Are you planning to visit Hoi An from Ho Chi Minh City? Here’s our short guide on how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An.

If you want to read about other amazing places to visit in Vietnam, check out our detailed guide here.

Where is Hoi An?

Hoi An is a city in central Vietnam. It is around 30 km from Da Nang and around 120 km from Hue. Hoi An is a popular stop in central Vietnam, between Hanoi to the North and Ho Chi Minh City to the South.

You can read more about places to visit in south Vietnam here.

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An

The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An is 845km. This is approximately a 17 or 18 hour drive in good traffic.

We did not hire a car in Vietnam and we wouldn’t necessarily recommend driving. The public transport in Vietnam is excellent and driving conditions are a little chaotic. It may be better to leave the driving to the professionals in Vietnam!

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by bus

There are no direct buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. Instead, if you want to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, you will need to take a bus to Da Nang and take a short (45 minute) taxi ride from there to Hoi An.

There is currently one bus company operating this route from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang (Hoi An) with three services a day. The bus takes a whopping 23 hours. There are currently no “VIP” style buses, just a normal sleeper with quite cramped seats. Prices start at around $20.

Another option is to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, a popular seaside town.

How to get from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An by train

There are no direct trains from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An. Instead, if you want to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, you will need to take a train to Da Nang and take a short (45 minute) taxi ride from there to Hoi An.

If you are planning to take public transport from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, we would recommend taking the train rather than the bus if at all possible. The train is shorter at 17 hours, compared to the bus which is 23 hours, and a lot more comfortable.

There are three ticket options on the train. A second class seat ($35), a second class cabin ($45) or a first class cabin ($55).

What is public transport in Vietnam like?

You can find out more about transport in Vietnam in our article here. This guide will provide details about the conditions on public transport with more detail about what buses and trains are like in Vietnam.

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by private transfer

At time of writing, I could not find any private transfer options between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An.

This may change in the future, we recommend checking with Bookaway or Getyourguide. You could also ask at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and they may be able to arrange something privately.

How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An by airplane

Another option is to take a plane from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang airport. This airport is around 45 minutes drive from Hoi An and you can also stop and enjoy Da Nang too if you wish.

There are two airlines that fly this route, Viejet and Vietnam airlines. Flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes and it costs from $45 upwards.

What to do in Hoi An

Hoi An is one of our favourite places in Vietnam. It’s a stunning and romantic city for a start. But we also love it because there’s so much to do. From cooking classes and exploring markets, to boat tours and lantern making courses. Plus, there’s a theatre, fabulous food and great night life.

We’ve written a full guide to visiting Hoi An, including what to do in Hoi An here.

If you want to book some activities or tours in and around Hoi An in advance, we’ve selected a few options below with the tour booking agent Viator. Click the link for more information and to check availability for your stay.

Where to stay in Hoi An

Hoi An is a relatively small place to visit. You can get around easily on foot or on bicycle. Indeed, cycling is a really popular way to explore Hoi An. This means that you can choose to stay centrally in Hoi An, or pick a slightly cheaper accommodation option a little distance from the centre, or even on one of the peninsulas.

If you’re ready to book accommodation – check out our recommendations here.

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