| Distance | 317 km (198.1 miles) |
| Price range | $10-$390 |
| Ride Duration Range | 1h 5m-12h 30m |
| Earliest Departure | 17:00 |
| Latest Departure | 23:00 |
| Most Popular Operator | Khanh Phong |
Going by bus or train to get from Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang are affordable ways of travel but very time consuming. You may be able to save time and find affordable flights by going the plane route. Nha Trang provides something for everyone, including great landmarks to visit and some beautiful beaches to take advantage of. If you want to take advantage of the drier weather, try and book a trip between November and March.
Fastest bus: 5h 45m
Cheapest bus: $10
Travelers looking for the best way to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang have several options, including taking a bus, train, flight, minivan or private car.
To cover the 400-kilometer (248-mile) distance, you could hop on a sleeper bus and pass the night being rocked to sleep by wild driving and crazy turns.
You might choose the train to enjoy countryside views from a cozy bunk bed seat or hire a private minivan or car transfer to travel in a group.
Or maybe you'll opt for a quick flight between the two cities to save more time for adventures on arrival.
Whichever option you choose, you'll be ready for some beachside adventures in no time!
Once a quiet seaside village, Nha Trang expanded into a vacation hub during the French occupation, and it's still growing today.
This coastal city's vast sandy beaches give way to a varied city skyline framed by mountains in the distance.
It's worth visiting Nha Trang just to take in the contrasting views and experience how Vietnamese culture changes in a city nestled on a gorgeous coastline.
With nineteen gorgeous islands to visit around the bay, travelers never run out of exciting adventures to pursue.
There is no shortage of exciting activities to keep you busy while staying in Nha Trang. Make sure to:
Visit Po Nagar. This temple tower was built around 781 CE and sits atop a mountain overlooking the Cai River. It offers 360-degree views of the surrounding landscapes and of Nha Trang.
Lounge on the beach. Nha Trang Beach is within walking distance of the city, but head to Bai Dai Beach for a more serene scene and some sumptuous seafood. There is a bus that will drop you off near the beach. Tell the driver to ensure that they stop!
Dive beneath the waves to see Nha Trang's seascapes. There are plenty of snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities here, so get ready to explore underwater caves and colorful reefs.
Explore the Long Son Pagoda. The largest pagoda in this city was founded in the 19th century to honor monks and nuns who died protesting the Diem government. Hike up the steps to take in the views next to the pagoda's 29-meter (79-foot) white Buddha statue.
Go on a boating excursion. With so many stunning islands just offshore, booking an exhilarating sailing trip in Nha Trang is easy!
Head to Yang Bay. The vast eco-park is home to three different waterfalls, and you can spend a day flitting between hiking in the jungle and cooling off in the water.
Shop at Cho Dam Market. Soak up the local atmosphere while trawling this massive market, packed to the brim with vendors selling everything from fresh produce and fish to knock-off designer clothes. It's the perfect place to pick up souvenirs or gifts for loved ones back home.
Hike up to the Bao Dai Villas. The villas were built in honor of Emperor Bao Dai in the early 1900s. While they aren't anything special to look at, the view from the hill they rest on has sweeping views of Nha Trang Bay.
Those traveling between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang have five options: bus, train, flight, minivan, or private car.
The cheapest way to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang is to take a bus. Prices start at $9.
The drive will take six to nine hours, depending on how many stops the bus makes for toilet breaks and picking up and dropping off passengers.
Departure points vary greatly, so double-check your booking confirmation and arrive at least 20 minutes early to find the correct stop. Services may get delayed on the journey, but they almost always leave on time!
There are various names for travel classes, including VIP Cabin, Sleeping, Standard, VIP Sleeping, Royal Cabin, VIP 32 Sleeping, Tourist, and VIP 24 Seats. However, these split into three simple groups: standard, sleeping, and VIP.
Standard buses have upright seats and may have a toilet on board. This type of bus is rarer, though.
The most common type of bus transport in Vietnam is the sleeping bus. These have three rows of recliner seats with a bunkbed-style setup. There is a small space for storage underneath the seats.
