The North of Vietnam, which has a different culture from the South, is always tempting to travelers. Hanoi, the over 1,000-year-old capital, is the desired destination for Vietnamese as well as foreigners. Traveling from southern provinces, especially Can Tho – the biggest city of the Mekong Delta, to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam is getting simpler. Below are highly recommended transports for you to take from Can Tho to Hanoi.
How to get to Hanoi from Can Tho?
There are several ways to travel between these two cities. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, allowing you to choose based on your preferences, time, and budget.
By Air
Traveling between Can Tho and Hanoi by air is favored as it is not only time-saving but also convenient, it’s the fastest way to travel from Can Tho to Hanoi. Can Tho International Airport is about 12 km away from the center of Can Tho. From Can Tho City, travelers can easily catch a taxi to get to the airport.
Currently, only Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air supply flights from Can Tho to Hanoi. You can easily buy an air ticket in advance at their official site, www.vietjetair.com, www.vietnamairlines.com, or at agencies.
Air tickets to Hanoi from Can Tho vary from VND1.500.000 – 4.000.000 (US$60-200) per person, depending on seat types and airlines. The trip by air from Can Tho to Hanoi takes about 2.5 hours. The plane will arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
By sleeper bus
Most of the buses depart from Can Tho bus station, located at 91B Road, Nguyen Van Linh, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city. However, these buses just head for neighboring provinces, including Ca Mau, Vinh Long, Saigon, etc.
Therefore, you have to catch more than one bus to get to Hanoi from Can Tho. Firstly, you should get on the express bus to reach Saigon from Can Tho. Popular brands of express buses are Phuong Trang (Futa Bus Line) and Thanh Buoi. The price is around VND100.000 (US$4) per ticket. And it takes about 3.5–4 hours to get to Saigon from Can Tho.
After arriving at Mien Tay bus station, located at no.395, Kinh Duong Vuong, Binh Tan district, HCMC, you can catch a city bus (no.14), taxi, or motorbike taxi to go to Mien Dong bus station, about 17 km away.
At Mien Dong bus station, there are several express buses for you to take. These buses have reclining seats that convert into beds. They make stops along the way for meals and restroom breaks. This option is more affordable than flying but takes considerably longer.
Favored ones are Hoang Long and Phuong Hoang, which will arrive at Nuoc Ngam bus station (Giai Phong Street, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi). The ticket for a sleeping bus from Saigon to Hanoi is around VND850.000 (US$34) per person. The trip takes about 38-40 hours to get to Hanoi.
By train
The railway of Vietnam, which is 1.730 km in length and goes through 21 provinces, connects the two biggest cities, Hanoi and HCMC. There is no direct train from Can Tho to Hanoi. To get to Hanoi from Can Tho by train, you have to arrive at HCMC Railway Station, located at no.1, Nguyen Thong, District 3, HCMC.
The trip from HCMC to Saigon by train takes around 35-39 hours. Ticket prices vary from VND950.000 (US$38) to VND1.500.000 (US$60) for one way per person, depending on different classes of seats and sleeper cabins. You can book the ticket in advance via the Vietnam Railway Corporation website.
The total trip from Can Tho to Hanoi by train takes about 40-45 hours. This option gives you a chance to see the countryside and the top beautiful roads along the beach in Vietnam.
By motorbike
It is not impossible to get to Hanoi from Can Tho by motorbike or bike. With the modern technology of GPS, we can easily find the detailed route in Google Maps. Moreover, Highway 1A goes through all provinces in Vietnam from North to South. Therefore, by following this road, you can get Hanoi from Can Tho.
As said above, thanks to Highway 1A, travelers can start the trip anywhere between Can Tho and Hanoi. Certainly, it takes more time to get to Hanoi from Can Tho by motorbike or bike. However, you can sightsee on the road and meet local people. Due to the long distance of nearly 2.000 km from Can Tho to Hanoi, people rarely choose to go by motorbike or bike to get to Hanoi from Can Tho, except backpacking.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Can Tho?
Both cities can be visited year-round, but planning according to these seasons can help you have a more enjoyable trip.
Best time to visit Hanoi
For Hanoi, the ideal months are October to December and March to April, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is lower, making it comfortable for sightseeing.
Spring (February to April) brings warm temperatures with occasional light rain, while fall (September to November) offers cooler temperatures and lower humidity, perfect for outdoor activities.
Summer (May to August) in Hanoi can be hot and humid with frequent rain showers, which some travelers might find uncomfortable. Winter (December to January) is cool to cold and can be damp, but it’s the least crowded season.
