Nature has been generous to Vietnam with its bounty of green landscapes and diverse attractions.
And for these primary reasons, tourists from around the globe eagerly travel from Halong Bay to Hoi An.
These two destinations are located along the coastal lining near the South China Sea, covering over 925 km of distance.
People love to travel back and forth to/from these places as they are lined with caves, beaches, pagodas, a National Park, Museums, a Citadel, and much more.
Are you excited to visit these places? So, join us as we explore Indochina tour with complete details of the best transportation options from Halong Bay to Hoi An.
Distance Between Halong Bay to Hoi An
We are taking you today from Halong Bay to Hoi An, so let’s first learn a little bit about these destinations.
Location:
Halong Bay is situated in northeastern Vietnam, in the Gulf of Tonkin. It is a bustling city with several commuting hubs such as airports, cruises, train, and bus stations.
Hoi An is in central Vietnam, a little to the south of Da Nang. It was a popular trading port in the past, however, now it’s only possible to reach there by road.
The total distance covered between them is 927 km by land via National Route 1A, so it will take almost 17 hours to travel.
However, traveling by flight only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes from Cat Bi International Airport to Halong and Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, you will be greeted with stunning views to make your travel memorable.
Sightseeing Travel by Bus or Car
Adventure geeks who want to go the extra mile and not miss the exotic places along the South China Sea can opt for affordable sleeper buses.
To cover the long distance, there is no direct bus from Halong Bay to Hoi An, however, the journey is split into two half-days.
Two Travel Options by Land:
- Travel from Halong Bay to Hanoi by sleeper bus or rental car, and then continue the journey by a night bus from Hanoi to Hoi An.
- Or you can opt for Halong Bay to Da Nang (closer to Hoi An) by sleeper bus. Later traveling easily by car to Hoi An, covering a shorter route.
TRAVEL TIP
It is recommended to book bus rides in advance from their official website to avoid any delays or online scams.
The bus rides are affordable compared to traveling by flight or even a rented car, with their cost between 15 to 30 USD, based on the type of bus company.
The amenities provided on the bus are allotted sleeping berths, pillows, blankets, bottled water, air conditioning facilities, etc.
Opting for luxurious buses equipped with a strong Wi-Fi connection gives convenience to business travelers to share their work via the best data collection dashboards with their team.
Enjoy the Views by Train Travel
Some explorers say that slow traveling is a refreshing new way to experience the landscapes of a destination. This is true when you opt for train travel in Vietnam.
Unexpectedly, there is no direct train from Halong Bay to Hoi An, and just like the bus travel, Hanoi and Da Nang railway stations are the most convenient.
Here’s a route plan you can follow:
- Take a bus ride from Halong Bay to Hanoi Railway Station
- From there, catch another train from Hanoi to Da Nang Railway Station
- Finally, transfer from Da Nang by a rented car to your destination, Hoi An.
Total Distance covered by Train: 790 km
Total Duration of Train, including transfers: over 16 hrs
Travel Cost: approximately 45 USD
Amenities: Comfortable berth in selective cabin class and dinner available on overnight trains. Some express SE trains also have Wi-Fi for easy use of mobile devices.
Arrive Early to Your Destination by Flight
International tourists visiting this route for the first time stick to faster routes, which means opting for traveling by flight.
It is also a convenient and less time-consuming method compared to bus, rented car, or train. However, since the locations are far away from the commercial airports, there are no direct flights.
Here’s what you can do if you wish to travel by air:
- Take a flight from Halong Bay to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, or Cat Bi International Airport, Hai Phong.
- Arrive at Da Nang International Airport which is the nearest place to Hoi An, hire a rental car or bus to reach your destination in 45 minutes.
Here’s additional information regarding flight travel:
- Total Flying Distance: 550 km
- Total Duration of Flight: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Travel Cost: around 50 USD
- It is easy to reach from one airport to another via shuttle buses, private cars, or taxis.
- From Cat Bi, there are only 3 non-stop flights daily to Da Nang Airport.
- Whereas, Noi Ba has several choices of departure and arrival times.
THINGS TO KNOW
Cat Bi is a new small airport located in Hai Phong province. Noi Bai is the second-largest international airport in Vietnam.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Vietnam and traveling from Halong Bay to Hoi An is a lifetime experience. Frequent travelers often praise this coastal route in their travel diaries.
From the streets of Hoi An to the cultural diversity of friendly people, the caves, and landscapes to pagodas and beaches, there is a lot you can explore here.
Though the journey may seem difficult to reach, we hope the details provided in this article will help you in your journey.
As the legendary ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