A sleeping bus will usually come with the following:
A blanket and pillow
Reclining seats
Air conditioning
A curtain on the window
W/C
Rest stops
Some tickets will include a meal at one of the rest stops, so ask your driver to confirm
Pro tip: Bring flip-flops to get off the bus at rest stops. You have to put your shoes in a plastic bag for the journey, and the bus slippers provided rarely fit or match!
VIP buses vary a little, but generally, they have fewer seats, more privacy, and individual cabin berths for maximum comfort.
Sometimes, the VIP buses do not have toilets on board because the larger births take up more space on the bus. These buses are worth splurging on for longer journeys thanks to their more comfortable seats.
Possible amenities on a VIP bus:
WiFi
Blanket and pillow
Water
Air conditioning
Rest stops
Charger point
TV
Reclining seats
The train between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang is another excellent option. Tickets start at $12.
The journey will take between 7-9 hours.
Whichever class you opt for, you'll leave from Saigon Railway Station and arrive at Nha Trang Railway Station.
All carriages are light and spacious, with generous luggage allowance and legroom. They also have panoramic windows so you can take in the views as you rumble through each town and city.
Typically, there are various class tickets to choose from, but these don't all appear on a single train.
First-class sleepers will have a two-bed or four-bed set up in a bunk-bed configuration.
First-class sleepers have:
Air-conditioning
Bedding
Luggage storage
Some trains will have charging points.
Second-class seated carriages have air conditioning or fans and cushioned seats. But a second-class sleeper has bunk beds with four or six bunks, depending on the train. These carriages include air conditioning, bedding, and luggage storage.
Third-class carriages are less common and have hard bench seats and fans for cooling.
Cabins, sometimes called VIP sleeper compartments, offer a more luxurious experience with a four-bed or two-bed setup designed for people traveling in groups.
Typically, the setup is very similar to first-class, but you'll get a higher standard of service with snacks and drinks. Plus, you'll be booking the entire cabin, so you won't share with strangers.
Cabins have:
Air-conditioning
Bedding
Charger points
Sometimes include a meal or refreshments.
Always book in advance to secure a first-class seat or a cabin because they always get reserved quickly.
Pro tip: Bring a mattress topper if you're worried about germs because the bedding does not get changed between every passenger.
The quickest way to travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang is to take a flight. Flights cost around $100 for a one-way ticket.
The short hop takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Pro tip: If you're tall, pay extra to reserve an emergency row seat because the cabins on these planes are cramped.
The best way to travel in a group between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang is to hire a minivan or private car transfer.
Minivan transfers cost around $100 to $150 and take six to nine hours to travel the distance between the two cities.
Minivan travel classes include standard, comfort, tourist, or limo. While comfort and limo minivans may come with more amenities, like a charger point and free water, there is little difference in seating or space.
Each minivan comes with:
Air-conditioning
Reclining seats, which may have to stay upright if the van is full.
Room for one 23 kg bag and one carry-on.
Rest stops
Pick up and drop off at the hotel.
Book a single seat or the entire van when traveling with a medium to large group.
For private car travel, the classes are split into standard, comfort, and SUV. Again, there isn't a huge difference between them, but SUVs will have more legroom and luggage space.
You only need two to three days to see the headline attractions in Nha Trang. A few days allow enough time to explore the city, relax on the beach, enjoy a boating trip, and take one excursion up to the Bao Dai Villas or Yang Bay Eco Park.
Next, keep heading north to visit Quy Nhon, where you can see a fire-breathing dragon bridge.
Alternatively, hop on a flight to Da Nang to explore the center of Vietnam, starting with this digital nomad haven of a city and its historic neighbor, Hoi An.
229 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Train Station
Mien Tay Bus Station (Western Bus Station)
43 Nguyen Cu Trinh, District 1
293 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
Known as the Riviera of the South China Sea, Nha Trang is a dream. Here’s the ultimate guide on how to spend a weekend in Nha Trang.
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