After spending one single day exploring caves and feeding ducks in Phong Nha (if you know you know), I was beyond ready to continue south. I wrote about this already in the page about Phong Nha, so I'll keep it brief, but basically it was already winter when I went to Phong Nha and then there was a cold spell, so I was frozen to my bones.
I'd planned to spend more time in Phong Nha, but I felt a compelling need to get somewhere warmer so I continued my journey south with yet another bus trip from Phong Nha to Hoi An. Hoi An is an absolute highlight of Vietnam, and I was so so excited to get there (not just for the weather, but for everything there is to see and do in Hoi An, too).
You can take the bus (or, should I say, a variety of different bus options) to get from Phong Nha to Hoi An, or you can take the train. The drive is around 6-7 hours travel time, whilst the train takes about 6 hours. Both options will take you through some beautiful parts of Central Vietnam, including views of the stunning Hai Van Pass if you choose to travel during the daytime.
Contents
- Taking the Bus from Phong Nha to Hoi An
- Taking the Train from Phong Nha to Hoi An
- FAQs About the Trip from Phong Nha to Hoi An
- Conclusion
Taking the Bus from Phong Nha to Hoi An, Vietnam
The bus (it's most common to take the overnight bus, but you can do it during the day, too) is the most popular transport option for this route, and after my experience, I can see why. It's affordable, and it runs regularly throughout the day and night so you can choose departure times that suit your schedule. This journey takes you through some really gorgeous scenery in Central Vietnam, so if you're travelling during the day you'll get a glimpse of rural Vietnamese life along the way.
The route itself is quite straightforward, though quite a lot of buses make a stop or transfer in Da Nang, which is the closest major city to Hoi An. I had a completely chaotic experience with this bus, but it all turned out surprisingly smoothly in the end (besides getting scammed by a taxi driver when I arrived, but that's a story for another day...)
Like I mentioned before, I was a bit desperate to leave Phong Nha for the warmer weather down south, so I made a spontaneous decision to book the night bus with a friend I'd made in my hostel about three hours after arriving.
We booked a bus that would leave Phong Nha at 2am that night and arrive in Hoi An around 10am. It sounds crazy, but for me it was kind of a genius idea. I was tired of arriving in a new city 5am and trying to find a place to stay or awkwardly waking up the poor hostel staff (who you often find sleeping on the sofas of reception).
Even better, I'd already booked to stay in Phong Nha that night anyway, so I took a nap from around 11pm to 2am, then got up and met my friend and the owner of our hostel at 2am. The hostel owner had told us that we'd get picked up from the hostel, but what actually happened was that he got up and drove us to the bus terminal.
When we arrived there seemed to have been some kind of mix-up, and they asked if we could wait for the 7am bus. I politely said no, so instead they put us on a bus on which we'd have to make a connection just before Da Nang. We knew that making a connection was risky, but actually it couldn't have gone smoother. The first bus was around five hours long, and I slept most of the way. When we pulled into a service station just before Da Nang, we got off to use the bathroom, the drivers moved our luggage from one bus to the other, then we got back onto our new bus and set off again all within about ten minutes. I slept for another two hours, and then we arrived in Hoi An.
Types of Public Bus in Vietnam
The different types of bus in Vietnam can be confusing at first, but like most things, it's easy once you know how it all works. The first important thing is that on 12GoAsia you will see the number of beds on the bus which will tell you how big your seat will be. For example "Cabin 24" or "VIP 24" means there are 24 beds on the bus, "Cabin 32" means there are 32 beds on the bus, etc.
Don't be fooled by the words "VIP", "luxury", etc, because they ALL say that! Just because a bus says VIP on it, doesn't mean you get a nice bus or extra space (unfortunately). The most common bus sizes are 37, 32, and 20 (sometimes 24 depending on the layout of the bus). You get to lie-flat on almost all buses in Vietnam – of course there are exceptions, but I never got a bus with upright seats, even on buses during the daytime.
