Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi — Overview
Travelling between Vietnam's two largest cities means crossing the entire length of the country — roughly 1,700km from south to north. The legendary Reunification Express train is the classic way to experience this journey.
Travel Options
| Transport | Duration | Cost | Notes |
|---|
| Flight | 2 hours | $30–80 | By far the fastest, multiple daily flights |
| Reunification Express (train) | 30–34 hours | $40–90 | Sleeper cabins available, scenic full-country journey |
| Sleeper bus | 30–36 hours | $25–45 | Cheapest, but a very long ride |
💡 Train tip: Many travellers break the train journey into segments, stopping in Da Nang/Hoi An or Hue along the way rather than doing it in one go.
Top Places to Visit in Hanoi
- Old Quarter — Maze of narrow streets filled with shops, street food and motorbikes.
- Hoan Kiem Lake — Scenic lake at the heart of the city, popular for evening walks.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum — Resting place of Vietnam's founding leader.
- Train Street — Narrow residential street where trains pass just metres from homes and cafés.
- Halong Bay — World-famous limestone karst bay, a popular day trip from Hanoi.
Famous Food in Hanoi
- Pho — Vietnam's iconic noodle soup, said to have originated in Hanoi.
- Bun Cha — Grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs, a Hanoi specialty.
- Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung) — Unique Hanoi drink made with whipped egg yolk and coffee.
- Banh Mi — Vietnamese baguette sandwich, found at street stalls everywhere.
Best Time to Visit
October–December offers cool, dry weather in Hanoi. Avoid the hot, humid summer months of June–August if possible.