About the route from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
Dalat sits high in the southern Central Highlands and Ho Chi Minh City lies on the plains to the southwest, around 300 kilometers apart. The distance is modest, so this is one of the easier trips to make: a flight is under an hour, and the drive, thanks to a new coastal expressway, now takes around five and a half hours by car. There is no train that runs the whole way, so the practical options to travel from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City are the flight, the bus, and a private car. Dalat, the starting point, is Vietnam’s cool mountain retreat, covered in our Dalat travel guide if you are still planning your time there.
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as most still call it, is the largest and busiest city in the country, and after quiet, cool Dalat it hits you all at once: heat, traffic, and a nonstop energy that is the whole point of the place. It is the commercial capital of the south, centered on District 1 with its colonial landmarks, rooftop bars, and endless street food, and it is the base for trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. It rewards travelers who lean into the pace rather than fight it. Our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide covers what is worth your time.
Option 1: By flight from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
Why choose the flight
Flying is the fastest way to cover the distance, at under an hour in the air. On such a short, popular route there are several flights a day, so finding a convenient one is easy. It is the quickest option, though on a trip this short the time saved over driving is smaller than it looks once you add the airports.
How it works
Direct flights from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City take around 55 minutes, flown by VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines, with several departures a day. They leave Lien Khuong Airport, about 30 kilometers south of Dalat, and land at Tan Son Nhat Airport, close to central Saigon, so the ride into the city is short. Fares are reasonable: VietJet often starts from around 1,100,000 VND (roughly $44) for hand luggage only, with Vietnam Airlines slightly higher, from around 1,200,000 VND (roughly $49) including a checked bag. Our domestic flights guide covers the practical side.
Who it is for
The flight suits travelers short on time, and anyone with an onward flight to catch from Saigon. Once you count the drive out to Lien Khuong and the time at the airport, it is not hugely faster than a private car door to door, but it is still the quickest option. If you would rather save money, or make more of the journey, the road options follow.
Option 2: By bus or limousine van from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
Why choose the bus
The bus is the cheapest and most popular way to make this trip, with frequent departures through the day and night. Comfortable limousine vans and cabin sleeper buses run the route, so it is an easy, low-cost option. It takes longer than flying or a private car, but for many travelers the low fare makes up for it.
How it works
Buses and limousine vans run from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City in around seven to eight hours, day and night. Most are comfortable air-conditioned vehicles, from limousine vans to VIP cabin buses with private pods, and fares run from around 450,000 to 570,000 VND (roughly $18 to $22) depending on the class. Operators on the route include Binh Minh Tai and several others, all bookable on 12Go or Vexere. Buses leave from various points around Dalat and drop across Saigon, with many tourist services ending near the backpacker area in District 1. Our bus travel guide covers the different types.
Who it is for
The bus is the best pick for budget travelers, and for anyone who does not mind a longer, cheaper trip. On an overnight service you can sleep through much of it and save a hotel night. If you value your time, or want to stop along the way, a private car or the flight is the better fit.
Option 3: By private car from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
Why choose a private car
A private car is the most comfortable way to travel by road, and thanks to the new expressway it is now also fairly quick. It picks you up at your hotel in Dalat and takes you straight to your accommodation in Saigon, on your own schedule, with the freedom to stop along the way. On this route that matters more than usual, since the fast road passes the coast near Mui Ne, an easy place to break the trip.
How it works
The drive takes around five and a half to six hours on the fast coastal route, longer if you stop. You hire the car with a driver, and prices generally run from around 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND (roughly $80 to $120) per car, depending on the vehicle. It is charged per car rather than per person, so the cost splits well across a group. Our Vietnam car rental page explains how hiring a driver works.
Who it is for
A private car suits families, small groups, and anyone who wants comfort and the freedom to stop, especially at the coast on the way. Solo travelers and couples on a budget will find the bus much cheaper, and those short on time may prefer to fly.
Stops to add on the way to Ho Chi Minh City
If you are driving this route, by private car or on a bus that allows it, there are a couple of worthwhile places to break the journey. One sits right on the fast route, the other on a slower alternative.
Mui Ne
The quickest road from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City now runs down to the coast first, thanks to the new expressway, passing close to Phan Thiet and the beach resort of Mui Ne before turning inland to the city. That means a stop at Mui Ne costs almost no extra time, since you pass right by it. If you would like to add a couple of beach days to your trip without an extra flight or a longer bus or train ride, it fits neatly into a journey you are already making. Mui Ne is known for its sand dunes, kitesurfing, and easygoing resorts, and our Mui Ne travel guide covers what to do there.
Cat Tien National Park
For something completely different, Cat Tien National Park is one of the largest surviving areas of lowland rainforest in southern Vietnam, home to gibbons, rich birdlife, and night-time wildlife spotting. The catch is that it does not sit on the fast coastal route: reaching it means taking the older inland road via Bao Loc, which adds a couple of hours to the trip. For travelers with the time and an interest in nature, it makes a rewarding detour on the way to the city, but it is a genuine detour rather than a stop you pass anyway. There is more in our Cat Tien National Park guide.
Conclusion: what is the best option for Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
The best way from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City depends on your budget and how much time you have.
Fly for the quickest trip, under an hour in the air with several flights a day, though the drive out to Lien Khuong airport eats into the time saved.
Take the bus or a limousine van for the cheapest option, a comfortable seven to eight hours, ideal on an overnight service to save a hotel night.
Take a private car for comfort and the freedom to stop, around five and a half hours on the fast coastal road, with the option to break the trip at the beach near Mui Ne.
And if you are driving, think about what lies in between: a beach stop at Mui Ne costs almost no extra time on the fast route, while Cat Tien National Park makes a rewarding detour for anyone with time and an interest in nature.
