Thailand to Vietnam: Flights, Train, Bus, Cruise & Travel Tips

Flights, overland routes, and cruises are the main ways to travel from Thailand to Vietnam. Direct flights between major cities take under two hours, while bus and train combinations through Cambodia or Laos offer a slower but more scenic experience. A Mekong River cruise adds a unique cultural and natural perspective to your journey.

Visa requirements and travel tips are essential for a smooth Thailand to Vietnam trip. Many travelers can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days, while Vietnam’s easy e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days. Booking flights a month ahead, choosing busy but efficient border crossings, and packing smart for long trips will make your adventure more enjoyable. Whether you’re chasing beaches, history, or a mix of both, this article will help you travel from Thailand to Vietnam with confidence and ease.

How Far Is It from Thailand to Vietnam? Distance & Location on Map

On a Thailand and Vietnam map, Vietnam stretches from north to south along the South China Sea. Located on the eastern edge of the Indochina Peninsula, it has over 3000 km of coastline, and diverse landscapes from the lush forests and mountainous region in the north to the iconic Mekong Delta in the south.

Thailand lies to the west, with stunning beaches on the southern and western coasts along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It’s separated from Vietnam by Laos and Cambodia, and the distance between the two countries varies depending on where you are traveling from and to. The route between the two capital cities, Hanoi and Bangkok, is around 1850 km. The closest two major cities are Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, which are a little over 700 km apart.

Most visitors travel to Thailand and Vietnam by air. Flights are the fastest and cheapest way to get from Thailand to Vietnam. Overland routes are also popular. Buses pass through Cambodia on longer journeys that take you through the beautiful natural scenery of the region.

The location Map of Thailand and Vietnam.

Thailand to Vietnam Flights: Fastest & Easiest Option

Flying is the fastest and easiest way to get from Thailand to Vietnam. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Thai AirAsia, and VietJet Air have frequent direct flights between major cities in Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and destinations in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

Bangkok is one of the most popular options. From there, you can fly to Hanoi in 1h 55m, Ho Chi Minh City in 1h 45m, and Da Nang in 1h 40m, choosing from multiple daily flights.

There is a direct flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi. Thai AirAsia flies the route every day, taking only 1h 30m. Phuket has a direct flight to Ho Chi Minh City on VietJet Air. The daily flight takes 1h 55m.

Thailand to Vietnam Flight Routes:

Ticket prices of Thailand to Vietnam flight fluctuate with the seasons. The shoulder season in April-May and October-November is a good time to find less expensive tickets while still enjoying nice weather. Booking in advance can also help to lower costs. By buying flight tickets at least a month ahead of time, you can save up to 25%.

Budget airlines also offer tempting deals on flight tickets, and are often a good choice for budget-conscious travelers. VietJet Air is a popular budget airline with a top safety record. However, pay attention to the details when booking budget tickets. Compared to full-service carriers, budget airlines sometimes have additional fees or restrictions on luggage and offer limited services during flights.

16 Days Vietnam and Thailand Highlights Tour Package

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

Thailand to Vietnam by Train: Only Combined with Bus

There are no direct trains from Thailand to Vietnam. If you really want the experience of traveling by train, you can get to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City by combining bus and train routes through Cambodia or Laos.

Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh via Cambodia
Traveling through Cambodia lets you take trains from Bangkok to Cambodia, and then continue to Vietnam by bus. Local trains run from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet. The trains take 3.5-4.5 hours and cost 1-6 USD, depending on which class of seat. From Aranyaprathet, you walk or take a taxi to the Poipet border crossing, and cross into Cambodia.

Regular trains run from Poipet to Phnom Penh. They take around seven hours and cost 18-25 USD. From Phnom Penh, buses are available to Ho Chi Minh City. They take 6-7 hours, and tickets cost 10-25 USD.

Bangkok to Hanoi via Laos
The combined train and bus route through Laos takes you from Bangkok to Hanoi in northern Vietnam. An overnight train runs from Bangkok to Nong Khai. The 10-13 hour journey costs 20-30 USD and will get you right to the Laos border. After you arrive, cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge into Vientiane. From there, you can board a long-distance bus to Hanoi. It takes around 20 hours to reach Vietnam’s capital, and tickets cost around 40 USD.

