There are many ways for you to travel from Halong Bay to Hue, like motorbike, bus, minivan, private car, train, and plane. Depending on your favorite, demand, and real-time budget, select the right way to have a memorable adventure.
Overview Of Halong Bay To Hue
Many tourists choose to combine Halong Bay and Hue due to these destinations’ offering a rich assessment of natural beauty and cultural history. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well-known for its great limestone karsts, beautiful emerald waters, and serene cruises.
In comparison, Hue, the previous imperial capital of Vietnam, presents deep historical and cultural stories with its historic citadel, royal tombs, and conventional cuisine. Visiting Halong Bay and Hue, you can see Vietnam’s numerous natural panoramas, culture, and history in one journey.
How Far Is It From Halong Bay To Hue?
The space from Halong Bay to Hue is approximately 800 to 850 kilometers, depending on the course taken. On average, tour time varies through the type of transportation. With the distance above, the travel time from Halong Bay to Hue is about 3 to 5 days (by motorbike), from 13 to 17 hours (by bus or minivan), about 13 to 15 hours (by private car), from 14 – 15 hours (by train), and about 1 hour and 15 minutes (by plane).
How To Travel From Halong Bay To Hue?
Traveling from Halong Bay to Hue, you can use many types of vehicles, like an adventurous motorbike, a low-cost bus or minivan, a comfortable private car, a high-end train, or a plane. In this section of this blog, Seni World will show you how to get from Halong Bay to Hue.
By Motorbike
Visiting from Halong Bay to Hue by motorbike, you will have an adventurous and free experience, particularly for travelers who enjoy scenic routes and exploring mysterious destinations. Let’s revel in Vietnam’s beautiful shoreline, captivating mountain passes like Hai Van, and cultural stops like Ninh Binh, Vinh, and Dong Hoi. Traveling by motorbike will bring you freedom in pacing, photo possibilities, and immersion in the local lifestyle.
However, a long journey on the motorbike will be physically demanding for you. Besides, weather conditions can be unpredictable, particularly in Vietnam’s center, which may cause some risks. You will additionally need to arrange for accommodation, fuel stops, as well as some potential mechanical problems. Especially, travelers must bring a legitimate motorbike license (preferably a worldwide one) and ensure a right insurance coverage.
| Aspect | Details |
| Route | Option 1 (QL18 → QL1A route): Halong Bay → Uong Bi → Dong Trieu → Hai Duong → Hanoi → along QL1A (also called the National Highway 1A) → Ninh Binh → Thanh Hoa → Vinh → Dong Hoi → Hue. This is the highway route and a direct coastal road, faster but the heavier traffic.
Option 2 (QL15 route or also known as the Ho Chi Minh Highway): Halong Bay → Hanoi → along QL15 → Hoa Binh → Thanh Hoa → Nghe An → Quang Binh → Hue. This road has more beautiful scenery, less traffic, and mountainous views. Option 2 is the best for longer adventures. |
| Distance | QL1A route: About 750 – 800 kilometers.
QL15 route: About 850 – 900+ kilometers, depending on detours as well as sightseeing spots. |
| Travel Time | Based on the Halong Bay to Hue distance, travelers can select a 3-day to 5-day journey for both comfort and safety:
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| Suggested Stop | For a 3-day adventure on your motorbike through QL1A:
For a 4-5+ days adventure on your motorbike through QL15:
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By Bus Or Minivan
Halong Bay to Hue by bus or minivan is a low-price choice for travelers who want to save money. It is fast, without the pressure of navigation. Depending on the type of bus, it has many services, like larger seats, air-conditioning, and many stops for rest or sightseeing. Minivans, especially limousine ones, provide high-priced seating with modern amenities and quicker travel for smaller groups.
| Vehicle Type | Price (VND) | Travel Time | Notes |
| Sleeper Bus | About 500,000 – 700,000 VND (per person) | About 14 – 16 hours | A sleeper bus is a budget-friendly selection, which offers travelers basic comfort with normal seating and limited stops. This type of transportation is suitable for backpackers or tourists who want to save money. |
| VIP Sleeper Bus | About 600,000 – 850,000 VND (per person) | About 14 – 15 hours | Compared to the sleeper bus, a VIP sleeper bus has upgraded convenience with larger seats and fewer passengers. It adds more amenities, including bottled water, and also has some stops at beautiful attractions for you. |
| Limousine Minivan | About 800,000 – 1,200,000 VND (per person) | About 13 – 15 hours | This type of vehicle is luxurious and faster than the other, perfect for small communities or small families. Limousine minivan brings you spacious seating, senior interiors, modern amenities like USB chargers, and sometimes, direct hotel transfer services. |
| Tourist Bus | About 500,000 – 800,000 VND (per person) | About 15 – 17 hours | Tourist buses are common because of their affordability, consisting of basic pick-up and drop-off service at lodging, and provide comfort for a long adventure. |
By Private Car
Taking an adventure from Halong Bay to Hue by a private car gives the very best level of comfort, privacy, and flexibility for travelers. You can customize your Northern Vietnam itinerary, stopping at sights like Ninh Binh, Phong Nha – Ke Bang, or Vinh, and tour at a personal tempo without being tied to a hard and fast schedule. Private cars are wonderful for families, small businesses, or those carrying plenty of bags.
