Ho Chi Minh City is the end of most north-to-south trips and the start of most south-to-north ones. Three trips matter for travelers: down into the Mekong Delta, up into the hills at Da Lat, and the long way north to Hanoi. Only the Delta is a clear road trip. For Da Lat it is worth weighing a short flight, and for Hanoi you should fly.
How we built this guide: this page pulls together our three route guides from the city, which checked listings on 12Go, Vexere and Baolau, Vietnam Railways' timetable for 14 October 2026, and government and press reports on new roads and airports on 2 October 2026. Follow the links for the full detail behind each number.
Where do you leave from?
Check the pickup point on your ticket, because departures are spread across the city:
- Mien Tay bus station: big buses to Can Tho and the Mekong Delta, and FUTA's buses to Da Lat (Vexere).
- Company offices: limousine vans to Can Tho and Da Lat leave from their own offices in districts such as 9 and 10.
- Mien Dong Moi (New Mien Dong) bus station: long-haul sleepers north, per 12Go's Hanoi listings.
- Saigon Railway Station: 1 Nguyen Thong, District 3, for all North-South trains (Baolau).
- Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN): all flights for now. Long Thanh airport is proposed to start commercial flights on 1 December 2026 (VietnamPlus). For the ride between the airport and the center, see our Tan Son Nhat airport guide.
Which route out of Ho Chi Minh City should you take?
Ride to the Delta, think twice about the long bus to Da Lat, and fly to Hanoi. Prices below were seen on 2 October 2026.
| Going to | Option | Time | Price | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can Tho | Limousine van | About 2 hours 40 minutes | 260,000 to 500,000 VND | Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho |
| Can Tho | Big bus from Mien Tay | About 4 hours | Around 195,000 VND with FUTA | Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho |
| Can Tho | Private car | About 2.5 to 3.5 hours | US$48 to US$52 per car on 12Go | Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho |
| Da Lat | Flight to Lien Khuong | 55 minutes, plus a 30 km drive | About US$33 to US$41 on 12Go | Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat |
| Da Lat | Sleeper or limousine bus | About 6 to 9 hours | 250,000 to 550,000 VND on Vexere | Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat |
| Hanoi | Flight | About 2 hours 10 minutes | From about US$43 on 12Go | Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City |
Down to the Mekong Delta: stay the night
Can Tho is close enough for a day trip, but the reason to go is Cai Rang floating market, and its best hours are early. The Can Tho tourism portal puts the best time at 5 to 7 am, about a 30-minute boat ride from Ninh Kieu wharf. That is hard to reach from Saigon the same morning, so spend a night in Can Tho.
Up to Da Lat: fly unless you want the road
The road is slow because the planned Dau Giay to Lien Khuong expressway had not opened by October 2026, so buses take about 6 to 9 hours. The flight takes 55 minutes, and Lien Khuong airport is about 30 km south of Da Lat (Wikipedia). A morning flight gets you there for lunch. Our Da Lat guide covers the city.
North to Hanoi: fly, or ride the train in stages
The flight takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The fastest trains take more than 32 hours end to end, so if you want the railway, use it in pieces: Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hue all make good overnight legs.
Tips for leaving Ho Chi Minh City
- Leave time for traffic: bus stations such as Mien Tay and Mien Dong Moi are far from District 1, so allow extra time to reach them, especially at rush hour.
- Tet: Tet falls on 6 February 2027 (Wikipedia). The weeks around it are the busiest of the year for buses, trains and flights, so book early.
- Airport check: once Long Thanh opens, read your ticket for the airport name before you head out.
Key facts at a glance
- Saigon Railway Station is at 1 Nguyen Thong, District 3 (Baolau).
- FUTA charged 195,000 VND from Mien Tay to Can Tho on 2 October 2026 (Vexere).
- Tan Son Nhat to Lien Khuong flights took 55 minutes on 12Go's listings for 14 October 2026 (12Go).
- Long Thanh airport's first commercial flights are proposed for 1 December 2026, not confirmed (VietnamPlus).
Limitations
These figures are a snapshot of booking sites and timetables checked on 2 October 2026, not our own trips, and fares change with demand. Ho Chi Minh City's 2025 administrative reorganisation renamed many districts and wards, so the district numbers used by operators and booking sites may differ from new official names. Two things will change travel here soon, the Long Thanh airport opening and new expressway sections towards Da Lat, so check the latest before you book.
