Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
By Air
Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is the city's main entry point and is located about 8 km from the city center. Vietnam's largest airport, it handles numerous international flights from major cities across East Asia and Southeast Asia, with some services to Australia, Europe, and the United States, plus many domestic connections.
The most convenient way to reach the city from the airport is by bus. Air-conditioned buses are significantly cheaper than taxis and depart from the terminal.
- Bus 152 is a city bus costing 5,000 VND (with an extra 5,000 VND for luggage), departing every 15 minutes
- Bus 109 is an express bus costing 20,000 VND (plus 20,000 VND for luggage), departing every 45 minutes
You can purchase tickets at the terminal. When returning to the airport, you can buy tickets from the bus conductor.
By Train
Saigon railway station is located northwest of the city center, less than 3 km on foot from the main hotel districts, or a short taxi or public bus ride away. Tickets can be purchased from the official Vietnamese Railways website, at the train station ticket office (with limited English proficiency), or at the official train ticket office at 275C Pham Ngu Lao in District 1. Be cautious of scams when booking in person at the latter two locations.
Five daily trains connect Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi along the "Reunification line." All journeys take 30–35 hours; the fastest service departs Hanoi at 23:00 and arrives at 05:00 two days later.
By Bus
Intercity buses arrive at one of several major stations:
- Mien Dong Coach Station (mostly buses from the north; also serves Vung Tau)
- Mien Tay Bus Station (serves the Mekong Delta region with many intercity routes)
- Cholon Bus Station (a major public bus hub in Chinatown; divided into sections A and B)
- Pham Ngu Lao area (the main hub for tourist buses, including services to and from Cambodia)
Public buses within the city cost 6,000–7,000 dong per journey. Be aware that taxi drivers often congregate at bus stations; they may attempt to inflate fares by taking circuitous routes.
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City
Traffic congestion, heat, and rapid urban growth have made getting around Ho Chi Minh City challenging. However, several transport options are available.
By Metro
Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line opened in December 2024, connecting Ben Thanh Market in the city center with Suối Tiên and the Eastern Bus Terminus in the northeast. A full network of eight lines is planned for the future. Trains run every 8–12 minutes from 5 AM to 10 PM, with the full trip taking around 30 minutes.
Most stations are elevated, though three are underground. All stations are equipped with escalators and elevators for accessibility, with signs and announcements in both Vietnamese and English. Many stations offer bike parking.
Fares are distance-based, ranging from 7,000 to 20,000 VND. You can pay by tapping a contactless Mastercard or Visa on the fare gates, including those linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay. Single journey tickets, 1-day tickets, 3-day tickets, and reloadable smart cards are available from ticket machines at all stations, or daily and monthly tickets can be purchased via the HURC app.
By Bus
Bright green and blue city buses, along with teal metro feeder buses, serve over 170 routes throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Most buses have air conditioning, cushioned seats, and next-station announcements. They are a cheap and safe way to travel, and typically not crowded during off-peak hours (9 AM to 4 PM). Locals often claim buses are faster than taxis, as they enjoy informal priority on city streets.
Primary city bus stations:
- Saigon Bus Station (next to Thái Bình Market and September 23rd Park; Bus 109 to the airport stops here)
- Ham Nghi Bus Transfer Station (next to Bến Thành Market; Buses 109 and 152 to the airport stop here)
Finding your bus: Finding the right bus can be challenging without Vietnamese language skills. Look for printed route details at bus stops, inquire at managing booths in larger stations, or ask drivers, conductors, and hotel staff. The official bus authority website provides journey planning and real-time tracking; Google Maps is also reliable and displays route numbers, frequencies, and destinations. You can also call hotline 1022 and press 9.
Fares and payment: Tickets are distance-based, ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 VND for local lines and 10,000 to 50,000 VND for intercity lines. You can pay by tapping a contactless Mastercard or Visa on fare validators, including those linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay. Luggage or large items may require an additional ticket.
Boarding and alighting: Buses only pick up and drop off at official bus stops. Flag down a bus by motioning with your arm as if hailing a taxi when it is about 100 meters away. Buses may slow rather than stop completely, especially outside the city center; they are more likely to come to a full stop if elderly passengers or large groups are waiting. Signal your stop by pressing the "stop" button as you approach your destination. Bus staff (a driver and conductor) can help; show the conductor your trip on your phone and they will alert you when to get off.
Lost items: If you lose something on a bus, you can usually retrieve it from the bus station where that route begins or ends. Most buses have security cameras.
Accessibility note: Most buses in Vietnam are not wheelchair accessible.
By Boat
Saigon Waterbus operates a service on the Saigon River from District 1 into Thu Duc City in the north. It is geared more toward local commuters than tourists, but one stop is located near the Hotel Majestic, making it easily accessible from the Opera House and other downtown attractions.
By Taxi and Ride-Hailing
The easiest way to travel by taxi or motorbike taxi is to use ride-hailing apps, which offer English-language interfaces and address entry features. Popular options include Grab, Xanh SM, and beTaxi.
Walking
The heat and chaotic streets make walking long distances impractical for most visitors. However, the city center and some neighborhoods remain walkable for shorter trips.