1. General introduction to the journey from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa

The route connecting Hanoi and Thanh Hoa is one of the busiest routes in the North, especially during the peak beach tourism season from May to September. Besides the large number of vacationers, this route also serves the travel needs of business travelers thanks to the strong development of Thanh Hoa in particular and the Central provinces in the industrial and service sectors. Additionally, many families with relatives living in Thanh Hoa also frequently visit their hometowns, creating a stable flow of travel throughout the year.

Modern national highway routes provide fast and convenient travel. (Source: Collected)

Thanh Hoa is located in the transit position of the North Central region, possessing 102 km of beautiful coastline. This province is also attractive thanks to many specialty dishes such as nem chua Thanh Hoa, banh gai, cha tom… These are also the reasons why Thanh Hoa's tourism map has a unique appeal to domestic and foreign tourists who love to explore regional culture.

2. How many km from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa

2.1 Road distance (National Highway 1A, expressway)

The distance from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa will vary depending on the route you choose. If traveling on the CT01 expressway, the distance from the center of Hanoi to the center of Thanh Hoa is about 160 km, which is also a popular and convenient choice nowadays.

CT01 Expressway section through Mai Son area. (Source: Collected)

Traveling along the traditional National Highway 1A, the distance increases by about 165 km due to more intersections. The travel time by private car generally falls between about 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and departure time. During peak hours like early morning or late afternoon, the time can extend by an additional 30-45 minutes due to crowded traffic points.

2.2 Railway distance and train travel time

The North-South railway line running from Hanoi Station to Thanh Hoa Station is currently about 176 km long. The train route is longer than the road route because it passes through Nam Dinh Station along the journey.

The railway is a worthwhile option when traveling to Thanh Hoa. (Source: Collection)

Travel time by train can range from 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the train type. Passenger trains running on the North - South railway line such as SE1, SE3 usually take about 3 hours 30 minutes.

2.3 Air distance (Tho Xuan airport)

The straight-line distance connecting Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) to Tho Xuan airport (Thanh Hoa) is 150 km. Currently, airlines such as Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet Air are not yet operating the Hanoi - Thanh Hoa flight route.

Besides, Tho Xuan airport currently mainly serves flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang to Thanh Hoa. Many people combine their flight journey from Ho Chi Minh City - Thanh Hoa by plane, then continue to Hanoi by train or bus.

3. Means of transport from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa

3.1 Bus

Buses are still the top priority choice for those concerned about cost when traveling from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa. Nuoc Ngam bus station is usually the familiar departure point, with dozens of transport companies operating trips during the period from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Duc Phat bus is among the top bus companies in Thanh Hoa. (Source: Collected)

Some reputable bus companies such as Duc Phat, Van Anh, Phuong Trang regularly serve this route, with ticket prices ranging from 180,000 - 250,000 VND. The travel distance is about 3 hours to 3 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the scheduled stops along the journey.

3.2 Limousine bus

Many tourists tend to choose limousines for their door-to-door pick-up service and comfortable space. Limousine bus ticket prices currently have many ranges for tourists to choose from, varying from 150,000 - 360,000 VND.

36 Limousine bus company with high-quality service. (Source: Collected)

Among them, there are many reputable and high-quality limousine service providers. Currently, prominent ones include: 36 Limousine, Thom Phung Limousine, Duc Phat Limousine… The travel time by limousine ranges from 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes, with almost no stops, making the schedule quite flexible.

3.3 Trains

Trains still maintain a stable number of passengers thanks to their safety advantage, limiting risks in bad weather, and offering a beautiful sightseeing experience along the way. From Hanoi station, there are 6-8 passenger train trips to Thanh Hoa daily, with the earliest departure at 6:00 AM (SE7) and the latest at 8:50 PM (SE1).

Berth cabin with 4 modern, comfortable beds. (Source: Collected)

Ticket prices are very diverse, from 190,000 VND for seats to 275,000 VND for air-conditioned 4-berth cabins. In general, SE trains are often highly rated for service quality and stable running time, about 3 hours 50 minutes for the entire journey. During holidays and Tet, the railway industry often adds 2-3 trains to serve the increased travel demand between the 2 provinces.

3.4 Self-driving car or motorbike

Tourists driving cars and motorbikes will be completely proactive about their time and have the opportunity to stop at many interesting places along the way. The Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Thanh Hoa expressway is very suitable for private cars due to its good road surface, the current expressway fee is about 130,000 VND for cars.

CT01 Expressway section through Thanh Hoa. (Source: Collected)

By motorbike, many tourists often follow National Highway 1A to admire the rural scenery of Northern Vietnam. The total distance is 160 km with an estimated time of 4-5 hours, many people proactively plan to rest 2-3 times along the way. Fuel cost is about 120,000 VND.

An important note is to start early in the day to avoid the heat of the Central region, and thoroughly check brakes and tires before setting off.

4. Suggestions for combining Thanh Hoa tourism

4.1 Visit Sam Son Beach – the most outstanding destination

From Thanh Hoa city center, traveling about 18 km east leads to Sam Son beach, famous for its 3 km long stretch of fine white sand. And when mentioning Sam Son, a place tourists should not miss is Sun World Sam Son.

Sun World Sam Son is a destination for every family. (Source: Collected)

This place is considered the most modern entertainment complex in Thanh Hoa. With a series of diverse entertainment services ranging from water parks, beach squares, and other accompanying facilities, Sun World Sam Son is always a top destination chosen by many tourists when visiting the coastal city of Sam Son.

4.2 Discover the World Heritage Site of Ho Citadel (Thanh Nha Ho)

Ho Citadel (Thanh Nha Ho) is located in Vinh Loc commune, about 45 km from Thanh Hoa center. Ho Citadel (Thanh Nha Ho) is considered the pride of the locality as it has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. This structure was built in 1397 during the reign of Ho Quy Ly, and it stands out with its large stone architecture and historical value representative of 14th-century Viet Nam.

Visitors can explore the entire complex to admire the massive citadel gates, discover the ancient architecture, and learn about the historical stories associated with the Ho dynasty. The journey to discover Ho Citadel (Thanh Nha Ho) will bring a special experience of one of the most precious heritages of Thanh land.

4.3 Nui Nua mountain - Am Tien Relic Area

Nui Nua mountain is located in Tan Ninh commune, about 25 km from Thanh Hoa city, known as a spiritual destination with the ancient Am Tien pagoda. The historical and scenic relic area associated with the Ba Trieu uprising includes Nui Nua mountain, Den Nua temple, and Am Tien, covering an area of nearly 100 hectares. Among them, Am Tien is located on the peak of Nui Nua mountain – the highest mountain in the southern plains of Thanh Hoa. The mountain range stretches nearly 20 km in the Northwest – Southeast direction, starting from Trieu Son, Nhu Thanh, passing through Nong Cong, and extending down to Nghe An.

The Legend of Am Tien is expected to become a leading spiritual tourism center. (Source: Collected)

Currently, the "Legend of Am Tien" project has just broken ground for construction in this area. The project promises to be a new leading spiritual tourism destination in the North Central region.

With a distance of about 160 km, the journey from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa is very convenient for organizing short weekend trips as well as longer retreats. Depending on your needs and financial resources, each mode of transport will bring its own experience. Choose the suitable method to fully experience the charm of Thanh Hoa land with memorable memories.