Halong Bay to Hoi An: Best Transport to Plan Your Vietnam Trip

Halong Bay belongs to Quang Ninh province, northeastern Vietnam. The bay is situated in the Gulf of Tonkin and shares the maritime border with China on the East China Sea. As a dynamic city of economy and tourism, Halong boasts a variety of transport hubs including airports, cruise terminals, train & bus stations. 

Hoi An, an ancient town in Quang Nam province, sets its location on the coast of central Vietnam, just south of Da Nang. The town is an out-of-the-ordinary Southeast Asia trading port dating from the 15^th to 19^th century. Nevertheless, Hoi An has no either airport or railway station to get in. It is only possible to get there by road from the surroundings.

The scenic beauty of two world-famous destinations

The distance between Halong and Hoi An is 925 km via the National Route 1A, which takes almost 17 hours to travel by car. For such a long journey, you can take a flight in 1 hour 10 minutes between Cat Bi International Airport (60 km to Halong) and Da Nang International Airport (30 km to Hoi An).

The distance between Ha Long Bay and Hoi An

For the best transportation, flying is the fastest and most time-efficient way with a combination of airplane and private transfer to get to Hoi An in approximately 3 hours. For those who are willing to spend 17 hours and inquire about extraordinary experiences, transferring by bus or train would be a great way to travel.

Let’s get into details about these 3 best ways to transfer to Hoi An from Halong Bay.

Halong Bay to Hoi An by bus

• Distance: 925 km
• Duration: 18 hours
• Price range: 30 USD ++

Traveling by bus is the most affordable way to travel around Vietnam. The Halong – Hoi An route may take you 18 hours or more, usually split into two half days. The bus ride will follow National Route 1A, paralleling the North-South coast of the country. Nevertheless, a fact is that there is no direct bus connecting Halong Bay and Hoi An. In most cases, you should follow one of the two following bus routes.

The sleeper bus is the cheapest way of transfer

• Travel from Hanoi to Hoi An by sleeper bus

After getting Halong Bay to Hanoi, you will have several choices of night bus schedules with 4 – 5 buses/day to choose from.

>> After choosing a suitable bus schedule and price, you can contact the transportation company to make a reservation. Normally, you will be required a deposit in advance and pay the rest on the departure date. The drivers will pick you up and drop you off at their bus offices in Hanoi and Hoi An.

• Travel from Halong Bay to Da Nang by sleeper bus

Due to the close proximity from Da Nang to Hoi An, it is quite convenient to take a night bus from Halong to Da Nang with 3 – 4 buses per day.

>> In most cases, you should book ahead via the hotline number or the online website of the transportation companies. Since these are local sleeper bus providers, you will be picked up and dropped off at the bus station instead of the door-to-door services.

Pros

• The most economical way to travel
• Chances to admire beautiful sightseeing along the coastline of Vietnam
• Well-equipped amenities (sleeping berths, pillow, blanket, bottled water, air conditioner, etc.)

Cons

• Time-consuming and inflexible departure
• Some unexpected scams and language barrier

Train from Halong Bay to Hoi An

• Railway distance: 790 km
• Train duration: 16 hours
• Price range: 45 USD ++

There is no direct train from Halong to Hoi An, only you can take a train from Hanoi Train Station (165 km to Halong Bay) to Da Nang Railway Station (35 km to Hoi An). The train journey lasts about 16 hours plus a couple more hours transferring around.

A train ticket costs around 30 USD for a soft seat and 45 USD or more for a soft berth in a 4-bed compartment, depending on the cabin class and train types. The overnight train offers delivered dinner and a brand-new experience for foreign tourists.

The express train is the safest choice to travel

Apart from the classic Reunification Train, you can find a wide selection of tourist express trains from Hanoi to Da Nang. Here are the train schedule and prices of some popular train types that you can take to travel from Hoi An to Halong Bay and vice versa.

>> You can choose either book directly on the official website of Vietnam Railway or book through a local travel agent for the best convenience.