Best time to visit Can Tho
On the other hand, Can Tho’s best visiting time is from December to April during the dry season, which is ideal for exploring the famous floating markets. This period has warm temperatures and a low chance of rain, making it great for outdoor activities.
The wet season in Can Tho (May to November) brings higher humidity and frequent rain showers, which can affect boat tours and market visits. January to March are the coolest months in Can Tho and comfortable for exploring, while April and May can be very warm for sightseeing.
How long should I stay in Hanoi and Can Tho?
The amount of time you should allocate for your visit to Hanoi and Can Tho will depend on your interests and travel style.
Hanoi
For Hanoi, you should plan to stay at least 2 days to explore this charming city:
- Discover the culture with a blend of East Asian and French influences
- Explore the Old Quarter: wander through narrow streets and alleys, visit traditional shops and markets
- Visit famous landmarks: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Vietnam Women’s Museum
- Try local cuisine: taste pho (traditional noodle soup), sample banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), enjoy ca phe trung (egg coffee) and a lot of street food
- Shop at Dong Xuan Market: The largest covered market in Hanoi, find local goods and souvenirs, and experience the bustling atmosphere
- Watch a water puppet show, a traditional Vietnamese entertainment, usually performed at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
- Ride a cyclo (bicycle rickshaw)—a unique way to see the city
Let’s visit our best-seller Vietnam tours that include Hanoi for your travel list:
- Hanoi Cycling Tour: explore a more authentic Hanoi, along the valleys with your local expert in an unique way, by bicycle, price from $49 per person.
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Sample tasty street food like the Hanoians do, learn more about the rich culture of Hanoi cuisine, price from $49 per person.
- Classic Adventure Vietnam 12 Days: provide you enough time to explore the beauty of Vietnam with so many activities included and travel interest earned, with the itinerary: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Hoi An – My Son – Hue – Hanoi – Halong Bay, price from $49 per person.
Can Tho
In Can Tho, 2 days is usually sufficient to explore the floating markets and experience the Mekong Delta:
- Visit floating markets: Cai Rang Floating Market (largest and most popular), and Phong Dien Floating Market (smaller and more traditional), it’s advisable to take an early morning boat tour.
- Tour fruit orchards: visit tropical fruit gardens, try fresh local fruits, and learn about Mekong Delta agriculture
- Visit Binh Thuy Ancient House: see traditional Vietnamese architecture, and explore well-preserved 19th-century home
- Experience local religious sites: Quang Duc Pagoda, Ong Temple, Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda, etc.
- Take a bicycle tour: ride through rural villages, you can see rice paddies and local farms
- Visit Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary: see thousands of storks and other birds, best visited at sunset
- Try local cuisine: taste hu tieu (rice noodle soup), sample banh cong (deep-fried shrimp cake), enjoy fresh seafood dishes
- Take a cooking class: learn to make traditional Mekong Delta dishes and visit local markets for ingredients
- Enjoy a Mekong Delta homestay: stay with a Vietnamese family to experience local life
- Visit Cong Cau Dai fish market: see fishermen bring in their daily catch, best visited early in the morning
Our reliable cruises through Can Tho for your travel list:
- Mekong Eyes Cruise: modern boutique cruisers with traditional materials, explore hidden gems of the northern Mekong Delta, price from $545 per person.
- Song Xanh Sampan Cruises: perfect for private experiences with a unique, authentic, and charming Sampan in the Mekong Delta, price from $277 per person.
- Mango Cruise: high-quality private sampans, discover places that remain untouched by commercial tourism, in-depth local knowledge/experience, and dedicated staff, price from $311 per person.
FAQs
Is it safe to travel from Can Tho to Hanoi?
Yes, it’s generally safe to travel between these cities. Choose reputable transportation companies and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
Do I need a visa to travel within Vietnam?
If you’re already in Vietnam, you don’t need an additional visa to travel between cities. Just make sure your current visa is valid for your entire stay.
Can I book transportation tickets online?
Yes, you can book flights, train tickets, and bus tickets online. Many companies have English websites or you can use travel booking platforms.
Remember, the journey from Can Tho to Hanoi offers more than just transportation from one place to another. It’s a chance to see how diverse and beautiful Vietnam is. So now you know several ways to get from Can Tho to Hanoi. Discovering beautiful provinces from South to North of Vietnam seems not to be hard, is it? Why don’t you just pack and go?
From Luxury Cruise Mekong Team!
