Getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat takes either an hour in the air or most of a day on the road. This guide compares the flight, the overnight sleeper bus and driving, explains what changed at Da Lat’s airport in 2026, when the new expressway might open, and how to get around once you arrive.
How far is Da Lat from Ho Chi Minh City?
About 300 km, according to VnExpress. Da Lat sits on a plateau at around 1,500 m, so every road route ends with a mountain pass, and the drive takes about six hours on National Route 20, according to Báo Lâm Đồng.
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat at a glance
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | About 55 minutes in the air | Plus about 30 km from Lien Khuong airport into town |
| Sleeper bus | Overnight, arriving early morning | From VND 270,000 one way, according to VnExpress (April 2026) |
| Car on National Route 20 | About 6 hours | Longer at weekends, on holidays and in heavy rain |
Is Da Lat airport open?
Yes. Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI), Da Lat’s airport, closed on 4 March 2026 to rebuild its runway and reopened on 19 August 2026, according to Báo Văn Hóa and Lao Động. Vietnam Airlines planned four return flights a day between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat after the reopening, according to Báo Pháp Luật; schedules change by season, so check the airlines’ own sites.
- Flight time is about 55 minutes, according to Vietnam Airlines.
- The airport is about 30 km from Da Lat, according to Vietnam’s tourism board. Vietnam Airlines lists reference fares into town of VND 40,000–50,000 per person for the airport bus and VND 400,000–450,000 for a taxi.
- Grab has offered fixed-price GrabCar rides between the airport and Da Lat since 29 February 2024, according to Grab.
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat by bus
Sleeper buses run overnight and reach Da Lat early in the morning, according to VnExpress, with fares from VND 270,000 one way. Several companies run sleeper coaches and limousine vans; compare times on their own sites and book a day or two ahead at weekends and holidays. Intercity buses usually arrive at Da Lat’s intercity bus station, about 3.8 km by road from the market area, by OpenStreetMap; take a taxi or Grab into town.
Driving: National Route 20 or 28B?
National Route 20 is the classic road: from Dầu Giây through Định Quán, the Bảo Lộc Pass, Bảo Lộc, Di Linh and Đức Trọng, then up to Da Lat by the Liên Khương–Prenn expressway and the Prenn Pass. The alternative heads towards Phan Thiết and climbs National Route 28B over the Đại Ninh Pass; by July 2026 it had been fully resurfaced, but weekend traffic still jammed on the pass, according to Tuổi Trẻ.
In the rainy season, passes can close after landslides: in November 2025 the Mimosa Pass was cut and the Prenn and D’ran passes temporarily closed, according to Tuổi Trẻ News. Check local traffic news before setting off.
When will the Ho Chi Minh City–Da Lat expressway open?
Not soon. As of October 2026, none of the three sections between Dầu Giây and Liên Khương was open; on 8 October 2026 the province set a new target for the last section, Bảo Lộc–Liên Khương: technical opening in the third quarter of 2028 and full operation in the fourth quarter, according to VietnamPlus. Once complete, the road trip is expected to take about three hours.
Is there a train from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat?
No. Vietnam’s tourism board notes that Da Lat’s tracks no longer link up with the north–south railway; only a short tourist line runs from Da Lat Railway Station to Trại Mát, a pleasant half-day trip covered in our 3-day Da Lat itinerary.
Getting around Da Lat: is there Grab?
Yes. Grab’s service list for Lâm Đồng province (updated July 2026) includes GrabCar, GrabBike and GrabFood; it is listed by province rather than city, so waits can be longer outside the centre. In the centre many sights are walkable: Xuân Hương Lake is about 1.2 km on foot from the market. What to pack for the cooler weather is in what to wear in Da Lat.
Rest after the journey
Six hours of mountain roads, or a night on a bus, leaves the neck and shoulders stiff. If you arrive before check-in, The Pine Spa & Wellness, a short walk from Da Lat Market, opens from 09:00 to 21:00; a neck and shoulder massage or a Vietnamese head spa is an easy way to start your stay. See Vietnamese head spa in Da Lat, and book by calling or messaging +84 868 097 660, also on Zalo. Vietnamese readers can find this guide at Từ Sài Gòn đi Đà Lạt.
