks, where a neighbor's feet might end up near your head, is much less comfortable.
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Main Carriers and Prices
Routes are operated by companies Futa Bus Lines, The Sinh Tourist, Hoang Long. The price starts from 500,000 dong for a regular sleeper bus. VIP options with cabins can cost from 800,000 dong.
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Where to Buy Tickets in Ho Chi Minh City
- 12go.asia — a convenient online aggregator with reviews. You can compare carriers and bus classes.
- Futa Bus Lines Office on Pham Ngu Lao: This carrier has a convenient office right in the tourist district (on map). Often they offer free transfer from the office to their bus station. Check!
- Travel Agencies in the Pham Ngu Lao Area: Convenient, you can compare several companies. But remember the possible markup and always clarify the bus type.
- Major Ho Chi Minh City Bus Stations (e.g., Mien Dong): the lowest prices, but you need to get there specifically.
For more details on how transport works in Ho Chi Minh City, read our guide: Ho Chi Minh City Transport.
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Where Buses Depart From and Arrive
In Ho Chi Minh City: Many tourist buses pick up passengers in the Pham Ngu Lao area and then take them to the main bus station for departure. Clarify the pick-up location when buying the ticket!
In Da Nang: Most intercity buses arrive at the Central Bus Station (Danang Central Bus Station) on Dien Bien Phu Street (on map). From here, you can get to the center or beach by Grab taxi (from 100,000 dong) or by city bus No.16 for 8,000 dong.
Our verdict: The night sleeper bus is the choice for those for whom economy comes first. It's a real way to save 600-800 thousand dong compared to flying. But be prepared for spartan conditions, shaking, and the likelihood of not getting enough sleep. Bring earplugs, a sleep mask, and a warm sweater.
Final Recommendations: What to Choose for the Trip to Da Nang?
Based on our experience, here's how we would choose:
- "I want to get to the beach quickly and not lose a vacation day": Only plane. Fly on a morning or afternoon flight.
- "I want to save money, but still have the opportunity to lie down and sleep": Your option is the night train in a Soft Sleeper compartment. A compromise between economy and comfort.
- "Budget is very limited, and I'm ready for discomfort": Then your path is the night VIP Sleeper Bus (with cabins). Maximum savings.
- "I'm traveling with children or elderly relatives": Definitely plane. A long overland journey will be a difficult ordeal.
Regardless of your choice, buy tickets in advance, especially during the high season (December-February) and on weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is the cheapest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang?
The cheapest is the night sleeper bus (Sleeper Bus). Prices start from 500,000 dong (19 USD). This is 2 times cheaper than the most budget flight and significantly cheaper than the train.
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Can I buy a train ticket on the day of departure from Ho Chi Minh City?
There is a chance, but it is extremely small for sleeper seats (Soft/Hard Sleeper), especially on Friday and Sunday. Most often, only sitting seats (Hard Seat) remain for sale on the day of departure. Traveling in them for 17-20 hours is a real challenge. We strongly recommend buying tickets at least 3-4 days in advance.
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What is more comfortable and faster: train or bus?
The train is more comfortable, the bus is slightly faster and significantly cheaper. The train has compartments where you can lie down, and there is a toilet in the car. The bus is cheaper and sometimes travels 2-3 hours faster, but the conditions of the sleeper seats are less comfortable, especially for tall people.
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How to get to Tan Son Nhat Airport early in the morning?
City buses do not run in the early morning hours (before 6:00). The only option is a taxi (Grab). Grab operates 24/7, and ordering a car for an early departure is not a problem. Just order in advance, considering the time for the car to arrive.
Need more details? You can find all the information about hotels, food, beaches, and attractions in our big guides: Complete Guide to Ho Chi Minh City and Big Guide to Da Nang. And ask your questions in the comments under the article or join our Telegram chat about Vietnam!
Whatever route you choose, the journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang will be a bright transition from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis to a vacation on one of the best coasts of Vietnam. Have a good trip and a great vacation in Da Nang!