There is no doubt that flying is the best way to enter Vietnam, conveniently and quickly. There are 3 major international airports in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, and Da Nang International Airport. They are well connected to most countries, with Ho Chi Minh’s airport being the most popular.
Travel to Vietnam from the US
So far, there are no direct flights between the United States and Vietnam. Most passengers enter Vietnam through transit in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. If possible, you are advised to transfer through Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, all of which offer a 72-hour visa-free policy (for travelers from 51 countries, including the US). It’s a great way to add an interesting experience to your trip to Asia.
| Transit City | Arrival City | Flight Time |
| Kuala Lumpur | Ho Chi Minh / Hanoi / Da Nang | 3 Hours / 3 Hours 15 Minutes / 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
| Bangkok | 1 Hour 50 Minutes / 1.5 Hour / 1 Hour 45 Minutes | |
| Singapore | 2 Hours / 3 Hours 10 Minutes / 2 Hours 50 Minutes | |
| Tokyo | 6 Hours / 5 Hours 45 Minutes / 6 Hours 30 Minutes | |
| Shanghai | 4 Hours / 3 Hours 50 Minutes / N/A | |
| Guangzhou | 2 Hours 40 Minutes / 2 Hours 25 Minutes / 2 Hours 10 Minutes | |
| Hong Kong | 2.5 Hours / 2 Hours 10 Minutes / 1 Hour 55 Minutes |
Airfares change all the time depending on the season and airlines. Usually, you will get discounted air tickets during the low travel season in Vietnam (April-June & September-November).
Recommended Itinerary: 9 Days South Vietnam Tour with Mekong Delta & Angkor Wat
Travel to Vietnam from China
China shares a border with northern Vietnam, which is quite convenient for traveling to Vietnam. There are three main ways to travel to Vietnam from China – by plane, by train, and by long-distance bus.
1. By Plane
Many Chinese cities have direct flights to Vietnam, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Usually, you will land at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport, or Da Nang International Airport.
| Departure City | Arrival City | Flight Time |
| Beijing | Hanoi | 3 Hours 55 Minutes |
| Shanghai | Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh | 2 Hours 15 Minutes / 3 Hours 50 Minutes |
| Guangzhou | Ho Chi Minh / Hanoi | 2 Hours 40 Minutes / 2 Hours 10 Minutes |
| Chengdu | Ho Chi Minh | 3 Hours 50 Minutes |
| Kunming | Ho Chi Minh / Da Nang | 2 Hours 15 Minutes / 1 Hour 25 Minutes |
| Hong Kong | Ho Chi Minh / Da Nang | 2.5 Hours / 1 Hour 55 Minutes |
| Taipei | Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh | 3 Hours 10 Minutes / 3 Hours 25 Minutes |
Passengers can choose from three airlines – Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.
2. By Train
China and Vietnam are connected by an International Train (T8701-MR2), making it easy for tourists to reach Vietnam. There are two routes from China to Vietnam: Nanning – Hanoi and Beijing – Hanoi.
(1) Nanning to Hanoi International Train
Train Numbers: T8701 in China, MR2 in Vietnam
Departure: Nanning Railway Station every day at 18:05
Arrival: Gia Lam Railway Station in Hanoi at 06:30
Distance: 396 km (246 miles)
Duration: 11 hours 25 minutes
(2) Beijing to Hanoi International Train
The Beijing-Hanoi International Train is actually an extension of the Nanning-Hanoi train, which runs every Thursday and Sunday.
Train Numbers: Beijing-Nanning (Z5), Nanning-Dong Dang (T8701), Dong Dang-Gia Lam (MR2)
Departure: Beijing West Railway Station every Thursday and Sunday at 16:05
Arrival: Gia Lam Railway Station in Hanoi at 05:30
Distance: 2595 km (1612.5 miles)
Duration: 37 hours 25 minutes
Stopover Stations: Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Wuchang, Changsha, Hengyang, Yongzhou, Guilin, Liuzhou, Nanjing East, Nanjing, Fusui, Chongzuo, Ningming, Pingxiang, Dong Dang, Bac Giang, Gia Lam (Hanoi).
Where to Buy Tickets?
You can buy your ticket at window 1 of Nanning Railway Station (your passport & Vietnam visa are required to purchase the ticket).
Ticket Price
A sleeper ticket costs CNY215 and children under 12 years old can purchase a child ticket for CNY140. Nanning-Hanoi International Train only offers soft sleepers. Each compartment has four berths with a lockable door.
3. By Long-distance Bus
China’s Guangxi Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province are connected to many provinces in northern Vietnam, making travel overland by taking the bus to Vietnam easier. And this will save the huge expense of air travel. China has opened more than 10 border ports, of which there are 3 major land crossings.4. Phu Giay Festival
(1) Hekou, Yunnan – Lao Cai
Tourists can take a bus to Hekou from the Kunming Eastern Bus Station, Yunnan Province, a journey of about 10 hours and a fare of 150 RMB. After passing through the port, you can take a train or bus to Hanoi at Lao Cai.
(2) Pingxiang, Guangxi – Dong Dang
There is a direct international bus to Hanoi from Nanning, Guangxi, with a transfer at Youyi Pass in Pingxiang, Guangxi. After customs check, take a bus to Hanoi at Lang Son.
(3) Dongxing, Guangxi – Mong Cai
Take a bus to Dongxing from Nanning (3 hours). After crossing the border, you arrive in Mong Cai, Vietnam, where you can buy a bus ticket to Hanoi (5 hours).