37-bed buses usually mean you are lying down but there isn't a curtain or any privacy between your seat and the aisle. These are the most budget-friendly option and cheapest option available, perfectly adequate, but I didn't really like them because of the lack of privacy. Approximate cost for Phong Nha to Hoi An: 300kVND (€13).
32-bed buses usually mean there is a similar layout to the 37-bed, but there is a curtain and maybe a little more space lengthwise. The extra privacy makes a real difference on overnight journeys, but the seats are still quite slim and if the route is bumpy you can feel like you're about to get launched into the aisle. Approximate cost for Phong Nha to Hoi An: 400kVND (€17).
20-bed buses usually mean you are on one of those ultra-modern-blue-neon-light-spaceship kind of beds you see on TikTok (and neon lights or not, that's roughly the size of bed you're getting). These offer the most space and comfort, and if you're short you can actually stretch out (I'm 167cm and I could JUST stretch out all the way, my taller friends had to keep their legs at an angle). The best thing about them is the width, though; finally you don't feel like you're going to fall out every time the bus goes around a bend. Approximate cost for Phong Nha to Hoi An: 500kVND (€21).
Another important note for this route: a lot of buses will switch you to a minivan in Da Nang. It isn't such a big deal if you're travelling during the day, but really annoying if you want to get a good sleep! If you want to sleep the whole way during this long ride, make sure you ask if there will be a transfer.
How to Book Your Bus from Phong Nha to Hoi An
There are two main ways I'd recommend buying your bus tickets in Vietnam:
Book through your hostel – Sometimes this will get you a free ride or transfer from your hostel to the bus terminal (or picked up straight from your hostel), although this really is a mixed bag. Like I said in my story above, sometimes you think one thing is going to happen and then it turns out to be another - but, generally, they will make sure you get from A to B!
The staff at most places speak enough English to help you understand the booking process, and they're generally quite helpful about explaining any potential transfers or changes to your journey.
Book online through 12GoAsia or BookAway – In my opinion, 12GoAsia is the most reliable platform. I had some issues with unconfirmed bookings when booking last minute travel through BookAway. Online booking gives you more control over departure times and lets you see exactly what type of bus you're getting. You can also check bus schedules and compare ticket prices across different operators.
Will the bus pick me up at my accommodation?
That depends; usually they will if you book the bus through your accommodation. If you book online you usually have to go to a pickup spot or bus terminal. Since Phong Nha is a smaller town, many hostels and guesthouses will arrange pickup or transport to the departure point as part of their service.
In smaller towns, sometimes it makes more sense to just walk to the bus terminal rather than wait at your hostel to get a short shuttle bus that will drop you off somewhere random and leave you waiting for an hour before the bus arrives. Phong Nha town is compact enough that walking to the main pickup points is usually fine.
Taking the Train from Phong Nha to Hoi An, Vietnam
As I mentioned above, the train is generally considered to be more comfortable for getting from Phong Nha to Hoi An, especially if you decide to travel during the daytime. I was told by quite a few travellers that views from this train ride were epic; I only chose the overnight bus so that I didn't lose a day to travel.
Another important consideration is that you have to book trains in advance, and I am a last-minute travel girlie. (Top tip: each train ride in Vietnam has a code like #SE3, #SE15, etc. and you can Google which ones run on the quiet trains vs the noisy trains).
For this route, the train is similarly priced to the bus from around 400kVND (€17). The main advantage of the train is that you don't have to worry about any transfers – it's a direct journey that takes you right into Da Nang, from where you can easily get transport to Hoi An. The scenery along this route is supposedly spectacular, especially as you pass through the mountainous regions of Central Vietnam.
You can choose between soft seat options and sleeper compartments depending on your budget and comfort preferences. The train ticket can be purchased at Dong Hoi Railway Station or through representative offices of the bus companies that also handle train bookings.
