Vietnam

How to get from Ha Long to Hanoi

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and tips from a local expert.

FASTEST
1h 58min
💶
From
8€
📍
Distance
128 km
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There are 1 way(s) to get from Ha Long to Hanoi

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

🚌 Departure from Ha Long
📍The main departure point for buses from Hạ Long to Hanoi is Bãi Cháy Bus Station. Strategically located, it serves as the primary hub for intercity connections. It features ticket counters for purchasing tickets and basic waiting areas for passengers, serving most major bus companies.
🚇From downtown or tourist areas like Tuan Chau or Bãi Cháy, it's easily accessible by taxi or motorbike taxi (xe ôm). The journey takes approximately 10-20 minutes and costs between 50,000 and 100,000 VND, depending on distance and negotiation. Local buses can also take you there for a few thousand VND.
Buses to Hanoi are very frequent, starting early in the morning (around 5:00-6:00 AM) and continuing until late afternoon (around 5:00-6:00 PM). There is usually a departure every 30 to 60 minutes, especially during peak hours.
💸 Transport from 8€ per person
Fastest: 1h 58min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

🛣️ The journey experience

Traveling from Hạ Long to Hanoi is a classic and smooth step for any explorer of Northern Vietnam, and you're in luck: the bus is by far the most practical and economical option, allowing you to optimize your time and budget. The journey typically takes about 2 hours and costs around 8€ (approximately 8-10 USD), which is ideal for your tight to moderate budget. You'll usually board from a designated pick-up point in the Hạ Long area, often near Tuan Chau port or from your hotel if shuttle services are included.

Onboard, expect a comfortable, often air-conditioned coach with reclining seats. The landscapes will shift between verdant rice paddies, picturesque villages, and lively small towns, giving you an authentic glimpse into Vietnamese rural life before arriving in the bustling heart of Hanoi. Reliable bus companies like Futa Bus Lines (Phuong Trang) or Hoang Long offer frequent departures.

For booking, the easiest and safest way is to use reputable online platforms that aggregate local transport offers, thus helping you avoid scams from street agencies. There are no overnight buses for this short journey, so no need to worry about that. This trip is a quick and hassle-free transition, leaving your mind free to fully enjoy the capital.

Frequently asked questions — Ha Long → Hanoi

✨ Why visit Hanoi?

  • Wander through the bustling Old Quarter and admire its colonial architecture.
  • Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, a tranquil oasis.
  • Enjoy a traditional water puppet show, a unique Vietnamese art form.
  • Explore Hoan Kiem Lake, its iconic red bridge, and Ngoc Son Temple.
  • Savor authentic 'pho' or 'bun cha' at a local street food stall.
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 4 nights — Enough time to explore the city and soak in its unique atmosphere.

☀️ When to visit Hanoi?

HUMID SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE

October to April — Pleasant temperatures and low humidity, ideal for sightseeing.

Jan 😐
Feb 😊
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😐
Jun 😞
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😐
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
📍
In Hanoi — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Hanoi
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Hanoi?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

INCONTOURNABLE
🏛️
Old Quarter — 36 ancient streets
Hanoi's beating heart: lively lanes where each street still bears the name of its ancient guild. Silk, paper, silver, incense — a labyrinth of flavours and crafts best explored on foot or by bicycle. A must-see in the evening when the neon lights come on.
🏯
Temple of Literature
Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070. Five courtyards lined with frangipani, doctoral steles and traditional pavilions: a tranquil haven 10 minutes from the centre. Entry under €3.
⛩️
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
The Lake of the Restored Sword is Hanoi's symbol. Ngoc Son Temple, reached by a red lacquered bridge, houses a giant stuffed turtle — the same that, legend says, reclaimed the magic sword from King Lê Lợi. Lovely morning walk among locals doing tai chi.
🎭
Water Puppet Show
A 1,000-year-old traditional art from the Red River Delta. Puppeteers hidden behind a screen make dragons, phoenixes and farmers dance on a water stage to live folk music. Thăng Long Theatre offers 8 shows daily — book ahead.
🥣
Pho bo breakfast
Hanoi is the world capital of pho. The best stalls open at 6am and close when the pot is empty — often before 10am. Phở Thìn (Đinh Tiên Hoàng) and Phở Bát Đàn are the absolute references. Under €2 per bowl, sitting on a plastic stool.
✈️
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Imperial Citadel
The grey granite mausoleum holds the embalmed body of the father of the nation, viewable in an orderly queue (smart dress required). Nearby, the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long — a UNESCO site — offers a dive into the capital's thousand-year history. Free on Sunday mornings.
🍺
Bia hoi — fresh beer for 30 cents
Bia hoi is a craft beer brewed fresh each morning, sold on low plastic stools on the street for 5,000 VND (€0.18). The Lương Ngọc Quyến / Tạ Hiện junction in the Old Quarter is the epicentre — lively from 5pm with travellers and locals alike.
🚂
Train Street — café between the rails
A residential alley where the train passes centimetres from house fronts twice a day. Cafés have sprung up between the rails — settle in with a cà phê trứng (egg coffee, a Hanoi speciality) and wait for the train to pass. Guaranteed thrills.

⏱️ How long to visit Hanoi?

3 to 5 days

For an independent traveler, 3 days in Hanoi are a minimum to explore major sites like the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. With 4-5 days, you can delve deeper into local culture, visit museums, and take a day trip to nearby attractions such as Perfume Pagoda. Don't hesitate to get lost in the alleys for the best discoveries.

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