Ho Chi Minh to Yangon

Yangon is the biggest city in Myanmar and is a great jumping off point to explore the rest of the country. In the past couple of years, the number of airlines popping up to service this route has increased. The result is more competition and lower airfares than in the past, which is great news for travellers.

Getting from Vietnam to Myanmar could also be done overland as a part of a longer trip through Cambodia and Thailand.

Flights from HCMC to Yangon

There are more and more airlines flying into Myanmar as the number of tourists increases. Many are drawn to Myanmar for its' attractive sites, such as the majestic temples of Bagan and picturesque Inle Lake.

Note When flying into Myanmar almost all nationalities require a visa in advance. This can be done by applying at the Myanmar embassy or online. The cost of the visa will be somewhere around USD50 for most travellers.

Some of the most popular and inexpensive carriers are Thai AirAsia, Jetstar and Vietjet Air. The former flies from Don Mueang airport in Bangkok while two latter use Suvarnabhumi as their hub. For a step up in comfort and amenities you could opt to fly with Vietnam Airlines.

The cost of a one-way ticket in this direction is around USD90-130 for the budget airlines. For the more expensive airlines expect to pay around USD160-300.

Most budget airlines do not factor in the cost of checked-in luggage and are quite strict about these policies. Vietjet airlines allow 7kg for your carry on and charge an extra USD16 for additional luggage up to 20kg.

To get to the airport in Saigon, you can take a taxi for an additional VND10,000 on top of the meter fee. Make sure to specify to your driver that you are going to the international terminal. You could also take the public bus from the city centre to the airport for much cheaper.

Note Most public buses charge extra for your luggage.

Once you arrive in Yangon taxis from the airport to the city centre cost MMK8000. You can take the public bus but you will have to do some walking to reach the bus stop outside of the airport.

Flights from HCMC to Yangon via Bangkok

If you have the extra time and are interested in doing a longer trip around Southeast Asia you could stop off in Bangkok. This could actually make your trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon even less expensive!

A one-way flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok can be as little as USD50. You will have to be flexible with your departure dates in order to score the best deal.

Thai Lion Air is one of the cheapest airlines servicing this route. Good deals are often found with VietJet Air and Nok Air. For a step up in comfort and price Vietnam Airlines offers flights for USD150-200.

Flights from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok last 1 hour 30 minutes.

Note In Bangkok you will have to go through Thai immigrations and then to check-in for your next international flight. That means you will need a valid Thai visa or be sure your passport is among the nations who are granted a free stamp for a15- or 30-day stay in Thailand.

Onwards from Bangkok, flights to Yangon cost anywhere from USD35-100. At the lower end of this spectrum are the budget airlines that fly out of Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport. If you’re looking for the cheapest airfare possible search for flights offered by Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and AirAsia.

Note Most of these airlines charge extra for luggage under the plane. Make sure to check out the airline’s website if you are bringing a lot of luggage for the added extra cost before booking your ticket.

If cost isn’t a factor then you could book with the more expensive airlines flying out of Suvarnabhumi Airport such as Thai Airways and Bangkok Air. These airlines are more comfortable and offer more services than the budget flights with checked-in luggage and on-board meals included into your ticket price.

Both airports in Bangkok are well connected to the city centre and it’s easy enough to get there by metered taxi or public transport.

In Yangon, the airport is not as accessible by public transport. Though there is a public bus stop within a walking distance from it, it may prove not a very good idea to get there with your luggage and hot weather. A taxi to the city centre will cost you MMK8000.

From Ho Chi Minh to Yangon overland

It is possible to travel all way from Ho Chi Minh to Yangon completely by bus or train. For more details on how to make this happen, check out our website's travel advice between Yangon and Ho Chi Minh City.

In two words, we recommend to use international buses to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Pehn (USD18, 7 hours) and from Phnom Penh to Bangkok (USD26; 13 hours) – this saves you the hassle of getting to the border, crossing it and finding the onward transport all by yourself and in general does not cost much more.

From Bangkok, take a bus to the border town of Mae Sot (13 hours; THB300-THB600) and cross the border to Myawaddy in Myanmar.

From Myawaddy there are direct buses to Yangon; otherwise you can always connect via Thaton, from where there are both buses and trains to Yangon.