An overnight train runs from Bangkok to Nong Khai.

Thailand to Vietnam Bus: Cheapest but Costs Lots of Time

Road travel is both an adventurous and budget-friendly way to travel overland crossing the border from Thailand to Vietnam. The most popular route travels from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City via Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

The journey from Saigon to Bangkok takes between 20-21 hours. Bus tickets can cost as little as USD 35, and some companies, like Mekong Express, offer direct bus services.

It is important to choose a reputable bus company to ensure you have a safe journey. A good bus company will have a licensed driver, well-maintained and comfortable vehicles, and ensure there are sufficient stops for rest and food. Buses usually stop for breaks in cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap along the way.

14 Days Best of Thailand and Vietnam Tour

Bangkok – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An – Da Nang - Saigon

Thailand to Vietnam Cruise: A Scenic Way for a Luxury Southeast Asia Journey

The scenery of the Mekong River is a window into the culture and natural beauty of the region. It’s a longer and sometimes more expensive way to cruise from Thailand to Vietnam, but it offers a chance to see some of the region's unique landscapes on a Southeast Asia tour.

Traveling along the river doesn’t start in Thailand. To begin, you will need to fly or travel overland to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Start by getting on a speedboat to Phnom Penh. It will whisk you along the river to Phnom Penh, taking around 5 hours and costing 35 USD. From there, you can get on the Tonle Sap River and travel 6.5 hours to Chau Doc in Vietnam. Tickets cost 25-65 USD. Continue along the Mekong River from there to Ho Chi Minh City. The final leg costs around 32 USD and takes 5.5 hours.

Tourists could cruise ships from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

Visa Requirements for Traveling from Thailand to Vietnam

Getting a visa for Vietnam and Thailand is a convenient and straightforward process. The best option for a visa for Vietnam is through their e-visa process. Tourists can apply for visas online for a cost of USD 25. Typically, these are single-entry, 90-day visas. Visas on arrival are also possible, but an approval letter has to be obtained first through a local tour operator.

Under Thailand’s Visa Exemption Scheme, tourists from 64 countries are allowed to enter Thailand without applying for a visa. The requirements are that the visit is for tourism purposes only, the visit is no longer than 30 days, and in some cases, a valid address in Thailand and a confirmed return ticket may be required. A visa on arrival is available to nationals from an additional 15 countries for stays of up to 15 days at a cost of around 65 USD, and an e-Visa for longer stays is also available for around 82 USD.

If you are traveling overland, you will need to arrange a visa for Thailand Vietnam Cambodia or Laos, depending on the route. Cambodia’s e-visas cost 30 USD for a single-entry visa, and processing usually takes three working days. Laos’ e-visa system is similar, with single-entry 30-day visas costing 50 USD.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Thailand to Vietnam Trip

- Booking flights at least a month in advance can help you find the best prices. Start looking early, and set up price alerts so you can quickly take advantage of good deals.
--November to February is the best time to visit Thailand and Vietnam, but also the peak tourist season. You’d better plan a tour ahead of time.
- Choose the right border crossing points if you’re traveling overland. Major crossing points like Poipet / Aranyaprathet between Thailand and Cambodia, and Bavet / Moc Bai between Cambodia and Vietnam can be very busy, but immigration processes are also likely to go smoothly compared with more remote crossing points.
- Pack smart for long journeys. You can expect frequent stops on overland trips, but you’ll want to be comfortable along the way. Bring some snacks, and make sure you have a portable battery and local data connection for your digital devices.
- Avoid common travel mistakes by making sure you have local currency in cash as well as USD. Don’t overpack, but make sure to have daily essentials such as sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Arrange your visas in advance with the e-visa systems, and make sure to book well in advance when traveling during peak seasons.

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

Conclusion

Choose from flight, overland, and cruise options when planning your Thailand to Vietnam tour. Flights will get you there quickly and easily, or enjoy the scenery and local culture on adventurous road journeys. Budget airlines, bus travel, and avoiding the peak seasons can help you manage costs. No matter how you want to travel, there are options for everyone. Our expert travel consultants are always available to help you start planning a personalized itinerary for your combined Thailand and Vietnam tour. Contact us now to start planning your trip today.