How to get to Thua Thien Hue?

Well, there is something I must say if you tend to take this trip: this is going to be a long journey. If you have made your mind of taking part in this furious and thrilling adventure with me to the dreamlike city, let’s pack your back and get ready for it!

Motorcycle or Car Road Trip

Believe it or not, if you are not a risk taker and motorcycle road trip is currently on your mind then I have to remind you that 654 km is not a small distance for a lone traveler without any appropriate preparation. In contrast, if you are a challenge-conqueror then there is no choice that is more brilliant and fantastic than this one: driving on your favorite “babe” in the wuthering wind and enjoying the most picturesque sceneries.

The 600-kilometer route: From Hanoi Capital, you take two highways: Pháp Vân-Cầu Giè and Cầu Giè-Ninh Bình. After finishing the two highways, turn your direction to Highway 10 on the right that leads to Ninh Bình city. From here, keep driving along Highway 1A to Thừa Thiên Huế.

The 700-kilometer route: I believe this route was born for challenge-conquerors and beauty-craving eyes for along more than 700-kilometer road with millions of interests and surprises waiting with promising beautiful scenic areas. Also starting from the capital center, you go straight along Láng-Hòa Lạc Street then turn right when you see 21B Street. As far as you reach Xuân Mai three-way crossroads, turn right at Highway 6A and keep following Hồ Chí Minh roadway until you reach the desired destination.

Since it is a long journey, on your way, you should sometimes drop by a motel or café to stay the night or take some rest before keeping on your trip. Because you will drive through a few provinces so there would be hundreds of different motels offering at a reasonable price. Therefore, you do not have to worry about anything, just make the most of your trip.

In addition, there are also a few notes that I would like to recommend before you can officially start your trip:
Firstly: Make sure your motorbike or car is runnable. If it is too old and has some technical problems or a weak engine, you should get it fixed in advanced.

Secondly: Notice the traffic as it can be very dangerous when driving on highways, especially if you run on a motorbike. Another thing is there could be a few traffic police stations on the way so mind your driving if you do not want to get caught.

Thirdly: Remember to plan your trip and “check it twice” the night before so as to make sure that you have got everything that you may need.

Fourthly: Carry as light as possible but not to forget the most fundamental belongings such as clothes, money, blue card, driving license, map and so on. Although I have reminded you before in one of my Sapa’s posts, I still want to make sure if you still bear it in mind.

Last but not least: Weather is the most important factor that decides whether it is a successful trip or not so be sure that you have checked the weather before planning your trip. If there is any sudden change or outcome, delay your trip for a while until you feel it is fit to go.

For further and more detailed notes, please check out my Sapa’s posts.

Bus and Coach

Again, I must say, bus and coach are always the best choices for a trip like this for their cheap price and pre-eminence. These transports will directly take you to the dreamlike Huế City but if you want to get off at Thừa Thiên Huế Province, there will be a few stations or bus stops on the way. Again, make sure that you are well prepared for your trip before you get started because one journey like this can take an average of 12 – 14 hours and there will also be many different stops so you must pay attention to your itinerary.

Daily, there will be around 30 bus and coach trips from Hanoi to Thừa Thiên Huế. However, you must closely keep track of the bus journey since not all of them pass through Huế City or have the same itinerary.

Depending on where you stay, it is recommended a few travel agents that have buses or coaches pass through Huế City or have the office there so that you can easily decide on whether to stay in the city center or the nearby areas.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hai Bà Trưng, Đống Đa, etc:
Camel Travel
3 trips per day
Departure time: 5:00pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm
Ticket price: About 270.000vnd
Address: #459 Trần Khát Chân Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 466 522 533
        (+84) 902 252 200
Website: https://www.cameltravel.vn

Queen Café Vip Open Bus
2 trips per day
Departure time: 6:00pm and 6:30pm
Ticket price: About 280.000vnd
Address: #208 Trần Quang Khải Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 439 960 199
        (+84) 934 455 899
Website: https://www.queencafeopenbus.com

Yên Nghĩa, Mỹ Đình, Hà Đông, Cầu Giấy, etc:
Nhật Tuấn
2 trips per day
Departure time: 4:00pm and 5:00pm
Ticket price: About 280.000vnd
Address: #1 Thiên Hiền Street, Nam Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 902 252 200
        (+84) 466 522 533
Website: https://xenhattuan.wordpress.com

Train

If you tend to start your journey from Hanoi then Hanoi Train Station is a place you must know for all train trips start here and it is the only way to get to Huế. Each day, there will be different train trips at separate time periods so you must as well notice your train code.

Here is a list of train codes from Hanoi to Huế and their specific journey:
SE19: 8:10 pm – 9:42 am (About 13 hours – passes through 7 stations)
SE7: 6:00am – 19:47pm (About 13 hours – passes through 13 stations)
SE3 22:00pm – 10:27am (About 12 hours – passes through 9 stations)
SE1: 19:30 pm – 8:48 am (About 14 hours – passes through 10 stations)
SE5: 9:00 am – 22:42 pm (About 14 hours – passes through 13 stations)
TN1: 13:10 pm – 3:39 am (About 14 hours – passes through 15 stations)

Train fare: SE19: 244.000vnd – 750.000vnd
                      SE7: 252.000vnd – 788.000vnd
                      SE3: 252.000vnd – 827.000vnd
                      SE1: 245.000vnd – 850.000vnd
                      SE5: 252.000vnd – 788.000vnd
                      TN1: 207.000vnd – 672.000vnd

Hà Nội Train Station
Address: #120 Lê Duẩn Street, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 439 423 697
        (+84) 439 423 949 (buy online ticket)
Website: http://gahanoi.com.vn

You can also check out this website for more detailed information about Hanoi Train Station’s train journey as well as the ticket price for each train code.
Website: http://www.giotaugiave.vr.com.vn

Plane

This is undoubtedly the most comfortable and high-class transport if you want to make the best of your trip. Traveling by plane has always been the ideal choice for vacations and holidays in favor of most travelers. Therefore, if all you want is a perfect vacation and you do not hesitate to spend your money then the plane is absolutely the number one choice.

Since there are so many different airlines, the limitation of your choice is definitely out of the list. However, choosing the right airline is quite a controversial problem when safety is the first priority then come service and price.

Below are a few good airlines that I want to recommend. For more detailed information and ticket booking, please visit the airline’s public website.
Vietnam Airlines
Address: #200 Nguyễn Sơn Street, Bồ Đề Ward, Long Biên District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 438 320 320
Website: https://www.vietnamairlines.com

Jetstar Pacific Airline
Tel: 1900 1550 (Hotline)
Website: http://www.jetstar.com

VietJet Air
Address: 7^th Floor, Nhật An Building, #30D Kim Mã Thượng Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84) 835 471 866
        1900 1886 (Hotline)
Website: http://www.vietjetair.com