Transportation - Getting to & Around HCMC

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Vietnam's Busiest Airport

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Vietnam's busiest airport and the main gateway to Ho Chi Minh City. Located just 7km from the city center, it serves over 40 million passengers annually with flights to destinations across Asia, Europe, America, and Australia.

International Connections

The airport offers direct flights to major cities worldwide including:

Asia: Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei
Europe: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Moscow
America: Los Angeles, San Francisco (via stopover)
Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

From Airport to City Center

Airport Bus Route 109

Cost: 20,000 VND (~$0.80)
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Schedule: Every 15-20 minutes, 5:15 AM - 6:15 PM
Route: Airport → District 1 → Ben Thanh Market

Taxi Services

Cost: 150,000-200,000 VND (~$6-8)
Duration: 20-45 minutes (depending on traffic)
Recommended: Mai Linh, Vinasun, Saigon Taxi
Note: Use meter or agree on price beforehand

Grab (Ride-hailing)

Cost: 120,000-180,000 VND (~$5-7)
Duration: 20-45 minutes
Advantages: Fixed price, English app, cashless payment
Types: GrabCar, GrabBike available

HCMC Metro System

Modern Urban Transit

The Ho Chi Minh City Metro is a rapid transit system that began operations on December 22, 2024. The system aims to reduce traffic congestion and provide efficient public transportation across the city.

Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien)

Length: 19.7 km with 14 stations (3 underground, 11 elevated)
Operating Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Frequency: ~8 min during peak, ~12 min off‑peak
Key Stations: Ben Thanh, Opera House, Ba Son, Tan Cang, Binh Thai, Suoi Tien

Ticket Prices

Single journey: 7,000-20,000 VND (~$0.27-0.80)

Getting Around HCMC

Motorbike Taxis (Xe Om)

Cost: 15,000-50,000 VND per ride
Best for: Short distances, avoiding traffic
Apps: Grab, Be, Gojek
Tips: Helmet provided, agree on price first

Traditional Taxis

Major Companies: Mai Linh, Vinasun, Saigon Taxi
Cost: 11,000-15,000 VND per km
Payment: Cash or card
Tips: Ensure meter is running

Public Buses

Cost: 6,000-20,000 VND per ride
Coverage: Extensive network across city
Payment: Cash or bus card
Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Cycling

Bike Rental: 50,000-100,000 VND per day
Best Areas: District 1, District 7, Thu Thiem
Safety: Use bike lanes where available
Tours: Guided cycling tours available

Travel to Other Vietnamese Cities

Domestic Flights

Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways provide frequent domestic flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport to major Vietnamese cities:

Hanoi: 2 hours, 1.5-3 million VND
Da Nang: 1.5 hours, 1-2.5 million VND
Nha Trang: 1.5 hours, 1-2 million VND
Phu Quoc: 1 hour, 1-2.5 million VND
Hue: 1.5 hours, 1.5-2.5 million VND

Vietnam Railway System

Saigon Railway Station

Location: District 3, 1 Nguyen Thong Street
Main Route: Reunification Express to Hanoi
Journey Time: 30-34 hours to Hanoi
Classes: Hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, soft sleeper

Popular Train Routes

To Nha Trang: 8-9 hours, 300,000-800,000 VND
To Da Nang: 12-14 hours, 400,000-1,000,000 VND
To Hue: 14-16 hours, 500,000-1,200,000 VND
To Hanoi: 30-34 hours, 700,000-1,800,000 VND

Booking Tips

Advance Booking: 2-4 weeks recommended
Online: Vietnam Railway website or apps
At Station: Counter service available
Peak Season: Book early for Tet holiday

Long-Distance Bus Travel

Major Bus Terminals

Mien Dong Bus Station: Buses to northern and central Vietnam
Mien Tay Bus Station: Buses to Mekong Delta and Cambodia
An Suong Bus Station: Buses to western provinces

Popular Routes & Operators

To Dalat: 6-7 hours, 120,000-250,000 VND
To Nha Trang: 8-10 hours, 200,000-400,000 VND
To Hanoi: 24-26 hours, 500,000-800,000 VND
To Siem Reap: 12-14 hours, 300,000-500,000 VND

Mekong Delta Transportation

Can Tho (Mekong Capital)

By Bus: 4-5 hours, 80,000-150,000 VND
By Private Car: 3-4 hours, 1,500,000-2,000,000 VND
Tour Options: Day trips and overnight tours available

My Tho & Ben Tre

Distance: 70-80 km from HCMC
By Bus: 1.5-2 hours, 30,000-60,000 VND
Popular For: Day trips to floating markets

Chau Doc & Sam Mountain

By Bus: 5-6 hours, 100,000-200,000 VND
Border Crossing: Gateway to Cambodia
River Transport: Boat services available

Boat Tours

Saigon River: City cruises and dinner cruises
Mekong Tours: Full-day delta exploration
Cu Chi Tunnels: Combined boat and bus tours

Essential Transportation Tips

                Important Notes
                Traffic: Rush hours are 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM - expect delays
Rain Season: May-October can affect transportation schedules
Language: Download translation apps or carry destination addresses in Vietnamese
Cash: Many transportation options require cash payment
Safety: Always wear helmets on motorbikes and keep valuables secure

            

Useful Apps

Grab: Ride-hailing and food delivery
Be: Local Vietnamese ride-hailing
Google Maps: Navigation and public transport
Citymapper: Urban transportation planning

Payment Methods

Cash: Vietnamese Dong (VND) widely accepted
Credit Cards: Accepted in hotels and restaurants
Mobile Payment: Grab app supports various payment methods
ATMs: Widely available throughout the city

Safety & Etiquette

Traffic Rules: Motorbikes have right of way
Crossing Streets: Walk slowly and predictably
Bargaining: Common for xe om and some taxis
Tipping: Not required but appreciated

Transportation Guide