Ho Chi Minh City is 1,180 miles (1,900 km) from northern Vietnam's Halong Bay, and the best way to make the journey between the two is by combining a flight with a private transfer.
You will first fly directly to Hai Phong, and after you land, you will need to take a private transfer to complete the final 108-mile (64 km) leg of your journey.
If you'd like to take a multi-day journey on the famous Reunification Express train, then you can add in plenty of stops along your way to Halong Bay and explore some of Vietnam's most unique destinations.
Interested in exploring the best sites in northern Vietnam? You can cruise Halong Bay on a traditional wooden boat, trek through some of northern Vietnam's natural wonders, and experience the best of Hanoi on our 7-day itinerary.
By Plane and Private Transfer
Duration: 3.5 hours, more with stops
The first leg of the trip will be taking a direct two-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Hai Phong's Cat Bi International Airport (HPH).
Multiple direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City leave for Hai Phong every day. The flight takes approximately two hours.
You'll need to book a private transfer at Cat Bi International Airport or in the center of Hai Phong to complete their trip to Halong Bay. Consider asking a local specialist to assist you with the booking ahead of time.
The drive to Halong Bay is about an hour and a half from the airport on QL18, and your driver can either take you directly to your hotel or to the main pier.
By Train
Duration: 34 hours, more with stops
If you're looking for a scenic, multi-day journey through Vietnam, you can opt to take Vietnam's national rail system known as the Reunification Express from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. This is a 34-hour journey, so we recommend booking a first-class ticket, known as a "Soft Berth" ticket, for extra comfort and room in your sleeping cabin.
Along the way, consider getting off the train to spend some time at the Van Long Nature Reserve or the former capital city of Hue, which has grand imperial monuments and palaces.
Once you arrive in Hanoi, you have three choices to get to Halong Bay. The best option is to take a three-hour private transfer along the QL5B highway.
For more information on getting from Hanoi to Halong bay, read this article.
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