You'll need to get off at Da Nang Railway Station and then take a taxi, bus, or arrange onward transport to Hoi An, which adds a bit of extra time and cost to your journey. A taxi ride from Da Nang to Hoi An takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Private Car from Phong Nha to Hoi An
If you're less of a budget person and more of a flexibility, comfort and a bit of luxury person, you can also take a private car service from Phong Nha to Hoi An. It's quickest way to travel between the destinations, and if you ask in advance, they can sometimes include stops at sites along the way like the Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River, or La Vang Church.
Minivan ticket costs for private group transfers vary but offer a perfect combination of comfort and sightseeing opportunities.
What to Expect Upon Arrival in Hoi An
Once you arrive in Hoi An, you'll find yourself in one of Vietnam's most enchanting destinations. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient town offers a perfect combination of history, culture, and really good food. The city center and main street areas are easily walkable, and you can explore the old quarter on foot or enjoy a bike ride through the surrounding countryside.
Something to be aware of is taxi scams in Hoi An. I don't know why they are such an issue in Hoi An specifically, but both me and my friend were scammed when we arrived and we later met lots of other people who had been scammed, including one of my friends who was robbed by her driver. Scammer taxi drivers will be very forceful, promise prices that they later won't stick to, and square up to you if you argue back. (Luckily for me I'm a fair bit taller than the average Vietnamese man...) If you want to take taxis, especially motorbike taxis, ONLY book through Grab. They are reliable, have a fixed fee, and they'll always bring you a helmet.
Hoi An serves as an excellent base for day trips to nearby attractions such as Marble Mountain, Tra Que Vegetable Village (where you can learn about agricultural practices), or Lang Co Beach for coastal relaxation. The town's local market offers fresh produce and authentic Vietnamese street food.
FAQs About the Trip from Phong Nha to Hoi An
How do I get to Hoi An from Phong Nha?
The most popular way to get to Hoi An from Phong Nha is by taking a sleeper bus, which takes 6-7 hours and costs 300-500kVND (€13-21). You can also take the train (6 hours, around 400kVND/€17) to Da Nang and then continue to Hoi An by taxi or local transport. Most buses also go via Da Nang with a quick transfer.
How do I get to Phong Nha from Dong Hoi?
If you're coming from Dong Hoi (the nearest major transport hub to Phong Nha), you can take a taxi or private car which takes about 45 minutes, or catch a local bus which takes around 1 hour. Many people fly into Dong Hoi Airport and then take ground transport to Phong Nha National Park.
Can you fly from Phong Nha to Hoi An?
There are no direct flights between Phong Nha and Hoi An. You'd need to fly from Dong Hoi Airport to Da Nang Airport, then take ground transport to Hoi An. This would be much more expensive and time-consuming than taking the bus or train.
Is Phong Nha worth visiting?
Absolutely! Phong Nha is home to some incredible cave systems, including Phong Nha Cave and the underground tunnel network of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. There are jungle adventures and tours that you can't experience anywhere else in Vietnam. It's definitely worth spending a few days there before continuing south to Hoi An.
What should I see along the route?
If you choose a day journey or private transfer, you can stop at several World Heritage Sites and historical locations. The Vinh Moc Tunnels showcase the underground tunnel network used during the Vietnam War, whilst the Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River mark the former border between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The route also passes through areas of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and offers views of the magnificent mountain passes.
When is the best time to make this journey?
The journey can be made year-round, but late afternoon departures offer beautiful sunset views over Central Vietnam. During daylight hours, you'll experience amazing views of the Hai Van Pass, Hai Van Tunnel, and the KM Mountain Pass region.
Conclusion
Getting from Phong Nha to Hoi An Vietnam turned out to be one of my smoother travel experiences in Vietnam, despite the unexpected delay and transfers! Whether you choose the bus or train, this journey through Central Vietnam from Phong Nha to Hoi An takes you through some really incredible scenery if you have the luxury of time to travel during the day.
The bus ride, as usual, is the most flexible and budget-friendly option, especially if you don't mind making a transfer in Da Nang (you could even turn this into an overnight stop!). For those seeking adventure, consider the exciting motorbike tour option that takes you off the beaten track through country back roads and small villages.