Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) tickets

About the ride from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City

When you’ve had your fill of the beaches of Nha Trang (is that even possible?), and you’re ready for some big-city energy, zoom over to Ho Chi Minh City for a complete change of pace.  

You’ll get nonstop action, history, nightlife, and an over-the-top food scene. It’s also a major transport hub, making it easier to catch international flights.

You have options to cover the 248-mile (400-km) distance between the two. Five of them, to be exact.

1. Bus

2. Flight

3. Train

4. Car

5. Minivan

The decision comes down to time vs money. Comfort vs convenience. All the details below will help you make the decision. 

But first…

Five of the most incredible things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

It’s hard to narrow down a list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City to five. But if you left the city without seeing these five things, you’d really be doing yourself a disservice. 

1. Visit the War Remnants Museum (brace yourself!). This isn’t your typical museum — it’s raw and a bit shocking. The exhibits give an unfiltered look at Vietnam’s war history. It’s intense. But it’s a must if you want to understand the country’s past.

2. Discover the rooftops and street life in District One. District One is where the action is — chill at a rooftop bar, sip Vietnamese coffee in artsy cafés, or check out the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office.

By night, Nguyen Hue Walking Street turns into a street party, packed with music, performers, and locals hanging out.

3. Get lost in Ben Thanh Market. This place is a full-on sensory overload in the best way possible. The chaotic sounds of vendors shouting, the smell of sizzling street food, the maze of stalls selling everything from knockoff sneakers to silk scarves — it’s frenetic, but that’s the fun of it. Come hungry, bring your bargaining skills, and dive right in.
   
   

4. Eat EVERYTHING. Street food in Ho Chi Minh is next-level. Slurp up a steaming bowl of pho, grab a crispy banh mi, and dip fresh spring rolls into fragrant sauce. Want to go all in? Hop on a motorbike food tour and eat your way through the city like a local.
   
   

5. Explore the city on a motorbike or scooter. The best way to see Ho Chi Minh City is on two wheels. Book a guided motorbike tour to zip through the streets like a true local. It’s chaotic, it’s thrilling, and it’s the ultimate way to experience the city’s energy.

How to get from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City 

On a tight budget? Take a sleeper bus and let the winding roads (and fearless drivers) rock you to sleep.

Want a more scenic ride? Grab a train bunk, kick back, and watch the countryside roll by as you glide toward your next adventure.

Got a crew? A private minivan or car transfer lets you hit the road on your own terms.

Short on time? A quick flight gets you there fast, so you can dive straight into the city buzz.

Let’s go through them one by one.

Option one: Bus

Duration: 6-9 hours

Starting price: $9

Taking a bus from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City is cheap but slow. I’ll take every bit of six hours and possibly up to nine, depending on the operator, traffic, and number of stops made.

The good news is that all these buses are modern and have nearly lay-flat seats like first class on an airplane, but they are double-decker, resembling bunk beds on a bus.

It’s hard to beat that for $9.

The buses are all air-conditioned, and most provide blankets. Some offer water for purchase and personal televisions. But don’t count on that. Be sure to have your book, podcast, music, or TV shows downloaded for the ride. Some buses have W/Cs, but not all. Regardless, the bus driver will make rest stops along the route.

The buses depart and arrive at various locations around each city. Try to choose an arrival spot close to your hotel to make life easier when you reach Ho Chi Minh City.

There are dozens and dozens of departure times throughout the day and deep into the night. 

Pro tip: Just because it’s called a Sleeper Bus doesn’t mean it’s an overnight ride. It means the seats recline to a bed-like position so you can easily sleep.

Option two: Flight

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Starting price: $48

Unsurprisingly, flying is the fastest way to get from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City. What is surprising is that it’s not that expensive. You can find flights for around $50, which is a bargain and saves you hours of travel time. 

You’ll depart from Cam Ranh Airport in Nha Trang and land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Quick and easy.

Option three: Train

Duration: 8-10 hours

Starting price: $16

Yes, the train might take a little longer than a bus, but there is something so old-school about train travel. And if you’re going to go overnight, sleeping on a train might be easier than on a bus. 

Take note when you are booking because there are multiple seating choices.

1. Second-class seat

2. Second-class sleeper

3. First-class sleeper 

If you buy a ticket for a seat (versus a sleeper), you will be sitting for the entirety of the journey. The seat may recline a bit, but not that much.

For a few bucks more, a second-class sleeper ticket gets you a bed in a berth with six bunks.  

Throw down a few more dollars, and you’ll get a bed in a first-class sleeper berth with four bunk beds. The cabin is more spacious and private than the second-class sleepers, but you’ll have a real bed and blankets with both. 

No matter which type of seat you opt for, the train is air-conditioned and has plenty of bathrooms. 

The tickets include a luggage allowance of 44 lbs/20 kg. 

You’ll depart from the Nha Trang Railway Station and arrive at the Saigon Railway Station.

Option four: Private car or minivan

Duration: 6-9 hours

Starting price: $125 for the vehicle — for up to five people

If you want complete control over your trip, hiring a private car or minivan and driver is your best bet.  

Both vehicle types have a flat pricing model. For example, if you rent a private SUV for five people for $125, the cost would be $25 per person. Likewise, if you are traveling in a small group of up to 12, hire a private minivan for about $200 and divide that among the group. It’s about $17 per person. 

Either way, it’s cheap money for a private ride. You’ll get door-to-door service from your hotel in Nha Trang to your next hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Additionally, you get to choose your departure time as well as any bathroom or picture breaks you need. 

Most private rides include water and between 33-44 lbs/15-20 kg in baggage allowance. 

When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

For optimal weather, the period from December to March is perfect! This dry season has warm conditions (77-95°F/25-35°C) with low humidity and minimal rainfall, making it the ideal time to visit. April tends to be the hottest month.

If you hate humidity, avoid the rainy season from May to November. 

How many days should you spend in Ho Chi Minh City?

Is there ever enough time to truly explore vast destinations like Ho Chi Minh City?  

In just a few days, you might check off many activities, but you won’t fully grasp the city’s essence. If possible, extend your stay to 5-6 days to absorb more of what it offers. 

Where to visit after Ho Chi Minh City?

After the pace of Ho Chi Minh City, it’s time to chill. Head to Can Tho, in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where life revolves around the water, to regain that sense of inner zen. 

It’s home to the Cai Rang Floating Market, one of Vietnam’s most famous, where boats piled high with tropical fruit and local eats create a colorful, chaotic scene. You’ve definitely seen it on your social media feeds.

If you are ready to leave Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh International Airport makes it easy to fly to Cambodia. The coastal town of Sihanoukville is only about an hour’s flight away, but it feels worlds apart from the massive city.