How to travel from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi, Vietnam

The distance between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi is around 724km (450 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 5m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi by bus, plane, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Dong HoiSa Pa if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
bus
+
plane
+

Bus and Plane

Take the bus to Hanoi Airport then fly from Noi Bai International (HAN) to Dong Hoi (VDH).

  • Duration6h 5m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    ₫1,169,700($50)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Hanoi and then to Phong Nha Ke Bang.

  • Duration16hrs
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ₫772,000($33)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

3
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Ha Noi and then to Dong Hoi.

  • Duration18h 25m
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    ₫701,820($30)
Operated by

Vietnam Railways

4
bus
+
train
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Hanoi Airport then take the train to Dong Hoi.

  • Duration15h 20m
  • Departs5 times a day
  • Typical cost
    ₫842,185($36)
Operated by

Multiple operators

5
car
+

Drive

Drive to Đồng Hới.

  • Duration10h 15m
  • Distance801km (498 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi

There are several options for getting from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi by bus, plane, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ₫655,030 ($28) and will take around 17h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫1,169,700 ($50).

The distance between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi is around 724km (450 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 614km (381 miles)

It takes around 6h 5m to get from Sa Pa and Dong Hoi by bus and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 10h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 5m and will set you back approx ₫1,169,700 ($50).

The cheapest way to travel between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ₫655,030 ($28) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi. It typically takes around 18h 25m and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Lao Cai, Ha Noi and Dong Hoi. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 18h 25m.

Vietnam Railways run train services between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 18h 25m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Sa Pa and Dong Hoi. It typically takes around 16hrs and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Hanoi and Phong Nha Ke Bang. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 16hrs.

Sapa Express, Hung Thanh, Inter Bus Lines and Queen Cafe run regular bus services between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi. Buses run once daily and take around 16hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi. We recommend that you take the bus to Hanoi Airport then fly from Noi Bai International (HAN) to Dong Hoi (VDH). instead which will take 6h 5m.

The closest major airport to Dong Hoi is Dong Hoi Airport (VDH) (VDH) which is approximately 6km (4 miles) from Dong Hoi. Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) (HUI) and Da Nang International Airport (DAD) (DAD) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Sa Pa and Dong Hoi. The distance is around 801km (498 miles) by road and it will take around 10h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 5m and will usually cost around ₫1,169,700 ($50).

How do I get from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi

Compare travel optionsbetween Sa Pa and Dong Hoi

Transport options from Sa Pa to Dong Hoi
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus and Plane
6h 5m
₫1,169,700($50)
every 3 hours724km (450 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
16hrs
₫772,000($33)
once daily836km (520 miles)
Bus via Hanoi17h 20m
₫655,030($28)
once daily839km (522 miles)
Train
18h 25m
₫701,820($30)
twice a week854km (531 miles)
Bus and Train
15h 20m
₫842,185($36)
5 times a day858km (533 miles)
Drive
10h 15m
₫1,427,035($61)
on demand801km (498 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Sa Pa and Dong Hoi

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Dong Hoi

The following major airports near Dong Hoi offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Vietnam and internationally.

VDH
Dong Hoi Airport (VDH)
Domestic Airport
Distance
6km (4 miles) from Dong Hoi
HUI
Phu Bai International Airport (HUI)
International Airport
Distance
166km (103 miles) from Dong Hoi
DAD
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
International Airport
Distance
231km (143 miles) from Dong Hoi