Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok: Best Ways, Tour Itineraries & Tips

Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok is easy. A quick flight takes less than two hours, while adventurous overland routes through Cambodia give you the chance to see more of the region. If you want a more sightseeing-focused journey, the overland route by bus or car lets you stop in Phnom Penh and other towns, but the trip can take more than 20 hours. Flights, on the other hand, are fast and convenient, but you’ll miss the cultural stops along the way.

Keep reading to discover which option fits your style, whether you’re looking for speed, savings, or a little adventure on the way. Find out the best ways to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok with tour itineraries and tips for an exciting and smooth travel experience.

How far is it from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok? Distance on the Map

Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok are two must-visit destinations on a Vietnam and Thailand tour. They are two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic hubs. Each offers a unique blend of culture, history, and cuisine. Traveling between Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok is a popular route for tourists. Frequent and affordable flights connect the cities, and there are even adventurous overland routes to get from one to the other.

The straight line distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok is around 720 km. It’s a quick flight, taking between 1.5 to 2 hours. The overland route is a little long. It passes through Cambodia and involves two border crossings over the 850-900 km distance. Without stopping, the drive is around 12.5 hours, but bus routes usually take 19-20 hours. Overland travel times can also vary depending on how busy the border crossing points are.

The map of ways from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok.

Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok Flights: Fastest & Easiest Way with 1.5 Hours

Flying is by far the easiest and fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok. With up to 15 daily flights to choose from to both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, you can always find a convenient connection between the two cities.

Thai AirAsia, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Thai Airways International fly the route, giving you options from low-cost to business class travel. Most flights take from 1h 35m to 1h 45m, and tickets start from 55 USD.

Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok Select Flights:

Budget airlines like Thai AirAsia and VietJet Air offer the most affordable Thailand to Vietnam flights. You can also secure cheaper tickets by booking in advance. Start looking 1-2 months ahead of time and set up price alerts to take advantage of discount offers.

16 Days Vietnam and Thailand Highlights Tour Package

Hanoi - Halong Bay – Hoi An - Saigon – Bangkok – Chiang Mai - Phuket

Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok Bus: Cheapest Option but Not Recommended

Bus travel from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok is an option that can save you some money while having some adventure. The long travel time makes it not the recommended way to go, but you can see a lot of unique rural scenes along the way.

The route passes through Cambodia, and you’ll enter the country through the Moc Bai–Bavet border crossing after setting out from Ho Chi Minh City. Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is a common stop on the route that continues across the country to the Poipet–Aranyaprathet border crossing from Vietnam to Thailand, before continuing to Bangkok.

It takes around 20-22 hours to make the whole journey. Bus companies such as Giant Ibis Transport and Mekong Express offer tickets for around 30-60 USD.

If you really want to make the overland journey, a private car offers more comfort. A private vehicle can make the trip faster, often around 12.5-15 hours, and gives the flexibility to stop when and where you want along the way.

Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok by bus is the most budget-friendly way to travel from Vietnam to Thailand.

Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok Train: Only Combined Routes via Laos/Cambodia

Train travel in Southeast Asia is an authentic experience with great views of the countryside. Currently, there is no direct train service between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, but it’s possible to use a mix of trains and buses for an overland adventure.

The combined routes go through either Laos or Cambodia with incredible scenes of rural villages and diverse landscapes across the region. Start by taking the train up the length of Vietnam to Hanoi. It takes 11 hours, and tickets start from 40 USD. Then you will need to take a bus to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on a 23-hour journey that costs 30-55 USD. Another bus will get you to Nong Khai in Thailand across the Thai-Lao friendship bridge. The last leg is another train journey. A train runs directly from Nong Khai to Bangkok, taking a little under 9 hours, with tickets costing 6-50 USD. The whole trip will take around 45-50 hours.

You can also travel through Cambodia by taking a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. It takes 6-7 hours and tickets cost 10-25 USD. Then, take a train to Poipet on the border with Thailand. The journey costs 18-25 USD and takes 7 hours. After crossing the border to Aranyaprathet, and train will take you straight to Bangkok in 3.5-4.5 hours for 1-6 USD.

14 Days Best of Thailand and Vietnam Tour

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November to February: Best Time to Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok

Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok have similar tropical climates with an overlapping cool, dry season. From November to February, temperatures are relatively mild with little rain. It’s one of the best times to visit Thailand and Vietnam and enjoy outdoor activities like exploring the cities.

Heavy monsoon rains arrive in June and last until October in both cities. It can be best to avoid these times as it can often rain 20-24 days a month. Travel during this period can be very inexpensive as fewer tourists visit, but you’ll need to be very flexible with your plans, and storms can often interrupt travel.

Festivals are a great way to experience local culture, and some line up with good travel periods. Songkran, Thai New Year, falls in the shoulder season in April. It’s the biggest celebration in the country, with big events taking place in Bangkok. The shoulder season, which starts in March, is also popular with some travelers because it is a quieter time to visit. Weather is generally still good, and you can have a more authentic experience at local attractions.

April is the perfect time to join the fun of Thai New Year in Thailand.

Suggested Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok Tour: 7-14 Days Trip with Detailed Itineraries

Try the 7-day short Thailand and Vietnam highlights tour if you only have a week for travel. It hits four of the biggest hotspots, letting you visit the main highlights of both countries. The tour starts in Bangkok to experience sites like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. In Chiang Mai, you can visit temples set in mountain landscapes and see rescued elephants at an animal sanctuary.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest and the cultural hub of the south. The city boasts stunning colonial architecture and sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels that preserve the history of the Vietnam War. Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is a city of history and culture. Explore the winding streets of the Old Quarter to try famous Vietnamese coffee and delicious street food. Attractions like the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will show you the rich ancient and modern history of the country.

Adding another week to take the 14-day best of Thailand and Vietnam tour will deeply immerse you in the culture, nature, and history of the region. In addition to Bangkok and Chiang Mai, you’ll visit Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle in Thailand. The mysterious region is home to ethnic villages and stunning natural beauty near the Myanmar border.

Experience central Vietnam with a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town. The charming city preserves the atmosphere of an ancient trading port city with lantern-lined streets and well-preserved buildings. Nearby Da Nang has stunning beaches where you can relax, and famous sites like the Golden Bridge.

18 Days Heritage and History Tour of Vietnam and Thailand

Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai - Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle - Chiang Mai - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon

Insider Tips for Travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok

- Check the visa requirements for Thailand and Vietnam tours before you travel. Many travelers can enter Thailand visa-free. Vietnam’s e-visa system is the most convenient option for travelers.
- If you’re traveling overland and crossing into Cambodia, use their e-visa system to arrange a visa in advance.
- Buses will take frequent breaks on long journeys, but make sure you have water and snacks available. Bring a portable battery to keep your digital devices powered.
- Make sure your travel documents are easily accessible when crossing borders. You will need to present everything at immigration.
- USD is accepted in some major establishments, but you will need local currency in Thailand and Vietnam. Don’t exchange much money at the airports. You will find better rates at banks in the cities.
- Get a local SIM card to stay connected and avoid roaming fees. These can be purchased at airports and in cities.

Traveling overland from Vietnam to Thailand means passing through Cambodia.

Conclusion

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok is the best way to see the most dynamic side of life in Vietnam and Thailand. They have similar dry and wet seasons, so planning a combined tour is simple. Travel between the cities is easy with frequent domestic flights, and adventurous overland routes are available if you don’t mind long travel times. Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok are highlights of 1-2 week tours of Thailand and Vietnam. Choose from popular itineraries, or contact us anytime to start planning a personalized Southeast Asia Tour.