How to travel from Vinh to Lao Cai, Vietnam

The distance between Vinh and Lao Cai is around 546km (339 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 45m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Vinh to Lao Cai by bus, train, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Lao CaiVinh if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+
bus
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Plane and Bus

Fly from Vinh (VII) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai.

  • Duration5h 45m
  • Flight time1h 10m
  • Typical cost
    ₫2,058,670($88)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Ninh Binh then Hanoi Airport and then to Lao Cai.

  • Duration11h 15m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ₫888,970($38)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

💰 Cheapest
3
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Ha Noi and then to Sapa Lao Cai.

  • Duration14h 20m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    ₫421,090($18)
Operated by

Vietnam Railways

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Lào Cai.

  • Duration6h 55m
  • Distance579km (360 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Vinh and Lao Cai

There are several options for getting from Vinh to Lao Cai by bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around ₫421,090 ($18) and will take around 14h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 5h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ₫2,058,670 ($88).

The distance between Vinh and Lao Cai is around 546km (339 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 438km (272 miles)

It takes around 11h 15m to get from Vinh and Lao Cai by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 6h 55m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Vinh to Lao Cai is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 45m and will set you back approx ₫2,058,670 ($88).

The cheapest way to travel between Vinh and Lao Cai, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around ₫421,090 ($18) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Vinh and Lao Cai. It typically takes around 14h 20m and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Vinh to Lao Cai. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Ha Noi. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 14h 20m.

Vietnam Railways run train services between Vinh and Lao Cai. Trains depart 4 times a week and will take around 14h 20m, 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 Vinh and Lao Cai. It typically takes around 11h 15m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Vinh to Lao Cai. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh and Hanoi Airport. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 11h 15m.

Hoang Long, Ninh Binh Excursion Transport and Sao Viet run regular bus services between Vinh and Lao Cai. Buses run once daily and take around 11h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Vinh to Lao Cai. We recommend that you fly from Vinh (VII) to Noi Bai International (HAN) then take the bus to Lao Cai. instead which will take 5h 45m.

The closest major airport to Lao Cai is Dien Bien Airport (DIN) (DIN) which is approximately 149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) (HAN) and Bai Thuong Airport (THD) (THD) 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 Vinh and Lao Cai. The distance is around 579km (360 miles) by road and it will take around 6h 55m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Vinh to Lao Cai is to take the bus which takes, on average, 11h 15m and will usually cost around ₫888,970 ($38).

How do I get from Vinh to Lao Cai

Compare travel optionsbetween Vinh and Lao Cai

Transport options from Vinh to Lao Cai
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Bus
5h 45m
₫2,058,670($88)
every 30 mins546km (339 miles)
Bus
11h 15m
₫888,970($38)
once daily589km (366 miles)
Train
14h 20m
₫421,090($18)
4 times a week614km (382 miles)
Drive
6h 55m
₫1,590,790($68)
on demand579km (360 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Vinh and Lao Cai

Bus companies

Train operators

Airlines

Airports near Lao Cai

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

DIN
Dien Bien Airport (DIN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
149km (93 miles) from Lao Cai
HAN
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
International Airport
Distance
217km (135 miles) from Lao Cai
THD
Bai Thuong Airport (THD)
Domestic Airport
Distance
304km (189 miles) from Lao Cai