How to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi
Once you have finished exploring Phong Nha Cave there are a few ways that you can get from Phong Nha to Hanoi. For maximum flexibility and options, it is best to travel to Dong Hoi by taxi and then catch a bus, train or flight from there.
The overnight sleeper buses from Dong Hoi are very popular because they are flexible and cheap. Other options would include using the SE8 sleeper train service from Minh Le station to Hanoi or flying from Dong Hoi Airport to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines.
From Phong Nha to Hanoi by bus
To get from Phong Nha to Hanoi by sleeper bus (or Open Ticket Tour) you will need to transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi by either private taxi or by using the local bus service. We would recommend a private taxi, as the local bus service isn’t very comfortable or reliable. A taxi to get you to Dong Hoi should cost between USD20 and USD30 and if you are travelling in a group you can split this cost between you.Once you arrive in Dong Hoi, you will be able to catch your sleeper bus to Hanoi. The bus will travel up the QL1A highway and will pass through Ha Tinh, Vinh Nghe An and Thanh Ho before arriving in Ninh Binh where the bus driver will normally stop so you can stretch your legs and use the toilets, if you need to.
The distance from Dong Hoi to Ninh Binh is 347km and the journey is advertised to take about 9.5 hours.
Tip If you are planning on stopping off in Ninh Binh before travelling onto Hanoi so you can break up the journey then your bus ticket from Dong Hoi to Ninh Binh should cost around USD11.
The final leg of your journey will be to travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi. This should take just over 2 hours, as it is only 83km. If you travel this leg of the journey separately then tickets will cost about USD6 per person.
The total distance from Dong Hoi to Hanoi by bus is 430km and should take around 11.5 hours to complete depending on the traffic. A bus ticket to travel directly from Dong Hoi bus station in Quang Binh province to Giap Bat Bus Station in Hanoi will cost around USD13 per person.
From Phong Nha to Hanoi by train
The recommended and most popular way to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi is to get a private taxi to Dong Hoi, which will cost between USD20 and USD30. Once in Dong Hoi you have many options to get back to Hanoi by train.Vietnam Railways, which is also referred to sometimes as the Reunification Express or North-South Railway, operate daily services between Dong Hoi Station (Tieu Khu 4, Nam Ly, Tp. Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, Vietnam) and Giap Bat Central Bus Station in Hanoi (120 Le Duan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi City). The earliest train departs at 12.50am and the last train leaves Dong Hoi at 7.55pm. The journey time to Hanoi is between 9.5 hours and 11.5 hours depending on which train your decide to use.
We would recommend booking a SE train because they are much more comfortable than their TN counterparts. TN trains only offer what are known as hard sleeper or hard seat options whereas on the SE trains they have soft sleeper and soft seat options as well as air-conditioned carriages.
SE trains also have a service carriage where you can buy drinks and something to eat in addition to limited convenience items like cigarettes and toiletries. There is also a communal shower room and toilet in each carriage on the SE trains. Most SE trains come with either a 4 berth or 6 berth option so if you’re not travelling as part of a group the chances are you’ll be sharing with other travellers.
When you book your train tickets you may also see one other SE train option – the Violette Express Train – these are effectively VIP 2 berth or 4 berth cabins that also offer a few other perks too like complimentary newspapers, drinks and snacks – well, and cost considerably more compared to ordinary Vietnam Railways trains.
The other option if you would like to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi by train would be to use the SE8 train service from Minh Le Railway Station which departs daily at 5.55am and arrives in Hanoi 9.5 hours later at around 3.35pm. Tickets on this service range from USD17.50 to USD25.
Flights from Phong Nha to Hanoi
If you prefer to get from Phong Nha to Hanoi by flying then Vietnam Airlines have a daily flight from Dong Hoi Airport to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which departs at 9am daily and takes about 1.5 hours.You should be aware though, if you would like to fly from Phong Nha to Hanoi, that this service gets booked up quickly as it is the only direct flight available currently so it is best to avoid disappointment by booking well in advance. Air fares start from around USD100 per person.
If using buses or trains really isn’t your preference and the direct flight is fully booked, check Jetstar Pacific direct flight to Haiphong, from where it is an easy ride to Hanoi or you can explore the wonders of Halong Bay first before heading back to the capital.
The third direct flight from Dong Hoi airport is to Ho Chi Minh City, and naturally you can connect via HCMC to Hanoi, but it makes little sense. There are three flights a day to HCMC with VietJet, Jetstar Pacific and Vietnam Airlines with airfares starting from USD60 one-way The flight time from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Onward travel from Hanoi
When you arrive in Hanoi you might be thinking about where to go next? How about discovering the splendour of Sapa, which is easily accessible from Hanoi in about 5 hours.
The beauty and mystery of Halong Bay is also a very popular destination from Hanoi. Journey time to this UNESCO World Heritage site is around 4 hours from Hanoi – why not?
Another option if you have yet to explore the south of Vietnam would be to head for the charming chaos of Ho Chi Ming City (Saigon) and then on to the well known Mekong Delta. By plane, you could be there in around 2 hours.
Some international options available to you from Hanoi might include the relaxed, French influenced history and experience that is waiting for you in Laos. Vientiane is just a short flight of around an hour from Hanoi.
If you are in need of some city luxury then Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is a 3 and a half hour flight from Hanoi with its towering skyline and interesting culture.
Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand is another very popular choice for travellers in South East Asia and with the flight from Hanoi being just under 2 hours it’s right on your doorstep!