| Car Type | Estimated Price (VND) | Travel Time | Best For |
| 4-Seater Car | About 6,500,000 – 7,500,000 VND | About 13 – 15 hours | Solo tourists or couples who want to have privacy, flexibility, as well as comfort. |
| 7-Seater Car | About 7,000,000 – 8,000,000 VND | About 13 – 15 hours | Small families or communities with the extra space and direct travel demand. |
| 16-Seater Van | About 8,000,000 – 9,000,000 VND | About 13 – 15 hours | Larger communities or tour parties love to travel together with enough luggage and convenience. |
| Luxury SUV | About 8,500,000 – 10,000,000 VND | About 13 – 14 hours | Business travelers or luxury tourists who look for a high-end service and modern amenities. |
By Train
The Halong Bay to Hue train journey is a comfy and scenic adventure, particularly suitable for folks who enjoy seeing the geographical region. There is no direct train from Halong Bay, so vacationers can take a short transfer to Hanoi and buy a train ticket to Hue. This vehicle is secure, low-cost, and less annoying for you on a long trip, making it a great choice for solo travelers, families, and people in search of a cultural experience.
| Cabin Type | Estimated Price (VND) | Travel Time | Required Documents | Best For |
| Soft Seat | About 350,000 – 500,000 VND | About 14 – 15 hours | Passport (global travelers) or ID card (Vietnamese travelers) | This is a low-cost choice for local people or budget travelers on short trips with basic comfort. |
| Hard Sleeper (6-Berth Cabin) | About 400,000 – 600,000 VND | About 14 – 15 hours | Passport (global travelers) or ID card (Vietnamese travelers) | Hard sleeper one will be suitable for budget travelers who still want to lie down conveniently during the long trip. |
| Soft Sleeper (4-Berth Cabin) | About 650,000 – 850,000 VND | About 14 – 15 hours | Passport (global travelers) or ID card (Vietnamese travelers) | Families or communities want moderate comfort, privacy, and better sleep. |
| VIP Sleeper (2-Berth Cabin) | About 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 VND | About 14 – 15 hours | Passport (global travelers) or ID card (Vietnamese travelers) | Couples or senior-level travelers love premium comfort and the max of privacy. |
By Plane
Traveling from Halong Bay to Hue by plane is the quickest and most time-efficient choice, best for vacationers with limited schedules. Halong Bay does not have its own business airport, so you need to take a short transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, then have a direct flight to Hue’s Phu Bai International Airport. Flying also offers a high level of comfort, suitable for enterprise travelers, families, or people who love velocity.
| Aspect | Details |
| Flight Duration | About 1 hour and 15 minutes (not including the transfer time from Halong Bay to Noi Bai International Airport). |
| Airlines | Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, or Bamboo Airways. |
| Airport in Halong Bay | There is no airport in Halong Bay, so in case travelers want to travel from Halong Bay to Hue by plane, it is usually transfer by car or bus (from 2.5 to 3.5 hours) to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. |
| Airport in Hue | Phu Bai International Airport (HUI). |
| Estimated Price (VND) | 800,000 – 1,800,000+ VND (depends on each airline’s promotion and the peak season). |
| Best For | A flight is the best selection for travelers with limited time who want the quickest travel option and comfortable connections. |
| Required Documents | Passport (global travelers) or ID card (Vietnamese travelers). |
Tips For Traveling From Halong Bay To Hue
If you want to have an exciting, safe, and memorable adventure from Halong Bay to Hue, you need to learn more about the travel tips in this itinerary. Seni World has collected them for you to have an impressive adventure.
- Book in advance: You need to book the accommodation and transportation tickets in advance, especially during holidays or the peak season, also called the best time to visit Halong Bay and Hue (March to May and September to early November).
- Prepare snacks and water: Food and drink on the vehicles are basic and may not be suitable for your taste, so you need to bring your own for better options.
- Protect your belongings carefully: Don’t forget to keep your valuables close, particularly when you share cabins on vehicles.
- Check your license and insurance: If you choose a motorbike, ensure you have a valid motorbike license (IDP is the best), as well as travel insurance.
- Bring your neck pillow and blanket: If you choose the sleeper bus, your trip can be long and can get chilly at night, so let’s bring your neck pillow and blanket.
Final Thoughts
Traveling from Halong Bay to Hue, you can choose many different types of transportation, like a thrilling motorbike, an affordable bus or minivan, a convenient private car, and a premium-level train or plane. It will depend on your favorite, demand, and cost. If you want to take an itinerary from Halong Bay to Hue and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator from Vietnam. We are here to help you from A to Z on your Halong Bay to Hue journey, and throughout wonderful Vietnam.
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