Pros

• A trustworthy and affordable way to travel
• Mesmerizing experience to behold wonderful scenery on the way
• The high-class express train provided passengers with full services

Cons

• Time-wasting and expensive compared to flight transfer
• Tedious and exhausting excursion for those who have backache and insomnia
• The inconvenience of non-direct train route

Halong Bay to Hoi An flight

• Flying distance: 550 km
• Flight duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Price range: 50 USD ++

The flight is always the fastest and most convenient way for traveling such that Halong Bay to Hoi An distance. Nevertheless, you can find no commercial airports in both destinations, only private transfer will be necessary.

Flying is the fastest way to transfer

How to fly between Halong and Hoi An

Flying from Halong Bay, you need to transfer to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, or Cat Bi International Airport, Hai Phong. Both airports are easy to reach by shuttle bus, private car, taxi, and other means of transportation. Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport – the nearest airport to Hoi An, you can catch a taxi, hire a rental car, or take a bus in 45 minutes to get to the ancient town.

Likewise, if you want to fly back from Hoi An to Halong Bay, choose one out of the two mentioned flight routes and the preferable transfer to get to the airport.

Two airports from Ha Long Bay to Hoi An

Halong Bay – Hoi An flight schedule & price

The average airfare is around 30 – 35 USD/one-way, depending on the destination airport, flight schedule, cabin class, and different airlines. If you stick with a transit flight in Ho Chi Minh City/ Nha Trang, the cost can go up to 65 USD or more. This way shouldn’t be a priority due to the high fare and time-wasting.

Which airline to choose for Halong Bay - Hoi An route?

Let’s check out the schedule of direct flights from two nearby airports in Halong.

• From Cat Bi International Airport (HPH)

• • Flight duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Frequency: 2 – 3 direct flights per day
  • Distance to Halong: 60 km

Cat Bi is a new small airport located in Hai Phong province. From here, there are only 3 non-stop flights daily to Da Nang Airport.

• From Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
  • Flight duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Frequency: 15 – 16 direct flights per day
  • Distance to Halong: 190 km

Noi Bai is the second-largest international airport in Vietnam, serving millions of tourists annually. As a consequence, there are various choices of departure and arrival time to choose from.

>> For further details about the ticket price and booking process, please visit our Vietnam flights website to see the best rate. With the 24/7 support services, BestPrice Travel always strives for the best deal of flight from Halong Bay to Hoi An.  

Pros

• The fastest means of transportation
• Convenient and pleasant services

Cons

• High-priced and unsuitable for budget travelers

• Hunt for cheap flights to Hoi An from Halong Bay

Booking early and seeking sale-off/ promotion might work out to get the best flight deals. On special occasions, many budget air carriers such as VietJet Air and Pacific Airlines offer free tickets (not including tax).

• Choose a high-standard bus for the best comfort

Bus is the cheapest way to travel to Hoi An from Halong, then you should opt for a higher-class sleeper bus for more comfortable travel experiences. Normally, the overnight bus from Hanoi to Hoi An is more favorable than Halong to Da Nang bus.

• Fly from Hanoi Airport with a wide range of flight schedules

Compared with Hai Phong Airport, Hanoi Airport serves a higher frequency of non-stop flight to Hoi An. In contrast, Hai Phong offers a large number of transit flights for those who want a short layover in Saigon.

• Decide on the train if you enjoy laid-back vibes

For those who are keen on the slow pace of life and have a lot of time, traveling by train is much more satisfying. You should bear in mind that the Vietnam railway system is quite low-grade, you cannot expect a European-like modern train here. To get a better experience, why don’t you engage in the luxury express trains like Viollete and Livitrans.

• Take all valuables with you on Halong – Hoi An bus

On some local buses, pickpockets will probably happen then don’t show off your valuables to avoid this unexpected scam. You should better watch out and keep an eye on some dodgy people.

• Book a tour package to discover both Halong Bay and Hoi An

It goes without saying that a Vietnam tour itinerary covering Hoi An and Halong is advisable, especially for the elderly and families with kids. This way also saves you the transportation fee to travel around and researching time as well.

In a nutshell, the transfer between Halong Bay and Hoi An is not as complicated as you expect. No matter which types of transportation you choose, it will be a great experience.

At BestPrice Travel, you can find any flight routes, package tours, and even ask for help to book another way to travel. If there is anything you need to know, do not hesitate to contact us.

Nhung Dang

(Image source: Internet & BestPrice Travel)